Why listen
A short meditation on the bittersweet feeling of letting go and why it might be worth savoring.
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In this episode
- What the Japanese concept of yugen reveals about everyday sadness
- How wabi-sabi connects beauty to the acceptance of impermanence
- A philosophical framework for sitting with wistfulness instead of fighting it
- Why transience can feel delightful rather than only painful
About this episode
In Japanese aesthetics, there is a concept known as yūgen, which has no real translation even though we have all felt it. In the Chinese philosophical texts from which the term was taken, yūgen meant "deep" or "mysterious." But really it points to a sensation of sadness. Not grief per se, but, rather, a delightful kind of wistfulness akin to the feeling that arises when listening to Satie or Debussy. It is strongly related to the acceptance of transience that is associated with wabi-sabi. Today’s musing attempts to poke at this feeling. Commusings is our format where we take a moment to think deeply on the topics of spirituality, philosophy, and culture. For more musings and quotes, connect with us on Instagram at @onecommune or @jeffkrasno or sign up for the Commusings newsletter at onecommune.com.
About Commune with Jeff Krasno
The Commune Podcast is where we explore the ideas and practices that help us live healthy, connected, purpose-filled lives.
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