And again, when looking around I got a new idea for a blogpost. Inspiration is everywhere. I want to write a bit on attention. Or rather, the Japanese character of “Nen”. Which translates to “wish, sense, idea, thought, feeling, desire, attention”.
The last time I talked with m Zen teacher he talked about this character and what it means. How can we distinguish quality? What is the difference between a work of art and a mass product. It’s nen, or the amount of honest attention, honest thought that was put into it’s creation. Just think about if for a second, can you tell just by looking at something if the one who made it was totally involved in making it? Or was he (or she) manually going through the motions and at the same time being somewhere else with their mind.
My zen teacher explained all this through a chawan, a Japanese bowl used for the preparation and drinking of tea. At first glance some of the bowls look absolutely hideous. You can find some examples on ebay in the ebay store of Magokorodo. A gifted Japanese potter. (I’m not a customer or friend, I’m an admirer of his work and want to share it.) If you take a longer look however and don’t immediately dismiss them you start to see all the details, all the perfections and imperfections. A very delicate balance that takes years to master or perhaps even a lifetime. This nen is very subtle and because of that, most people don’t even see it or take the time to learn and see it.
This one thing, this nen… is what distinguishes the master. In all Japanese arts (be it kyudo or ikebana) this is what they are trying to achieve. 100% Attention to what is right now, without the preconceptions. True beginners mind lets one be right here and right now and express attention.
Can you find nen in a blog post? Of course you can, but not in every blog post. This is what distinguishes a good blog from a bad one. You can make or break a blog with nen. Put your mind into something and stand for it. Be responsible for what you make and do. Is something just “good enough” or is it really good? It’s in the details and the balance.
Anything you do, do it to your very best standard and look to improve your standard every time.
Written by Christiaan
Topics: Zen your Mind