Shivangi Singh, the Indian-born author of “Moraya: A Metempsychosis Of Ganapati AtharvaShirsha” once remarked: “A few moments of calmness, in the ‘just be’ state gives more answers, clarity, wisdom and solutions than hours of mind chatter. It rejuvenates and heals. But the catch is - we can never be in the ‘just be’ state if we are looking for anything - even solutions, bliss or peace. So, how do we do it?” Isaiah 61:7 reminds us: "Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonour they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.”
Pottery is frequently used and admired in our everyday lives. It is defined as pots, dishes and other articles made of fired clay. Pottery can broadly be divided into three categories of earthenware, porcelain and stoneware.
There is a long-established Japanese art known as Kintsugi which involves the practice of repairing broken pottery by re-assembling the broken fragments to their original position and joining them back together with a mixture of lacquer and powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The logic behind this conception is not to disguise the original fracture, as in an invisible repair, but to highlight the original beauty of the piece complete with its flaws, with the addition of beautiful materials that enhance its attractiveness. By performing a rejuvenation in this manner, it can actually make the item stronger than the original structure, as the various compounds applied not only signify beauty but also create strength.
Broken pottery could be compared to the hardship encountered in life as a result of a breakup of a relationship or other serious misfortune that can occur, which result in the victim feeling broken, worthless or meaningless. Life can sometimes seem cruel and harsh. However, just as pottery that has been broken can be repaired and restored to its former glory with even greater beauty and strength, so the fragmentation of life which causes hurt within us can be rejuvenated to a better life with even greater resilience. We can emerge as a more fulfilled person.
We are the creation of God and when adversity strikes and deeply impairs our inner strength, we may feel like broken pottery. Often when pottery is broken, it is discarded or rejected as no longer serviceable. However, this is not what God wants for us. He sees beauty in everyone. He wants us to feel complete. We should never forget that God is a healing God. He will never discard or reject us. He will restore us.
Just like Kintsugi, even though the cracks may still be visible in our minds or body, we will not lose our beauty. In fact, it may be enhanced and our strength increased. Psalm 51:12 states: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” The action of restoring us by whatever method God determines, can in fact make us wiser and more resilient in facing future adversities. It could be considered an important learning curve in life. Joel 2:25-26 reminds us: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”
Just as Kintsugi is specifically designed not to be deceptive or hide the truth, allowing the joints of the repair to be highlighted, so we could adopt the same technique in our lives. If we close our eyes to reality and pretend that things have never happened to save face, the only person we are deceiving is ourselves. To be open with others and not hide any problems encountered, displays a true strength of character which will be far more beneficial in the long run. We will once again be able to hold our heads up high and not fear possible repercussions from attempting to hide the truth.
Depending on the particular lifestyle we lead, life can sometimes appear to be more intense and complicated for some. Relationships may encounter turbulence and as a result, we may become more susceptible to fragility. Some may believe that those who lead a mundane life and don’t take risks, stand the least chance of incurring heartbreak, but that is not necessarily true. If we seek nothing, we achieve nothing. We lack progression. That can lead to an uneventful and boring life. It is rather like refusing to handle beautiful pottery for fear of breaking it.
Even then, there is still a risk of hurt or pain caused by others who consider our actions, or the lack of them, futile. Everybody seeks a life of peace and tranquillity, with the least amount of friction, but sometimes this is not possible. Circumstances can prevail that alter our intentions and force us into a turbulent situation that we do not wish to encounter, but are unable to avoid. This can lead to possible breakage within our hearts or even rejection which may result in a greater intensity of pain than we could ever wish for. The greater the emotional attachment, the more pain we are likely to experience.
Life is not always kind to us, just as precious pottery can become broken, so we too can experience a similar fate and suffer accordingly. Without God's help and guidance our life would be difficult to restore to normal. When pottery repairs are undertaken using the Kintsugi method, a new life of enchantment and rejuvenation is often established. Items may appear to have even more beauty and strength than they previously had.
There is a legend that in the fifteenth century, a Japanese shogun broke his favourite Chinese bowl. He decided to send it away to China for repair. When it was returned, it was full of unattractive staples, which held the repaired item together. In his disappointment, he commissioned a Japanese craftsman to undertake a more aesthetic restoration which resulted in the birth of Kintsugi.
As children of God, Our Lord wants to heal our troubles and restore the quality of life wherever possible. He wants to remove the hurt from within us, dry our eyes and comfort us. We can re-emerge much stronger from the difficult time endured. It has been stated that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what do you do with the remaining broken fragments of life, if we have an existence without God? Psalm 147:3 reminds us: "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds." Just as broken pottery relies on Kintsugi to restore and enhance its original beauty, we need to rely on God. He is the formula for our rejuvenation. Psalm 71:20-21 confirms: “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.”
Amen.
