Spaces Between

 


Tile floor in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand. 2013

Struggling to understand Spanish, I wish there was more space between the words being spoken. It got me contemplating the spaces between everything, and the Japanese concept of MA.

In MA, 'the spaces between' are both physical or in time. It helps us to be mindful of the gaps or pauses in the world around us—to cultivate awareness, curiosity, creativity … even a sense of calm. Notice the space between you and other people, between the floor tiles, or your furniture placement. Consider the silence between notes in a song, between a breath in and out, or the space between our thoughts. At the beach, there is a moment between the waves. These spaces aren't always empty. Visually, negative space actually helps us see the shape and beauty of everything around us. 

Between words and paragraphs.

Between the clouds or stars in the sky.

Between beginnings and endings.


Concept of MA

Comments

  1. AnnetteSeptember 27, 2021 at 6:01 AM

    Thanks for sharing this concept - loving it :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AileenSeptember 27, 2021 at 9:23 PM

    I like the comparison between pauses and negative space - so similar in many ways. Very interesting concept that is completely new to me!

    ReplyDelete

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