Thank you for feeling sympathy toward the previous post. I was a bit scared to share the mindset. Some people may think it is too eccentric.
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A little bit more about “気 = Qi, (Reiki & Energy)” with Sashiko. There is a reason I keep mentioning, “Sashiko is not about making one perfect stitch. It is about a movement of needle work caring someone.” When we stitch with focusing on the result (one stitch), the Qi goes into “unknown future (yet ideal result)”. When we get the unexpected result contrary to the hope, we judge the result. The Qi went to the future became “past” and we “compare” and “be judgemental” to oneself (or others). It is okay to be like that. I do the same. However, I just want to share that Sashiko can be MORE than that. When we focus on the process (the needle movement), the Qi goes into the “moment.” Then, the “moment” transform to the “stitch(es) with Qi” and it become powerful Sashiko piece (result of accumulation of the moment). In order to do it, the hand-posture I introduce is kind of necessary because we don’t think about the hand or stitches when we fully enjoy Sashiko. We enjoy the process, and the result happen to be good. (You can see how much I talk while I stitch in Live streaming. I don’t remember much how good I stitched – or how good my stitches became.)
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I am sure that this “Qi” description is not only about Sashiko. Any practice we do with using our hands and mind have the similar phenomenon. The simpler the practice is, the more Qi you may feel. When we care about the result, we already live in the future. When we live in the future, we compare ourselves to the past (and judge all the time). When we can focus on the moment, we can respect who we are. It is a gift from being mindful and caring oneself. (Therefore we call it “present”…? English isn’t my first language so I don’t know.
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God, it is so difficult to explain in the second language (well, I am not doing a good job in Japanese as well). I will keep thinking how to describe it, but meanwhile, I will also share more Sashiko instead of our (mainly Atsushi’s) mindset.
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2019-03-07 21:56:59
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 God bless you are ahead of your time
Your thoughtful words are profound! Today I wrote them in a notebook because I found myself thinking about them often. Thank you for these gifts!
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💎💖😊
Like stars in the milky way.
Beautifully said, beautifully lived
Atsushi, I’ve been watching your videos and enjoying your Instagram posts for a while now, and in addition to learning Sashiko techniques from you, I especially enjoy when you talk about the more philosophical and spiritual sides to the craft – I find it so interesting and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂 I am Level 2 Reiki, but I haven’t practised in a while – you are making me want to start again!
Wow! So well said. Thank you.
I love how you say, ‘when we care about the results we already live in the future’. That really resonates with me. When I am painting sometimes, tbh, I think about how it’s going to end up, about posting it, about comments I might get. When I do this I’m not so happy with my finished piece. However when I don’t think at all and just paint in the flow, I end up loving what I’ve done and don’t care what anyone thinks. I hope that makes sense.
@ritajc.studios It is one of core concept of Sashiko I would like to share. When one focus on one stitch, the result will not look like the antique Boro or Sashiko we admire, because I believe some of them weren’t feeling the “doing”. I am happy that I can communicate what I feel. Thank you!
@sea_otter3 Thank you for your comment. I don’t practice Reiki, but I believe our ancestor practiced similar energy activity & I can do the similar thing (Western Reiki is one ramification via Hawaii, if I am not mistaken). It is the same thing after all. My goal is not to be famous Sashiko artisan or a great teacher. I just would like to share Sashiko (not only the technique but beyond the simple needle movement). Well, I need to balance me being practical and ideal.
It is all about believing and caring.
@franmade17 Thank you for the comment. Indeed & exactly what I wanted to share in “Sashiko isn’t about making one stitch.” It makes perfect sense to me. For me, I am the last one who judge myself, so I try to listen and emphasize what other think, but not take it as the judging comment. It is kind of hard to explain, but “what other think” also have several aspect. So just enjoy who you are. The world will find you as who you are. I hope that makes sense (sorry for replying with the same ending phrase :D)
Those words are pure love 💙. Thanks!
Love this. I feel sashiko is like a working meditation. Sometimes I just practice on scrap linen with no actual project in mind. Very helpful to see your approach, both live on video but in your words. Thank you for sharing. 😊
❤️🙏😊
Thank you for these words. I have moments where I can feel present while I’m making stitches so I will try harder. I need much more work on this when I paint!