Ma
Two letters.
One sound.
A Japanese word that describes the fundamental forces in this world — the energized space between things, a pause.
This simple but oh so powerful word came to me in the middle of the night. Working to fall back asleep the other night, I was listening to the Calm app. I always enjoy listening to the Daily Jay to get in a micro dose of learning before listening to the prescribed sleep meditation. I was glad I did! He talked about the power of pausing in order to create space for ourselves to settle in to life. This is when he explained the Japanese concept of ma. The critical element of ma is not just absence, but energized space, open space between things. The Japanese character itself reveals the nature of ma as it combines the character for gate and for sun. Visually the language expresses the idea of a door or gate with sun streaming through. We all know this gorgeous visual as sunlight comes beaming through an open door. This space between things is what energizes. My mind electrified! This was the essential space needed in paintings, in conversation, in thinking, in design.
As I moved through my day, I saw all of the ways in which ma informed life. I also saw learning to give space between my listening and responding as the root of my studio practice. Consciously I can practice building space between my thoughts, between my speech, between, well — everything.
I remembered the summer I shared the above painting Blue with Enrique Martinez Celaya at Anderson Ranch. I used the term negative space and he adamantly contested this definition, saying the bare canvas was not negative space but space itself. I remember how my mind felt like it was exploding. I said, yes, but negative space is the understood art history term to explain the bare canvas. He pushed back, saying the definition was wrong. Incorrect. He challenged me to make a new word. I had no word…until now. The term is defined, just not in the English language.
The power of accurately naming something puts it in motion. Activates it. I now see that this concept of ma is foundational to my painting and my philosophy. It is something I now will actively cultivate, that empty space that is oh so full.
Until next Friday!
Be well, breathe, read, and make some art!
Jen