Ma — Absence Gives Meaning To Existence
The Japanese concept of Ma is related to all aspects of life. It can be described as a pause in time, an interval or void in space. Ma is the fundamental time and space that life needs to grow. If we don’t have time and our space is limited, we can’t grow. How we use our time and what shape we give to our space directly influences our progress as people. These principles are universal, and when applied correctly, they improve the way we think and how we relate to our surroundings.
It is even possible to visualize the meaning of Ma from the kanji used for it. Ma combines the kanji for door門and the kanji for sun 日. These two kanji together show a door through which the sun’s rays enter,間.
In this symbol we not only see the outline of the door, but a door that is open to the light, allowing growth, creativity and freedom to exist. This is Ma , the space between the edges, between the beginning and the end, the space and time in which we live our lives. The Ma is made up of energy and feelings. It is about silence instead of sound, about absence instead of excess. It is the moment of pause in the speech to find the perfect words, the silence between the notes to create the music. There is a need for Ma in every aspect of our lives.
Ma in Japanese culture.
In Japan, the Ma is a very important part of society and its identity, so much so that we even took time to give this concept a name. Artistic values that are deeply rooted in the mentality of society as part of its culture, connected in a complex way in its daily life. Decisions that are meditated deeply, never in a hurry. The Time and Space of contemplation are always considered. Intuition and sensation play a very important role in decision making, sometimes above logic and reasoning.
An everyday example of Ma may be bowing as a sign of respect in Japan. There is a pause when bowing, just before standing back up, to make sure there is enough Ma to express your feelings.
