Perfection or wholeness

IT OFTEN surprises people that Japanese pottery that seems ‘flawed’ in shape or colour is often much more expensive than a perfectly finished product, even in the same shop. I once heard a beautiful story about a Japanese potter that speaks of this interesting valuing of imperfection. 
    “Let me share with you what we see as real beauty,” this potter said to the buyer. “Notice in this piece how the glaze was not applied evenly and consistently all over the surface. It is that very inconsistency that contributes to the amazing and subtle range of colours that the glaze now reveals in this piece.” 
    With another item she pointed out: “Look, this bowl is not fully round in shape. I am a rather short and small woman, and this is a rather large piece for me to handle. In fact, it is the biggest piece I am currently able to throw on the wheel. Now and then I love making a few pieces this big, because it really tests my limits. The result is a certain tension present when the shape goes slightly out of being perfectly round, and this is what draws one to this piece.” 
    “And this one,” she said, “you may wonder why the price is significantly lower than the other pieces. The shape is perfectly round, and the glaze flows smoothly and evenly over the entire pot. It even looks a bit like it could have been machine-made — but because of this, the piece does not have a real sense of uniqueness. When pots come out this perfect, I almost feel like the soul of the pots get left in the kiln. Now you know why it is considerably cheaper!” 
    These lessons of the arts have a deeper meaning for our lives. I learnt that the Biblical quote: “Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect,” is a minor yet significant error in translation from several previous languages into English. It is more accurately rendered as: “Be whole, as your Father in Heaven is whole.” 
    Though the two terms, perfection and wholeness have often been used interchangeably, in a very subjective understanding of these words, to me ‘perfection’ somehow does not seem to make place for our flaws and failings, or even our strivings, whereas ‘wholeness’ seems to accept all of our parts. Wholeness embraces our existing imperfections with compassion. 
    Wholeness also generously factors in our awareness, our efforts to change, our repentance, our forgiveness, our taking responsibility for our decisions. Where perfection focuses mainly on the destination, wholeness honours the entire journey.