“It is not impermanence that makes us suffer.
What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, 2015, p. 132
Wabi-sabi reminds us that all things, including us and life itself, are impermanent, incomplete, and imperfect.
I have been exploring impermanence from a Buddhist perspective and with the help of plants through Chlorophyll Printing. This sustainable and natural photography technique creates images on leaves. As the resulting image fades over time, it is a powerful art medium to explore the meaning of impermanence.
This is an ongoing project; what you see here is not the final product but rather an exhibit of my process and findings thus far. Thank you for reading.
I often hold onto moments of peace and joy, cherishing them with all my senses and never wanting to let them go. This may be because I have experienced a lot of suffering and anxiety. Even a tiny joy, like creating art while feeling alone, can help me stop time and feel safe and grounded. However, one thing is sure: life changes constantly and quickly. Sometimes, I feel powerless to stop time, and anxiety consumes me. In those moments, I take a deep breath and ask myself:
How can I practice mindfulness and acceptance of impermanence in my daily life?
How does impermanence challenge our attachment to material possessions and relationships?
Can impermanence be a positive force for change and growth instead of a source of fear or anxiety?
Life is a mix of light and dark, life and death, and I want to learn to accept change as a part of life.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/abaaa963-8ae5-400d-941d-20b489dca332_rw_3840.jpeg?h=c153360193fd4ac2d7b5025551fbf8ca)
![In Koyasan: Amid a wintry, frosty evening, I learned how a supple mind works. I witnessed an extraordinary act by a humble monk; he defied the traditions of an ancient ritual by removing himself from it to help me keep my body from freezing in the snow, showcasing the power of kindness and love.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/f2db9a78-e3af-4e8b-ac5c-766d2111388f_rw_3840.jpg?h=c5834368aa8d07af0225c8bb37230ba6)
In Koyasan: Amid a wintry, frosty evening, I learned how a supple mind works. I witnessed an extraordinary act by a humble monk; he defied the traditions of an ancient ritual by removing himself from it to help me keep my body from freezing in the snow, showcasing the power of kindness and love.
![Acceptance](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/80633ee5-7498-401c-9a13-80e05837e969_rw_1920.jpg?h=ec8060043582ff4be359663afb346a97)
Acceptance
![Letting Him Go](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/18c59168-8f28-495e-8000-0cb91e589d55_rw_3840.jpg?h=5d7fc9c3aff197ba2e4a880571ba47f0)
Letting Him Go
![Arise And Decay](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/da9197c9-4884-457f-9f83-81af5f029209_rw_1920.jpg?h=4cea73a1a3426045f801d88fe8d7c51b)
Arise And Decay
![Migration](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/e74394d3-ab2e-4aa7-abaf-8e9896153cc0_rw_1920.jpg?h=23156c59741a0af8eeb7c1149a9f4af8)
Migration
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/bcad3a75-f9ec-472d-ba28-cc0db961e9f7_rw_1920.jpg?h=6cb8ae8bbdd4b947b68c1ae808cb9403)
![Transcendence](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/9dd06f3c-1579-4441-9785-9f90a568ed67_rw_1920.jpg?h=eb075f55983076b12a1ddda545185faa)
Transcendence
![Loss](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/654eed4c-ae46-470a-adc1-bf31dde78be8/26b7a1f3-3eac-4f98-9beb-83e7490892f2_rw_1920.jpg?h=6cc6ef047912da1aed5b17182a6c59e8)