Fall shifts time, at least here on the High Plains at 39° latitude. Each day grows shorter until, by the middle of winter, I go stark raving mad ;-) During the long, warm days of summer, I begin almost all of my dirt road adventures early in the morning, often before the sun rises above the eastern horizon. In October, temperatures can still be in the 30s, so I shift my departure times a few hours later to take advantage of the sun’s warming rays.
As I began my morning ride at 11:00 instead of 6:00, I reflected on the concepts of space and time. Life is always moving and changing. We used to chase after it, but always fell short. It wasn’t until we realized there was nothing worth chasing that we started enjoying the beautiful unfolding of time. In Japan, the concept of ‘Ma’ is central to both thought and action; the space between things is just as important as the things themselves.
“Life is the only thing that can never be replaced when lost.” ~ Lailah Gifty Akita
Less, Not More
Ma is the interval in space and time that shapes the world around us. Without it, everything would blend into a continuous blur lacking meaning. Our daily lives were once packed with meetings, phone notifications, and endless to-do lists. Western culture, in particular, tends to value addition—believing more is always better: more productivity, more content, more noise, and more possessions. When we encounter emptiness, we instinctively want to fill it.
But what if clarity isn’t achieved by adding more, but by embracing what’s not there? Ma is about the emptiness between things, the silence between sounds, the rest between activities, and the pause between thoughts. That’s what we love about the High Plains: there’s room to roam. There’s space to contemplate the bigger picture of our lives. In the vast, open spaces, we gain perspective—as if the magic lies in the space between.
The Japanese language contains multiple words for “space”: wa (creating environments that deepen relationships), ba (generating new knowledge), tokoro (connecting to the work around us), and ma (moments of quiet and integration). Ma is the deliberate placement of nothingness, which then gives rise to everything. If your mind is constantly busy, there is no room for creativity; ideas need space to flourish.
“Those who are wise won’t be busy, and those who are too busy can’t be wise.” ~ Lin Yutang
Create Space
Space isn’t simply emptiness to be filled; it’s a canvas of possibility. It serves as the calm framework that supports our chaotic lives. In an age of information overload and constant connectivity, the concept of Ma is more relevant than ever. We are overwhelmed by busyness and noise, and our minds seldom find moments of stillness and quiet. Ma represents a rebellion against the relentless busyness dominating our society.
By learning to appreciate and create space in your home, schedule, and mind, you gain clarity, peace, and a deeper connection to the world around you. Music is born in the space between the notes. In the pauses between your busyness, life is truly felt. Birth marks the beginning, death the end, and in between lies Ma.
As I pushed hard on the pedals, climbing the steep grade out of Ladder Creek, I searched for space between my breaths; I couldn’t find any. Yet all around me was magnificent, vast open space—beauty before me, beauty beside me, beauty behind me; beauty all around me—as I journeyed through “The Land of Ma.”
Mike – what a beautiful reflection. I think silence (emptiness) frightens some. I remember when I was introduced to the concept of centering prayer…20 minutes of silence…silence where I intentionally made room for the divine presence. I used to struggle with 20 minutes of silence…now, I crave those 20 minutes of silence. I wonder if we all made room and emptied ourselves of all that clutter that we carry around on a daily basis…if we truly as a culture started making time to be creative in those spaces, might we find a pathway to peace?
Thinking about our fight or flight response, that is the easy path, but this kind of deeper thinking, of creating, of imagining the what ifs…that is the difficult stuff.
Again great post. I love how world cultures and my faith tradition find points to intersect with each other. Thank you for sharing this. I truly needed to read it this morning.
Thanks for stopping by J!