In finding beauty in the broken, we can form a bridge between the mundane and the divine | Jackie Bailey

At last count, there were almost 50,000 volunteers gathering in more than 3,000 global locations.

Repair cafes are springing up all over the world, offering to fix broken things.

The ability to repair things can also be experienced as a spiritual practice.

In Zen Buddhist practice of kintsugi, you take a broken bowl and stick the pieces back together.

Jackie Bailey is the author of The Eulogy, winner of the 2023 NSW premier’s literary multicultural award.

When she is not writing, Jackie works as a funeral celebrant, helping families navigate death and dying.

This article draws on research for her forthcoming nonfiction book.