Introduction:

What is beauty? On the surface, this is a very subjective question. Each person you ask will have a slightly different answer: a sunset over a tropical Island, a Rembrandt painting with the perfect shading of light, or the person you love. This would suggest the meaning of beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the question of beauty is deeper than simply a worn-out cliché. Philosophers and theologians have debated this question for centuries. Kings and Queens have searched the world and spent fortunes to find it. Yet no one found the fountain of youth or a mystical Shangri-La where people live in complete serenity. So why do we continue such a futile quest? Because everyone wants to feel more beautiful. 

The Pursuit Of Beauty

 In western culture, the beauty industry is worth billions of dollars. So whatever your need is, there’s always a different pill, a new cream, or treatment on hitting the market. But too often this search becomes a pursuit of adding some value without first realizing the intrinsic value already present. If we aren’t careful, we diminish beauty to a functional or practical purpose to fit some social or cultural norm. And we do this whether it serves us or adds genuine value. 

"Beauty For It's Own Sake"

Beauty doesn’t always have a functional or practical purpose. In Hebrew, the word Lishmah is translated as “for its own sake.” In the Jewish tradition, it is often used to describe actions or behaviors to fulfill a commandment or serve God without ulterior motives or personal gain. This word can be used with beauty to describe something beautiful in or of itself without any practical or functional purpose. In other words, it means ‘beauty for its own sake.’ Beauty itself is the goal, not what it can do for you. The actual function of beauty is something higher than, for example, attracting a mate or playing a part in society. Beauty, like truth, is the higher purpose. It’s the reflection of the glory and splendor of God inside us all

Rabbi Zusya

In the 18th century, a Hassidic master named Rabbi Zusya, was walking through the fields when he saw a beautiful flower. He was so taken with its delicate beauty that he fell to his knees and wept.

One of his students, walking with him, was puzzled by the rabbi’s emotional reaction to a simple flower. He asked, “Rebbe, why are you crying? It’s just a flower.”

Rabbi Zusya replied, “My dear student, this flower is a living example of beauty for its own sake. This flower has no purpose other than to be beautiful, yet it fills the world with its sweet fragrance and delicate colors. How much more so should we, who were created in the image of God, strive to be beautiful in our deeds and character and fill the world with kindness, love, and compassion?”

Returning To Beauty

Before one can truly express ‘beauty for its own sake’ in their life, they must realize the beauty they possess inside. Inner beauty is like the structure beneath the Taj Mahal allowing the outward aesthetics to shine, the confidence to be seen, permission to be loved, self awareness without arrogance. 

We all came from beauty and will return to it someday. The trick is, can we find it in the middle? And if we lose it along the way, can we return to beauty? Our work in life is removing roadblocks or things clouding our minds from experiencing the beauty from which we came.

Conclusion

True beauty will always bring clarity and purpose into all areas of our life. It will attract the goodness of God in ways that didn’t seem possible; things meant to create abundance in your life all along. But without understanding beauty and where it comes from, you may be pushing things from your life instead of attracting them. 

Yes, beautiful flowers still attract honey bees, and that has a practical function. But true beauty is the glory of God that fills the earth. And you are a part of that tapestry. Start to notice the beauty in all people and in things. For a moment, stop delineating the world around you based on your social or moral judgements and see the ‘Lishmah’ present. Be overwhelmed. Maybe your social and moral judgements aren’t serving you. Lishmah is about seeing yourself as beautiful, already! And it’s about creating a more beautiful world—a world where everyone can experience and participate in being the glory of God.

https://shineonlinemagazine.com/blog/b/beyond-skin-deep-embracing-your-unique-spiritual-beauty