“Simplicity calls on instinct, intuition, and insight to create
essenceful thoughts and empathetic feelings. Simplicity is the conscience which
calls upon people to rethink their values.”
Simplicity
grows from sacred roots, embodying a wealth of spiritual virtues and values
made apparent by attitude, words, activities, and lifestyle. Simplicity is
beautiful, and like the moon, it radiates coolness in contrast to the
effulgence of the sun. Simplicity is natural. It may appear common and without
appeal to those whose vision has become habituated by superficiality. However,
to those with an artist’s refined insight, a glimpse of simplicity is enough to
recognize the masterpiece.
Simple Living, High Thinking
Simplicity
combines sweetness and wisdom. It is plainness of mind and intellect. Those
embodying simplicity are free from strenuous thinking and complicated,
extraneous thoughts. The intellect is sharp and alert. Simplicity calls on
instinct, intuition, and insight to create essenceful thoughts and empathetic
feelings. There is egolessness in simplicity, as if one embodying that virtue
has renounced possessiveness and is free from material desires which distract
the intellect, causing it to wander into wasteful territory. Being without
desire does not mean one goes without. On the contrary, one has everything,
including inner fulfillment. That is apparent on the face innocent of disturbance,
weakness, and anger and in the behavior uniquely elegant and royal, yet naive.
Simplicity is being the innocent child and the wise master. It teaches simple
living and high thinking,
People
living simply normally enjoy a close relationship with nature. Their ethic is
derived from perennial traditions operating according to the laws of nature.
They rise at dawn and retire at dusk. They tell the time of day by the position
of the sun and determine the dates of sacred days by the position of the moon.
Herbs become their natural cures, the backyard their farmers’ market, and the
moon and stars their light bulbs. The natural world is their classroom. This
does not mean that all should adopt such a lifestyle. However, there are
lessons to be learned in nature. When the ethic of simplicity is followed,
there is hardly any waste. All resources, time, thoughts, ideas, knowledge,
money, and raw materials are valued as investments.
From
simplicity grows generosity. Generosity is sharing hard- earned income with
liberality of spirit. Sharing one’s own resources in a congenial and caring
manner is to bring back to human activity the meaning of family. Simplicity is
more than giving money and material possessions. It is giving of the self that
which is priceless – patience, friendship, and encouragement. In the spirit of
putting others first, those embracing simplicity donate their time freely to
others. That is done with kindness, openness, and pure intentions and without
expectations and conditions. As a result, such individuals reap the abundant
fruits sown from the seeds of generous actions.
Beauty Is Truth
Simplicity
is truth. The beauty of truth is so simple, it works like alchemy. No matter
how many disguises may come in front of it, the light of truth cannot remain
hidden; it will reach out to the masses in a language so simple yet with a
message so profound. The messengers of truth have always embodied ordinary
forms, led simple lives, and adopted simple mediums of imparting their
messages. They lived and spoke the truth, bringing beauty to the lives of
others. In their simplicity and splendor, they can be compared to the jeweller.
While remaining true to the integrity of his profession, the jeweller makes
every single jewel flawless and precious, but he himself remains simple.
Today
beauty is defined by the fashion and beauty industries, amplified by the rich
and famous, and embraced by the masses. Beauty, however, is not only skin deep,
as the saying goes. Beauty in its simplest form is about removing the arrogance
of expensive clothing and extravagant living. Beauty goes beyond rich and poor.
It is appreciating the small things in life, sometimes not visible or apparent
to the rest of the world. Simplicity is appreciating inner beauty and
recognizing the value of all actors, even the poorest and worst off. It is
considering all tasks, including the most menial, to have worth and dignity..
Ethic of Simplicity
The
ethic of simplicity is the precursor to sustainable development. Simplicity
teaches economy. It teaches investment by example to those clear and honest
about their needs and who live accordingly. Simplicity is the conscience which
calls upon people to rethink their values. Simplicity asks whether we are being
induced to purchase unnecessary products. Psychological enticements create
artificial needs. Desires stimulated by wanting unnecessary things result in
value clashes complicated by greed, fear, peer pressure, and a false sense of
identity. Once fulfillment of basic necessities allows for a comfortable
lifestyle, extremes and excesses invite overindulgence and waste. While that
approach can be defended as a means to build certain economies, it should not
be used at the expense of pushing other economies into dire poverty. It should
not be that imposed sacrifice of some brings great affluence to others. That is
not a principle but an injustice!
Simplicity
helps decrease the gap between “the haves” and “the have
nots” by demonstrating the logic of true economics: to earn, save, invest,
and share the sacrifices and the prosperity so that there can be a better
quality of life for all people regardless of where they were born.
