Simplicity
"Some problems are so complex that you have to be highly intelligent and well informed just to be undecided about them."
— Laurence J. Peter
The move towards simplicity in life is a good thing. The more complex life is, the harder it is to cope. The very complexity of life tends to obscure what is wrong; it causes us to needlessly accept what is self-negating, oppressive, or not truly in our best interests. If you think of yourself as having a certain amount of energy and attention, the more that is divided up, and the smaller the "pieces," the less you are able to pay attention to things. And, the less well you manage. Some people get very good at juggling many, many things in life. But, they do not necessarily ever stand back and see where it is all heading; they lose sight of the bigger picture, or sacrifice the more important things in life, especially inner spiritual peace, for the sake of busy-ness and accomplishment.
The more complex technology becomes, the more demands it makes upon us to match its complexity in our thinking and behavior, but this is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, it can be downright frustrating or stressful, as anyone who ever sat there watching the flashing "12:00" on a VCR can testify. The unspoken message is, you need to program it and set its timer. The deeper message might be: you are getting too programmed yourself; you need to set your own timer and boundaries, and decide how you really want to spend your time, your life, your energy. Maybe it's time to simplify your life.
Simplicity is about simply being you, your true self. It is more a quality of being than doing. Life tends to get very complicated when you are running around trying to be something you are not.
As with most things, there is a positive and a negative spin on simplicity. In its positive, spiritually uplifting form, simplicity involves detachment, surrender, giving up what is unnecessary, abandoning false desires, and no longer being driven by ego and ambition. Life simplifies a lot when you do that. We all know what a complicated mess life can be. People who are so driven in life, that they find no safe retreat, no peace of mind, demonstrate that in their behavior, in their choices, and in their relationships. Such people are prone to rage, road rage, any form of rage. Rage is being overwhelmed by life, and instead of dealing with what is wrong in the right way, becoming wrong and acting wrong. It is being overcome by life's complexities, rather than standing back and having a better perspective on things and your self.
Before we consider the truly positive form of simplicity, we need to address the more popular form, which is not necessarily good. There is a way to unwind, to relax, to step back and simply enjoy life. There are magazines that promote this sort of lifestyle choice: prepare a nice meal, have some wine, and so on. That is, however, often the opposite of spiritual progress. True spiritual simplicity does not mean giving in totally to life's illusions, your programming, or your lack of awareness. That false form of peace of mind is nothing less than spiritual self-destruction. The spiritual complacency, self-absorption, and complete self-interest that comes from ego, lack of awareness, living in denial, or refusing to see more deeply into the meaning of life, will not prove to be anyone's salvation. It is just another form of denial.
There are some who claim their spiritual path is simplicity, who take everything as it is and everyone as they appear to be. This is an abdication of personal responsibility, a refusal to act in accordance with true discernment; it is unthinking. So-called "mindlessness" is promoted as some sort of spiritual path, but you can be certain it does not take anyone higher. Sooner or later, if you follow such a path, you will be drowning in your illusions. The world is not benign; it is not harmless; people are not harmless. The world has a way of visiting its pain and suffering right to your door, right where you live, no matter how much you might prefer to deny or avoid this reality. If you will not learn to deal with problems, or how to deal with good and evil, you do not live a life of "good" by default. You live a life in bondage to evil, instead, whether you are aware of it or not, whether you wish to see it or not. If you live in your own little world of illusions, where everything is okay because you imagine everything is okay, you are in for a big disappointment in the end. It is always easier to not think for your self; it is harder to have to deal with reality. But, what choice do you really want to make, given that you will have to deal with the consequences?
When we speak of simplicity, we are not seeking an excuse to just express any or every impulse we may have. Some people mistakenly justify such behavior as being "childlike," "creative," or simple. But, that is not really the case. Even simplicity requires awareness, discernment, honesty with your self. Clearly, this is not the same as a lack of inhibition or morality. And, it is not a means of denial or catering to ego and illusions. read more ...
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