The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. All sages and learned people have tried to tell us that. We just have to remember the different stones for the foundation that becomes simplicity.
Love, gratitude, respect, honesty, giving, and tolerance of each other, forms the basic foundation that makes our life simple, and these virtues spread out like roots of a tree and envelope the Earth. It is not a physical formula; these virtues are within us. They are neither elaborate nor complex. The knowledge of all the above is free. No one has to pay up front to acquire them. Simplicity is ingrained into our DNA. We just don’t bother with that often, and make ourselves miserable with attitudes and arrogance, with looks, with wealth, with positions and with status in society. But really and truly, those vices are like the thick dermis of a scaly animal, not allowing us to reach into our own selves and finding the true self. Everything we need is within us.
Mother used to say, “If you search hard enough, you will even find God!” Only in my forties I realized how sage those words were. Think about it. People have meditated and sought, and found peace and have felt the presence of God in their hearts. And I read somewhere that we should find our heart first, and the path will open up in front of us, leading to a life of simplicity and gratitude. Truth lies within us, and it will get us to where we want to go. I am aware that the most complicated skill is to be simple. That is the truth. I feel there is beauty in simplicity and humility in gratitude. I keep trying to be simple.
Sometimes I have thought I would like to have this or that. Just a desire of wanting! But then I think, if I am not satisfied and grateful with what I have, how can I be happier if I acquire some more things that my heart wants? Realizing the difference between want and need, is such a huge discovery and announcement of my own worth…. Like as if I have had an epiphany! Rejecting those desires makes me feel humble and simple. Like I said, I am trying. { I don’t know what made me write this, I hope you won’t mind reading it}
How about you? Trying to be simple I mean??
Timely. Love this post.
Thank you dear heart. Love and hugs.
This is a post on wisdom, Zakiah. Yes we must keep simplicity in thought and in action.
We are loved when we love the others around us.
Love ❤
Michel
So true. Loving and Giving (sharing) are such an integral part of the human chain. I do not understand why we forget that so often. Thank you for your kind comment dear friend Michel.
You are so right about the discernment between want and need. I fear that many have lost the ability to tell the difference – especially when we live in affluence. Those in poverty clearly see the difference as it is a matter of life and death. The cornerstones you listed make up the points of our moral compass and show us the way to peace. I think that age can make many things clear even as our eyes lose focus. Thanks for this thought provoking and well written post!
That is something i always told my children when they were young. “Do you want them or do you need them?” They hung on to that rule. I am so blessed that my children think like me and as they are getting into their forties, they are thinking about the humility and the simplicity of life and living.
Wonderful musings. Simple is elegant. Simple is life-affirming, says something deep within me. On the surface of this ocean of ‘me’, I notice that all the flotsam & jetsam slows me down, tangles my feet and mind. Carry on, wise one.
Such an amazing comment Kim! Love it. Wish i could have expressed my thoughts as well.
We grew up simply and so I know no other way to live. And early on I learned the difference between needs, wants, and desires. I am just so VERY grateful to have my needs met and that makes me so VERY content. 🙂
The only desires and wants I have relate to others…wanting them healthy (body, mind, and emotions), wanting them safe, wanting them to find the joys in life, etc. But since I cannot control most, if any, of that…I pray for them, I try to encourage them with words and actions, I think of them when I meditate, etc. 🙂
Oh! What a wonderful, wise, timely, important post, SweetZ! Your words encourage me! 🙂 Thank you!!! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you Carolyn. My father was a great scholar, but a very simple and humble man. Mother was very ambitious and wanted the best for her children. Giving was a greater thing with father, than receiving. When i came to this country in my mid twenties, I realized how important the lessons were that I learned at home.
Thank you for your kind comment.
They sound like wonderful parents and a good balance to raising amazing children…like you! 🙂
I have all I need in such abundance!!!! Thank you for this beautiful post!
You have such a grateful heart, A.
I try to be simple but structured and prioritized. Wrangler takes a simple thing and makes it complicated.
ha ha ha. been there and done that.
And that is where I start to feel like I am losing my mind. It happened this morning and after he said boy was that complicated. I told him that if he would listen before acting sometimes it would not be as bad.
I hear you. It is all about the XY Chromosomes.
Yes.
A wonderful post Zakiahji. I shall write more tomorrow.
Thank you Rupali. At this time of the year, everyone goes overboard and I feel like it is a waste of so much energy, and sometimes. people are so dissatisfied with what they get.
You are absolutely right, life is simple if we practice love, gratitude, respect, honesty, giving, and tolerance of each other. It takes time to understand the difference between want and need but the lucky are the ones who get it.
I grew up listening santwani ( kind of devotional poems which focus on the inward journey) and dohas (like kabir ji ke dohe). The philosophy helped me to be positive and it’s the reason I count my blessings more than my problems.
Such a wonderful response dear Rupali. Getting wise attention in our childhood and understanding the teachings, is so important in our lives. Those words form the childhood always matter and, even though at that time we are not totally cognizant of the philosophy and truth of those words, somewhere in the deep parts of the brain, we hold them and respect them; and as we grow older, things become more clear and and doable.
I still remember learning Kabir Das ke dohe from my teacher who used to come home to teach me Hindi when i was in fifth standard. Some of them II remember, and this one is my favorite.
बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय,
जो दिल खोजा आपना, मुझसे बुरा न कोय।
I remember this so well. I try not to find fault with anyone , because I know that I myself am full of faults.
Have a blessed and happy life Rupali. It is a pleasure to know you.
🙏
A lot of wisdom here. You’ve given me a lot of things to think about. I’m going to try to use these lessons.
Thank you darling Matt. I am touched that you would think this post of mine has wisdom. Facing cancer brings a lot of perspective to the way of thinking, especially at this time of the year when every one is racing against time to buy and buy and buy more.
Love you dear heart.