Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Minimalist life?

"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu


A minimalist eschews the mindset of more, of acquiring and consuming and shopping, of bigger is better, of the burden of stuff. A minimalist instead embraces the beauty of less, the aesthetic of spareness, a life of contentedness in what we need and what makes us truly happy. A minimalist realizes that acquiring stuff doesn't make us happy. That earning more and having more are meaningless. That filling your life with busy-ness and freneticism isn't desirable, but something to be avoided. A minimalist values quality, not quantity, in all forms. 

Your minimalist life will be different than mine. You'll need to figure out what makes you happiest. Plan your ideal day. Then strip your life of the non-essentials, to make room for this ideal day, for the things and people
you love. I still remember
Gandhi lived a very simple, frugal life. He died with very few possessions and he preached simplicity and minimalism in all areas of life. He also dressed simply and even persisted with his simple Indian loin cloth when he visited England and met the King. When asked if he was under dressed for a meeting with the King, Gandhi replied that the King had enough clothes on for both of them! 


Minimalism is something I am beginning to apply in my life too. To get you started, please check out this excellent “Minimalist Guide” from my blogging mentor and friend Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. Start living a simpler minimalistic life from today – and you will release a lot of time and energy to bring more of Gandhi’s teachings into the world. Believe in your cause, follow your truth and stick to your journey even if you have to walk the path on your own. Gandhi at the end of his life was said to be heart broken with the partition of India as millions were killed and displaced. Even then, he still had a message for the world – it takes just one man to make a difference.

I would not qualify to be labeled as a minimalist but the idea does intrigue me.
For example I got interested in purchasing a condo unit. I bought one and loved it. Rather than just appreciating that one, I needed a more sophisticated and a bigger one! Not only did I need a bigger one but two or more would be even better! I ended up with 4 of it to schedule, re structure and allocate it for my monthly amortization.  I felt surprise to know of having them in just easily as that and at the same time I got to step back and think, I am single why am i acquiring assets as many as this since I dont have someone or even somebody to share this   I couldn't believe the relief I felt knowing I had one less to take care of! I can see how living more minimally would be a bit liberating and debt free haha.


When we are simple in our thoughts, we are simple in our responses to the outer environment i.e., to both situations and people. So internally we are able to remain content. This contentment further brings newness and creativity in the way we respond to situations, and we naturally experience further progress. When we think of our weaknesses as 'our' nature, we will not be able to overcome them. When there is the feeling of 'mine' there is a feeling of belonging, and naturally we feel a right to use that weakness. When we work with any weakness we will not be able to maintain stability. So I decided to come to my conclusion when you you live the life in a minimalistic way, you will end up living in a very simple and contented way. 

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