Chapter 62
SIMPLIFY
Henry David Thoreau, in his book Walden: Life in the Woods, said, “Life is frittered away by detail. Simplify! Simplify!” To which, his teacher and friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson, responded, “I think one ‘simplify’ would’ve sufficed.”
Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” In other words, learning to cultivate and appreciate the “simple things in life,” proves that you’ve reached the pinnacle of human consciousness; you’ve discovered the great “secret” of life.
Most humans strive to achieve “more success” or possess “more stuff,” believing that “more” will lead to “more fulfillment.” However, the Buddha taught us that “All suffering comes from wants.” When a human-being “wants” something, he creates a mental-image, or a mental-void that needs to be filled. This mental-image says, I will be happy when I get this thing that I want. In the same token, he also unconsciously creates the mental-image/void that says, I will not be happy in the present. I will not be happy until I get the thing that I want.
If—for whatever reason—the “thing that he wants” doesn’t manifest, the mental-image/void will not be filled. Therefore, happiness cannot be present (at least, in his mind).
Once you’re able to simplify, life becomes much more enjoyable. You’re no longer attached to the “things of this world.” When your happiness is no longer attached to the people, places, or things of the world, you can no longer feel “disappointed” when they don’t meet your “preconceived expectations.”
I’ve always said, “Appreciation for the simple things in life leads to a life of consistent contentment.” We’ll expand on that concept in the next chapter.
In the spirit of learning to “simplify,” I choose to make this chapter short and sweet.
My Truth says … simplification leads to the multiplication of joy.
What does Your Truth say?