INSPIRING WISDOM

Simplicity

Simplicity is the law of nature. There is no affectation, no ostentation in nature... There is no duplicity, no deception in nature. We find happiness in the attainment of the pristine simplicity of life. Simplicity is a direct method of looking upon life; it means the experiencing in thought, in deed, in manner, in behavior, that which we actually are... a simple life does not diminish, it rather enhances...

Simplicity means the elimination of non-essentials in all things. If to live a simple life implied a return to a state of ignorance and darkness, if it meant that we must divest ourselves of all the achievements of science, destroy our stores of knowledge and go back to a primitive existence...man would refuse, and justly so, to go back to his beginnings. ...one can live a life of simplicity right in the heart of civilization... the two should go harmoniously together.

First, we must strive to cultivate and preserve simplicity of character... Upon character depends our true success, upon character depends our true station in life. Some may claim our station in life depends more upon our purse, but the respect we gain merely for our wealth, we could lose very quickly should our wealth take flight... And character, in order to attain loftiness and nobility, must first attain simplicity... it is much easier to become noble than to simulate nobility. It is easier to learn to be fine than to imitate fineness. And there is far greater happiness in becoming than appearing. One must guard oneself against affectation... Pretentiousness is an acknowledgment of inferiority...

Secondly, we must seek to establish simplicity in (one's) relationship with his fellow-man. The more simple the human relationship, the easier it is for individuals to understand one another, sympathize with one another, harmonize their lives one to another. The more simple our relationships are, the nearer do we feel one to another.

Thirdly, ...one must cultivate simplicity in his relationship with God... Before God all we need is earnestness; it is our simple, wholehearted appeal that makes its way to God. One who lives a simple life has no doubts, no fear, no worry, for the mainspring of his existence is his trust in God. Life...is not a struggle, it is not a conflict with unyielding circumstances, it is not a series of gaps to be filled in with vanities and luxuries. It is a period out of eternity given us for reflection and calm, for quietude and deep joy, for experiencing with God and the world which is His creation.