Thoughts/Emotions

Minimalism - Simplify your Life

- By getting rid of anything that is not useful, beautiful or joyful

Minimalism provides flow, strength, beauty, clarity, contentment, and simplicity.

Minimalism is a way of life encompassing simplicity and uncomplicated existence.   Reductionist compared to the world of the ego, which is almost always expansionist.

In minimalism the dominant force is subtlety of feelings that bring peace and calmness to the heart.   It offers simple structures, clarity, poise, and an uncomplicated philosophy, which leads to contentment.

Our modern society is built on action, activity, glitter, glamor and sensationalism.   The perception is that active people are considered smart, productive and interesting. Indeed, a certain amount of action is necessary each day as a means of being responsible for ourselves, in expressing our creativity for our personal joy and in the sharing of our creativity with others. However, we have become a society addicted to action, believing /feeling that to be idle is sinful and a waste of time. As a society we think we must always be doing something. Otherwise, what good are we? By doing we establish observers who may look in awe at the magnificence of our actions. This satisfies our ego's need for recognition and provides us with a sometimes false sense of worthy accomplishment. After all, we are doing something, so we must be important - right? Unfortunately, more often than not, the concentration and energy we need and use for all the endless and often senseless "doing" causes us to lose touch with our inner feelings. We lose touch with our inner being and our true essence, with what is truly real and important in life.

The solution to remaining in touch with your inner self is to avoid creating so many obligations, or so much activity that you lose your true self in the action.   Don't allow yourself to be drawn in by your own ego or the influence of others into activity and obligations that don't honor or serve you or anyone else in any particularly useful way.

Strive for effective and pleasing activity, not activity for activity's sake. Changing your focus to that of simply "being" at times, instead of constantly doing, you will find that lightness, clarity, and freedom to just BE, become very important to you, bringing a sense of peace and harmony. You feel more balanced and more aware of what's real and important.

A minimalist lifestyle involves direct action for those aspects of life that require and deserve a dynamic approach, and no special action the rest of the time.   Through planning, order and clarity you can reach maximum potency with minimum effort. You can avoid almost all superfluous action. Once you don't need all the things the ego demands that you need, you are free to work a little, to engage in some things that matter, engage in a few things that don't matter just for the fun and joy of it. . . or, don't engage in anything at all!

Create space and free time where you can get in touch with your true inner self.  Take time to observe your surroundings and to get in touch with what you are feeling. This will help you develop your inner being and an inner knowingness of that which is real and of genuine value to you in your daily happenings and doings.

Reduce Clutter

As you develop your inner feeling, your inner being, you will know what you want to create in your life.   You will know the actions necessary for this, as well. All else will become trivial to you, and you will refuse to waste your precious energy on that which society deems is of utmost importance.

The minimalist approach is an unemotional one.   You become emotionally detached to that which is not authentic and not of true value to you or anyone else.

You should have things you need and like around you as long as you are not attached to them.   You can enjoy them for whatever purpose they serve. However, you must release them in your mind so that your material surroundings do not have a hold over you.

Get rid of all the useless, energy robbing clutter and all the extra stuff you don't need and that which is perhaps causing you senseless work and stress - - - you become more fluid and able to adapt to changing circumstances.

The center point of minimalism is flow.   It is the act of moving through the world in a calm and balanced way - focused and unhurried, yet productive in meaningful and authentic ways.

Do not overindulge or waste anything, including your energy.   You have all you need and even some things you simply want, yet, you have and appreciate only that which adds real value to yourself and others. If something brings you joy and a sense of well being, then it is worth having. If it causes you needless stress and worry, then let it go. Surround yourself with only quality essentials, but, do not deny yourself the few things that add joy and beauty to your life.

Adapted from www.manifestinguniverse.com