Simplicity

Anonymous J

"Simplicity means forgetting oneself, forgetting one's pride and fear: tranquility versus restlessness, joy versus worry, lightness versus seriousness, spontaneity versus reflection, love versus self-love, truth versus pretense. The self persists, but as if lightened, purified, liberated ("unfettered," as Bobin says, "bound no more to any kingdom").

Simplicity learns to unlearn its attachments, or rather it is this detachment from everything, including itself. Simplicity is nakedness, dispossession, poverty, its only wealth everything, its sole treasure nothingness. Simplicity is freedom, lightness, transparency. Simple as air, free as air: simplicity is airiness of thought, a window open to the grand breath of the world, to the infinite and silent presence of all things. What could be simpler than the wind? What could be airier than simplicity?"
------ from "A small treatise on great virtues", by Andre Comte Sponville

What is simplicity in your view ? What is role of simplicity in spiritual (in particular a Buddhist's) life ?

thanks,

OneLifeForm

Hmmm how might I complicate this?

Simplicity is simply :P the natural state of things.

They say "The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.."

It is these preferences that operate in grounds of complication

"Make one distinction though and heaven and hell are set infinitely apart."

The breath is simple, we don't have to force the body to breathe it is going to do it naturally and if we follow that it is simplicity at its best.

Just being.

Simplicity is the here and now.

"Separation" is what makes things difficult. That is our main problem that we deal with as sentient beings is "separating" things.

When we are not in the moment we are either thinking about the past or the future or in fantasy land which is technically both past and future really as to think about such one is removing observance from what is naturally arising to something either in the past or the future.



They say it is simple.


Nobody will tell you that it is easy, though it is simple.

DairyLama

I think partly it's about prioritising, deciding what's most important and clearing out the dead wood, not being pulled in different directions.
Also partly about not continually accumulating ( in the broadest sense ), being content with enough.

genkaku

Simplicity has no edges, which is why trying to tie it down or imbue it with goodness is a fool's errand.

Sile

"Simplicity means forgetting oneself, forgetting one's pride and fear: tranquility versus restlessness, joy versus worry, lightness versus seriousness, spontaneity versus reflection, love versus self-love, truth versus pretense. The self persists, but as if lightened, purified, liberated ("unfettered," as Bobin says, "bound no more to any kingdom").

Simplicity learns to unlearn its attachments, or rather it is this detachment from everything, including itself. Simplicity is nakedness, dispossession, poverty, its only wealth everything, its sole treasure nothingness. Simplicity is freedom, lightness, transparency. Simple as air, free as air: simplicity is airiness of thought, a window open to the grand breath of the world, to the infinite and silent presence of all things. What could be simpler than the wind? What could be airier than simplicity?"
------ from "A small treatise on great virtues", by Andre Comte Sponville

What is simplicity in your view ? What is role of simplicity in spiritual (in particular a Buddhist's) life ?

thanks,

In the very coarse sense--which I often feel I must deal with before having my mind in the correct state for more subtle practice--one role of simplicity in my practice is the goal of clearing out clutter (I mean literally, but clutter can refer to mental clutter, too).

Each object in my house, and each activity in my life, takes time. I have too many objects, and too many activities; I am constantly working to simplify and clear out these things which often are distractions from practice. It seems to be the nature of modern life, though, to keep filling my house and time up with items and activities

It's true that if I had a mind of ultimate simplicity, i.e. were a very accomplished practitioner, no amount of clutter or activity would be an obstacle; but until I reach that level, I find that working towards a simpler life--clearing out things and activities--is extremely helpful, not to mention that it can reduce attachment in a healthy way.

I remember when we were kids my Mom was always extremely happy on the road--everyone took only one cup, one spoon, one bowl--so much less to do, with fewer things. Lets the mind breathe.

Sile

P.S. I know the subtler approach would be simply, "Regard all cluttery objects as a projection of your mind," but then I trip over someone's shoe