The new color : Minimalism
Connecting modern philosophy with Vedanta and Jain?philosophy
Minimalism isn't just about not having something or having something. it's a philosophy that starts from our intentions and state of mind.
Necessary state of mind
In Indian philosophies, there was no word such as social service, there was always Bhagwat Seva, service to the lord. When Jains say Namo Loyesavvasahunam (Praise to all the sadhus equating them to gods), it means that they bow down to all the conscious beings because, from one perspective, all the beings are always in the state of pure consciousness. Hence, they are always in equanimity knowing only themselves making them sadhus. So Jains like every other Indian philosophy does consider every being as God.
This has serious implications for the state of our mind
1) Maitri/Love:
When we can feel and observe the god in every being that is not different from me then we will do all it takes to make all beings in this world, prosperous and happy. We would do nothing that hurts others because it would hurt me. Our interaction with others would mean bringing a smile to everyone's face with the most appropriate actions and in turn making us extremely happy.
We would always be happy in all situations because we would be relieved of all the pain we perceived as painful by our interaction with this world. We would have no wants left and no pain of desires as we would know that I am simply a knower interacting with only the ultimate element, consciousness making us worry-free
2) Karuna/compassion:
If others were to get sad, would it also make us sad if we perceive others as non-dual i.e. not different from me?
When we observe others as gods, we simply won't have the sight of their sorrow but when we observe their modes, the ever-changing feelings and desires stemming out of avidya i.e. Not knowing the ultimate reality, we can see that they are unhappy because of their attachments to the sensations and desires not knowing that they are transitory.
In reality, no one has any attachments towards anything but when consciousness feels a sensation by its interaction with the external world, it knows that its true nature is to always be happy but because it realizes that the sensation is temporary, it wants to have it again because it's nature is to always be happy. This makes the person "make changes" in the external world to constantly feel happy by the means of sensations forgetting that it has to do nothing to actually feel happy and blissful. So it creates a false dichotomy that it needs to create happiness by doing something.
But indeed, it's important to note that one can experience the reality by going in the opposite direction. One has to "make changes" in the world, feel the pain and mundane nature of sensations to overcome it and find the true nature of consciousness so one needs to complete one's duties in the external world i.e. Help other beings to live a happy life and feel happy. This is also the core philosophy of economics, help people by improving their lifestyle so they can feel happy and the value associated with that is money, which is a simple paper to provide an external motivation to make one happy.
So the sorrow we feel looking at other's pain can be a driving point for us to make everyone happy first and then help them realize the futility of happiness stemming from external world
Meerabai wasn't simply a devotee but she changed the way, women lived during her period by rebelling for the freedom of women in Rajasthan. She did that out of compassion and because of her true love, she was willing to take away the pain of others even at the cost of going to hell because there can't be any pain if you know that there is god in every being. That's how compassion and love is always going to make us happy
3) Gratitude:
When we observe god in everyone whether we take anything or give anything to something, we have always got reasons to appreciate others making us feel that there is always someone to take care of us allowing us to be free even from the pain of desires stemming from the needs.
When there is true love, the lover won't be even to take care of something closest to his body i.e. his clothes but will have so much devotion for his loved one feeling the happiness he has never felt before
4) Equanimity
The happy, worry free and relaxed mindset will allow us to be free to take any step necessary for the well being of everyone without forcing any morals on us or others.
This state of mind will allow us to have the following lifestyle:
Focus on the essential: Minimalists prioritize experiences, relationships, and personal growth over material possessions. They identify what truly matters to them and focus their time, energy, and resources on those things.
Less is more: Minimalism promotes living with less, decluttering physical and mental spaces. This reduces possessions, obligations, and distractions, allowing for greater clarity, freedom, and focus.
Intentionality and mindfulness: Every choice and action is made with conscious awareness. This allows us to know that our sensations are painful and temporary making it meaningless to focus on them
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Minimalists avoid impulsive purchases and seek quality over quantity, ensuring each item serves a purpose and brings value to their lives.
*Appreciation: Minimalism cultivates a sense of gratitude for what one already has, shifting focus away from desires and dissatisfaction. This fosters contentment and frees one from the pursuit of ever-more never ending possessions.
Simplicity and sustainability: Minimalism often aligns with values of simplicity and sustainability. It encourages reducing consumption, choosing eco-friendly options, and minimizing waste, promoting a more responsible relationship with the world.
We can't force everyone to live a life of minimalism but by making everything eco friendly to ensure that the products have the purpose met, we can foster a sense of responsibility in citizens to opt for products that reduce carbon emissions fostering a prosperous nature.
Different expressions of minimalism: The path to minimalism is individual. Some may apply it primarily to possessions, while others focus on minimizing commitments, distractions, or technology. The key is finding what works best for you and adapting the philosophy to your unique needs and values.
Values and needs are subjective depending on the pain of desires, one has gone through developing different sense of maturity.
Challenges and benefits: Minimalism requires consistent effort and intentionality. Letting go of possessions and simplifying life can be challenging, especially in a consumerist culture. However, the potential benefits are numerous: reduced stress, greater clarity, deeper relationships, increased freedom, and a more mindful existence.
Questioning our every desire, focusing on the purpose of things we accumulate and distinguishing between wants and needs can act as a starting point.
What needs to be done to propagate Minimalism
* Look for resources and communities online to connect with other minimalists and find inspiration.
* Experiment with applying minimalist principles to different aspects of your life, starting small and gradually building a mindful and intentional lifestyle.
Remember, minimalism is a journey, not a destination. It's about finding what brings you true value and living a life that is simpler, more meaningful, and aligned with your values.
Personal growth:
Minimalism allows us to Prioritize experiences, relationships, and self-discovery over material goods.
This has a direct impact on the way, people perceive wealth.
Wealth isn't something to accumulate but it's the value that's created by changing the way people live and when people can limit their desire for wealth, they can appreciate the uncertainty of nature and yet be content at all times
Important steps to take
Essentialism:
Emphasizes identifying and prioritizing core values, then eliminating anything that doesn't align with them.
Common Benefits:
Considerations:
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10 个月It is such a beautiful article, perfectly describing the mindset for a happy and peaceful life
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10 个月Thank you so much for putting this article. It beautifully gives a new color to minimalish. I hope people will read and understand this. Thanks a lot.