Simplicity: A journey, not a destination

Simplicity is the peak of civilisation. - Jessie Sampter

Most of us have heard of the virtues of simplicity and seen simple people such as Jiddu Krishnamurti, Dr E. W. Adikaram and Senarat Paranavithane. Although all of them have passed away, they have left us a legacy of ever-lasting simplicity. Krishnamurti was such a simple man that anybody could approach him and ask questions about his philosophy. In fact, he was Dr Adikaram's spiritual guru as well. Those who had the fortune of meeting the two of them together at the John de Silva Memorial theatre about five decades ago would recall the degree of simplicity they exuded.

J. Krishnamurti, Dr E. W. Adikaram and Senarat Paranavithane belong to recent history. If you turn the pages of history pertaining to philosophers down the ages, you will be surprised to come across simple men of great learning. Undoubtedly, Diogenes of Sinope (400 - 325 BC) was the most prominent Greek philosopher who professed a simplistic lifestyle, forgoing the trappings and distractions of civic life in favour of a devotion to the mastery of the self. No doubt, he was an eccentric who claimed that happiness could only be achieved by living "according to nature."

Diogenes satisfied only the most basic requirements of the body by the simplest means possible. He led a vagrant life and soon earned the nickname "The Dog". According to Diogenes, mastery of the self leads to happiness and freedom but it requires constant practice and training in the face of adversity. His extreme and uncompromising philosophy requires that man should abandon all property, possessions, family ties and social values in order to minimise the distraction of "illusory" emotional and psychological attachments. His philosophy is not pragmatic because if everybody were to practise his way of living, society would collapse. Referring to his extreme simplicity, Plato said Diogenes was "a Socrates gone mad."

Value

In the fifth century Before Christ or in the 21st century nobody in his right senses would try to lead the life of a vagrant in the name of simplicity. Today a simple life has a different meaning and a different value for everyone. While living in a closely-knit family and a complex society, we can still lead a simple life by getting rid of many things that clutter our life. However, embracing simplicity is not easy because it is a journey, not a destination.

The process of simplifying our life begins with prioritising our needs. Most of us get involved in so many activities that ultimately lead to more stress than happiness. The American poet Robert Frost saw the impossibility and futility of trying to do everything in his poem "After apple picking." At the time of your death you will regret that you could not pick certain apples.

Man's inventions such as the telephone, television, washing machine, the radio and the computer were meant to simplify his life. Unfortunately, all these inventions appear to have complicated his life. For instance, the mobile phone has become more a nuisance than a useful instrument. The misuse of the mobile phone has led to crimes, corruption of young minds and a time-wasting gadget in the hands of students. This does not mean we should discard all the mobile phones. Far from it. We should use it sparingly or in an emergency.

Television

When John Loggie Baird invented the television, people thought that it would bring them happiness. However, those who watch television without discrimination have become couch potatoes. Most of us have given up visiting our relatives and friends because we do not wish to miss our favourite television programs. Sometimes, children neglect their studies because they want to watch their favourite programs. Nobody seems to have taken any notice how television has disrupted our simple lifestyle.

Most successful people make it a point to spend some time all alone. Solitude helps us to recharge our batteries and face life's daunting tasks with courage. Even a few minutes spent in solitude helps us to listen to our inner voice or conscience. Those who do so rarely commit crimes and create problems for others. Almost all the major religions have preached the value of solitude in diverse ways. Buddhist meditation, Christian and Muslim prayers are a form of listening to the inner voice. Prayers help devotees to have a communion with God.

With so many fast food outlets sprouting in every nook and corner, our simple eating habits too have changed. What we have failed to understand is that fast food is something that is cooked fast, served fast and eaten fast! We simply guzzle down fast food without enjoying its flavours and colours. As we do not care to eat leisurely and masticate the food properly, it can lead to problems in the digestive system.

Those who value simplicity try to live frugally. They buy only the essentials. This saves money and brings contentment. E. F. Schumacher was right when he wrote his path-breaking book Small is Beautiful. He advocated the beauty of small homes uncluttered with unwanted furniture and modern equipment. Except kings and presidents, ordinary citizens should be able to live in small houses and drive small cars. What is more, a small family does not need a big house or a big car.

Simplicity brings us happiness and harmony in family life and society as well. So, Jessie Sampter is right when she said "Simplicity is the peak of civilisation."