Simplicity is often misunderstood and underestimated as a virtue. It is equated with ignorance, naïvety or foolishness. Living a simple life is sometimes taken for a life of deprivation.
Simple living starts with simplicity in our thoughts. Simple thinking does not mean being gullible or lacking the ability to analyse. It is clear thinking that is free from the tangle of unnecessary thoughts that arise from doubt, fear, worry and suspicion. Simplicity and clarity in thought becomes possible when the mind is free of the influence of ego and desires.
Many of us are conditioned to believe that it is necessary to analyse every situation, person and each word spoken by that person in order to understand what is happening. Convoluted thinking is regarded as a sign of intelligence.
That is why when we meet someone, we try to guess their hidden motives, read their body language, and decipher their words to find out what they really mean. All this mental effort is partly driven by ego, which gives rise to fear of appearing inferior, of being deceived or slighted.
Too much thinking is needed only when we are unable to discern, which happens when the mind is clouded by impurities. Simplicity comes from purity, and a mind that is pure is free from the clutter of vices.
When there is no ego there is no comparison or competition, and consequently there is no fear, suspicion, or jealousy. We accept others as they are, and since a pure mind is also kind, we naturally have good wishes for all. With such a state of mind, there is no need for effort to analyse.
Since a pure and simple mind is calm and clear, it easily detects the vibrations emanating from others, and is thus able to discern the quality of other souls. Because of this the simple soul is not easily deceived by appearances. Also, the honesty and goodwill of the simple soul inspire others to respond in kind, while those of a less than honourable persuasion stay away from such souls. This is how simplicity protects one from harm.
A simple person, having few needs and expectations, also finds it easy to adjust to any situation and accommodate different kinds of people. The ability to mould oneself according to the need of the hour keeps the simple soul contented and happy in both austerity and abundance. Such a soul neither takes more than what it needs, nor hurts itself through self-denial.
Being simple also means being natural and easy. Purity and simplicity are the natural qualities of the soul, and one is at peace and rest when one practises these virtues. Anything artificial, on the other hand, cannot be naturally everlasting. One has to make effort to sustain something that is unnatural, that is why any kind of impurity or complication agitates the soul and does not allow one to remain calm or happy.
Moreover, what is natural and pure is also powerful. Just as pure, fresh and organic food nourishes the body and junk food damages our health, purity and simplicity help keep the mind strong by saving it from unnecessary thinking, which depletes our energy.
Thus, simplicity brings many rewards which can be appreciated only by experience. It is a quality that is beguilingly unattractive. One who adorns himself with simplicity goes through life easily, not distracted by deceptive lures, avoiding the pitfalls that lie on the path to attaining them. Such a person effortlessly finds the peace and happiness that more complicated people spend a lifetime chasing.
B.K. Usha is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.