Be Simple

Be Free Of Becoming

Everyone is busy becoming something, achieving something. Right from childhood, we’ve been pushed to become something—either professionally, socially or otherwise. And we got in the race of acquiring titles, labels, riches, possessions and so on. And in all this madness we lose the simplicity, the purity, the easeness of heart. Does this game of acquiring all these make us more serene, peaceful and compassionate human beings, or more frustrated, violent and complex? We should really question this. 

What do you want to become? Doctor? Software engineer? CEO of a company? A famous artist or just a rich businessman maybe? Okay, let me ask you—for what? I’ll ask again—for what? For a sense of satisfaction or fulfilment, right? Now, if that is really the case, can you tell me—does running after all these truly make us satisfied, fulfilled? Well, you may say—not while struggling, but definitely after achieving our goals! You’re sure? You think you’ll be truly satisfied after achieving or getting what you desire? 

Well, the truth is—all these can satisfy us momentarily. For some days or years. But, in the race of achieving all these, don’t we lose our peace of mind? Don’t we lose the simplicity of life? Doesn’t our life become more complex and burdensome? 

So, should we not then aspire for anything? No, I’m not saying that. But, in the process, if we lose the joy of living—what the heck then! I’d rather prefer to achieve nothing and be simple and peaceful than to get trapped in all these competitions and waste my life trying to become something that does not mean anything existentially. It doesn’t mean I’ll become a couch potato. I’ll do whatever I need to do to sustain my life and those who depend on me, but not to chase illusory goals. Are you getting me? 

Fulfilment or satisfaction comes from inner contentment. Right? And no external thing in the whole universe can give you that contentment. People, things of beauty and taste, articles of pleasure, our properties, riches, social recognition—nothing can give you true inner contentment. If it could, people would not have searched for anything else ever. 

I don’t know how that true contentment will come. But I know this much—that this world can at most gratify us, but cannot give us contentment. 

And I think, despite living in this greatly complex world, if we can remain simple in our being—that is, to have no conflicts, no sense of struggle—then we can taste that contentment. To be simple within is not easy. It requires a great deal of wisdom and intelligence. It’s not a small feat. 

Whatever you become, be simple in life. Remember what Jesus said? 

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

—Matthew 18:3

In simplicity, innocence, love, compassion, devotion—all virtues blossom. 

May you know the joy of simplicity. Jai Shri Hari! 

P.S: I wrote another post on this topic. You can read it here

Thank you.
Image Credit: Pexels.