The Simplicity of Living

Last post we dug into the complexity of life and that maybe the mess and chaos is the doorway to embracing presence. There is real truth, however, in simplicity’s ability to bring happiness & fulfillment and it is tied to easier access to presence. The simple life isn’t required, but it just makes it easier. When we haven’t found a framework that allows us to organize our complexity and see how the puzzle pieces fit together that is when it becomes overwhelming.

Research and many studies, like the Easterlin Paradox, The World Happiness Report, The Gallup Global Emotions Report, et al. all point to simplicity and to relationships as being keys to a happy and fulfilling life. It’s meta-data, so it shows the world as it is, not how it could be. These keys are natural keys, arising without thought, without focus & attention.

Western culture has ingrained in us that if we can just get to that next wealth bracket we’ll be able to buy the things that simplify our lives, reducing anxiety and increasing happiness. We’re chasing retirement….to stop doing what we’ve been doing for most of our lives and achieve the simple life.

The Parable of the Fisherman and the Businessman:

A business man is on vacation in a small coastal village when he sees a fisherman lounging by his boat. The business man asks why he’s not out catching more fish.

The fisherman says “Because Ive’ already caught enough for today.”

The businessman replies “But if you caught more you could sell them and buy a bigger boat. Then you could catch even more fish, buy a fleet, open a factory, and make a fortune!”

The fisherman, curious, asks “and then what?”

Businessman: “Well, then you could retire, move to a small village, sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, and relax with your friends.”

The fisherman smiles and says “Isn’t that what I’m doing now?”

---

The parable perfectly contrasts western thinking with simplicity thinking. It really got to me the first time I heard it. I was taught to chase all these things. I’ve spent most of my life learning about how to grow things, how to advance careers, amass fortunes, scale businesses. But for what? It can’t be to retire and live simply, I told myself. I guess I have access to that right now.

Studies on monks, minimalists, and people choosing simplicity show higher levels of contentment, presence, and meaning. But why?

“Simplicity creates the space for presence, and presence is where fulfillment lives”

So it’s the space for presence that we’re after. How do we find the space for presence without giving up the beauty of our complex lives?