Enjoy Life's Innocuous Joys.......Embrace Simplicity

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 6 September 2024 "Our Life Is Frittered Away By Detail. Simplify, Simplify." Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau's quote, "Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify," echoes the urgent need for individuals to strip away the superfluous complexities that cloud their existence. In a world where busyness and the constant flow of information consume our time and attention, Thoreau emphasizes the importance of simplifying one's life. By focusing on what truly matters and consciously stepping away from the minutiae that holds no significance, we can discover a deeper sense of purpose, clarity, and fulfilment. Thoreau's words serve as a reminder to consciously seek simplicity, propelling us towards a lifestyle that is not subservient to distractions but rather fosters a connection with the essential aspects of life. Elsewhere he stated, as you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness. Simplicity holds the power to transform our perception of the world. By simplifying our lives, we free ourselves from the burdens of excessive material possessions, desires, and societal conventions. Thoreau asserts that through this simplification, the laws that govern the universe become less complex. Solitude, often feared and avoided, takes on a new meaning as it becomes a peaceful state of being rather than a feeling of loneliness. Poverty, typically associated with lacking material wealth, loses its negative connotation, becoming a path towards contentment and freedom from the trappings of consumerism. Similarly, weakness loses its stigma, transforming into an opportunity for personal growth and resilience. Thoreau's eloquent words serve as a reminder that simplicity can unlock a deeper understanding of life, enabling us to find beauty, meaning, and strength in even the simplest of circumstances. But the problem with all humans is that they deliberately complicate everything. Extreme discernment in life makes things knotty. While it's good to read between the lines, doing this all the time takes away the fun and thrill of life's simple joys and pleasures. Khuda Ke Fazl Se Tu Deedawar Nahin Varna/ Har Ek Phool Pe Tujhe Zakhm Ka Gumaan Hota (Thank god, you're not too discerning and meticulous/ Otherwise, every flower would have looked wounded to you). Life is simple but we make it complicated. The simple messages of all scriptures are unnecessarily distorted and warped by the 'interpreters' and 'exegetes' in all faiths. Muslims will see the Big Bang and Buddha in the Quran! Hindus will find references to plastic surgery, aircraft and even atom bombs in their tattered and hoary-old 'holy' books. We make a fetish of our idiosyncrasies because we don't like to simplify things. We apply logic to life's simplest issues and feel that we've done something very intelligent and out of the box. It's like, "Love, how it sells poor bliss for proud despair!" ('Mutability' by P B Shelly). Remember, human life is woefully short and precarious. We're forever on the precipice. So, enjoy life's innocuous joys. Stay simple. Embrace simplicity. ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/enjoy-life-innocuous-joys-embrace-simplicity/d/133134 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism