The power of simplicity

Why we need simplicity in our complicated world:

We are now living in a modern age unlike before, where we constantly get exposed and stimulated by countless of informations, ideas and experiences. Although having access to majority of the information is needless to say, a useful thing, on the other hand it has it's disadvantage, involving the over exposure and stimulation of the mind, that it sort of become over whelmed, stressed and potentially confused. The negative impact it has on the mind is evident amongst many of us.

The purpose of this article is not to promote seclusion but rather more, to promote ideas to relief the negative effect of living a "complicated life" as it is already. There had been times when I felt frozen and lost by the numerous things I had to do and was exposed to, I describe it as "million of thoughts that clogs and impairs my mind". Hence, I began to work on my "simple life" or ideology of "simplicity" to improve a healthier life in this complicated age.

Advantage with simplicity?

Here are some advantage sof simplicity:

• The mind function properly when it is not overwhelmed, scattered, confused and stressed, which potentially leads to anxiety and depression. However, with a more simple mind set, it is emotionally more healthy and less stressful for the mind.
• The mind attain a more peaceful, clear and calmer state with simplicity, instead of a over whelmed distorted mind.
• When the mind is not scattered, but clear and simple, the mind will be able to function more effectively. It helps the mind to "focus", "concentrate" and be "mindful".
• These positive attributes are key to success in whatever realistic task you set. Being more focus and less distracted, you'll be able to put more energy into the specific task and therefore more likely to achieve your aims. Success follows simplicity, a key to many successful people other there. On the other hand, multi-tasking or having too much to bare will reduce energy in avhieving your aims.
• When the mind become simple and aware, it can appreciate things more profoundly and actually live a more happier life. When are you aware and present, you are truely living! Otherwise, being confused and scattered, is like you are not there even when are you.

A few tips to simplify your life:

1. Focus on essential tasks or goals you need to do. You need to know which to prioritise.
2. Eliminate on the none-essential task or goals (or at least for now - making notes for future reference can help and put your mind at ease knowing you won't forget it).
3. Create a structure, time table or routine habit out of the essential task, to keep it on going.

As Bruce Lee have said, "It is not daily increase but daily decrease; hack away the unessential".

Another nice discription Bruce Lee described "In building a statue, a sculptor doesn't keep adding clay to his subject. Actually, he keeps chiselling away at the inessentials until the truth of its creation is revealed without obstructions. Thus, contrary to other styles, being wise in Jeet Kune-Do doesn't mean adding more; it means to minimize, in other words to hack away the unessential."

Other tips that could help you

• Get into the habit of thinking straight to the point.
• Einstein have said, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." So remember not to overly simplify things in the sense that you lose what is essential. Sometimes complication can be a good thing depending on the circumstance.
• Keep your living environment simple: a clear room helps to clear the mind and reduce being over whelmed and retreating into complicated thought mode.
• Meditation effectively helps to clear and empty the trash from the mind, with plenty of more advantages!

A little quote I made up:

"Many people fail to see the power of simplicity
and fail to appreciate it's greatness.
Some things can be so simple yet so profound.
Some things can be so simple yet so true. "

Becoming a man...

I have realised that we are in a society which no longer promote growth of mature adulthood. In fact, some may say that modern society is preventing growth of mature adulthood.

Here we are, in this world, where there are many childish immature minds trap into a fully grown man's, like boys trap in a man's boy. This becomes a very deceptive veil, leading to many deception and confusion out there.

Here we have, men who have not matured due to various reasons, whether by broken family, mentally disturbing childhood, lack of mature men showing them how to grow inside etc...

Here are some examples of the characteristics of these immature men:

• Men who lacks of integruity, who loves to deceive themselves and others by acting confident when they aren't competent and love to role play. Childish empty words.
• Men who are still insecure, so they result in dominating others by intimidation, threats, mockery and such childish behaviour in order to fulfill their childish ego. They are not proud about themselves so they need to step over others to feel a bit better. These are basically from boys who bullies due to insecurity, however, it has developed into something more sophiscated, a bit more rationalised and veiled by adult features. From insecure bullies to sophiscated intellectualized bullies. Having a bigger stronger body can be a really effective way of hiding their true colours, by giving threats, but nevertheless that is just a lost boy in a boy body.
• Men who are insecure, so they have to constantly compete over petty things, which are like high school boys mentality. They lack the maturity, brotherhood and supporting each other or at least to focus on their own goals and not be petty over little things.
• Men who are still stuck in a state as victims, they defensively hide and act weak, and do not have the courage to come out their shell and be themselves.
• Men who are extremely selfish & lack responsiblity, who are constantly obsessed with doing what they please, that lose touch of reality and stuck in an idealistic fantasy world. They lack responsibility of supporting themselves and their family, taking their role as provider and supporter. They are basically spoilt kids who grew up without any responsiblities.
• Men who do not focus their time in developing themselves, but goes around complimenting and idolizing others, so they feel like they can get a piece of the pie but in fact they don't have their own .

Society which is considered as healthy, stable and functional, usually abides with a system which emphasis the maturity of men, through a moralistic educational system, ritual inititaion which has some sort of life lesson in becoming a responsible adult. These system encourage men to grow up as socially functional men.

The lesson of which is taught for boys to become real mature men various depending on culture and environment factor, but below are examples of attribute which are vital for growing up as healthy functional men:

1. Being a man does not mean acting or living an image, it just means becoming wiser, seeing things from a wider scope and more responsible, it does not not being yourself. Wiser mind yet the heart should be unconditioned like a child.
2. Men should learn to endure hardship and the harsh reality of life, yet have hope for the brighter future.
3. Men should take responsiblity and know how to survive and look after themselves.
4. Men should learn to take responsibility for other people as well, training towards being a provider or a responsible leader of men.
5. Men should understand and live by the morality and right principle, walk the right path and take the right decision. Righteousness, wisdom and compassion is the proper way to in life.
6. Men should have noble characteristic such as being honest, straight forward minded (no sly nor manipulation), have integruity, being sincere and whole hearted, peaceful, not self conceit etc...
7. Men should work hard and understand the value of earnesty, as hardwork is one of the keys to success and confidence.
8. Men should know well to respect the terriority of themselves and others, to avoid unneccessary conflicts. Code of honour is vital in keeping to society functional. Also to avoid foolish men who would bring unneccessary conflicts in the first place. Differentiate foolish boy-liked mind from mature sensible men.
9. A man should attempt to establish his life, know which directions to take in life, interms of spiritual life, career life, moral principles and ethics etc...

Topics to cover

There are so many topics to cover, I don't know where to begin, but from the back of my head, I will list a few to begin with:

• The advantage of a simple life
• Self help and psychology tricks to overcome or relieve anxiety, depression, confusion, anger, addictions etc...
• Understand the modern society and factors which has implication on our minds.
• The way of the tea
• What is happiness and can I be happy?
• Positive mind = positive life: positive activities and attributes like determination, courage, patience, self control, generosity, reasonable, fair, honesty etc... and understand how that have massive impact on your life.
• Having a better insight and outlook of life
• Ideal path to adulthood: what it takes to be a real mature adult and not a immature adolescent trap in an adult body.
• Learning more about the science of the mind, spirituality and understanding the yourself
• Critical thinking: simplicity, priority, using appropiate skills, organization skills
• Philosophy of the middleway, balance and harmony, yin and yang
• Healthy lifestyle, diet, food etc...

As time goes by, I will cover other useful topics like duality, mind only theory etc... Keep checking! And feel free to leave a message!