Simplicity as a Spiritual Practice

Simplicity as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice

By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. With practice, you will begin to encounter your experiences in a spiritual context as you begin to practice and master spiritual principles. This week’s spiritual principle is Simplicity.

The simplicity of nature supports and nourishes. All creation has an invisible connection with the sun, moon, stars, earth and sky. And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good, suitable, and pleasant and God approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day (Genesis 1:31). The simplicity of love is compassion, patient, sensitive, tender, affectionate, and a gentle and respectful approach to all things. Fellowship with God through nature by taking time to appreciate a sunrise/sunset, flowers, oceans, mountains, air; God is in His Creation. Naturalness is simple and easy.

Simplicity is being clear and direct in your communications with others. And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong (Matthew 5:33-37).  All of nature is simple and direct - except humans. We say one thing and mean another. Simplicity is living directly, asking direct questions, being direct and allowing life to touch you; no denials and no covers.

How much of your life is yours, aside from work, family, friends and other responsibilities? Find and take time daily to do at least one thing you like to do. Take time daily to spend time with God. Advertisement states that image is everything, but image cannot substitute for the real thing. Make God a priority.

Practice doing your best; practice makes mastery a reality. Always give 100% of your best. Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what his Word says and means (2 Timothy 2:15). Doing your best is simple because your best depends on how you feel in the present moment. If you were asked to do fifty pushups in5 minutes, the best you may be able to do is ten. But, given time, your best will improve with practice. Practice makes the master.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Self-Assessment:

Do you say what you mean and do you express yourself clearly and directly?

What are your simple requests that would make your life more enjoyable?

What inspires you?

What consumes your day?

List five things that would simplify your life.

What “golden handcuffs” (hand-cuffed by materialism) distracts you from what’s important?

How much time do you spend doing the things you like to do?

How much time daily do you spend with your God?

Are you in tune with natural cycle?

Simplicity Practices:

• Discover the things that you like, the things that make you happy. Find and make time to do them, and follow your energy. Allow at least one hour per day to do what pleases you.
• For the next three months fellowship with God, twenty minutes in the morning and twenty minutes in the evening. Imagine how life will change when you give God a percentage of your time daily.
• Streamline your life; what are the top five things that will provide you peace and serenity.
• Take a digital holiday; no cell phone or emails. In a multi-tasking society it’s rare to have a conversation uninterrupted by a cell phone. When we give our undivided attention, it shows the other that they matter, and we “see” them.

Evaluate what is meaningful in your daily life and take/make the time to do them. Family, close friends, love, and laughter are the simple things that matter. The simple things are easy to do, and easy not to do. Cook and eat at least one healthy meal with your family, or solo; pray; get up early to meet the day and see the sunrise; take a walk and admire nature (God is in His Creation); read an inspiring book; show a child a new skill; write a letter; visit a friend.

How do you simplify life with more goodness; God? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Blessings