Last weekend my husband Thom and I attended a lecture by a young man named Timber Hawkeye. By his own definition, Timber is a religion-less Buddhist with a mission to awaken, enlighten, enrich and inspire. Not only does he offer a refreshing and practical approach to spirituality, he also talks repeatedly about creating a more simplified life. On the drive home, Thom and I began talking about how these two philosophies share a few things in common. From there, we came up with the Four Noble Truths of Minimalism as a way to remind and connect with the core principles behind a more simple, practical and grounded life.
A little background is useful. As some of you probably know, Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that originated in India in approximately 654 B.C. Now spread throughout Asia and the world, it claims somewhere around 500 million followers and is considered one of the major religions on the planet. Like Christianity, numerous sects exist promoting their perspective. But at the center of them sits a man named Siddhartha Gautama who eventually came to be known as the Buddha, meaning the “Enlightened” or “Awakened” one. At the core of the teachings rests the desire to liberate humanity and to find the clarity and peace of nirvana.
Fundamental to the teaching is a series of ideas called The Four Noble Truths. Each attempts to explain the pain and suffering that humanity faces, and how to not only deal with that, but how we all may eventually reach an enlightened state. Of course, just like with any ancient religion, layers and layers of philosophy and interpretation exist. However, the Four Noble Truths present the basics in an easy to comprehend way. That’s why they also provide a unique way to explore minimalism and how they both connect.
First Noble Truth Of Minimalism—Suffering comes from believing the illusion that money, stuff and getting more of anything will make us happy or satisfied.
While many of us tend to think that minimalism is a fad for the 21st century—we would be wrong. Six hundred years before the birth of Jesus, a man named Siddhartha was born in a very wealthy Indian family. His father so wanted to protect his son from the pain and uncertainty of the world that he kept Siddhartha locked up in his palace for all of his young life so that he would never witness some of the painful truths that come from real life. (Does that sound like any parent you know?)
Like any typical teenager, not to mention an adventurous human, Siddhartha eventually figured out a way to escape his family fortress. He immediately witnessed some of the anguish and unhappiness that happens every day. Not only did he see people who were destitute and starving, he experienced a funeral introducing him to the idea of death for the very first time. Can you imagine his horror?
So what did he do? He renounced his former lifestyle as a lie and gave away everything. Living the life of an ascetic, he deprived himself of all earthly possessions to understand if that was the way to overcome suffering. Later, after years of exploring that option, he found himself in a more moderate place he called, “The Middle Path.” From there, sitting under a Bodhi tree in meditation, he became awakened and enlightened.” (Aka: The Buddha.)
Two important things that anyone on the minimalist path can learn from this truth are that while “less is more,” it is usually the moderate approach that leads us to contentment. Plus, it isn’t so much what we do on the outside that counts, most real transformation and “enlightenment” happens within.
Second Noble Truth Of Minimalism—It’s not the possessions in our life that result in suffering. Instead, it is our attachments, cravings or erroneous thinking that leads to the pain.
What the Buddha discovered was that it wasn’t the stuff, or lack of stuff, that was causing people pain and suffering. All the pain came from craving and desire for things that exist outside ourselves. In other words, the quest for the biggest house, the largest bank account, or the most expensive car will make us miserable if we think we need that to be happy. Having 25 pairs of shoes or the latest cosmetic crème will not make us feel beautiful. Real peace and contentment can only come from within.
Behind all that craving is our attachments. Attachments can be to stuff, people, habits or beliefs we refuse to let go of or accept. Unfortunately, all of those things are either impermanent or not under our control. The more we want other people to behave the way we think they should, or for nothing challenging to ever happen, the more we suffer. And the more we hold on or keep things from ever changing, the more painful it gets.
Minimalism teaches us that the more stuff we have to manage, the more complicated our lives become. When we attempt to hang on to things that are no longer useful or joyful to us, we surround ourselves with distractions that keep us from focusing on what really matters. Holding on when it is time to let go, or craving things that we do not have or need, is painful. Instead, when we are grateful and appreciative of those things we authentically love, we grant ourselves freedom and peace of mind.
Third Noble Truth Of Minimalism—We have the ability to transcend the pain of suffering by transmuting our ignorance into wisdom and achieving joy.
This truth is the good news that contentment and happiness are attainable to us all. By recognizing what really matters, by giving up our cravings, by letting go of attachments, by living in the now, we can begin to live in a place without fear, anger or hatred. In this place that is free from psychological suffering, we find we are not obsessed with our own selfish needs and instead become more giving and generous to all.
One of the greatest gifts offered by those living a more simple life is a freedom from stress and worry. Once a person stops chasing after things they don’t need, working at jobs they hate just to pay the bills, all to impress people they might not even like, life becomes much more sweet. Not only does a person have more time and freedom to do the things they love, but they also discover they need even less than they thought. It’s true that less stuff = less stress. Or, as Timber Hawkeye said, “Working part-time allows me to live full-time.”
Four Noble Truth Of Minimalism—The eight-fold path is the means to reaching the peaceful and enlightened state of what Buddhists call Nirvana.
Just like so many truths, the message is simple but not easy. While Buddha shared that the solution was possible, he went on to offer many more ideas about how to reach a state of enlightenment called Nirvana. One of the first places to start is with the eightfold path. While many people call them the “right” steps, they have nothing to do with right or wrong. Doing them in the “correct” way is the best approach. They involve (1) having the correct perception, (2) the correct thoughts and emotions, (3) the right speech, (4) the right actions, (5) the right livelihood, (6) the right intentions, (7) the right mindfulness and awareness, and (8) correct meditation.
Fully exploring the eightfold path could take a lifetime. But thinking of them in relation to minimalism is also helpful. After all, having an accurate perception of the nature of reality is critical. Learning to train our minds and emotions in the right way is essential. The words that come out of our mouths are as important as what we do. All our work, our intentions, our self-awareness, and mindfulness add up to what makes for a good life, or one of suffering. We decide. And behind it all, is taking the time to be able to focus on what really matters. As the Buddha said, “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
One of the greatest benefits of the eightfold path to minimalism is the reminder that the path is a journey—not a destination. And remember, it’s not the extreme approach either. It doesn’t say get rid of everything you own and become a monk. That didn’t work for the Buddha, and it won’t work for most people. It also didn’t say that we should stay locked up in our castle and pretend that the world doesn’t have some challenging and tough circumstances happening at any given time. Instead, the middle path with right thoughts, right speech, right action and all the rest is where we mindfully strive to be. (Sounds a lot like Rightsizing doesn’t it?)
But don’t get me wrong. I’m not a Buddhist and I’m not sure Timber Hawkeye would agree with my comparisons. Plus, there is no way this short article can cover all the complexities of what practicing Buddhism means. But I firmly believe that it’s SMART to explore ideas and different philosophies whenever we can to help us all learn more about the world around us and most especially ourselves. And like the Buddha supposedly said, “It is better to travel well than arrive.”
I really appreciate the way you do summaries, recaps and translations of some of these giant bodies of information and philosophy. And I appreciate the repetition of certain concepts and ideas. The more I read your posts, the more the ideas start to stick with me (and my leaky brain). Thanks, Kathy!
Hi Laura! Thank you. I obviously enjoy doing the work and the reminders myself so I plan to continue. What’s the saying, “we write what we most need to hear”? At least I do. As I allow my curiosity and mind to explore intriguing, and what I consider to be helpful information, I get to write about it and make it even more a part of my experience. How great is that? And it certainly helps me remember them too! ~Kathy
I enjoyed reading this. It is very informative and made me think a lot of myself and on what I do in my life. Thanks for sharing this and I will look forward to your next post.
Hi Thea! Thank you. I enjoy coming up with new ways to look at the same issue. So many of us are asking these questions right now so it is fun to share different ideas about it. Thanks for coming by. ~Kathy
I do think the minimilism trend right now is a fad- for some. There is the Marie Kondo movement, which I think will go away. But I also think that many baby boomers are realizing that they invested years in big homes and all the stuff in them, and are now looking for a lighter road. We downsized from 4000 square feet to 1700. I had to get rid of over half of my things. I don’t miss anything. Except maybe my coffee bean grinder- which I think is around here someplace…
Hi Michele! Yes, minimalism has certainly caught on as a fad but I think it’s important for us all to realize that it has been around for far, far longer! And although Kondo’s book has really found an audience, if we are only getting rid of stuff on the surface, we might, just like anyone who’s gone on one diet after another, fall back to where we were once the push has gone away. The good news is that like you, so many of us baby boomers, are realizing that it is really a good way to go. Good for you for figuring that out and getting rid of all that stuff. It sounds like you have rightsized for sure! ~Kathy
Excellent post Kathy! You did an amazing job that really brought to life the practical principles that, quite honestly, are sound and healthy for anyone to live by, no matter what your religious beliefs are. I loved the ‘ Rightsizing Wringer’ in Penny’s comment, absolutely brilliant. P.S. Stopping by from Blog Pitch Party.
Hi Tania! Welcome to SMART Living 365! I am glad you found my thoughts practical–that’s really important to me. And yeah, I don’t think it matters what religion we all follow, there is something to be learned from them all. Thanks for stopping by! ~Kathy
What an enjoyable read! I find it hard sometimes to let go of possessions and can be a bit of a hoarder ?. I’ve shared this post on Flipboard too.
visited via The Blog Pitch Party
Hi Linda! Thanks for joining the conversation. And I know it can be challenging to let go of things, especially if we’ve made that a habit. But trust me, once you get started it gets easier and the benefits make it all worthwhile! ~Kathy
The third Truth is a great reminder. If an item is causing stress and worry, why keep it??
Hi Haralee! Isn’t it amazing how some of the simplest ideas can often be the most profound. But sometimes we just need to hear it over and over for it to sink it. Far better to let go than hang on. ~Kathy
This was so interesting, Kathy, I know little about Buddhism. I am starting to realize that minimalism and rightsizing go hand-in-hand, and these are concepts that are getting closer to me every day. Because of my recent weight loss, I “had” to go buy some new duds (for teaching). Now I need to sort through and donate a bunch of my clothes that are too large to a women’s shelter here in town. I also like that idea of taking a photo of a beloved object (or piece of clothing) that has sentimental value. Great lessons!
Hi Terri! Yes, isn’t it amazing how rightsizing goes with just about everything 😉 I do believe that once any of us starts embracing a more simple, minimal and “rightsized” life that the benefits just get more and more abundant. The lifestyle changes then give way to so many other avenues. Oh, and congrats on your big weight loss. That was a “lightening” of stuff on a very personal level. ~Kathy
This was a gentle reminder that I needed. When we moved, I was great about divesting myself of lots of things. Many reasons and done in a hurry. But then once I had time to think about it, I missed some of the things I had given away. Well, Beth, get over it. You are healthy. Your husband and children are healthy. You have a good life. And you can always replenish things that really matter–LIKE BOOKS. Great post, Beth
Hi Beth! I agree that it all hits us a bit differently. That’s so why I prefer the idea of rightsizing to minimalism because it ultimately is unique to each of us. It’s based on our personality and particular needs and situation rather than “the rules of minimalism.” Of course, the Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are all great reminders on how to keep it going. Thanks for being part of the conversation Beth! ~Kathy
For those of us who have just been through the RIghtsizing Wringer, these four truths are almost self-evident. After finally finding homes–some of those homes were the trash bin–for possessions (crystal bowls, silver candle sticks, hand-painted tea cups) I was housing for grandparents and parents no longer here, I felt a lightness of being–as though I’d been on a diet. Now that I have moved to an apartment that has just enough of my worldly goods to be comfortable, it is so pleasurable to not have to shop for anything. i went to a friend’s pottery show the other day. It was pleasant to admire her craftsmanship and artistry but I was no longer in an acquirer. I was shedder. There comes a time in life when that’s the right size to be.
Hi Penny! I’ve never thought of rightsizing as going through the wringer, but I can imagine it can be challenging for some more than others. Glad to hear that’s past you now, although I do agree with the Buddha that it’s not something you completely arrive at and then never have to think about again. As you said, going to the art show and seeing your friend’s work can sometimes trigger all sorts of desire (and craving). Good for admiring it without needing to own it! Thanks for sharing that great example! ~Kathy
“It’s not the possessions in our life that result in suffering. Instead, it is our attachments, cravings or erroneous thinking that leads to the pain.” Great point! I wonder how many people think that just getting rid of their physical stuff will also rid them of their negative internal “stuff”? Instead, I think it’s a larger process that involves letting go both both literally and figuratively. And… I’m working on it! 🙂
Hi Janis! Yes isn’t that the deeper issue here? While I do believe it is helpful in most cases to get rid of all the stuff we lug around, ultimately it is the reason that we keep all that stuff in the first place that holds the key. I read one time that a very common symptom of a hoarder is that they have lost someone very close to them and that starts them thinking about the impermanence of everything. And yes, then that fear of impermanence makes them want to hang on to EVERYTHING. One step at a time is a really good motto when it comes to letting go… ~Kathy
I love number 2. I am going through the pain of letting go of possessions that mean something to me because of my grandparents, but mean little to nothing to my children. I need to let go of them.
Hi Tam! I’m sure you’ve read these ideas before but it never hurts to hear them over and over again right. Especially when confronted with going through parents or grandparents possessions. What I love to do is to take photos (yes, even photos of “things”!) like some of my mom’s artwork. That way I remember her and how it made me feel to see it, rather than having to own or lug it around. Maybe that would help? ~Kathy