"Good Bye, Things : The New Japanese Minimalism"

"Good Bye, Things : The New Japanese Minimalism" - A beautiful book with few powerful lessons from Fumio Sasaki, with which I undoubtedly couldn't agree more 😊

Came across this book while surfing for some good books for myself along with the link to order. Thought to myself there cant be a bigger hint from the universe that I should buy the book. Even interesting was knowing about the author. Got to know him as just a regular guy who was stressed out and constantly comparing himself to others, until one day he decided to change his life by saying goodbye to everything he didn’t absolutely need. In Goodbye, Things Sasaki modestly shares his personal minimalist experience, offering specific tips on the minimizing process and revealing how the new minimalist movement can not only transform your space but truly enrich your life. 

So, logged on and clicked for the order. A happy confession that it was absolutely worth it. 

Few learnings that the book brought for me :

1. True Happiness comes from within, not material possessions. 

Haha - who has not come across this, but how many ties do we really bring this to practice in our daily living. Sasaki says, the pursuit of material possessions often leads to stress, anxiety and eventually a sense of emptiness. He is so right when he says true happiness comes from cultivating meaningful relationships, pursuing passions and living in alignment with one's values. I am sure this comes as a natural understanding with life to most of us. 

2. Minimalism is not about deprivation

It is not about living a stripped-down existence but about intentionality, meaning, taking a conscious choice of what you bring into your life and what you keep aside. Its about curating a space that reflects your own values and priorities, helping you to live your own life on your own terms and not a borrowed or influenced life. 

3. Decluttering is a a liberating experience. 

One day I was desperately looking for a white T-shirt from a huge bunch of clothes in my cupboard. I was throwing my stuff out from my cupboard in a desperate hunt for it but I could not find it. My father was watching me. After sometime, very softly he makes a remark "When you have too much clutter, you don't find the things when needed." I realized how true was his remark. Sasaki puts the same saying letting go out of excess belongings can be a deeply liberating experience. It can actually free up your physical, mental and emotional space, enabling you to get what you want. 

4. Less is more.

This is undoubtedly such a powerful reminder. Actually having less paradoxically leads to more. With fewer possessions you save so much of time and energy left for better things to live and enjoy life to the fullest. In addition, it helps you create more space for beautiful things in your life that would truly matter to you and your happiness. 

5. Gratitude is essential

Sasaki so beautifully explains this simple open secret to good and happy living. By being grateful on what you appreciate, makes you more focused on it, as a result your craving for other things reduce and you find enjoyment and contentment in the present moment. 

6. Minimalism is a journey not a destination

Here Sasaki emphasizes that minimalism is about continuous refinement and simplification. Its an ongoing process of evaluating our relationship with our possessions and making conscious choices that align with our values. While I was reading it, I heard a scream from my mother to put my scattered shoes back in the shelf organized. I laughed to myself, thinking the three extra pair of my jogging shoes were the cause of this messed up shoe rack. Do I really need the 3 extra pair when I need only one pair to be honest.

7. Minimalism is a personal journey, not a one-size-fit-all approach. 

With this Sasaki explains the fact so well that minimalism always helps you get clarity on your values, preferences and choices. It can never be a one-size-fit all approach because the thing that matters at the end is your intention behind your choices that would make your life an authentic and fulfilling one. 

Transmuting the sexual energy(Retas) into spiritual vigor(Ojas)

To understand this beautiful concept, it is important to first understand the two words - Retas and Ojas.

Retas (रेतस्) — flow, flood, gush, flow of semen, the seminal fluid itself, seed; offspring, progeny.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ojas (ओजस्) — vigour; energy, ability, vitality

Source: Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: 

In a nutshell, ojas is that vital energy that rules our immunity, strength, and happiness. Ayurveda defines it as the shiny essence (tejas) of all the seven dhatus is Ojas. It is the best part of the seven dhatus collected together.

Both these energies are supremely powerful in their own way and both can take an individual to the deepest form of spiritual expression. Sexual Energy, is a powerful driving force of nature. If we take a closure look at it and observe it minutely, we realize that the power that lies hidden behind it is essentially "creation" itself. It is the force that gives birth to all forms of life. On the other hand, the Spiritual Energy, is that powerful divine driving force that is capable of making us realize us our true nature and identity, helping us climb up the ladder to self - realization. 

Since, the time of human consciousness gained, man has been trying to understand the power of the two energies. Many scholars, philosophers, saints and learned men have done huge study on this subject. While sexual energy has its own power, it is often treated as a distraction on the path of self realization and attaining divinity, because it has the capability of temporarily eliminating all the wisdom gained, allowing the mind to overpower with its rational thinking and consume one’s reason of existence. One prime purpose the sexual energy has been used for by mankind is procreation and sensory pleasures. In modern times, this problem has become a bigger issue leading to over indulgence, because of the lack of understanding of the true nature and power of this energy. 

Sexual Energy is a natural aspect of our existence and hence cannot be destroyed but transformed. Referring to the writings of many scholars and experiences shared of many learned men, sexual experiences became their first introduction to spirituality. That sense of fulfillment and satisfaction one derives from a sexual orgasm is a glimpse of what spiritual experiences are like. Hence, a high meditative state is often described equivalent to a Orgasmic state. Having said so, if the sexual energy is only restricted to sensory pleasures and instant gratification, then there is no end to the desire. We need to realize that we are more than just our mere existence in this body and mind. If we can convert the sexual energy to spiritual energy, we can enhance our power of focus, creativity and drive for the upliftment of our own soul. 

Few reasons why the sexual energy has been considered as a deterrent factor to one's spiritual growth :

• Depletion of one's vitality
• Additional deposits of images in the mind which affects one's concentration and focus
• Disrupts the conversion of Retas into Ojas and pulls one down on the spiritual path
• The sense of pleasure is short lived and hence, it keeps the mind into constant craving

Few practices for transmuting the energy

• A good daily disciplined routine
• Satvik food and lifestyle
• Yoga and Pranayama
• Meditation, Introspections and Reflections
• Journaling of the experiences of the day before going to bed

The spiritual solution lies neither in forced suppression nor very loud expression but in a moderated and balanced approach. The yogic practices teach the application of progressive self-control methods and mechanisms. There is usually a period of initial struggle, which varies from individual to individual, but once crossed, the individual consciousness evolves to a stage where the sexual urge drops off naturally. It is a matter of self discipline and self interest. Teenagers and Young Adults, if explained well about these concepts, the results would show great impact on their creativity and performance levels in many beautiful areas of life. 

Life would become amazingly beautiful if we learn to embrace the spiritual power that dwells within our sexuality and learn best ways to harness our energies.

The Discerning Mind

 

The Discerning Mind knows the ways to differentiate between Real and Unreal

Be it the teachings of any scriptures, learnings from life philosophy, or the practices of any religion of the world,  they all have a common thread – Exploring the profound relationship of the self and the divine. There may be times where we encounter moments of clarity, epiphany or revelation followed with doubts, confusion or chaos. However, each step takes us to the core of our heart i.e our own center. That is the space, we confront our own shadows, fears, dilemmas, desires, attachments and our own egos.

This confrontation with self, often makes us uncomfortable with the truths of our own nature, the conditioned thought patterns of our mind and the arrogance of our own ego. This uncomforting feeling with self is important and crucial, for it is through this inner confrontation that we gain profound insights to the self recognition of our true nature and our journey of life, finally bringing in self transformation. This is the point where the egoistic mind starts dissolving its arrogance, dropping its restlessness and starts humbling down to the greater forces of the universe that are at play. As the confrontations with self starts increasing, the discernment of the mind also starts increasing. It finally starts demonstrating the ability to determine for itself what information serves us for our own good, what is right for us and what is not. As we start progressing on our spiritual path of self discovery, the gift of discernment becomes the most precious gift for us. It helps us get over the illusions, allow deep letting go, a renunciation of our attachment and drop of our false ego. This helps us start aligning to the universe’s governing forces and to connect with our own higher self for guidance and support necessary for our self – discovery and evolution, ultimately leading to our freedom and liberation.

Happy Exploring !

DOKKODO

Every leader who has lived life successfully has followed few guided principles of his own with which he has won all his battles. Dokkodo also known as the "The Path of Aloneness", "The Way to Go Forth Alone", or "Way of walking alone" is one such work of a great successful man. 

It is a short work by Miyamoto Musashi. So often he is only seen as one of Japan's greatest swordsmen and duelist, but he was so much more. Musashi was philosophical, artistic, and lived a life way beyond  the legendary Japanese swordsman, philosopher and the author of the book "The book of 5 rings". In the final years of his life, Musashi retreated to a cave to life his life as a hermit. It was here that he finally put his words to write "Dokkodo", the path walked alone, a week before he died in 1645 in which he shared a set of 21 profound principles and how they can help us live a more meaningful and disciplined life. Each of these 21 principles address a different perspective to life. 

The 21 principles of Dokkodo:

1. I did not infringe upon the way of successive generations. 

2. I sought not seek pleasure for pleasure's sake.

3. I harbored no biased feeling.

4. I thought lightly of yourself and profoundly of the world.

5. I succumbed not to greed for the duration of my life.

6. I held no regrets for past deeds.

7. I was never jealous of others over matters of good and evil.

8. In all things I never despaired over partying.

9. I never had malice towards others nor they towards me.

10. I steered clear of the path of attachment.

11. I held no preferences for anything.

12. I cared not where I lived.

13. I sought not the taste of fine food. 

14. I possessed no old items of historical consequence to pass on.

15. I adhered not to superstitious beliefs.

16. Apart from weapons, I sought not superfluous trappings.

17. I spurned not death in the way.

18. I sought not the possession or fiefs for my old age.

19. I respected the deities and Buddha without seeking their aid.

20. I abandoned my body but not my honor.

21. I never drifted from the way of combat strategy.

These 21 profound principles of the Dokkodo can help us live a more meaningful and disciplined life.