Sister Simplicity

Yogananda made the statement “God is simple, everything else is complex.” 

The Master’s simple aphorism provides us with timely and indispensable context for navigating life in a highly energetic modern world of increasing complexity.  

The rapidity of man's movement alone, appears to be accelerating at previously unimaginable speed - what to mention, the speed of his thoughts! Just to be here, now, the average citizen is daily tasked with the balancing of worlds and the compartmentalizing of myriad perspectives. 

In addition to our own personal, social, and familial realities, there are political, economic and religious wars waged across the globe; duality expressing itself in incredible and often drastic extremes. Like those engaged in fighting for a righteous cause for the benefit of others, and those invested in a kind of blatant oppression of the rights of others, existing side by side, without any kind of standardized agreement as to which is which. Or, the pillaging of the earth and its resources, and the daily extraction and usage of the earth's abundance, for the benefit of others - which is actually real? 

The stakes are greater than ever, in the same way that they are with a 16 year old and a car. He is more capable than he was 2 years ago of transporting himself a greater distance, and also of causing far greater destruction. 

If we can agree about anything in the realm of duality, it must surely be that the world we share is speeding up, and not going to slow down anytime soon. Perhaps this understanding alone is a simple starting point. The real question is: what do we do about it? 

Master stated that our own actual freedom lies not in fulfilling all desires by chasing the increasing complexities of the world, but in realizing our Self, in simplicity. In becoming simple. 

For those inspired to take up the Path to God in haste, this becomes a kind of rallying cry when confronted with the increasing complexity of lifetimes spent eating knowledge-apples from the tree of man.

At the stage of finding oneself in a mental spin-cycle of compounding complications, we at least hypothetically know what to do: Keep it simple. 

Simplicity itself is defined as “the state of being uncomplicated, uncompounded, or free from excessive elegance and artificiality.” A refreshingly insightful definition. Far from being a non-desirable condition of the lowly or impoverished, simplicity is gradually revealed as a universal path for realizing happiness and freedom. It is also like the subtle super power available to each and all, for navigating the increasing complexities of a super charged world of energy and outward expansion - even if that 'world' be the mundane balancing of our own day-to-day relationships. 

In every situation and for every decision, we have the choice to relate simply, and from a place of inner freedom. We may well begin to train ourselves to relate first to all things through a filter of sister simplicity: Is it true? Is it loving? Is it simple? The last of these acts as the harbinger of integrity to the most lofty aspirations of the first two. 

Simple is not synonymous with ease, however. In today’s world the simple choice is often the least praiseworthy, and the most easy to skip right over. It also can sometimes involve taking the much more difficult, integral steps, up front - rather than simply pushing them off to a distant time and place. 

To act simply, is to be simple. To be simple, can also be stated as being aligned harmoniously within our own Self. That is, without unnecessary complications and inner conflict, and free of artificiality. Like the pure happiness and freedom of inspiration in a child.

All complexity of life comes from the basic misalignment of our own inner and outer world - that is, when our purpose and our daily actions don't add up. Like when we have established our purpose in life as God Realization, and yet we are doing things in our daily life which go against that basic purpose - like over-indulging in the senses, or spending our time doing work or activities which are actually killing our spirit. We are not aligned in the simplicity of our being, no matter how lofty our proclaimed purpose. 

Likewise, even as we are able to partake in positive employment, the raising of a family, or participation with a virtuous mission, if we are yet are not consciously realizing God in that activity, perhaps due to believing that we ourselves are the doer of the deed - this also, is not of God's simple nature. Ego-centered action of all kinds can lend itself to a growing crescendo of complexity. 

Simplicity is ultimately experienced in the clarity of knowing our own purpose in life, and the alignment of that purpose both within and without; in our innermost thoughts and feelings, and in our daily choices and activities. 

In this kind of simplicity, we learn to love the little steps and calm movements in the right direction. 

We learn to value practical activities, and real-life experiences, as opposed to artificial alternatives, and superficial motivations. Very often, the God thoughts and activities which come to us, are meek and unnoticed by the world; for they are born of God’s still and small voice, not the one yelling the loudest to be heard and adhered to. Master once encouraged, "Be as simple as you can be, and you will be astonished at how uncomplicated and happy your life can become." 

In our own aspiring simplicity, we awaken to the simple God within us, and all around us. Even in the most seemingly outrageous mis-alignments of mind, heart and activity of our self and those around us, there is Sister simplicity in the midst. Watching and waiting for us to return to our calm center - inspiring repentance and a birth of new understanding, offering fresh and humble steps to take in today’s daily duties, and renewing the right spirit of joy, for becoming truly simple brothers and sisters, and living in His presence always.

May simplicity not be a merely sweet sentiment, nor a drastic act of renunciation either; may it rather be the daily-practiced super power which takes us beyond all the complications of life in this world, to realize our freedom and happiness in the Eternal. 

Sister simplicity whispers. Who will listen? Who will hear? May your simple Self answer Her call.