Simplicity can be misunderstood as a lack of sophistication or depth, but in truth, it’s the root of beauty. In nature, simplicity is everywhere—from the steady rhythm of ocean waves to the quiet sway of grass, and the single droplet of water resting on a leaf.
Applying the beauty of simplicity to our own lives involves two main ideas; practicing being present and consciously choosing to focus on what aligns with our true values.
Practice: Finding Beauty in Simplicity
To cultivate clarity of your priorities, it’s essential to first settle into a state of being awareness. You become the awareness by simply observing your thoughts, letting go of any effort to control or direct them. Clarity will emerge naturally from this state.
- Find a Quiet Space: Sit comfortably, either on a chair or on the floor. Close your eyes gently. Take a deep breath in, and slowly exhale. Allow your body to relax with each breath.
- Tune into Your Body: Begin by bringing awareness to your body. Notice the sensation of your feet on the ground or your legs against the seat. Feel the air on your skin. Notice any tension or tightness in your body and allow it to soften with each breath.
- Tune into Your Breath: Bring your attention to your breath. As you inhale, simply observe the feeling of the air entering your body. As you exhale, notice how your body relaxes with the release. Any thoughts that arise are just passing clouds in the sky of your awareness. Let them come and go without holding onto them. You are not your thoughts; you are the awareness in which they arise.
- Rest in Awareness: Now, open up to the space around you. Notice the sounds, the light, the sensations in the room. Simply observe, without needing to label or judge. Allow yourself to be fully present, resting in the awareness of what is here, right now. Notice that clarity begins to emerge naturally as you do not force it, but allow it to arise from this place of stillness.
- Expanding Your Awareness: Now, gently expand your awareness, and imagine yourself rising above your current environment, as if you were a bird soaring high in the sky. From this higher perspective, look down at your life as it unfolds. See yourself, your daily routines, your relationships, and your choices from above. Observe the bigger picture—without judgment—simply noticing the patterns, the flow, and the elements that stand out to you. From this perspective, you may see where you’ve become entangled in unnecessary complexity or where you’ve drifted from your true values. Notice how from above, the landscape of your life is simpler, more connected, and clearer.
- Recognize What Matters: As you float effortlessly in this bird’s-eye view, allow your true priorities to emerge. Feel the gentle pull of what aligns with your deepest values and what feels true to your essence. Allow these insights to come forward without effort, as though you are receiving them naturally from your higher awareness.
- Commit to Simplicity: Choose one small action you can take today to simplify your life, whether it’s letting go of a task that doesn’t align with your priorities, focusing more fully on a relationship, or dedicating time to a practice that nurtures your well-being.
- Breathe and Reflect: Take a few more deep breaths, and gently bring your awareness back to the body. As you open your eyes, carry this sense of clarity and presence with you throughout the day, allowing simplicity to flow effortlessly into your life.
Inner Reflections to Cultivate Simplicity:
- What areas of your life could benefit from a return to simplicity?
- How does the simplicity in nature inspire you to simplify your own life?
- What small changes can you make today to create more peace and clarity?
The prints above are from my garden and are available at natureartprints.com
