“Whatever you stockpile--be it diamonds, big houses, fame, money, proficiency at advanced yoga poses, or less flashy things, you will inevitably encounter two certainties. First (as discussed in Chapter Fourteen, “Impermanence”), all will be lost. Second, these things, in and of themselves, will never satisfy your cravings, which are expressions of your fear and emptiness.” - Judith Lasater in Living Your Yoga** (p.107)
I’m pretty excited to talk about minimalism, as it’s a key principle to my ideal life, unburdened by excess things and free to move through the world with, as I say, balance, grace, and power! Just as I was never a “perfect” vegan, so too am I also a very imperfect minimalist, but what is important to me is the process and the results in my life, not appearing a certain way or having some specific number of belongings.
I have always enjoyed an elegant, minimal aesthetic, and making things happen in my life in the simplest way possible. Though the pursuit of a physically minimal lifestyle is ongoing (it will never be complete and finished, and that’s the practice!), further it has become a mindset and approach to all that I do, asking “how can I make progress on this with the minimum of time, effort, and materials?”
This all goes well with my spiritual growth, current studies in yogic philosophy, as well as Biblical teachings - nothing belongs to us, anyway!
In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali teaches about detachment and greedlessness: "When we seek contentment, or [...] santosha, we are closer to experiencing our own wholeness. In book two, verse forty-two, he writes [...] 'Through contentment unexcelled joy is gained.’" Living Your Yoga** (p.108)
In my most recent reading of the Bible, I was struck by repeated emphasis on humility, faith in being provided for, and priorities. As Jesus states in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
My journey to simplicity is ongoing, and this month I'm tackling one of the last bastions of hoarding, playing the Minsgame with my paper clutter, including assignments from my MFA, notes from teaching and coaching over the last ten years, financial documents, and more. You're invited to join me in a Spring Cleaning minimization fest! Let me know what you're working to remove from your life to live more lightly.
For my full "Minimal Memoir," listen in, and for links to many more resources, including books, podcasts, YouTube Channels and more, come visit my accompanying blog at ablythecoach.com
Blythe Stephens
she/her or they/them
A Blythe Coach:
move through life with balance, grace, & power
