Simply Living

Mankind is one extended family.  We are all related, and we therefore share many characteristics, among them a great spiritual power hidden within our being.

But our five senses carry us away from ourselves and ensure that we are constantly engaged in our surroundings.

 As long as we are the slaves of our senses they will draw us into the perpetual pursuit of insatiable sensual desires; and as long as we follow their dictates we cannot gain control of that spiritual power within us.

Therefore it is essential that anyone seeking to return to (their true self) take their first step on the way to truth by decreasing (their) desires by seeking to live an uncomplicated life.

 (For instance) we are by nature vain and like to indulge in a lot of self adornment.  If people (could afford it) they would wear a new suit of clothes every few hours.  In the old days most people owned perhaps 20 suits of clothes in the course of their lives.  Nowadays it would be impossible for one to be satisfied even with twenty garments at any particular time of life.

 The modern economic system of the West is based on quick production and quick consumption - and that is the epitome of foolishness.  Because of the universal predominance of such a system people in industrialized countries tire quickly and die of weariness and lifestyle related diseases. The race to produce and consume consumes people;  it is  heavy burden upon their shoulders.

Therefore, who ever seeks a happy life and spiritual improvement must do as sailors do when a ship is overloaded and in danger of going down in a storm – they throw off the ballast.   If you like you may heed my warnings; be wise and move step by step towards simplicity.  Don’t pursue fashion.

From Lovestreams  pp62/63  (slightly edited)  

AND

Being thankful for favours keeps bad things away. 

Good character is to agree with everything you may be given to eat, drink or wear. 

A big man must take a big car.  Take a bus – the largest car.

Try to be the simplest person in everything.   Allah never likes pride.

The Prophet lived in the simplest nation, in the simplest life in order to teach all people.

The Prophet is the most humble person in creation.  As much as person is simple he is not carrying suffering in this life.  A person not agreeing to a simple life is never satisfied whatever their level and is always in trouble. 

 The Prophet’s advice is to agree with less and be happy for everything.  Twentieth century people have everything except happiness.

From Mercy Oceans.  book 2  p 120