What are the biggest benefits of minimalist living?
The post discusses the benefits of minimalist living within the context of social disparity. It highlights the historical divide between the “haves” and “have-nots,” particularly in India, where deep-rooted cultural ethos foster community support and charity to aid the less fortunate. The text emphasises how ancient philosophies advocate for minimalism as a way of life, promoting dignity, simplicity, and a balance with nature. Through examples from history, art, and nature, it illustrates that minimalism can lead to greater happiness and fulfilment, countering the clutter and pressures of consumerism. Ultimately, it argues that true contentment arises from within rather than material possessions.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Human society has long been divided into haves and have-nots, leading to economic disparities.
- Charity and benevolence from the wealthy in India historically cushioned social dissatisfaction.
- Minimalism is central to Indian philosophy, advocating for a lifestyle that emphasises simplicity and sustainability.
- Nature exemplifies minimalism by maximising resource efficiency in its processes, from plants to animals.
- The concept of minimalism transcends wealth; it encourages maximising happiness while using only what is necessary.
Haves and have-nots
Since the dawn of civilisation, human beings have fallen into broadly two categories. This division is based on the economic condition of the people. The two types are haves and have-nots. Unfortunately, the latter are in the majority. The deprived or have-nots possess significantly less or no wealth and land, whereas the former control a major portion of wealth, power, amenities, and resources. It is strange how the divide created disparity, and the trench widens with time.
Indian ethos
History witnessed brewing dissatisfaction and resentment over the unequal distribution of resources and wealth. Despite the gap between rich and poor, India doesn’t experience the simmering feeling of deprivation, poverty and hunger. It was mainly because of the deep-rooted ethos of helping the needy and feeding the people with low income and the have-nots. Charity and helping the needy by wealthy people acted as a cushion against the bumps and jerks of dissatisfaction.
Public welfare
Wealthy and/or resourceful persons used to plant fruit trees along the roads, dig wells and construct inns for mass welfare. The wealthy and kings constructed huge, massive, and ornate temples. This provided jobs and means of earning for the skilled workers. History is full of benevolent monarchs and kings who dedicated their lives to the service of their subjects. Such kings used to be very popular, and people affectionately call them “Praja Pālak” (Guardian of the people). The righteous rule of law established after the overthrow of atrocious rulers.
Epics
To annihilate atrocious and cruel kings, God incarnated in human form and eliminated the atrocity. The famous epics of Rāmāyana and Mahābhārata tell a lot about it. Legendary “Rām Rājya” points out the welfare rule by the righteous kings and annihilation of mendacious and autocratic rulers.
Ancient civilisation and disparity
The disparity is prevalent in the known history of humans. In the Indus Valley Civilisation, sparsely inhabited large palatial houses with organised facilities were present on a little elevated land. The lower-level habitation had small, crammed houses. Historians and archaeologists inferred about the rich and poor division of society. In other contemporary civilisations, this disparity was glaring.
Medieval India
Back in India, many monarchs/rulers did a lot of welfare work. Famous Afghan warrior-king Sher Shah Sur constructed a trunk road known as the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), which ran from Kolkata to Peshawar (now in Pakistan). Similarly, Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjehan are also famous for their justice, benevolence and good rule. Views are, nonetheless, divided on it.
Revolutions
Europe saw the worst form of disparity. It led to poverty, hunger and deprivation for the majority of people. France underwent a revolution in 1789. Famous economist and proponent of Communism, Karl Marx, advanced the theory of dialectical materialism. He put forth the concept of the capitalist opposed to the proletariat. He idealised Communism, laying stress on equitable distribution of wealth based on involvement and work. A century after Karl Marx was born in 1818, the famous Bolshevik revolution took place in Russia in 1917, overthrowing the Czar. The German Revolution followed suit in 1918-1919.
The cursory historical account highlights the disparities and resentments that led to eruptions. The revolutions were not spontaneous but were the outburst of the long-simmering indignation. The undue hardship and disparity result in poverty and loss of human dignity.
Ancient Indian culture
When the world was striving against poverty and human dignity, India was for world peace, the dignity of labour and humanity by adopting minimalism. It was not a theory but a way of life. It is ingrained in the psyche through ages of work, cogitation and self-restraints by the sagacious primogenitors. They lived a simple life, taking the minimum from Nature and replenishing it back to keep the cycle running. It was a community practice where people actively or passively followed it.
Four stages of life
There was a “Gurukul” form of education, wherein the seekers would join a hermitage and, taking the minimum for survival, serving their “Āchārya” (Teacher), they would graduate. The first of the four stages of a person was “Brahmcharya” (Celibacy). The other three were “Grihasth” (Householder), “Vānprastha” (Forest dweller), and “Sanyās” (Renunciation). The system that worked well was in harmony with minimalism and Nature. It was a system that denounced greed and hoarding.
Minimalism
Cupidity, burning desire for more and the tendency to hoard gave rise to many problems that ail not only the individual but society as a whole. Minimalism doesn’t mean denouncing wealth, but it advocates using the minimum required things and drawing maximum happiness. It keeps a natural balance between the self and the Supreme One. Self-imposed “Socialists” pooh-pooh richness, but it is not a bad thing. The wealth creation by hard work and passionate involvement for a cause is akin to penance. It is the intention that counts. Socialism or its highest stage, Communism, also advocates not hating the wealth creators, but is against the hoarding and exploitation of those who work for them. (Becomingminimalist)
Minimalism in India
The bedrock of the Indian thought process and philosophy is minimalism. It speaks about human dignity and labour. While studying (Brahmcharya), the seekers used to go for alms. It kept them grounded and inculcated humbleness. Great saints like Buddha followed suit. Greed and lust for money viewed with disdain and discouraged. Minimalism is a wide thing and spreads from art, craft and lifestyle to the accumulation of money or clutter. It expresses itself with dignity in every form, abstract or concrete.
Meticulous minimalism
Watching displayed oil paintings in an art exhibition, a painting with a few lines and pastel colours stood out against other cluttered and gaudy ones. It broke the monotony of the gaudy and boastful imposition of colours and lines. With the minimal use of a few bold lines and graceful curves, the artist was able to effectively convey a message. On the same token, a room crammed with valuables, costly furniture and heavy curtains can look like anything but a tastefully kept decent room. It can be achieved by meticulous use of minimal things arranged in order. Like a mathematical Fibonacci series, it adds glamour in simplicity using minimal elements.
Minimalism in Nature
A brightly coloured capitulum of Sunflower looks stunningly beautiful. Besides beauty, it serves a greater purpose by economising its resources and energy through the meticulous use of minimal things. Numerous individual ray and disk florets come together to form a stunningly attractive composite flower. It successfully attracts insects which pollinate them all at the same time. Minimally using its resources, Nature effectively and meticulously produce maximum effect and output. The phyllotaxy of small leaves in a definite, compound form increases the surface area of the plant that can take advantage of available solar radiation for photosynthesis. It is the brilliant use of minimalism. While plants economise use by minimalism, animals equally follow them for resource optimisation and results.
Birds are unique creatures that can fly. Their adapted bodies are fit for the way they live. Their bones are hollow, they possess air sacs and lost unimportant or duplicate organs to accommodate maximum efficiency with minimal. Humans have lost many things in the evolutionary process.
Is Minimalism beneficial?
Plainly speaking, yes, it pays.
Cluttering life with material things creates a mesh. It is the outcome of consumerism which keep on cluttering people’s lives and their psyche. It not only increases the complexity in life but also creates confusion and undue pressure on the mind. The sense of belongings add to this. People keep accumulating things which are useless to them. They keep them as a souvenir of an occasion, a gift or as a symbol of emotional attachment. The chocolate wrapper, an empty gift box, old and canard bodies of two wheelers or a lot of other waste increase clutter. They do not make a person happy. Minimalism is the answer.
Use of minimal things that bring comfort or ease of life is important. Happiness lies within, not in material things. Vying for physical possessions is like running after a mirage. It is draining and thus futile. Minimal is bliss. Nature tells it by its beautiful creations.
Further interesting reads:
-END-
Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
Leave a Reply