Simple can be complicated

I love the idea of simplifying my life, but is it really practical with 3 children and a husband who have a very different perspective on simple. Mom it is much simpler to just turn on the TV, mom video games are pretty simple compared to chess, you meal is not simple it takes a lot of time actually. If simple just meant quick or convenient or immediate they would all be right. But trying to explain that simple means basic, close to the source, without frill, full of meaning and yes abstract is much more difficult to convey. Perhaps that is why simplicity isn't readily practiced it takes a lot more thought and work than convenience.

I have gotten back in tune with myself over the past month or so and it feels nice. Semi-regular meditation in no particular style, I am reading on other forms of meditation as well as just doing what feels right for me, sometimes it's reading poetry and a novel, sometimes it's just writing or sitting with my tea and "spacing out" at my son tells me. "Mom, hello, where are you, in outer space?" with all sorts of humorous sarcasm. "Yes" I tell him simply, how can I help you. As he rolls his eyes and repeats his need I am pulled back to this Maya of reality.

I sometimes go to church I love the quiet meditation at the Unity church. They may say they are Christian but they are truly the most universal group I have met with yet. No pomp or ritual, no hierarchy history or priesthood. I really enjoy it because it is people who feel a spirit within them (whatever they call it the holy spirit, the Christ spirit, mother/father god, sweet spirit, in my own mind I can just feel it and know what they mean by the name) They are in touch with their own center and it didn't even take 15 years of practice, they just know that they are more than this body and with that the journey begins. It is a pretty hip and unconventional sangha but it is my community of seekers right now.

I am also bringing my family into my search. Fortunately for them that means more time at the YMCA together, reading, games, hanging out, and existential questioning. That is my favorite. Buddhist children's stories and daily reading from the Dalai Lama. I've been teaching Avra about the Buddha and she like the story.

Food has been an issue for me. I love good tasting stuff, I love lots of tasty carbs. Toast with honey, chocolate cookies have been the devil, bruschetta bread, noodles, buns, cereal. I have been falling off the vegetable band wagon. More soups, more fruit (I really don't have a sweet tooth for fruit) less meat and bread. But I really think that it is the proper winter food potatoes bread meat all of whats left because the end of winter is nearing. Soon enough we will see spring and strawberries. I can't wait to plant my garden, my herbs are doing well in the window.

Clothing, everything is too tight. I am looking into comfortable, simple alternatives to the style of clothing I am wearing now. Free flowing, natural, comfortable, simple. I made my first pair of wrap pants, they will be nice for the summer but to open for the winter. But the use of my sewing machine was invaluable. I made something I can wear and it only took an afternoon. I now know the types of material I want to wear and look for.

My house is always a project I have simplified my living room, bedroom, kitchen and one shelf in the basement. Next up the rest of the basement and then possibly a meditation room down there?!?!?! we'll see.

I am well on my way and feeling great. I am reading Alan Watts and enjoy him immensely my next rampage may be the beat generation. I am also committed to learning about early Hinduism and more about Hinduism's connection with Buddhism.

Love, peace, and simplicity no matter how time consuming or complicated ;)

Simpicity it is

I am off and running with my vow of Simplicity. I have been taking the idea of vow very seriously. When I was in junior high I thought very seriously about becoming a nun. Not because I was extremely devout to a religious organization but because I felt a higher calling to help others, I enjoyed toughing it, and I wanted to live a life I felt was honorable. Though I left the catholic church when I was 13, I swooned over Maria's life in the sound of music making clothing out of curtains and getting away with looking beautiful in short hair. I loved the comedy and innocent acceptance in Sister Act with Woopi and still to this day have the rosary I bought with my own money from the Catholic gift store in Munising Michigan the summer before my great grand mother passed.

My great grand mother was a spiritual inspiration to me. She took care of so many people, was conscientious of her resources and lived simply and in prayer/meditation. She didn't care what the latest Vatican ruling was she was still going to pray for those in purgatory everyday. And knowing more about Catholic mysticism and devoutness I truly believe that the people she was praying for in purgatory were not dead but those in suffering alive today living in limbo without conviction or purpose. I feel it is very similar to what the Buddhist monks and nuns do.

The more I study monastic life the more similarities I draw among the Buddhists and catholic monks/nuns. I however will never be a religion again....(part of my simplicity) But I did think about carrying around an index card with all my beliefs written on one side and any new ones I find throughout life written on the other. I can cross out the ones that I don't need anymore as they become part of me instead of a belief I need to internalize yet or the ones I eventually discover that repeat one another. Right now this is all it would have on it:

4 noble truths
-there is suffering
-I am the cause of my suffering
-There is an answer for my suffering
-The answer is the 8-fold path
8 fold path
-true...vision, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration
3 jewels
-to care
-to be fair
-to be humble
3 promises
-the divine is indwelling
-our teacher (the holy spirit) is thus within us
-this teacher will bring us peace
We are each individually responsible for finding our way to the source
Our deeds have consequences good and bad
Heaven and hell exist on Earth and are not permanent but fixtures of perspective.