A lifestyle is formed by a collection of habits. Likewise, a balanced lifestyle must be established from inner intention. It is a minimalist life, rooted in peace and balance. Understanding this, you need not strain, but simply develop right view and remain steadfast on the right path.
You already know the importance of intention. So first, express the right intention. About your choice – the choice of a balanced lifestyle. When balanced, you are complete; that is also the philosophy of a a minimalist lifestyle – less is more.
Once you have formed your intention, practice step by step, transform, and listen for “guidance” from your Inner Teacher.
To receive signs, you need small steps with wise attention:
1. Practice meditation or return to connect with the breath – the source of life
Meditation practice is certainly not a universal key. It is, however, one of the means – like a boat that carries us across a river. As we meditate, many questions and concerns arise, and having questions leads us to seek answers. Because we always tend to lean too far toward one thing, that imbalance leaves us feeling that something is out of rhythm. On the journey to find answers, we gradually learn to look more deeply into our lives.
Imagine how comfortable it would be to drive while constantly steering into the drainage ditches on either side of the road. Or repeatedly mounting one curb and then the other. Or even getting hurt and injured from falling off your vehicle.
You need to find the reason you are swerving like that. Are you alert or intoxicated? Is it because your steering skills are weak or because you are not used to driving? Or is the road simply too difficult, causing you to lose your balance? For all of it – you need to find the cause.
Balance means driving in the correct lane without falling into the ditch!
Practice meditation as a skill – a skill for the awakened world
Meditation is not only a key to connecting with yourself, but also a “skill” that helps you live more deeply.
Returning to the driving example above, life works similarly. When you feel confused, directionless, or lacking, you should return to seek the cause. And that ‘cause’ is nowhere far away—it is you yourself. Meditation then helps you return to the ‘cause’ to understand yourself. You cannot live your life with a deluded mind.
Because life is like driving. We cannot keep driving without alertness.
Meditation helps you drive the “vehicle of life” along the Middle Way – climbing neither this curb nor the other.
2. Identify your priorities
At different times, we have different priorities. But they must arise from wholesome, right intentions. If a priority comes from one of the 3 poisons — greed, hatred, or delusion — life remains out of balance.
Someone wholeheartedly strives for success because a girlfriend left when they were poor. Someone wholeheartedly marries and has children to avenge abandonment by an ex. Deep down, such wholehearted efforts arise from an ego full of desire, delusion, and anger. Their lives cannot be balanced, even if they obtain everything they want.
Balance, inseparable from peace. When the mind is peaceful, we know how to act and make decisions with steadiness and clarity. Decisions made in peace bring balance and satisfaction with what we do.
Mindful contentment is another way of expressing balance!
3. Know how to “let go” rather than “grasp” – Less is More
We often think that what we achieve is “ours,” so we tend to hold on to it. The more we hold, the more greed grows, and life loses its balance. We cannot remain satisfied with everything we have. Yet we are limited; we cannot grasp everything for ourselves. When we hold more than necessary, we become overloaded. More – does not mean better – it is merely an expression of imbalance. In the same way, too little is also an expression of imbalance.
Therefore, “contentment” is the key to maintaining mental balance.
When should we “let go”?
“Letting go” in Buddhism is expressed as “equanimity.” Temple gates bear the 4 words “loving-kindness, compassion” and “joy, equanimity.” Understanding letting go may therefore take a lifetime. Practice looking deeply into how things work. When you understand the laws of the universe, you will not try to cling to anything.
At birth, you have only your body and soul. When causes and conditions unite, you arrive. At life's end, they dissolve and you depart, unable to take anything with you. Deeply understanding cause and effect helps you let go gently. This does not mean leaving your family to isolate yourself or rejecting your possessions and material values. But you begin to see that a minimalist life with basic necessities is enough. Above all, you want to give, and give generously. And above all, you want to serve this life!
Minimalism – is also abundance
When you do not send the universe signals of craving, such as “I want this…” or “I must be like this…,” the universe responds with abundance, peace, and balance.
You only need to be sincere, that: “Universe, I am peace, I am balance, and I am fulfilled by everything I already have…”
Send your signal through gratitude. And your awareness journey will always have balance!
