In spite of my overall complexity as an INFJ, over the years I have found myself adopting more and more little ways of embracing simplicity in my life. It's funny thing how tiny steps here and there have allowed me to remove some of the inner clutter/noise and thereby find room within...room for silence, for mystery, or for being more present/open to others. So do any of you folks have any thoughts on this?
I remember reading something years ago....the idea that "God was simple, but not simplistic." An interesting differentiation. I think the idea of simplicity as a type of unalloyed, pure type of clarity is what attracted me. I continue to find that the dynamics of the spiritual, inner life are anything but simplistic (people often try to over-simplify these matters but they are incredibly complex and nuanced), but there is something of this pure, clear, simple vision that does indeed flow through it all.
Anyway, in the process taking little practical steps to symplify....paring down my living needs, riding mass trasit, being content with simple things...I found that I still was inevitably left, beyond all the externals, to face up to my own need for simplicity on the inside, in my heart. Really, that is the real goal...and trying to face this is much, much more challenging.
Still, what keeps me going is that I find inner simplicity carries unique rewards that I think we might never find were we not to pursue this path. They are paradoxes. For example: by simplifying my material needs I find I always have more than enough....by symplifying my requirements for input and entertainment, I find that I am always and prepetually amused by things close at hand...the good stuff isn't "out there somewhere"...usually it is right in front of me! How cool!
I'm still trying to allow the dynamic of simplicity to wash over me...I realize that for me this is more of an infusion process rather than a singular act of the will. It seems more about contemplating aspects of the Divine Simplicity....and then reflecting that. That seems the truest form...and I admit the idea of an infinite complexity melting into a single, unified simplicity to be totally intoxicating!!! That makes perfect sense to this INFJ anyway.
I remember reading something years ago....the idea that "God was simple, but not simplistic." An interesting differentiation. I think the idea of simplicity as a type of unalloyed, pure type of clarity is what attracted me. I continue to find that the dynamics of the spiritual, inner life are anything but simplistic (people often try to over-simplify these matters but they are incredibly complex and nuanced), but there is something of this pure, clear, simple vision that does indeed flow through it all.
Anyway, in the process taking little practical steps to symplify....paring down my living needs, riding mass trasit, being content with simple things...I found that I still was inevitably left, beyond all the externals, to face up to my own need for simplicity on the inside, in my heart. Really, that is the real goal...and trying to face this is much, much more challenging.
Still, what keeps me going is that I find inner simplicity carries unique rewards that I think we might never find were we not to pursue this path. They are paradoxes. For example: by simplifying my material needs I find I always have more than enough....by symplifying my requirements for input and entertainment, I find that I am always and prepetually amused by things close at hand...the good stuff isn't "out there somewhere"...usually it is right in front of me! How cool!
I'm still trying to allow the dynamic of simplicity to wash over me...I realize that for me this is more of an infusion process rather than a singular act of the will. It seems more about contemplating aspects of the Divine Simplicity....and then reflecting that. That seems the truest form...and I admit the idea of an infinite complexity melting into a single, unified simplicity to be totally intoxicating!!! That makes perfect sense to this INFJ anyway.
