The sun beat harshly, and the air was thick. One perspired profusely and drinking water made it only worse. It felt better to be in this small old car. The engine fatigued up the hill and when you hit on the brakes to take the bend, it made a strange noise. The road was long, and it wound unendingly into thick forests. Here the foliage was untouched, and one could feel the cool smell of the woods.
Finally, you reached the old monastery, perched up majestically at a height. It was a huge construction of stones. Part of it was open to visitors while monks living in seclusion occupied the rest. It was one of the most sacred places in the territory, and a devotee was bound to make at least a trip here during his lifetime. People flocked from all over to make their pilgrimage and they walked from the last town all the way up to here to cleanse themselves of their sins.
The monasteries were big, silent and spacious; and you felt a different energy while you were inside one. Most people entered, prayed and left quietly. Some wandered about and tried to guess aloud the painters of the beautiful frescos on the dimly lit walls.
At one of the altars, a girl was trying to throw a coin into a vase held by a statue beyond reach. There was a belief that being able to throw in the coin brought you good luck. You looked at the girl and asked, “Who is winning?” The girl looked back at you and smiled, “No luck for today.”
To be simple in this world is a rare feat. All our lifetime we are told to be more and to get more. We have to be better persons. We have to be smarter and more beautiful. We have to get more degrees. We have to earn more money and to gather more prestige in the society.
Then we go a step further. Our gods have to be better than the others’ are. Our temples, churches and monasteries have to be richer than the whole town put together. Our gods become victims of our mania. Simplicity dies away like the flowers offered to the gods.
On the contrary, one can renounce. One can leave the commodities, habits and lifestyles. One can be satisfied with very little in this world filled with colorful clothes, rich facilities and numerous distractions. One can renounce the ways of the world or follow certain rules. One can leave everything behind, become a monk and shut oneself in some monastery. But can all this bring about peace in your mind and lightness in your heart?
Simplicity of the heart is far more important than simplicity of the mind of possessions, knowledge and of personal attributes. Unless one is simple and spontaneous inwardly, there cannot be true simplicity. A simple heart may live among riches and intricacies, but in its very understanding of all this, it remains simple. Simplicity is the true religion, and no one but you can bring it about. See the burdens of this life and the wastage in all that is superfluous. Simplicity will flower on its own.
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