Thomas Edison employed in his office a graduate of Princeton University who had studied in Germany under the great German physician and physicist, Helmholtz. One day the inventor wanted to know the cubical content of the pear-shaped bulb that he made for electric light.Armed with sheets of paper and rows of figures, the mathematician tackled the problem. After waiting a few days Edison asked him for the result. 'I haven't finished yet,' and he displaying his charts. 'Let me show you how to do it,' said Edison.He poured water into a bulb.'Now measure the water and you'll have the answer,'.
Simplicity.It’s a rather complex subject!
It’s more complex than the concept of Voluntary Simplicity that became popular with the book by Duane Elgin. It’s certainly more complex than the trendy magazine Simple Living, which I will admit I enjoy perusing.But unfortunately it seems mostly dedicated to getting me to buy different stuff.
I read a story recently about a woman who once asked Mahatma Gandhi to speak to her son about sugar.He eats way too much, Mr. Gandhi.But he respects you.If you could tell him to stop I know that he would do it. "OK," Gandhi replied, bring him to me in two weeks and I will talk to him.She returned in two weeks.Gandhi told the son, "Really you should not eat sugar, it is bad for you, I myself eat no sugar.”Later the mother thanked Gandhi.But she had to ask, why did I have to wait two weeks for you to talk to my son?Gandhi replied: "Because I had to stop eating sugar."Simplicity cannot be reduced to a simple “yes” or “no” things like eating sugar!
But simplicity doesn’t have to mean having nothing.This is after all the harvest season; the season of gratitude for our abundance.Our harvest is to be enjoyed and shared.I don’t believe that there is anything fundamentally wrong with having and enjoying nice things.The problem comes when our abundance, or desire for abundance, leads us into chaos that disturbs our spiritual balance.Hans Hofmann, one of the most important figures of postwar American art said, “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
When the holiday to-do list overwhelms us and the joy of “being” turns into the stressful nightmare of “doing” it’s time to simplify.It’s time to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.Simplicity has a lot to do with spirituality because it has everything to do with how we live our lives.
No one particular religion has the corner on simplicity.All of the world’s great religions speak to the idea and value of simplicity in our lives.
The economic values in Buddhism are concerned with quality of life.But in Buddhism the quality of life is defined not only in terms of material comfort, but also in terms of mental wellbeing.Contrary to popular opinion, the Buddha never prohibited wealth -- but he did prohibit poverty.
The Buddhists tell a story about a very famous teaching monk who left his
monastery with his students to go buy provisions.They watched as he bargained with the peanut merchant and the cloth merchant, and they began to question whether such activity was worthy of a monk.He replied, “The Dharma teaches us to be simple, not to be simpletons.”
An important ethical principle of what is called late Judaism, found in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, is that of simplicity: Working for the joy of working, free from malice, envy and greed, and offering freely to the poor. We are not to think of this simplicity as simplicity of mind; it is simplicity of heart.
Straightforwardness, compassion, and simplicity are all part of the fundamental tenants of Islam.
And traditional Native American values emphasize simplicity in daily living.
A.A. Milne, the author of the "Winnie the Pooh" book series, is believed once to have said that the books he wrote were not always for children.Some of you may be familiar with Benjamin Hoff' sbook " The Tao of Pooh".This text is on the worldview of the most beloved bear in the world.
"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast? said Pooh.
"What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.
“By no means is the simplicity equivalent to simple-mindedness.The Taoist ideal is that of the still, calm, reflecting "mirror- mind" of the Uncarved Block.Simplicity is undeniably best reflected in Pooh himself and his actions.He cannot describe the Uncarved Block in words; "he just is it" .He is the nature of the Uncarved Block.”
There are many times when I yearn to be like Pooh!We need a respite in our lives at this time of year, with so many events and people and emotions competing for our attention and energy.With our senses being bombarded with too many sights, too many sounds, too many smells, too many widgets and gadgets, and not enough stillness – too much doing and not enough being.This harvest and holiday time of year can be a season to focus on the simple pleasures and step out of the chaos.
A season for simplicity offers us opportunities to delight in the laughter of a child; the comfort in a friend’s hug; the joy in the awesome beauty all around us everyday; contentment in the balance of our lives.The simplest of gifts.
Some of us may choose to be involved in a voluntary simplicity program or simplicity circle to help us achieve the balance our spirits need in order to be nourished; in order to grow stronger.But let us not forget that some of us, some of our sisters and brothers, because of the current economic situation, are not in a position to choose simplicity.It is a reality that has been thrust upon them and it is troubling.We, as a religious community, can offer to share our abundant harvest, while at the same time we choose a spiritual simplicity that consumerism cannot fulfill.
I couldn’t agree more with my colleague, Rev. Justin Osterman, when he said to his congregation recently, “… I believe that the church has got to be engaged with culture and society at all times.Its mission is to help us cope with and equip us to face the reality of life, unpleasant though it may be at times.A church that fails to do so runs the risk of being irrelevant; a chapel of isolated, disconnected piety that serves the dubious cause of denial.”We can engage with society, face the current reality of our economy, share our abundance and nourish our spirits with simple gifts.
In 1953 Jack Lemmon arrived in Hollywood to make his first feature film, It Should Happen to You, with Judy Holliday.One day during rehearsal after each of Lemmon's efforts, the film's director, would cry, "Less, less, less!"
Lemmon, growing frustrated, eventually broke down. "But if I do even less, pretty soon I won't be acting at all," he cried. "Dear boy," the director replied, "now you're beginning to understand."
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
I believe that we harbor a longing for spiritual simplicity.We reach a point in our lives when we seek the gifts that add more richness to our inner lives as opposed to craving more stimulation for our outer lives.
I enjoyed a most incredible gift of the season of simplicity this week at the minister’s tea for the elders of this congregation.It was a simple gift of fellowship and music.Of being - being together.Being gifts, one to the other, with our voices and our laughter, and our hugs and a few sweet treats as well.With all of the chaos still lingering from the election and the new chaos brewing with the upcoming holidays and school functions and numerous commitments, being with our elders, in simple fellowship, brought balance to my spirit.
I want to encourage you today to reflect on the balance in your life – the balance of your spirit.Remember all the joys in life that cost nothing.You know it’s not money or things that bring you true happiness, but living joyfully in the moment and being grateful for what you do have.
We can share this simple gift with our children and grandchildren, our friends, our neighbors, each other.We can endure this economic crisis and offer help so that others may do the same.We can heed the teachings of the world’s religions and Pooh and live a life with spiritual balance.We can create in this time of harvest a season for simplicity.
May our hearts be content to live in the simplicity of each sacred moment.
So may it be.
CALL TO WORSHIP:Rev. David S. Blanchard, adapt.
Come down off the ladder. Wash out that paintbrush.
Shake the sand out of your shoes. Get up off your muddy knees,
and give the garden a morning off.
Fold up the newspaper. Turn off the coffeepot.
Close up your calendar, already filled with dates,
and times, and people, and places that claim you.
This fellowship is ready for you to fill its rooms,
to create its spirit, to generate its warmth,
to kindle its light.
This fellowship is ready for you to make community,
to create beauty, to bend it toward justice,
to serve its ideals.
This fellowship is ready for you to be here,
honoring our past, invigorating our present,
and dreaming our future.
Here we are home. Here we are whole. Let us begin.
Let us worship.
BENEDICTION:Gary Kowalski
With faith to face our challenges,
With love that casts out fear,
With hope to trust tomorrow,
We accept this day as the gift it is --
A reason for rejoicing.
