ProofofBrain Word of the Week is “Paradox” #pob-wotw
Paradox - Oxford dictionary
A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.
A person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.
So, I was thinking to myself what are some of Life’s greatest Paradoxes....
These are three that I came up with right off the top.
- Less is More
- The only Constant is Change
- The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.
It is like a giant Contradiction, that is probably True.
The one I would like to talk about is the idea that “Less is More”.
Typically it is used to express the view that a minimalist approach to artistic or aesthetic matters is more effective.
However to some it also means that the less “stuff” you have, the more you will enjoy your life.
To people who have little this may not make much sense.
Isn’t it better to have more ? More money ? More food, More friends, a bigger house, more cars, more toys, more more more .... more of everything ?
This concept that Less is More takes me back to “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse. It is the story of the Buddha who spent his entire life searching for ultimate happiness. He tried living the life of extremes, ... extreme poverty, and also extreme wealth. In both cases he could not find happiness. Eventually he finds happiness sitting by the River, looking out onto the sparkling water and hearing the sound “Ommmmmmm” finding happiness in his present station in life.
Now this statement does not mean the absolute ”least” is more... it just says “less” is more. It’s the idea of moderation. Too many things will often weigh you down, the more stuff you have the more you need. More insurance, more security, more storage, more problems, more more more.
If you can reduce the number of things you need you can live a better life. More Happiness. Do you need a McMansion ? Or just a simple roof over your head ? Do you need all the things you have ? Or is it better to have less things and more time to enjoy the things you have.
I know there are a few things that give me enormous joy in my life. Family & friends, a small home, a bike, a kayak. Maybe it’s too much. The less I own, the more Freedom I feel.
As Thoreau says .... “Simplify, Simplify .... “ I’m not sure why he had to say it twice.
Note:
The word Siddhartha is made up of two words in Sanskrit language, siddha (achieved) + artha (what was searched for), which together means "he who has found meaning (of existence)" or "he who has attained his goals". In fact, the Buddha's own name, before his renunciation, was Siddhartha Gautama, Prince of Kapilavastu.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_(novel)
Some Music from the River ...
Source: Nick Drake “Riverman”
Source: Pete Townsend “The Ferryman”