When you let go of what you don’t need, what’s left?

We cushion ourselves from reality with things. Tangible objects like nice furniture and down comforters. Expensive flatware and big screen TVs. We hide behind niceties and social norms that we openly despise and secretly have in a death grip. Our cushions keep us warm at night and cool during the heat of day. We mask our stinky bodies with European perfume. Even when we die, we make it as civilized as possible, delaying decay until we are six feet under and no living human being has to come in contact with us again. Our cushions will not be pried from our desperate fingers even after death; the rigor mortis is that strong.

What would we find of each other, if say we stripped down to the core of who we are? If we let those things we call “life” but which serve no purpose simply melt away? What if we let go of everything that no longer or never did serve us? What would be left? At first, it would be scary. But after the inevitable fear would subside, because it will, there would make way for true exhilaration. If we all let everything go and retained only those things that mattered, the world might be little less full. Not empty, just not as cram packed of meaningless, sad customs and the expectations they bring.

How one decides what is needed is another story. There of course must be the question of value. Some say they could not live without football but in fact football does not fill your lungs. Exercise though, the act of physically playing football could be made a solid argument. If football lets you feel the energy that is you, then I say certainly you could not live without football just as a yogi could not live without his practice. But does football bring the galaxy to your intestines? Does it radiate out your fingertips? If it does, then yes, one could say life without football is a life not worth living.

This philosophy might result in minimalism but it might not. It might beget a stark room with a single lightbulb dangling from the cracked ceiling but it might not. It might result in a very cozy situation indeed. Letting go of what you don’t need simply means more room for what you do.