By: Eric Le Reste
Source: The Daily Guardian 
Dated: September 27th, 2025

Simplicity is the essence of spirituality. Not to be confused with simplistic. Simplistic reduces the value and depth of something, whereas simplicity is a very beautiful, rich, and substantial virtue. Simplicity brings clarity and accessibility, complications bring confusion. Simplicity is a virtue that will help me become free of that which is unnecessary, free from heaviness.

Simplicity brings harmony into relationships, simplicity within the self brings clarity. It all depends on the quality of the lens through which I observe my life. Having recently retired from the TV industry as a producer, I can recall the many times I have spoken with the cameraman excitedly asking for a close-up or a focus on something I found interesting or beautiful. The cameraman would smile, fully understanding my enthusiasm, but quietly explaining that it was not possible with the lens he had on the camera – he would need a different one. For the camera to film what we see with the eyes requires one type of lens, and for the camera to film what the eye cannot see, requires another. Simplicity within the self allows me to reflect on what lens I am using; in what way I am seeing a situation. Let us take, for example, a conversation with someone I know well, discussing something in detail and the person is criticising me. If I use the lens of familiarity, because I know them very well, I may feel offended and argue. But, if I change the lens, taking in a bigger picture, I will consider how they are feeling. I will take the focus off me and my feelings, and see what is going on inside them. I will understand that their expectations were not fulfilled. Seeing it from their side changes everything, and makes things simple. Ego subsides, and apologies soothe the moment and things become easy again.

Simplicity is a means to see beauty. Simplicity creates flexibility, and a capacity to adjust. Complications create rigidity, stiffness, non-negotiable stances. Simplicity allows me to navigate through life in harmony. We make things complicated by thinking and overthinking and dwelling on feelings of hurt or insult. Nature is not complicated, life is not complicated, but my lack of capacity to deal with things makes everything seem complicated. Saying ‘I don’t know how to do this’, ‘It shouldn’t be like this’, ‘I don’t like it!’, all make things complicated. If instead I say, ‘It’s OK, it’s alright, I will figure it out, I know I can do it’ – it makes things simple. Because our thinking becomes confused, we create stress, anxiety and worry. Then we have to look for ways to make things feel better, by indulging in things that are not good for us and complicate things further.

Spirituality is something that can really help. It is not a therapy or a psychoanalysis session, or a religion. It is understanding the very simple spiritual laws, for example, ‘be good, do good’. When we understand what the spiritual laws are, we can use them to recreate a life full of what a human life should be, and was, when we first come on the planet. It offers simple and beautiful methods to just simply think of myself in the right way. The core of spiritual life is how I see myself. Lack of self-esteem prevents us from seeing the beautiful things within. An inflated sense of self, based on ego, also prevents the perception of truth within. Simplicity allows me to see myself simply, but it is the starting and finishing point of the whole journey. Simplicity brings to light self-respect, dignity, self-worth, and self-sovereignty, and this has nothing to do with ego.

Whatever truly difficult and complex situations I may find myself in, returning to the simple truth that I am good, I am OK, I am fine – and really experiencing that truth, helps me look at what is going on. With that lens of simple truth, I will get the right thought to respond to the situation and the people involved. I certainly cannot trust my decisions and feelings when I am hurt or annoyed and upset – my judgement will be unreliable. If I remain simply being me, in essence, then I will want to protect and preserve my core values of peace, spiritual love, and kindness. Complex situations are real and often intense, but simplicity clarifies everything. Whatever is happening, the only one to help me is me. The virtue through which all other spiritual qualities are accessed is simplicity.

Eric Le Reste was a producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for more than 35 years. 
He coordinates the Brahma Kumaris centres in Canada and is based in Montreal.