Do Spiritual People Appreciate Renunciation?
What does renunciation mean in modern spiritual practices?
Personally, I’ve reached a point in my life where I find peace in living with less.
Materially, I have less stuff than ever, this I put down to a radical travellers approach to possessions.
I ask this question; how often do I use the item:
- Every day
- Couple times a week
- Once a week or less
This list places things into three categories; essential, necessary and luxury.
Three Rules To Renounce
It’s the same rule I applied to packing for my long distance bicycle journeys.
Since returning from my round-the-world bike trip I’ve used this same principle to reintroduce myself to belongings.
Living with less has become a philosophy that has helped me enjoy life more without the clutter of stuff and things getting in the way.
My nomadic choices in lifestyle design require that I travel light.
Try it for yourself: strip away the things you no longer need.
Apply the rules above with intention and rigour and you’ll be amazed at how little you actually ‘need’ to live a happy life.
It’s a liberating process that steers us toward a more balanced way of being
mindfulblogger.com
What Does Renunciation Mean Today?
Renunciation is a big word that means giving up something on purpose.
It’s like when you decide not to do or have certain things anymore because you want to focus on something else that’s important to you.
Here’s what it can mean:
Stuff:
Sometimes people give up fancy things they have, like expensive toys or clothes.
They might do this because they want to live a simpler life or because they believe material things don’t matter as much as other stuff.
Wants:
Renunciation is also about letting go of strong wants or being too attached to things.
Think of it as deciding not to be overly obsessed with something, like a game or a certain kind of food.
Simplicity:
Renunciation is often about living simply, not trying to have too much stuff or complicated things.
It’s like choosing to be content with what you really need.
Spirituality:
Some people use renunciation to help them grow spiritually.
They might give up things that distract them from their inner peace or getting closer to their beliefs.
Personal Choices:
Sometimes people decide to change their path in life.
They might give up something that doesn’t fit with their values or the goals they want to achieve.
Letting Go:
Renunciation is about not getting too attached to things.
It’s like saying, “I don’t need this as much as I thought, and I’m okay without it.”
Choices:
It’s a decision you make because you think it’s worth it, even if it means giving up something you liked or were used to.
Is Renunciation A Delusion?
“Anytime you’re practicing renunciation, you’re deluded. How about that! You’re deluded. What are you renouncing? Anytime you renounce something, you are tied forever to the thing you renounce.
There’s a guru in India who says, ‘Every time a prostitute comes to me, she’s talking about nothing but God. She says I’m sick of this life that I’m living. I want God. But every time a priest comes to me, he’s talking about nothing but sex.’
Very well, when you renounce something, you’re stuck to it forever. When you fight something, you’re tied to it forever. As long as you’re fighting it, you are giving it power. You give it as much power as you are using to fight it.”
Anthony de Mello
Join this thread to discuss renunciation.
Shed a Load, Hit the Road
Remember, renunciation can mean different things to different people, and it’s a personal choice.
It’s about focusing on what you believe is important and making choices that bring you closer to that, even if it means giving up something else.