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The Definition & Next Evolution of “Simple Living, High Thinking”

By Kyle Kowalski · 4 Comments

I’ve seen “simple living, high thinking” a few times lately, so I took that as a sign to do some digging about it. It’s a bonus that I also find the phrase intriguing and subject to personal interpretation.

I figured there would be some original quotes including those words along with an origin story. To my surprise, I can’t seem to find either (at least an origin story).

If you search it, you’ll mostly find results dominated by Indian spiritual leaders and philosophers. You may even find a “simple living, high thinking” quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi . If you aren’t familiar with Gandhi’s story, it’s an amazing one—he didn’t find his purpose until an incident when he was 23 years old. Yet today, he is the personification of simple living—literally, he’s the featured image for the “Simple Living” page on Wikipedia.

Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi and guru, was also alive during Gandhi’s same time period. Perhaps the phrase originated from one of the following:

Plain living and high thinking should be your goal. Learn to carry all the conditions of happiness within yourself by meditating and attuning your consciousness to the ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new Joy, which is God. Your happiness should never be subject to any outside influence. Whatever your environment is, don’t allow your inner peace be touched by it. — Paramahansa Yogananda This day marks the birth of a new era. My spoken words are registered in the ether, in the Spirit of God, and they shall move the West! Self-Realization has come to unite all religions! We must go on — not only those who are here, but thousands of youths must go North, South, East and West to cover the earth with little colonies, demonstrating that simplicity of living plus high thinking lead to the greatest happiness! — Paramahansa Yogananda via Swami Kriyananda

Sloww Simple Living High Thinking Quote Yogananda

What is Simple Living, High Thinking?

“Simple living” is fairly straightforward—at least in comparison to “high thinking.” We’ll come back to simple living in a bit.

Let’s start with high thinking.

I asked a couple people to define “high thinking,” and this was the response:

High thinking could mean taking a macro or long-term view of your life
“High thinking” like “high level” (an overview, not in the weeds, etc)
“High thinking” sounds a bit elitist
I would take it to mean “focused thinking” (prioritized, disciplined, above the noise, etc)
“Highly aware” is probably better

Personally, when I first heard this phrase, I associated “high thinking” with “intellectual thinking” or “deep thinking.”

But, thinking isn’t easy:

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it. — Henry Ford

And, high/intellectual/deep thinking? Well, that should be even harder:

The five ascending levels of intellect: Smart, Intelligent, Brilliant, Genius, Simple. — Einstein

If you believe high thinking is only for certain experts, consider this:

The world’s greatest thinkers have often been amateurs; for high thinking is the outcome of fine and independent living, and for that a professional chair offers no special opportunities. — Havelock Ellis

There needs to be a shift in focus— from the outer world to the inner world, turning inward instead of focusing outward.

A shift in focus brings about a shift in time— from spending time on the external to the internal. Some refer to this as a shift from the body (physical world) to the mind (non-physical world).

These shifts in focus and time result in a reduction of non-essentials —both physical things in your life and distractions of your time:

In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life. — Plato The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have the more free you are. — Mother Teresa

Which comes first: the High Thinking or the Simple Living?

Is high thinking a result of simple living? Or, is simple living a result of high thinking?

I think this is a chicken and egg situation here. This is a pretty good video that proposes that the entire phrase should actually be reversed: High Thinking, Simple Living.

In my personal case , the high thinking came first, followed by the simple living, and then more high thinking. I’m not sure I would have come to simple living before doing some critical thinking. This is likely a sign of the times—it’s countercultural today to live simply in the modern Western world .

In actual life, it requires the greatest art to be simple. ― Carl Jung Simplicity is an advanced course. — Sri Chinmoy Simplicity is complex. It’s never simple to keep things simple. Simple solutions require the most advanced thinking. ― Richie Norton

At the same time, you could make a case that it’s all a circular process. Once you are living simply, then you free up more time to think. High thinking leads to simple living which leads to high thinking which leads to simple living and on and on.

The more you know, the less you need. — Yvon Chouinard

But, what if we take high thinking a step further? What if high thinking isn’t thinking at all?

Evolve from High Thinking to High Awareness

There’s no doubt that thinking plays a major role in our lives. It’s said that what we believe determines our behaviors which determines who we become ( beliefs → behaviors → who we become ):

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. — Buddha What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality. — Otto Rank

However, the thinking mind is both a gift and a burden of humanity:

A mature first-year student at twenty-five, I saw myself as an intellectual in the making, and I was convinced that all the answers to the dilemmas of human existence could be found through the intellect, that is to say, by thinking. I didn’t realize yet that thinking without awareness is the main dilemma of human existence. — Eckhart Tolle

Intellectual thinking alone will only get you so far. No one will ever know everything:

No one knows everything. No one knows nothing. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle. — Lama Surya Das

What is above intellectual thinking? I’d say it’s spirituality. But, spirituality is a broad subject. Let’s try to break it down a bit.

Perhaps high thinking means thinking beyond yourself or above yourself (or your self). Observing or witnessing the thinking mind. Is it synonymous with consciousness? Overcoming ego ? Maybe it’s literally beyond oneself completely—focusing on others vs yourself.

What happens when you rise above thinking?

Peace is in the emptiness. Emptiness is in the fast of the mind. — Lao Tzu All you need to do is be aware of your thoughts and emotions – as they happen. This is not really a ‘doing,’ but an alert ‘seeing.’ In that sense, it is true that there is nothing you can do to become free of the ego. When that shift happens, which is the shift from thinking to awareness, an intelligence far greater than the ego’s cleverness begins to operate in your life. — Eckhart Tolle

Abraham Maslow, the creator of the hierarchy of needs, is said to have criticized his original “top of the pyramid” in his later years—ultimately causing him to introduce self-transcendence above self-actualization as the top of the hierarchy of needs:

Transcendence refers to the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human beings in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos. — Abraham Maslow, The Farther Reaches of Human Nature The self only finds its actualization in giving itself to some higher goal outside oneself, in altruism and spirituality. — Abraham Maslow (Note: I can’t find an exact attribution of this quote to Maslow, so it may be paraphrased)

I truly believe this is the next phase of humanity’s evolution:

Humanity can still prosper for 150,000 years…but this depends on choosing a voluntary simplicity …growing qualitatively, not quantitatively. — Matthieu Ricard

If this piqued your interest, check out these two posts:

Humanity’s Evolution to “A New Earth” (Eckhart Tolle Book Summary #3)
Humanity is a Teenager — We Will Evolve Through Simplicity (from Duane Elgin’s book “Voluntary Simplicity”)

About Kyle Kowalski

👋 Hi, I'm Kyle―the human behind Sloww . I'm an ex-marketing executive turned self-education entrepreneur after an existential crisis in 2015. In one sentence: my purpose is synthesizing lifelong learning that catalyzes deeper development . But, I’m not a professor, philosopher, psychologist, sociologist, anthropologist, scientist, mystic, or guru. I’m an interconnector across all those humans and many more—an "independent, inquiring, interdisciplinary integrator" (in other words, it's just me over here, asking questions, crossing disciplines, and making connections). To keep it simple, you can just call me a "synthesizer." Sloww shares the art of living with students of life . Read my story.

Sloww participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When you purchase a book through an Amazon link, Sloww earns a small percentage at no additional cost to you. This helps fund the costs to support the site and the ad-free experience.

Reader Interactions

October 20, 2019 at 12:54 PM

Hello Kyle 🙂

Awesome site and great post! I thought I would share with you that the phrase “plain living and high thinking” is in an 1802 poem by William Wordsworth, which I will share here:

Written in London. September, 1802 BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

O Friend! I know not which way I must look For comfort, being, as I am, opprest, To think that now our life is only drest For show; mean handy-work of craftsman, cook, Or groom! — We must run glittering like a brook In the open sunshine, or we are unblest: The wealthiest man among us is the best: No grandeur now in nature or in book Delights us. Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore: Plain living and high thinking are no more: The homely beauty of the good old cause Is gone; our peace, our fearful innocence, And pure religion breathing household laws.

Hope you enjoy. Thanks!

November 1, 2019 at 10:09 AM

Awesome, thanks for sharing Sarena! Perhaps this is a good example of all creativity is a remix .

July 7, 2021 at 7:42 AM

Thank you for taking the time & diving in this deep deep topic of simplicity coupled with “your highness”!

Thank you for this valuable composition on the knowledge of the topic, it is wildly appreciated.

It definitely has expanded my personal outlook on this wonderful combination.

“High thinking” taken as a perspective has been quite revealing. I have always tied the phrase with “Godly” thinking, so as, not to pass a judgement or a haze of any negativity, skepticism or pessimism on any idea, thought or matter of fact. Taking the approach of acceptance & loving kindness in welcoming anything that comes my way with the knowledge of blessing, even if it is hidden or in disguise.

Maybe it is only my “smart” solution to fixing a personal trait of distrust, yet it certainly has helped liberate many hang-ups along the way!

Happy day & thanks again!

August 18, 2021 at 4:15 PM

So glad you enjoyed it and that it helped provide new perspective, Anastacia!

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Seated woman spinning yard on a spinning wheel

Ganga ma and Usha di. Courtesy Swasti Bhattacharyya

The sisters’ high thinking is grounded in such Gandhian principles as ahimsa (nonviolence, no harm), satyagraha (holding fast to truth) and Sarvodaya (holistic uplifting of all humanity, all life). While many know about Gandhi’s reliance on truth and his use of nonviolence in his work to free India from British rule, not as many are familiar with his development of the philosophy of Sarvodaya. Gandhi coined this term, and Vinoba built it into an influential grassroots movement, where people throughout India worked for the betterment of all. A potent example of Sarvodaya is the Bhoodan (land gift) movement that Vinoba launched in 1951. While attending a community gathering in a village southeast of Hyderabad, Vinoba was approached by a group of landless families. They asked him to take their petition for land to the governmental authorities. He agreed to do so. However, while he understood that doing this might help this particular group of people, it in no way addressed the vast issues of poverty in India. As he was reflecting upon this dilemma, a local wealthy landowner stood up and offered the families 100 acres. Inspired by this act of generosity, Vinoba began the Bhoodan Yagna. For 14 years, he and thousands of others walked from village to village, inviting those who had land to give it to those who had none. Many of the original members of the ashram walked with Vinoba on the Bhoodan. Once the women came together to form this ashram, they continued the work of Sarvodaya, albeit in a different way.

The sisters’ aim of a spiritual life, as a community of women (samuhik sadhana), is not just for their own benefit. Their form of spirituality, their simple living and high thinking, is practiced within the larger context of working for a world in which everyone can flourish (Sarvodaya). Their commitment to Sarvodaya, ahimsa, and satyagraha dovetails with the Advaita Vedanta worldview shared by most of them: a worldview where Brahman (ultimate reality) permeates everything. As expressed in the Chandogya Upanishad : “In the Beginning there was Existence, One only, without a second. . . . He [Brahman], the One, thought to himself: Let me be many, let me grow forth. Thus, out of himself he projected the universe; and having projected out of himself the universe, he entered into every being.” Shankara, the famous eighth-century Advaita Vedanta philosopher, writes: “the Supreme Brahman, which is eternal, stainless, and free; which is One, indivisible and nondual; and which is of the nature of Bliss, Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity.” 2 This understanding of an underlying unity to all life is the basis for the sisters’ idea of spirituality, their commitments to satyagraha, ahimsa, and Sarvodaya, as well as the five foundational principles upon which their community is grounded: shrama (manual labor), swadhyaya (self-study), brahmacharya (chastity/control of the passions), bhakti (devotion), and samuhik sadhana.

Woman sitting on the floor spinning thread

Veena di. Courtesy Swasti Bhattacharyya

To make cotton khadi, the sisters begin with cotton grown by village farmers and processed locally into puni s (thin rolls of fibers). With different types of charkha s (spinning wheels), they spin the cotton punis into thread. In the early days, they used to weave their own cloth; now, however, they take their skeins of handspun thread to a nearby ashram, where it is woven into cloth. Once the sisters have the khadi cloth, they sew their own clothing. Each year, a sister spins enough cotton to make at least one new outfit. The making and wearing of khadi simultaneously supports both a simple, environmentally sustainable lifestyle and, in multiple ways, their high thinking.

First, spinning is an integrated part of their prayer life. The sisters spin in the morning before breakfast, during the 10:30 AM communal prayer, as they chant the Vishnu Sahasranamam (a prayer with the thousand names of Vishnu), during communal meetings, and throughout the day.

For many, spinning is prayer and meditation. The actual act of spinning the cotton thread is meditative and requires mindfulness. There is a rhythmic, synchronized dance between the cotton, held in one hand, and the wooden knob used to turn the wheels of the charkha held in the other. It is a dance where the speed at which a sister pulls the cotton puni needs to be in sync with the amount of twist in the fibers from the turning wheels of the charkha. When correctly done, the right amount of cotton fiber is twisted together to form strong, uniform thread. It takes a lot of patience and concentration at the beginning. Spin too slowly, the thread will get too thick; it will not have enough twist in the fibers and may even lock up. Spin too fast, or pull the puni too fast, and the thread will be too thin and may break. With practice and mindfulness, each sister becomes increasingly proficient. There is a particular, satisfying whirling hum when the speed at which she turns the wheels of the charkha matches her strokes as she pulls the fibers from the puni, such that the tension in the thread being created is just right. It is meditative and can invoke an “in the zone” feeling. Spinning is a productive way to practice mind-body mindfulness. For the sisters, it is both a tool for enhancing their meditative experience and a way in which they clothe themselves. Just as they twist the cotton fibers into a single strong strand, they are binding together multiple aspects of their lives. The very process of making their clothing is their spirituality.

Second, by spinning their own khadi, the sisters are living out their commitment of nonmaterialism—an important element for simple living. Besides keeping their personal belongings to a minimum, the time and labor required for making khadi has an outcome where each sister owns only a couple of outfits. As Usha di explains the reasons for their focus on nonmaterialism, she recounts part of a devotional song of Tukaram (a Maharashtrian saint). After having a direct experience with God, Tukaram went from home to home trying to share his experience with others. However, the people were not interested. After he is repeatedly rebuffed, he ends his song with a lament, “You have so much luggage in your house, then where will you put God?” Usha di concludes her story by saying: “That is the position today. People love more furniture, not more God, so if we keep our house free, we will feel more freedom.” By making and wearing only khadi, the sisters possess less clothing, thereby upholding their ideal of nonmaterialism. In doing this, their rooms, and their minds, are not full of clutter. Consequently, according to Usha di, their choice of clothing allows for them to have more freedom and more room for God.

Elderly woman sitting outside in the grass by a flower garden

Gita ji. Courtesy Swasti Bhattacharyya

Third, having invested time and energy into creating their own clothing, the sisters value the cloth itself and are mindful of how they utilize it. A sister’s newest, spotless garment is reserved for when she goes outside of the ashram or is receiving visitors. The outfit she wears every day might have a stain and a patch or two, but it is still presentable. An even older, more tattered garment is worn when gardening or working on messy jobs. Once a garment is beyond salvage, it is repurposed as a mop or cleaning rag. Only when the cloth has deteriorated to a useless mesh of biodegradable fibers, does she throw it away. This attitude toward their clothing has profound implications when it comes to the use of natural resources and contributions to pollution. Usha di explicitly says: “More need, more furniture, more luggage—that means you are contributing to pollution, so this simple way of living is just to save the problem of the age. Pollution is the problem of this age.” Beyond having fewer possessions, the sisters’ use of khadi addresses other issues related to pollution. Their clothing is free of petroleum-based materials, and their garments are free from all the pollution involved in the global market of mass-produced clothing.

Fourth, khadi also exemplifies the sisters’ commitment to nonviolence and Sarvodaya—the holistic uplifting of all humanity and the earth. Khadi is nonviolence in action. As I described above, by using khadi, the sisters are mindful of their use of natural resources and of keeping their pollution to a minimum. There is another way khadi is nonviolent and uplifts all of humanity. Usha di explains how, by making and wearing khadi, they are circumventing the entire market economy that oppresses and suppresses the most vulnerable people on the earth. She says:

In the [Bhagavad] Gita, it is said that one who does manual labor, his life is innocent because he is not exploiting anybody. Otherwise, when I live on the market and when I go to the market to purchase this cloth, if it is not khadi cloth, if it is another cloth, then that mill owner, he is exploiting the labor, and we are part of that labor exploitation. So, when we do manual labor, we have less exploitation in our life because we earn by our own.

Having made their own khadi, the sisters know the origin of their clothing, and they know that no one was exploited in the process of making it.

Groups of about fifty people standing together in a courtyard

Sarvodaya workers wearing khadi. Courtesy Swasti Bhattacharyya

Finally, khadi is a symbol of the sisters’ deep belief in the true equality of all humanity. Each sister, as she is able, spins; khadi is a product of their manual labor. Regardless of each sister’s background—she may have been a professor of Sanskrit literature or an illiterate worker—their labor, be it manual or intellectual, is equal, and valued equally. This is particularly significant in a societal context where the wealthy, the educated, or professionals often hire others to perform required daily tasks. Usha di states: “We try here to live life on manual labor. Outside, the educated people don’t have value for manual work, and they should establish this value. Otherwise, there will be two divisions—one intellectual and the other hardworking. We should combine them.” By spinning their own khadi, the sisters circumvent an entire global system that devalues and oppresses the poorest among us. Through their use of khadi, the sisters demonstrate a way of working for Sarvodaya, a world in which everyone may flourish.

Every time I reflect upon the sisters of the Brahma Vidya Mandir ashram and Usha di’s “simple living and high thinking” phrase, I am challenged and inspired. I spin cotton: it is a very mindful, meditative practice. However, if I wanted to clothe myself, it is not a practical option. Instead, I have downsized my wardrobe, become more mindful of where I purchase my clothing, and, like the sisters, I take care of the clothing I own. In the end, I am not advocating that everyone spin and wear their own khadi. Nevertheless, there is plenty for us to consider when thinking about how we want to live. Imagine the implications if we were:

to practice meditation and mindfulness: to simply be more aware of how we live
to commit to nonmaterialism
to value natural resources and our use of them
to work to decrease the pollution we generate
to value nonviolence
to truly believe in the equality of all humanity.

I do not argue that we should simply copy the way the sisters live. However, if we contemplate some of the important implications of the sisters’ actions and thoughts, and consider applying them to our own lives, perhaps we will have threads of hope that we can utilize as we work for a sustainable future.

I hope the sisters are an inspiration for us to move forward in working for a more sustainable, compassionate, and loving world.

In India, it is customary to refer to women who are older by adding “di” (sister) to their name, as an expression of respect.
Shankaracharya, Self-Knowledge (Atmabodha) , trans. Swami Nikhilananda (Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, 1979), 36–38.

Swasti Bhattacharyya , Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion at Buena Vista University, has been Visiting Professor Emerita of Women’s Studies and Ethics and a Women’s Studies in Religion Program Research Associate at HDS during 2021–22. Her book, Magical Progeny, Modern Technology (State University of New York Press, 2006), combines her experiences as a registered nurse with her expertise in ethics and the study of religion.

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Simple Living High Thinking – Proverb Meaning and Expansion of idea

The proverb ‘simple living high thinking’ promotes simplicity of life and high thoughts in morale and in conduct. It teaches us to adopt a simplistic approach towards our standard of living. We shouldn’t be trying to display our opulence and materialistic possessions everywhere and to everyone; rather we should be more concerned about our own moral highness and purity of thoughts because that is what actually matters.

Expansion of idea

The proverb simple living and high thinking is the one that encourages us to make our lives more meaningful rather than affluent. Here a simple way of living refers to a simple and non-expensive standard of living. We should be worried about only the very basic needs essential for a living. For example, a diet consisting of simple non-vegetarian food and a modest house is enough for one to live and stay. Above these basic needs whatever we aspire is our greed, but not need.

The phrase ‘high thinking’ in the proverb refers to the purity and highness of thoughts and deeds. More than making our lives affluent, we should be more concerned about its value and worth. It is our thoughts and deeds and their impacts on others that matters the most. Thinking that is devoid of cruelty, jealousy, hatred, and is filled with love and respect is superior to a rich yet corrupt life.

Short Stories on ‘Simple Living High Thinking’

A well-written story on the proverb ‘simple living and high thinking’ will let you better understand the proverb’s meaning. I am giving below a couple of stories for your knowledge, also to help you better understand the proverb.

Short Story 1

Once lived a doctor in a remote Indian village. His name was Dr. Pramod. He was highly qualified and aluminous of a prestigious medical college. For years the doctor had been serving the people of the village in sickness and disease. He lived in a modest hut that had a fan, a bed, and electricity; though, he had a big garden, where he liked to spent time.

Dr. Pramod looked immensely satisfied with his life and was happy about what he does every day. Once, a news reporter was in the village to cover a political issue. The reporter heard about the doctor and was impressed by the respect villagers were giving to the doctor. The reporter decided to meet the doctor.

Finally, the reporter and the doctor met at the doctor’s hut. Their conversation about the doctor’s life and education had the reporter speechless. The reporter knew that with such a good qualification the doctor could have been earning millions in any major city of the country, but he rather chose to spend his life in a remote village which doesn’t have even a proper road.

Why is he doing it? In fact why anyone would chose a life like this over an affluent standard of living? These were the questions that troubled the reporter. He can’t contain his curiosity and asked the doctor – why did he choose a life like this? The doctor said that he belonged to a family of wealthy farmers who lost their lands in the due course of time. He had seen both richness and poverty at close quarters. He knew that monetary wealth is destined to lose with time and decided to spend a life that is more valuable and impacts the lives of others as well. This is the main reason for his being in the village and serving the people.

The reporter was impressed and the next day an article about doctor Pramod was printed in the local newspaper with bold heading ‘Simple living and high thinking’.

Short Story 2

There lived a wealthy businessman with his only son in a big mansion. The businessman had no time for his family yet, their house had everything in the entire world that money can buy. The son had to spend most of his time alone, with his cars and gadgets, but he was happy with it. He started valuing materialistic possessions more than human sentiments or relationships. The boy started taking immense pride in the things he owned and looked down on his not so wealthy friends.

Slowly the friends moved away, but the boy was still happy with the riches he got. The businessman was worried about his son’s perception of wealth and relationship but had no time to deal with it.

One day, it so happened, that the businessman’s childhood friend from his village, came to meet him. The businessman was so happy and asked his friend to spend the night in his mansion. The son was introduced to his father’s friend but had disrespected him by looking down on him as he was poor and came from a village.

Disheartened, the businessman thought of teaching his son a lesson. He asked him to join in one of his businesses as a trainee and also asked him to stay in a single room staff quarters. The son was angry but had no choice. Moving out of the affluence and into the real world of pain, sorrow, and happiness had changed the boy very much. Soon he was respecting the poor and the rich alike. He was a changed personality. Now he loved people and they also loved and respected him back.

Happy to know about his son’s transformation, the businessman asked him to move back to their house. The son wrote a note to his father stating that they would be meeting on weekends but he refused to shift in the mansion. He further wrote that he loves this simple living, high thinking, and chose to be like this only.

A well-written example is effective in understanding the true meaning of a proverb. I am giving below a couple of examples based on the proverb ‘simple living high thinking’ that will help you understand the proverb’s true meaning.

“Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi wore simple loincloth throughout his life and religiously followed the principles of truth and non-violence. He is a perfect example of simple living and high thinking.”

“About simple living and high thinking, Mahatma Gandhi had once said that we should focus more on our needs than our greed.”

“Manan said – Yesterday I had been to a Buddhist monastery. There were monks with their heads shaved off, wearing only a simple cloth. Yet when I talked to them, they seemed to be filled with purest thoughts about the planet and its creatures; truly an example of simple living high thinking.”

“A few days back, I met a poor old man who has donated his month’s earnings for the education of children; truly an example of simple living and high thinking.”

“Many personalities in history have been an example of simple living high thinking. They lived their lives in the simplest possible way, yet they have been thoughtful of bringing value to the world. This is an example of simple living high thinking.”

The exact origin of the phrase is unknown; however, it is hugely attributed to the Indian freedom fighter and father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In his several speeches and writings, he had mentioned that a person should live a simple yet rewarding life. The stress should be more on the value of life and its impacts on others rather than the materialistic possessions and their worth.

Some even attribute the origin of the phrase to Indian guru and yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), who had said “plain living and high thinking should be your goal. Learn to carry all the conditions of happiness within yourself by meditating and attuning your consciousness to the ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new joy, which is God.”

The phrase teaches us to make our lives more valuable by avoiding unnecessary excesses of money and material. It gives the key to true happiness and inner satisfaction.

It also conveys that true happiness lies in the purity of our thoughts rather than anything else. It inspires us to recognize our roots and avoid any act of affluence. The true worth of life is not in what are our materialistic acquisitions but it is in what we think, do, and how many lives we touch every day.

Simple living and high thinking had always been at the root of Indian culture. The phrase might have been coined later, but the philosophy that it portrays had always been at the core of Hindu religious ideology.

Health is wealth: proverb meaning and expansion of idea, honesty is the best policy: proverb meaning and expansion of idea, practice makes a man perfect: proverb meaning and expansion of idea, knowledge is power – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, prevention is better than cure – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, time and tide wait for none – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, work is worship – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, god helps those who help themselves – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, where there is a will there is a way – proverb meaning and expansion of idea.

Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Simple living and high thinking

It had been evident from ISKCON's earliest days that Srila Prabhupada desired to establish farming communities. In his seven-point charter drawn up in 1966, Prabhupada mentioned how he wanted the movement "to demonstrate a simple, more natural, way of life". Such a life (and Srila Prabhupada thought of the villages of India, where people lived just as Krsna lived) was most conducive to developing Krsna consciousness. In his correspondence with the original founding members of New Vrndavana, ISKCON's first farming community in North America, Prabhupada had clearly established the direction for Krsna conscious country living. Prabhupada had said he wanted the community based on Vedic ideals, everyone living simply, keeping cows, and working the land. The devotees would have to develop these ideas gradually. But even in the beginning the keynote should be "simple living and high thinking". Because the community would remain completely aloof from the city, it would at first appear inconvenient and austere. But life would be peaceful, free from the anxieties of the artificial urban society that was based on hard work for sense gratification. And, most important, the members of such a community would be serving Krsna and chanting His name. Prabhupada wanted that this Vedic way of life should serve as a model for the rest of society. Prabhupada's earliest instructions for establishing Krsna conscious farming communities in the South Seas were to Tusta Krsna in early 1972. When Tusta Krsna expressed great eagerness to establish a branch of the Krsna consciousness movement in New Zealand, Prabhupada encouraged him to start at once -- in the country. Yes, go immediately to New Zealand. When you get there, don't go to the city, but rather, open a farm and start cow protection. This will be the most influential, exemplary and important project in New Zealand. Take the boys from the city, train them. After the first centre had been opened in Auckland, Prabhupada again wrote Tusta Krsna. I am very happy to hear your report. Krishna is giving you facility there to develop a very nice varnasrama society in New Zealand. Try your best to develop an ideal society there, to set a perfect example to human society of how one can live very simply, chanting Hare Krishna and developing love for Krishna. Make sure that you keep the whole program pure by carefully following all the rules and regulations that I have given: rising early, attending mangala arati, and holding classes, chanting sixteen rounds daily, observing the four basic principles, no intoxication, meat-eating, etc. Then everything will be a great success. In 1976, when both a city centre and a farm had been established in New Zealand, Prabhupada suggested to Tusta Krsna how both projects could assist each other. The farming and opening of restaurants are correlative -- in farming you produce enough milk and milk products, at least ghee. The ghee is dispatched to the restaurant in the city and with that you prepare first-class samosas, kacaris, vegetables, halava -- so many things, people will like them very much. The principle is that not a drop of milk should be misused. Such restaurants, Prabhupada explained, would also be influential in attracting people to take up spiritual life. It is a very good idea for people to come to our vegetarian restaurant and take so many nice things. Especially the panir, fried cheese, and sandesa, kacauri, rasagulla, samosa and in this way they will forget their meat-eating. If you make a soup of fried panir with asafoetida and ginger, this will replace lobster soup nonsense. Of course we are not interested in giving them vegetarian food; we are wanting to give them prasadam. Then gradually they will become devotees. Prabhupada was also eager to establish a Krsna conscious farming community in Australia. In January 1975, he had written Madhudvisa Swami: Try to get some nice farm. That will be very good. If we can produce milk products and grains, there will be grand success. On a morning walk during his last visit to Melbourne in 1976, Srila Prabhupada had been told of a 200-acre plot of land in Queensland, in Australia's tropical north. The land, Guru Krpa had explained, was cheap and was suitable for growing produce. Prabhupada had been very enthusiastic. "So grow fruits, flowers, grains," he said. "Keep some men there. It is very nice." Although the purchase had never eventuated, the devotees were enthusiastic to locate a suitable property as soon as possible. - From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu

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Simple Living, High Thinking

sattva , varnashrama-dharma

Hindu spirituality has been largely nurtured in a rural setting, and scripture recommends a simple life, free from unnecessary complication. Varnashrama-dharma is closely associated with an agrarian culture, which fosters a mood of dependence on God. According to theologians, the village demonstrates the influence of goodness ( sattva ), the town is compelled by passion ( rajas ) and sinful places, such as many modern cities, are bound by ignorance ( tamas ). The whole system of varnashrama-dharma is designed to bring everyone, step by step, to the level of goodness, more easily attained in a rural setting. Sustainability and a peaceful, regulated lifestyle are principal characteristics of sattva-guna .

The early morning hours are also considered sattvic and in India people rise early, between 4 and 6 am. Practically everyone bathes upon rising, making use of a pond, river or hand-pump, or – if relatively well-off – a bathroom. It is common in the morning to see Hindus outside their simple dwellings, slowly cleaning their teeth with a twig from a tree, such as the antiseptic neem. Life is relatively slow, with morning hours dedicated to some form of worship. A light breakfast follows at around eight o’clock. Shops and stalls open quite late, around ten. The main meal is lunch – for the digestion is considered strongest when the sun is at its highest. People take a siesta in the sultry afternoons, and shops and stalls either close, or the shopkeeper takes a snooze. They often open late into the evening, when it is pleasantly cool, and people again throng to the streets and the temples.

Life is very much in contact with nature and the elements. Water is drawn straight from wells or rivers. Cooking is over open fires. Village homes have an earth floor, coated with a mixture of earth and cow-dung, which has antiseptic properties. Animals are very much a part of life. Dogs are not domesticated, and live quite differently than in the West. Cows roam freely and are given much leeway. Wild pigs, often part of the natural scenery are valued for their function of waste disposal. Monkeys are notorious for their mischief and their stealing (eye-glasses are now a favourite!). Camels, ponies, and buffalo are used for pulling carts. In the south especially, elephants are used in temple rituals.There are many stories about snakes, especially the cobra, which is considered to have mystical powers. Today, there are still many physicians who can cure a snake bite by chanting mantras rather than administering a serum. Mysticism and spirituality are woven into the colourful fabric of everyday life.

Women collect waterfrom a well.A rural life involves much contact with the elements.

This girl is cooking chapattis on an open fire. Many household chores are performed whilst squatting on the floor.

Animals are very much a part of a rural lifestyle.

The sadhu (wandering holy man) typifies a simple life and the ability to focus the mind on an inner, spiritual wealth. Simplicity creates a mood of service and dependence upon God rather than an exploitative ethos and reliance on our own schemes to harness and control nature. Householders are also recommended to keep their lives and minds as uncluttered as possible.

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The art of simple living is a forgotten art. There once was a time when leading a relaxed life was the norm. Life used to be the same for generations. The peasant’s son would be a peasant and a blacksmith’s son a blacksmith. Talent in profession was often inherited and hence easily acquired. The outputs were also of exceptional quality as the techniques were time tested. The furniture or sculpture would be flawless; as, the minutest details were emphasised on by the trainer who was usually the father, grandfather or some acquaintance.

Leisure was ample, manufacturing being a time consuming job was limited to requirements. Possessions were handed over by generations and were much valued. Extras being limited did not pollute the land which beamed with health and reflected it back on its inhabitants.

In short, life was simple. Less things, meant less hassle and less stress. With the change in times, we have lost the mind-set to live a simple life and enjoy the journey called life. The society has developed an atmosphere where a relaxed life almost seems like a crime. If a person likes to live a life of ease he would definitely go into depression, as the world around him is moving at an extremely rapid pace. The work accomplished per day has multiplied ten times over in the last three generations. Most of the time, the work is simply done because it will fetch money to spend on new acquisitions. It would also mean that the old acquisitions will have to be discarded as there is hardly any space or need to keep them all.

Now where would these things, which cannot be kept in the house go? Naturally they would end up as trash in mountains of garbage that are being piled up upon Mother earth without any fault of hers. These piles are non bio-degradable, and will not vanish with time. Each and every item that we buy with our hard earned money; sacrificing health, relations and priceless time, will end up in creating trash for the world.

The more you have, the more occupied you are. The less you have, the more free you are. Mother Teresa

We will be leaving behind a world without fresh air water or anything worth living for. The diversion from simplicity is taking us to a destination where we don’t want to go. Yet, we are helpless… being socially pre-conditioned with an absurd set of expectations.

The huge skyrises, sleek cars, flyovers, industrial buildings will become an eye sore when they are obsolete and old. Many couples dread bringing children to this uncertain world. Yet, everyone contributes to the trash mountain in his or her own way…Every year, every month, every minute of the day.

It is the other living beings, the plants and animals, who are the major sufferers in spite of living the simplest life possible. They do not waste water, add to carbon footprints, yet they have to die or become extinct because of effects of climate change.

The solution to a bleak future is adopting the lifestyle of Mahatma Gandhi, ‘Simple living and high thinking .’ Eating simple food, doing physical work, reading a lot, doing good for the world; will not only keep us healthy and happy but will act as a balm for the earth’s malady.

Industrial and infrastructural development is not the only form of development. True development will be eco-friendly and reverse the harm done in every sphere of the earth. This will only be possible if we lead a simple life and take from the earth only that much, which is essential for life. We cannot and should not go back to lifestyle of the olden days, but for the sake of our own well being, we should adopt the minimalist approach towards life.

Development is fine and necessary but it should not go beyond rationality. Every freedom comes with some duty. We should also remember out duty towards the earth, where we are merely the guests of time. If simplicity of life can bring about wellness for all. We are all winners. If we don’t spend much on unnecessary things we would also save a lot. Saving a lot would result in stress free life, resulting in good health.

One small positive change can bring about a chain of positive changes, and the end result will be bliss for all. Let the chain begin, by adopting a simple and happy lifestyle, which will be a boon for the generations to come.

Simple Living, High Thinking

The lofty ideals of Simple living and High Thinking has been epitomised by living and dead legends the world across who have inspired billion others by their commitment to a minimalistic way of life , all the while staying true to ennobling ideals that had the power to transform the world to a better place. This rare combination has been preached and practiced by great men of the world who have shown the light to others.

A look back at the annals of history will provide glaring examples of men who have striven to and managed to apply this principle in their daily life and achieved greatness in the process. All the saints like Gautam Buddha and Guru Nanak and Swami Vivekanand and his mentor Ramkrishna Paramhansa, even the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi are all who jolted the world out of its reverie by their thought process yet remaining intrinsically humble and modest and frugal in their everyday life.

Human desires are a relentless strap. All epics and scriptures warn human of not to be a senseless victim of greed and temptation and stay away from the lure of money, greed and corruption. Falling into this endless trap of wanting more and more makes a man selfish, self-centered and materialistic in his approach with no thought or consideration for others. His ability to think and commit himself to greater values of life gets compromised.

Mahatma Gandhi was always clad in his simple dhoti and still managed to stir the world by his thoughts and his dynamism. His non-violent war against imperialism did not need any embellishment. His thoughts shone through and made him a beacon of hope for the millions of suffering fellow Indians and inspired the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congressmen who played significant roles later on in the making of new India. ‘Focusing on need rather than greed’ is the mantra, he abided by.

There are other examples too of various social reformist and spiritual leaders who led simple and unsophisticated lives but became the idols of the people as philosophers, poets and leaders. They inspired people to excel not only in spiritual matters but worldly matters, too.

High thinking is beyond self-interest, beyond ego, beyond materialistic thinks and concentrating on altruism, humanism and for the betterment and well-being of the society.

People like Mother Teresa who dedicated their whole lives for the upliftment of the downtrodden and spent their whole lives in nothing but a home spun saree and wanted no riches or comfort for themselves are rare but it is this quality which sets them apart and deigns them to be a Saint. Jesus, Abraham, Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Kabir, Rabindranath Tagore all led extremely simple lives with no frills or gloss, in fact in extreme hardship yet their thoughts were sublimely high which transformed the course of human life.

Today the modern generations has crucified simplicity at the altar of consumerism. It is time for them to re-connect with their rots and find peace in thoughts and actions rather than in pursuing after materialistic pleasure of life.

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What is simple living and high thinking? || Acharya Prashant, with youth (2014)

Acharya Prashant

Question: Sir, we often hear this famous proverb “Simple living and high thinking.” What is this simple living, and what is this high thinking? If I want to be an IAS, is this a high thinking? I want to know what is simple living and high thinking.

Acharya Prashant: Because you are talking of high thinking, there must be its counterpart as well, low thinking. Let’s try to just see then what could be high thinking, and what could be low thinking.

High thinking is that which terminates itself.

The mind is like this room. The mind, the walls of the mind are the walls of experience, the walls of past, it’s a very limited space, it’s not an open sky. The mind knows only this much. The entire existence is there, open, but the mind knows only this much. And within this wall is the entire movement of mind. This movement of mind is called thought, thinking.

One cannot think beyond his experience, right? Can you think of the fourth dimension in space? Can you think of a language that you have not learned? Even imagination is based on experience. You cannot even imagine beyond your experience. It will be in some way related to your experience. So, the mind is a limited enclosure. The walls are the walls of conditioning and experience and bias and past. And it keeps moving within these walls. This movement we said is the movement of thought.

What is thought? What is the definition of thought? The movement of mind is called thought. Now there is an entire open world outside this room. Is that not? There is open space, open sky. The minds fundamental nature is freedom, it does not like being enclosed here. It does not like being enclosed here. At the same time, it cannot just go out on its own, right? Because it has by itself created these walls. So, in its restlessness it just keeps moving. The entire movement of the mind is an attempt to get out of this room. Because this room is a bondage. It’s a boundation.

One can move within this room in two ways. One is move so that you reach the door. That’s a conscious movement, and aware movement, right? You can start from there and move towards the door. With your eyes open, in intelligence. And this movement of mind, what is the movement of mind called? Thought. And this movement of mind, this thought, will liberate you. It will liberate you. Thought will bring you to the exit and then you can fly. Because the movement of the mind within this room is called thought, the moment you are out of this door, thought will? Thought will disappear. Stop. This is high thinking. That thought which terminates itself.

You start thinking, but your thinking is such that you don’t need to think for long. Soon you reach the exit point and then all thinking stops, because you have reached the solution. So, now there is no need to think. Now, you can rest. Now you can simply relax. There is no need to think anymore. This is called high thinking. High thinking does not mean that you are following high ideals. No, that is not high thinking. High thinking is the thought that simply dissolves very soon. Thought that reaches its limit and disappears. Are you getting it?

What is then low thinking? Low thinking is a drunkard inside this room. With very weak legs, and a and weaker mind. Now what is a drunkard doing? He is moving from here to there, continuously roaming, falling down, stumbling, hitting the chairs, sleeping, but he is never able to reach the door. He has weak legs, he cannot move. And even when he moves, he is moving from here to there in random directions.

So, what is he doing, he is continuously moving all the time, and what is this movement inside the mind called? Thought. So, he is continuously thinking all the time without ever coming to a stop. He does not have the courage to think hard, think freely. And he does not have the intelligence to move towards the door. Legs are weak, eyes are weak, and about him everything is weak because he is drunk. This is low thinking.

Low thinking is the kind of thinking that continuously goes on and on in the mind without ever coming to an end.

Have you seen such people who are continuously thinking? And thinking repetitively about the same things. In the morning they are thinking of the same thing, in the afternoon again, in the evening again. It’s the same circular pattern. Repeating itself. Repeating itself, but it is keeping them busy.

In the morning they talk of the same problem, in afternoon again the same problem, in evening again the same problem. And they think they are doing something very important by just talking and thinking. Have you seen such people? This is low thinking. Low thinking is that which perpetuates itself. High thinking is that which terminates itself.

Will you remember this?

Low thinking is the kind of thinking that continuously goes on and on, like a chronic disease, never to end. High thinking starts as thinking and ends as understanding. It starts as thinking and ends as understanding. Low thinking starts as thinking and just keeps thinking. Like a closed-loop program. First line says go to next line, next line says go to first line. So it’s the closed-loop, continuous, infinite loop. Have you seen that happen with yourself? Infinite recursion. Yes? This is low thinking.

On the other hand, if you have to think, think hard and think freely. And soon you will find there is no need to think. There’s no need to think. You have reached a stage where there is thoughtlessness. Thought becomes unnecessary. Yes?

What is simple living? What is complex living? That’s easier to understand. What is complexity? Complexity is when you do not see the simple and the obvious. Complexity does not lie in the object or the world. There is nothing complex anywhere. Complexity means, my eyes are such that they cannot look at the simple and they are calling it complex. Because there is nothing complex.

To a mind that does not have knots within it, everything is simple. If you find something complex it is because the mind is layered, conditioned, confused. Complex living means living from a conditioned mind. Will you remember this? Complex living means living from a conditioned mind, and hence not able to enjoy the simple beauty of life. That is complex living.

So, what will be simple living? Living from a free mind, an unconditioned mind. So that you are able to live in the simple beauty of life, and enjoy it, obviously. Getting it? Simple living is, when I look at somebody, I do not look at the makeup, I do not look at the brand of the clothes, I do not look at the expression the fellow is wearing, and I look at that essence of the person. Direct and simple.

I do not ask, “How much money you have?” I do not have to which religion and caste do you belong. I do not ask what your percentage is. I look at the person and what I see is the individual. This is simple living. And what would and complex eye look at? What is a complex way of looking at somebody? You meet somebody and you ask, “Alright, so, which locality do you live in? Masters, or PhD? How much money do you have? How long is your car? That’s a complex way of looking at somebody. You cannot look at the man directly. The man is a man, why do you need to ask for his caste and his money, and his car? This is complexity.

Simplicity is existential, complexity is man-made. So, when you look at something, and if you are too concerned with the man-made aspects of it, then your eyes have complexity. Then your eyes have complexity. So, when I look at a person, what is man-made about him? What all is man-made about a person? If I give importance to that then I have a complex way of looking, right?

On the other hand if I look at a person, and I am concerned more with that which is existential, then it is a simple way of looking.

So, simple living is living from a free mind – a mind that is not cluttered with man-made rubbish, a mind that is not layered with lots of conditioning. That is simple living. Simple living does not mean that “Oh, this man wears only kurta, so he must be simple. Oh, this man does not eat this kind of food, so he must be simple.” All that is rubbish. Simple living means the mind is free. That is all that simplicity means.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/SBSJ7pKTwK4

Essay on Simple Living High Thinking

Simple Living High Thinking implies that we must lead a simple life but at the same time our thinking must not be limited. This is to say that we must not restrict our thinking only to the nitty-gritty’s of everyday day tasks. We should think big to bring about positive changes in our lives as well as that of those around us.

The proverb lays emphasis on the importance of living a simple life devoid of any kind of show off. We must keep a check on our wants and desires. However, when it comes to thinking, it must be big. We must not think only about ourselves but also about those around.

Long and Short Essay on Simple Living High Thinking in English

Here are essays of varying lengths on Simple Living High Thinking to help you with the topic in your exam. You can select any Simple Living High Thinking essay according to your choice:

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 1 (200 words)

Simple living and high thinking go hand in hand. Only those who believe in living a simple life can think high and do great deeds in life. Those who prefer living lavishly only think about fulfilling their own desires one after the other and there is no end to it. Such people are so engrossed in gratifying their desires and impressing others by showing off their materialistic possessions that their thinking becomes limited to it. They cannot think high or develop a broad mindset.

On the other hand, people who understand that they must only focus on their needs and not go after every materialistic thing their heart longs for lead a simple life. They only buy things of need and focus on becoming better human beings by way of their deeds and not by showing off their belongings. They try to help those around them, involve themselves in charity work, indulge in activities to improve the environment and more importantly spend quality time with their loved ones.

Now, this does not mean it is wrong to be ambitious and earn money to lead a comfortable life. There is a difference between living comfortably and having a lavish lifestyle. There are many rich people around the world who lead a simple life and possess high thinking. They indulge in charity rather than spending lavishly on themselves.

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction

This proverb advises human beings to limit their wants and desires as there is no end to them. If we run in pursuit of every desire of ours we shall never be satisfied as these keep growing on and on.

Live Simple – Stop Impressing Others

We all agree that most of the things we want are not really for ourselves. We want them to impress our neighbours, friends and relatives. This kind of life can never be fulfilling or pleasurable. This is because we are not born to please or impress others and we can never even do so. Whatever we do people only look for opportunities to find flaws in us and this leaves us all the more dissatisfied. We try to earn more and more, reach at a high position in the company, increase our social circle and shop for expensive clothes and household items – what for? All this is done to establish a good social standing.

Now, this is not to say that there is something wrong with being ambitious and making a good living. All this might as well bring us satisfaction at some level but it also takes away a lot from us. However, in the quest of making it big professionally and earning more and more to quench the undying desires people spend a lot of time at work and neglect their parents, spouse and kids. This distances them from the family and disturbs their personal relationships and all this only leads to stress.

If we lower our materialistic wants and stick to our needs, we shall be able to create a balance between our personal and professional life. This way we shall be able to spend more time with our family where the true joy lies. We shall also have enough time for ourselves, to look within and find out our true purpose of life.

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 3 (400 words)

Many learned people in the past have followed the preaching from this proverb and have made a mark in the history. Some such people include Sant Kabirdas, Mahatma Gandhi, Pope Francis and Abraham Lincoln. All these people have led an extremely simple life and inspired several people around them to do so.

Why must one lead a Simple Life?

Very few people lead a simple life today others are busy running after their desires and trying to impress others by their latest possessions. Here is why one must lead a simple life:

Get Closer to Family

When you stop living an artificial life trying to impress others and turn towards a simple life you grow close to your roots. You get closer to your family members and the love showered by them brings immense joy.

Recognize Your True self

When you stop looking for more and more things to gratify yourself and spend time with yourself you finally begin to recognize who you truly are.

Sense of Control

When you lead a simple life, you require bare minimal to stay content. When you do not have numerous loans running for different things, you feel more confident. You no longer need to immerse yourself in work to earn more and more to pay off your loans and bills. You have a greater sense of control over your life.

Lower Stress Level

You are no longer under constant pressure to earn more than your siblings, friends and neighbours. You no longer want a bigger house, bigger car or greater bank balance to feel good about yourself. The stress caused due to this constant pressure will all be gone when you chose to lead a simple life.

Balanced Life

You will no longer toil too hard in your office to get to the top. This is because your wants would be limited and your needs can be met even if you are earning fairly well and not too much. You will thus be able to get home on time and spend time with your family. This will help create work life balance.

While many people continue to thrive for a lavish life many have turned towards leading a simple life after seeing the dreadful consequences of the former. It is time we must recognize that we should live for ourselves and not for impressing others. We must understand that happiness can only be found within and not in the outside things. Inner peace and happiness can only be found if we lead a simple life and have a high thinking that inspires us to do good for others.

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 4 (500 words)

Simple living and high thinking must be the motto of life of each one of us. However, people these days prefer leading a luxurious life with their thinking restricted only to things that can fetch them worldly pleasures.

People who Adopted the Golden Principle of Simple Living and High Thinking

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the best persons to exemplify this proverb. He led a simple life and dreamed big. His lifestyle was extremely simple but his thinking was high. He did not only work towards driving the British out of the country but inspired several others around him to support the cause.e He was the He His life hhhh He made use of a simple weapon that is non-violence to drive the British out of the country.

Buddha was a king who had numerous servants available at his beck and call. He had a loving family and all the luxuries of life. But he left all these to lead a simple life in the jungles. He could concentrate, look within and think high only when he began to lead a simple life. Had he stayed in the palace and led the life of luxury, he would never have attained enlightenment.

Abraham Lincoln

American President, Abraham Lincoln who could afford all the luxuries of life and live lavishly chose to adopt a simple lifestyle. He did not employ any servant to take care of any of his tasks. He did all his personal tasks on his own.

Ways to Lead a Simple Life

Identify Difference between Your Needs and Wants

The first and foremost thing to do is to distinguish between your needs and wants. Remember your needs are limited but wants unlimited. In order to lead a simple life you must only keep the things of necessity and not run after acquiring and attaining every materialistic desire.

Focus on Inner Peace

We all look for happiness outside. We try to socialise, go to malls, try different cuisines, do unnecessary shopping and indulge in several such activities. While all these things can give temporary happiness you wouldn’t find yourself truly happy if you are not at peace within. To live a simple and fulfilling life you must focus within.

Don’t Do Things to Impress Others

You are not born to impress others. Your life will not get any better if you continue to look for ways to impress other people. Your life will be fulfilling when you focus on yourself and not others.

Help Others

Instead of spending lavishly to show off you should indulge in charity. This does not mean you have to donate a huge sum each month. Do whatever little you can to help the poor and needy.

Just relax, meditate and let go of all the negative thoughts in your mind. Your mind must focus on the positives in life.

Living simple is not difficult. It is rather simple; you just need to limit your desires and let go of the need to impress others. When you lead a simple life only then you can think high else you will only be busy gratifying yourself.

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 5 (600 words)

Simple living high thinking is a common proverb used to emphasise the significance of leading a simple life and having high thinking. If each one of us leads such a life, the world would become a much better place.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Life Exemplifies Simple Living High Thinking

Mahatma Gandhi is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind when we hear the proverb – Simple Living High Thinking. Popularly known as Bapu, this great man led an extremely simple life. He was highly educated and could have easily got a high paying job. He could have lived in a lavish bungalow and driven expensive cars. However, he chose to live in a hut. He wore the simplest of attires, a dhoti and ate simple food. While his materialistic needs were limited his vision was broad. He was a man of high thinking. He dedicated his life to the nation.

India’s independence had become his mission and he followed the path of non-violence to attain the same. His aura was so strong that thousands of Indians got inspired by him and joined him in his struggle for freedom. He initiated various movements and several Indians actively took part in the same. He also addressed masses from time to time to share his words of wisdom and inspired them to dedicate their lives to the freedom struggle. His simple yet effective ways to deal with the tyranny of the British officials were highly appreciated by people. Mahatma Gandhi was one of the main forces to drive the British out of the country.

Why are People unable to Practice Simple Living High Thinking?

The world has literally become a place to show off. Leading a simple life and thinking high is a concept that you can rarely see in anyone anymore. People are extremely busy showcasing how happy, wealthy and full of life they are. While earlier they used to throw parties, invite people over and buy new things to impress those around with the advent of social media the quest to impress others has reached a whole new level. People visit exotic locations, go out for lavish dinners, party with friends, buy new stuff and all this is uploaded on the social media within no time. Rather than enjoying the moment, people have now become more interested in showing others as to how cool their life is. And the definition of cool is far from simple.

Those who indulge in such activities regularly are known to have a happening life and everyone wants to befriend them and go out with them. On the other hand, those who do not stay active are considered rather dull and boring. No one likes being around such people. So showing off and talking highly of oneself has actually become the need of the hour. No one wants to live a simple life. Simple is actually considered as boring. Thinking high is beyond question as people are so engrossed in impressing others that they don’t understand that real happiness lies in finding our real selves and helping those around find the same.

Someone who tries to defy these new formed norms of the society is considered anti-social or just plain dull and boring. Those who do not keep abreast with this new lifestyle are often left alone. Even if someone cannot afford lavish dinners and doesn’t have a cool gang of friends and leads a simple life, he also tries to impress people by uploading fake pictures and posts on the social media.

Simple living high thinking is the mantra to lead a happy life. We must try to stop being a part of the rat race and look within. This way we shall understand that the things that can give us happiness and help us live a wholesome life are simple.

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Simple Living and High Thinking: A Pathway to Fulfillment

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The Principle of Simple Living and High Thinking

Benefits of Embracing Simplicity and Intellectual Pursuits

Challenges and modern relevance.

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Simple Living and High Thinking: A Pathway to Fulfillment essay

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Simple living and high thinking

He who believes in simple living creates problems neither for himself nor for others. One who engages in high thinking becomes a truly selfless person. Spirituality, the sublime character of men and women, has two facets: the internal and the external. The internal facet is positive thinking, the external facet is living in peace.

Thus spirituality is in no way a kind of exalted state of feeling, indeed it is a non-material culture, which means giving more importance to values that are immaterial rather than material. In essence, it promotes the philosophy of simple living and high thinking – the moral mainstay of humanity.

This is an essential ingredient in our endeavour to be spiritual. The simple principle to adopt is ‘simple living and high thinking’. One of the teachings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is “simplicity is part of faith”. Man is considered as supreme creature and Crown of creation by virtue of being endowed with the power of thinking.

This blessing of God can be used either for the most mundane things or for the higher things of life. It does not befit us to use this blessing from God for the sole achievement of our worldly or material needs. This is possible only when makes a conscious endeavour to keep life simple. Simple living is not a mere moral or ethical formula rather it is a key principle for a successful life.

It is a safe device from all kinds of distractions, and saving oneself from distractions ensures that time, money, and energy are used in a better way to attain success in this world and the next after death. Simple live high thinking is an integral part of Islam.

It reduces all your anxieties and negative thoughts. Simple living means according to your limited needs and not according to your unlimited greed. All stress and tension is a result of not following this formula.

Spiritual life is nothing but simple living high thinking. Bhagwad Geeta says simple living and high thinking is the solution to economic problems. In Bhagavat Gita, Shri Krishna describes the ideal social system for simple living. Jesus Christ lived a very simple life. He never spoke of things he owned (who never boasted) Money, fashionable clothing, furnishings, etc. He lived a life of stark simplicity in regard to possessions.

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Simple Living High Ideas – Meaning, Examples, Origin, Expansion, Significance and Short Stories

Table of Contents

“Simple Life High Thought” This proverb promotes simplicity and morale of life and high thought in conduct. It teaches us to adopt a simplified approach in the standard of living. We should not try to display our liking and materialistic things everywhere and to everyone; Rather we should be more concerned about our moral highness and purity of thoughts because that is what really matters.

Example is the best way to understand the true meaning of any proverb. Keeping this in mind, I have brought for you some recent examples based on this proverb “Simple Life High Thinking” which will help you to understand this proverb better.

“The Father of the Nation of India, Mahatma Gandhi, wore a simple loincloth all his life and religiously followed the ideals of truth and non-violence. Simple living is the best example of high thinking.”

“Simple Living High Thinking, Mahatma Gandhi once said that we should focus on our needs more than our greed.”

“Manan said – Yesterday I went to a Buddhist monastery. There were monks here who had their heads shaved and were dressed in simple clothes. When I spoke to them, it seemed that how much their thoughts about the earth and its creatures were are clean; they are true examples of simple living, high thinking.”

“A few days ago, I met a poor man who had donated his month’s earnings for the education of children; simple living is a true example of high thinking.”

“There are many personalities in history who have exemplified simple living high thinking. They lived their lives very simply, yet they are thoughtful about bringing better to the world. This simple living is a better example of high thinking is.”

The exact origin of this phrase is not known; However, this phrase is very important for the Indian freedom fighter and the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In many of his speeches and writings, he had mentioned that one should lead a simple and even rewarding life.

Some even attribute the origin of the phrase to the Indian guru and yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952), who said “Simple living and high thoughts should be your goal. Through meditation, all states of your consciousness should be within yourself.” Learn to carry and keep your consciousness forever, sometimes, new bliss, which is God.”

Expansion of the Proverb

The saying ‘Simple living high thinking’ encourages us to make our life more meaningful than rich. Simple way of living here means a simple and non-expensive standard of living. We should only worry about those things which are very essential for our life. For example, a meal without meat etc. and a simple house is enough for anyone to live and live. Everything else we desire is our greed and not our need.

The sentence ‘high thoughts’ in the proverb, denotes the purity and highness of thoughts and deeds. Instead of enriching our life, we should focus on its values. It is our thoughts and actions and their consequences on others that matter the most. To think that a life devoid of cruelty, jealousy, hatred and full of love and respect is better than a life rich and corrupt.

This proverb teaches us that we can make our life more valuable just by ignoring things like waste money and stuff etc. It gives us true happiness and inner satisfaction.

It also tells that true happiness lies in our thoughts and not in anything else. It inspires us to recognize our roots and ignore any kind of prosperity-seeking work. The true value of life is not in our materialistic acquisitions, but in what we think, do, and how many lives we touch each day.

Simple living high thinking has always been the foundation of our Indian culture. The phrase probably came later, but the philosophical view is that it was always at the core of Hindu religious thought.

Short Stories on ‘Simple Living High Thinking’

A story is a better medium to understand the moral quality of a proverb. Today I bring you some stories so that you can better understand the meaning of the proverb ‘Simple living high thinking’.

Short Story 1

A doctor lived in a remote village in India. His name was Dr Pramod. He was highly educated and meritorious of a highly respected college. Over the years, that doctor had been treating the people of the village with diseases and weaknesses. He lived in a modest hut with a fan, a bed and electricity; Apart from this, he had a big garden where he used to spend most of his time.

Dr. Pramod was extremely satisfied with his life and satisfied with what he did everyday. Once a journalist had come to the village for some political issue. The journalist heard about the doctor and was very much impressed to see the respect for him from the villagers. The journalist decided to meet him.

Eventually, the journalist did reach the doctor’s hut to meet him. The journalist was stunned after knowing things about the doctor’s life and his education. The journalist knew that if this doctor wanted such a good achievement, he could have earned lakhs of rupees by going to any big city of the country, but in spite of this he thought of spending his life in this village, where there was a road to reach Not there.

What are they doing? Even after all, why would anyone choose this kind of life, except for the affluent and prosperous? All these questions were bothering the journalist a lot. He could not suppress his curiosity and asked the doctor – why did you choose this kind of life? The doctor replied that he belonged to an affluent peasant household who lost all his land over time. He has seen both richness and poverty in a very short span of time. He knew that monetary wealth would be lost over time and decided to lead a life that is more valuable and affects the lives of others as well. This is the main reason why he is in this village and helping people.

The journalist was very impressed and the next day he made an article about the doctor. Pramod was featured in a local newspaper whose main line was “Simple living, high thoughts”.

Short Story 2

A rich businessman lived with his only son in a big bungalow. That businessman did not have any time for his family, even, everything in the world was present in his house that money could buy. Her boy had to spend most of his time alone, with his car and equipment, etc., but he was happy with her. He had started giving more importance to things rather than human feelings and relationships. The boy started talking proudly about all his belongings and started considering his friends as inferior to himself because they were not as rich as him.

Gradually his friends moved away from him, but the boy was still happy because he was rich. The businessman was worried about his son’s health advice and his relationship, but he did not have time for all this.

One day, something happened, a childhood friend of the businessman came to visit him from the village. The businessman was overjoyed and requested him to stay for one night in his bungalow. The son also met his father’s friend but he looked down upon him and did not respect him as he was poor and had come from the village.

This pierced his heart, then the businessman thought of teaching his son a lesson. He asked her to join his business as an apprentice and also asked him to stay in the one-room employee’s house. The boy got angry but had no other option. After leaving the grandeur and coming to this world full of sorrow, pain, happiness, the boy changed a lot. Soon he started respecting the poor as well as the rich. He was a changed person now. Now he loved people and in return people also gave him love and respect.

The businessman was overjoyed to see this change in his son, and now he asked him to return home. The son wrote a letter to the father in which he said that they would meet on the weekend but he refused to go to the bungalow. He further wrote that he has fallen in love with this simple life and high thinking life and would like to remain so.

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Essay on “Simple Living and High Thinking” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Simple Living and High Thinking

Essay No. 01

Great men f the world has always preached that simple living and high thinking should be the golden principle of life. All great saints like Mahatma Gandhi, Guru Nanak and Buddha etc. who attained spiritual greatness and shook the world by their intellectual thinking are examples of this principle.

From time immemorial, thinkers from every corner of the would have emphasized the importance of simple living and high thinking. The advice as based on the fact that human wants are limitless, once they are given a long rope. It psychologically encouraged, these wants multiply and keep multiplying. These make manna selfish slave of material acquisitions. These divert the attention of man from high thinking and bring him down to the narrow cycle of worldly pursuits. These adversely affect his devotion and concentration in achieving the higher ideal of life, which mostly includes service of fellow human beings.

In this atomic era and fast paced life the harmony between the ideals of plain living and high thinking has come down. More thinkers feel that elaborate living is more conductive to the service of humanity than simple living. This thinking, however, is not endorsed in practical life.

As is well known Mahatma Gandhi was always dressed in a dhoti but still moved the entire world by his dynamic thinking. Similarly Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russel had proved that simple living is better way of achieving greatness from service to society.

There are other examples too, and a lot of then in human history, to prove the theory of simple living and high thinking. Kabir, Vinoba Bhave and Sant Longowal are other examples of this mode of life. These personalities led unsophisticated lives. Yet they became the idols of people as philosopher poets and leaders. They emancipated the thinking and living of common people with their strong conviction of truth, love for human beings, good of society and led the people to great deeds and achievements not only in the spiritual fields but also worldly affairs.

Essay No. 02

Simple Living and High Thinking

This statement tells us a way of living. It teaches us that we should not give much importance to clothes. Clothes are meant to cover over body. They do not add to man’s structure. Man does not become great by wearing gaudy and costly clothes. Clothes should be simple but it is essential that they should be neat and clean. We see that those persons who achieved greatness were simple. Only their thoughts were noble and high. If people start living a simple life most of the ills of society will disappear of their own. In our own times we see how people believe in living a showy style of life. Such people make their life complicated. A person leading a simple life is looked upon as a fool these days. He can’t progress in life. He can’t compete with those who lead a luxurious life. But it is not essential that only a man leading simple life can think high. A person living in his own way can also think high. It is true that simple living encourages high thinking. A person who has simple living and high thinking leads a contented life.

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Essay on “Simple living and high thinking” English Essay, Paragraph, Speech for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 for College and Competitive Exams.

Simple living and high thinking.

The lives of all the great men and women have been a source of inspiration for every generation of people. One can learn so much from their thoughts and actions. The foremost aspect of their lives which can be brought into practice in our daily lives is the act of simple living. Not one to run after the luxuries of life and embellishment of body, great men and women have always lived a simple life. They have paid attention to a healthy life and intellectual pursuits. They concentrated their energies in creating lasting legacies in the form of books, sculptures, dramas, poetry, etc. They have been a contrast to those who have paid so much attention to objects of external embellishments. It is said that those who have too much in their worldly vaults have little to show in the region of intellect. Such people move on the superficial level of human existence. A person cannot hope to improve upon his character if he is occupied with external comforts. In order to achieve a higher intellectual level, a person has to learn to forego many luxuries of life, so that enough energy is generated in our minds to absorb the salient aspects of human existence.

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10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking for Students and Children in English

March 23, 2023 by Prasanna

10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking: The practice of living a simple life that is free of complications, and is honest and down-to-earth will only help an individual to be happy. It is because a person living a simple life will also be stress-free and will get joy from little things. With only an exterior grandness, one will not be able to make a difference in this world unless they have a notion of thinking about issues that matter and are revolutionary. Many great minds with higher thinking capabilities often are noticed to live a simple life because they are not impressed by the glitters that don’t have real value.

You can read more 10 Lines about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Set 1 – 10 Lines On Simple Living Higher Thinking for Kids

Set 1 is helpful for students of Classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Simple living is an effortless way of living.
A simple life might not have luxuries, but it is often a trouble-less happier life.
People living a simple life are not stressed about competition.
A simple way of living is a healthier way of living.
It is a misconception that simplicity is based on looks or clothes; instead, it is represented through one’s personality and mannerisms.
Thinking about the benefit of others is called higher thinking.
Philosophers, writers, scientists generally have a higher thinking order.
There is way more to a person than what our eyes see on the outside.
If you do something for others, then the cycle of life will give you back something good in return.
Human minds are infinite but societal norms had put boundaries on many potential people.

10 Lines On Simple Living Higher Thinking for Kids

Set 2 – 10 Lines On Simple Living Higher Thinking for School Students

Set 2 is helpful for students of Classes 6, 7 and 8.

A simple life can be achieved by being content with what one has.
A higher thought process involves breaking free of those boundaries in mind for creating a broader view.
Simple living will revolve around living humbly.
Living an articulate and disciplined life will drive you to inter-enrichment.
By following a simple life one also makes a big difference in the environment.
Thinking about working for beyond oneself, for making a big difference in society is called a higher way of thinking.
With the modern age, human life has turned more materialistic.
A rich person might have many things and still want more.
One who lives a simple life is the richest because they don’t require more than necessities.
Greedy people will always be anxious and never know true peace.

Set 3 – 10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking for Higher Class Students

Set 3 is helpful for students of Classes 9, 10, 11, 12 and Competitive Exams.

A person with higher thoughts and a grounded life is not worried about the rat-race of life that most are running.
If a simple life is followed, then the natural resources will be less exploited, after that creating a healthier environment.
The elevation and advancement of human conscience beyond the shackles of selfishness is called and instead of serving for the greater good of humankind is the concept of higher thinking
For those who focus on higher thinking are often not bothered about their social image.
If you start comparing what money can buy you will be surprised to see that it is outnumbered by the things that money can never buy.
A person with higher thinking is always driven by their purpose.
Leading a simple life with higher thoughts will help you differentiate between the needs and wants and its importance.
Inner peace is the greatest achievement one can have.
We always have enough to share yet some people never do.
If people started preaching simple living and higher thinking, then this planet would become a much better place to live in.

10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking for Higher Class Students

FAQ’s on 10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking

Question 1. What are the concept of simple living and higher thinking?

Answer: Being happy with whatever little one has and still being able to share it might concisely describe the idea of ‘Simple living, higher thinking’. But there are many ways you can consider this concept and that too from many other perspectives.

Question 2. Is the practice of simple living a result of the higher thinking?

Answer: Yes, simple living might be a realization of higher thinking, or it can be the other way round, i.e. from simple life, the notion of thinking beyond oneself develops.

Question 3. Give some examples of people who preach the mantra of simple living higher thinking?

Answer: Famous figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Kalam, Nelson Mandela, and many more have been preaching and practicing the mantra of ‘simple living higher thinking’.

Question 4. How will living a simple life, and having higher thoughts affect the people around me?

Answer: One being self-contented will motivate others to practice the ways for doing so. Everyone is searching for inner peace and a better environment. Hence it won’t be difficult to influence others when many people start preaching simple living and higher thinking.

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Essay on Simple Living High Thinking for Students

Table of Contents

Essay on Simple Living High Thinking: Simple Living High Thinking implies that we must lead a simple life but at the same time our thinking must not be limited. This is to say that we must not restrict our thinking only to the nitty-gritty’s of everyday day tasks. We should think big to bring about positive changes in our lives as well as that of those around us.

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Long and Short Essay on Simple Living High Thinking in English

Here are essays of varying lengths on Simple Living High Thinking to help you with the topic in your exam. You can select any Simple Living High Thinking essay according to your choice:

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 1 (200 words)

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction.

Live Simple – Stop Impressing Others

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 3 (400 words)

Why must one lead a Simple Life?

Very few people lead a simple life today others are busy running after their desires and trying to impress others by their latest possessions. Here is why one must lead a simple life:

Get Closer to Family

Recognize Your True self

When you stop looking for more and more things to gratify yourself and spend time with yourself you finally begin to recognize who you truly are.

Sense of Control

Lower Stress Level

Balanced Life

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 4 (500 words)

People who Adopted the Golden Principle of Simple Living and High Thinking

Mahatma gandhi.

Abraham Lincoln

Ways to Lead a Simple Life

Identify difference between your needs and wants.

Focus on Inner Peace

Don’t Do Things to Impress Others

You are not born to impress others. Your life will not get any better if you continue to look for ways to impress other people. Your life will be fulfilling when you focus on yourself and not others.

Help Others

Instead of spending lavishly to show off you should indulge in charity. This does not mean you have to donate a huge sum each month. Do whatever little you can to help the poor and needy.

Just relax, meditate and let go of all the negative thoughts in your mind. Your mind must focus on the positives in life.

Simple Living High Thinking Essay 5 (600 words)

Simple living high thinking a common proverb used to emphasise the significance of leading a simple life and having high thinking. If each one of us leads such a life, the world would become a much better place.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Life Exemplifies Simple Living High Thinking

Mahatma Gandhi is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind when we hear the proverb – Simple Living High Thinking. Popularly known as Bapu, this great man led an extremely simple life. He was highly educated and could have easily got a high paying job. He could have lived in a lavish bungalow and driven expensive cars. However, he chose to live in a hut. He wore the simplest of attires, a dhoti and ate simple food. While his materialistic needs were limited his vision broad. He was a man of high thinking. He dedicated his life to the nation.

Why are People unable to Practice Simple Living High Thinking?

The world has literally become a place to show off. Leading a simple life and thinking high is a concept that you can rarely see in anyone anymore. People are extremely busy showcasing how happy, wealthy and full of life they are. While earlier they used to throw parties, invite people over and buy new things to impress those around with the advent of social media the quest to impress others has reached a whole new level. People visit exotic locations, go out for lavish dinners, party with friends, buy new stuff and all this uploaded on the social media within no time. Rather than enjoying the moment, people have now become more interested in showing others as to how cool their life is. And the definition of cool is far from simple.

Those who indulge in such activities regularly are known to have a happening life and everyone wants to befriend them and go out with them. On the other hand, those who do not stay active considered rather dull and boring. No one likes being around such people. So showing off and talking highly of oneself has actually become the need of the hour. No one wants to live a simple life. Simple actually considered as boring. Thinking high beyond question as people so engrossed in impressing others that they don’t understand that real happiness lies in finding our real selves and helping those around find the same.

Someone who tries to defy these new formed norms of the society considered anti-social or just plain dull and boring. Those who do not keep abreast with this new lifestyle are often left alone. Even if someone cannot afford lavish dinners and doesn’t have a cool gang of friends and leads a simple life, he also tries to impress people by uploading fake pictures and posts on the social media.

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What is the Meaning of Simple Living, High Thinking?
Simple Living High Thinking
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What is the Meaning of Simple Living, High Thinking?
High thinking could mean taking a macro or long-term view of your life. "High thinking" like "high level" (an overview, not in the weeds, etc) "High thinking" sounds a bit elitist. I would take it to mean "focused thinking" (prioritized, disciplined, above the noise, etc) "Highly aware" is probably better. Personally, when I ...
Simple Living & High Thinking
High thinking means in life, not in only words. This is the simplest definition of spirituality.". This phrase, "simple living and high thinking," captures the essence of life for Usha di and the other sisters living in this community. For these women, there is ultimately no separation between their thinking and living: the seamlessness ...
Essay On Simple Living High Thinking
Short Essay on Simple Living High Thinking 200 Words. Find below a 200-word short essay on a simple living high thinking lifestyle for students of Classes 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. The lifestyle of simple living high thinking is not an easy one to achieve. But if you want peace of mind, a sense of purpose and direction in life, then this is the way to go.
Simple Living High Thinking
Meaning. The proverb 'simple living high thinking' promotes simplicity of life and high thoughts in morale and in conduct. It teaches us to adopt a simplistic approach towards our standard of living. We shouldn't be trying to display our opulence and materialistic possessions everywhere and to everyone; rather we should be more concerned ...
Remembering Srila Prabhupada
Simple living and high thinking It had been evident from ISKCON's earliest days that Srila Prabhupada desired to establish farming communities. In his seven-point charter drawn up in 1966, Prabhupada mentioned how he wanted the movement "to demonstrate a simple, more natural, way of life". Such a life (and Srila Prabhupada thought of the villages of India, where people lived just as Krsna ...
Simple Living and High Thinking
The rooms were simple and austere. "Yes, we are trying to set a perfect example according to the Bhagavad-gita as it is, how to execute simple living and high thinking. We are not interested in any material comforts of life which are limited and temporary. We are interested in solving the real problems of life, birth, death, old-age, and disease.
Simple Living High Thinking
Gandhi: Simple Living, High Thinking. On January 30, 1948 I was a student of class six in a remote village in Odisha. A few months before, the national flag was hoisted in our school by Headmaster ...
Simple Living, High Thinking
Simple Living, High Thinking. Hindu spirituality has been largely nurtured in a rural setting, and scripture recommends a simple life, free from unnecessary complication. Varnashrama-dharma is closely associated with an agrarian culture, which fosters a mood of dependence on God. According to theologians, the village demonstrates the influence ...
Simple Living, High Thinking
Simple Living, High Thinking. Simplicity has a beauty of its own. The art of simple living is a forgotten art. There once was a time when leading a relaxed life was the norm. Life used to be the same for generations. The peasant's son would be a peasant and a blacksmith's son a blacksmith. Talent in profession was often inherited and hence ...
Simple Living, High Thinking
High thinking is beyond self-interest, beyond ego, beyond materialistic thinks and concentrating on altruism, humanism and for the betterment and well-being of the society. People like Mother Teresa who dedicated their whole lives for the upliftment of the downtrodden and spent their whole lives in nothing but a home spun saree and wanted no ...
What is simple living and high thinking?
High thinking is that which terminates itself. The mind is like this room. The mind, the walls of the mind are the walls of experience, the walls of past, it's a very limited space, it's not an open sky. The mind knows only this much. The entire existence is there, open, but the mind knows only this much. And within this wall is the entire ...
Essay on Simple Living High Thinking
Simple living high thinking is a common proverb used to emphasise the significance of leading a simple life and having high thinking. If each one of us leads such a life, the world would become a much better place. Mahatma Gandhi's Life Exemplifies Simple Living High Thinking. Mahatma Gandhi is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind ...
Simple Living and High Thinking: A Pathway to Fulfillment
5691. The philosophy of simple living and high thinking advocates dedicating one's life to the pursuit of knowledge and cultural enrichment rather than fixating on a high standard of material possessions. Embracing a simple life implies minimizing the acquisition of material wealth, recognizing the transient nature of material possessions.
Simple living, high thinking
Simple living-high thinking leads one on the path to happiness. Many people define simple living as a highly complex process. An antithesis of sorts, since the very essence of simple living is to ...
Simple living and high thinking
The simple principle to adopt is 'simple living and high thinking'. One of the teachings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is "simplicity is part of faith".
Debate on Simple Living High Thinking
Worthy chairperson, Honourable Judges and my dear students Today I, Malini, stand before you to speak for the motion, 'Simple Living High Thinking: A Mantra of Healthy Living'. As modern times dawned, people changed their ways of living. As newer inventions kept making their lives easier and easier, people became materialistic. They gave up simple […]
Simple Living High Ideas
In many of his speeches and writings, he had mentioned that one should lead a simple and even rewarding life. Some even attribute the origin of the phrase to the Indian guru and yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), who said "Simple living and high thoughts should be your goal. ... Simple living high thinking has always been the ...
Simple Living and High Thinking
There are other examples too, and a lot of them in human history, to prove the theory of simple living and high thinking. Guru Nanak, Kabir, and Vinoba Bhave are other examples of this mode of life. These personalities led unsophisticated lives, yet they became the idols of the people as philosophers, poets and leaders.
Essay on "Simple Living and High Thinking" Complete ...
Simple Living and High Thinking. Essay No. 01. Great men f the world has always preached that simple living and high thinking should be the golden principle of life. All great saints like Mahatma Gandhi, Guru Nanak and Buddha etc. who attained spiritual greatness and shook the world by their intellectual thinking are examples of this principle.
Simple living and high thinking
Simple living and high thinking. The lives of all the great men and women have been a source of inspiration for every generation of people. One can learn so much from their thoughts and actions. The foremost aspect of their lives which can be brought into practice in our daily lives is the act of simple living.
10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking for Students and Children in
Set 2 - 10 Lines On Simple Living Higher Thinking for School Students. Set 2 is helpful for students of Classes 6, 7 and 8. A simple life can be achieved by being content with what one has. A higher thought process involves breaking free of those boundaries in mind for creating a broader view. Simple living will revolve around living humbly.
Speech on simple living high thinking
Simple Living: High Thinking. Good morning everyone present. I feel immensely privileged to have got the opportunity to express my views on 'Simple Living: High Thinking'. Longfellow says, 'In character, in manners, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.'. Simplicity is a great virtue ─ more talked than practiced!
Essay on Simple Living High Thinking for Students
Simple Living High Thinking Essay 1 (200 words) Simple living and high thinking go hand in hand. Only those who believe in living a simple life can think high and do great deeds in life. Those who prefer living lavishly only think about fulfilling their own desires one after the other and there is no end to it.

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10 Lines on Simple Living Higher Thinking for Students and Children in English

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Essay on Simple Living High Thinking for Students

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Simple Living High Thinking Essay 1 (200 words)

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Simple Living High Thinking Essay 3 (400 words)

Why must one lead a Simple Life?

Get Closer to Family

Recognize Your True self

Sense of Control

Lower Stress Level

Balanced Life