Embracing Simplicity: A Gift of Awareness

Decluttering the mind and the path of subtraction.

Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D.

Key points

• The human mind has a natural inclination to interpret, analyze, judge, and imagine things.
• The thinking mind constructs narratives and projects into the future, rather than being in the present moment.
• Meditation helps us simplify our thoughts by letting go of unnecessary mental clutter.
• In a culture that glorifies complexity and busyness, embracing simplicity can feel almost radical.

In today's fast-paced society, where complexity often holds sway, achieving simplicity may appear difficult. We frequently find ourselves ensnared in webs of thoughts, stories, and assessments that obscure our grasp of the present moment. However, according to Andrew Olendzki in his piece "Keep It Simple," we can untangle these intricacies through a mindful practice of awareness.

Papanca: The Mind’s Habit of Overcomplicating

The human mind is naturally inclined to complicate things, a concept known as papanca in Buddhist teachings. This occurs when we take a simple sensation or thought and layer it with interpretation, meaning, and judgment, often without realizing it. This can lead us to construct narratives, project into the future, or anchor in the past instead of simply experiencing the present moment.

Consider a time when you felt a hint of discomfort or sadness. The initial feeling may have been brief, but your mind likely began creating a story: "Why do I feel this way?" "What's wrong with me?" "This always happens." Suddenly, a simple moment of awareness turns into a series of self-referential thoughts that cause more suffering. It's no surprise that many of us feel mentally drained by the end of each day.

Returning to Awareness: The Path of Subtraction

Meditation helps us simplify our thoughts by letting go of unnecessary mental clutter. By practicing mindfulness, we can peel away layers of mental elaboration and reach a state of simple, unadorned awareness. This awareness is a natural state that we encounter when we let go of unnecessary thoughts. When we sit quietly and focus on our breath, our minds may distract us with thoughts like "Am I doing this right?" or "My back hurts." However, we can recognize these distractions with practice and gently return to our breath. Gradually, we begin to notice the space between our thoughts, where we can simply be aware without needing to add or analyze anything.

The Six Doors of Perception: Beyond the Mind’s Narratives

One of the Buddha’s teachings, which Olendzki references, is that consciousness can be experienced through six modes or “doors”—sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought. However, we often allow the thinking mind to dominate, barely noticing the richness of sensory experiences available to us. When was the last time you truly tasted your food without distraction? Or fully listen to the sound of a bird’s call without labeling or interpreting it?

Practicing mindfulness of the body or senses can disrupt the mind’s obsession with thought and allow us to experience the world directly through the other five doors. For instance, instead of letting the mind run on autopilot during a walk, try focusing entirely on the sensation of each step or the feeling of the wind on your skin. Doing so not only calms the mind but also opens up a vivid sensory world often obscured by mental chatter.

Simplicity and Its Radical Implications

As we delve deeper into our awareness practice, we may discover a profound simplicity. In this state, thoughts and sensory experiences flow freely, unadorned by the mind’s habitual grasping and aversion. In this simplicity, there is no sense of ownership or self-identification. The breath is just the breath. A sound is just a sound. Even the thought, “I am aware,” loses its hold, revealing awareness itself as a free-floating, impersonal event.

Olendzki advises against making this experience overly mystical. It’s not some transcendent state or cosmic truth; it’s simply what’s left when we strip away our mental proliferation. This kind of simplicity is inherently fragile, contingent on countless conditions, and vulnerable to disruption at any moment. But that’s precisely what makes it a gift.

In a culture that glorifies complexity and busyness, embracing simplicity can feel almost radical. Yet, by returning to this unadorned awareness—by allowing ourselves to experience each moment as it is, free from the weight of our stories and judgments—we can reconnect with a sense of peace and clarity that lies at the heart of being human.

So, how can we cultivate this gift of awareness in our everyday lives? We don’t need elaborate rituals or complicated techniques. Instead, start by noticing the space between thoughts, the moments of stillness in a busy day. Practice being fully present with your breath, the sensations in your body, or the sound of a passing car. Remember, the beauty of this awareness is in its simplicity.