march :oo8 i i v v v o s i 1 i v v ,o

12th
A N N I V E R S A R Y S P E C I A L
journey ~ DCOR
"Perfection is not when nothing more
can be added, but when nothing more
can be taken away.
Antoine de St. Exupery
A
sculptor would well understand
the words above; a peeling off of
the various layers that get accumu-
lated, in order to reach the core.
The same principle could also be
applied to ones environment. At
the macro level, it is already hap-
pening. With human evolution
and technological advancements,
objects have started getting smaller
much more fits into a lesser space
than before. The video cassette
has made way for the DVD, the
audio CD for the MP3, the music
system for the iPOD, the old TV
for the swanky flat screen one, the
list goes on
At the micro level, one could do it
in ones home, bedroom, or just a
drawer in ones cupboard. And, at a
subtle level, one could work on the
thoughts in ones head.
I have recently discovered the joy of
clearing sadhana. What a sadhana it is
to clear onesroom/cupboards/draw-
ers on a regular basis. I choose one
shelf or drawer, focus on each item,
question the validity of its existence,
and then decide whether to eject it
unceremoniously, or to leave it there.
It is quite a surprise to realise there
is so much one truly doesnt need,
simply because one has not
used/worn it for a long period of
time. But, of course, the wily ego
gets defensive and thinks of innu-
merable excuses to hoard, keep and
simply not let go of what are per-
ceived as prized possessions, till it is
overcome by reason, logic, and,
finally, detachment. After the first
battle is won, and one such posses-
sion is dispensed with (especially if
it is valuable), the successive ones
become easier and quicker victories.
What comes first? A de-cluttering
of the mind, and then sparse, clean
surroundings? Or is it the other
way around? It really doesnt matter
clearing clutter could be the reflec-
tion of a pristine state of mind, or
it could be the path to an unclut-
tered mind. As above, so below; as
within, so without. The end result
is the same the fewer the objects
in consciousness, the more the
space the fewer the forms, the
more the formless. Look out for
people whose homes have clean,
zen-like interiors. They are the ones
you want as your friends.
By constantly giving away what
we dont need, we provide space
for new objects to come into our
lives. Objects which have real
meaning; not something that has
crept in like an unwanted guest.
And whats more, these new objects
more accurately represent who we
are today than those we bought a
few years ago. So, a new evolving
you gets reflected in your surround-
ings when you take out the old and
bring in the new.
Take a fresh look at those 20 shirts
in your cupboard. Surely there are
some you like more than others?
Some you are more comfortable in
because they are more you? Dont
keep what you dont really like, but
retain only because you had paid a
lot for it, or because someone had
gifted it to you. Give it away to your
building watchman and make his
day! And, how many watches do you
actually have? How many do you
Clearing sadhana
A dekko at Gautam Sachdevas spruce, cluttterfree room
P
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M
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BY GAUTAM SACHDEVA