CHAPTER 22. BENEFITS OF PRACTICING AUSTERITY (ಸಂಯಮ)

from our upcoming book Our Secret Book of Benefits

Wearing simplest footwear, reusing the oil cans for making liquid compost, doing all tasks by sitting on the floor, doing as many things as possible with hands, using metal buckets, bowls, baskets instead of plastic and so on goes the list of many many steps that have tremendously simplified our life.

Human life is full of suffering due to the cultural & social demands on individuals.

One needs to adhere to a minimum set of these demands like learning, earning, working, wearing clothing, maintaining documents, respecting others views & safety, and so on. This needs a tremendous effort in itself.

I have realized this decades ago through studying Philosophy and through life experiences. Hence, I chose to keep my desires and wants, especially meaningless ones, in strict limits.

Austere lifestyle (or Austerity) means the condition of living without unnecessary things and without comfort, with limited money or goods, or a practice, habit, or experience that is typical of this.

Austerity is a Virtue.

An austerity lifestyle is characterized by frugality, self-denial, and a focus on essential needs. It often involves:

Minimalism: Owning few possessions and prioritizing experiences over material goods.
Reduced Consumption: Cutting back on non-essential spending, such as dining out, entertainment, trips, ornaments, unnecessary gadgets, and luxury items.
Efficient Resource Use: Conserving energy, water, and other resources.
DIY and Repair: Fixing things instead of replacing them, and learning to do things yourself.
Prioritizing Needs Over Wants: Focusing on essential needs like food, shelter, and healthcare, while minimizing non-essential expenses.
Community Engagement: Participating in community activities, sharing resources and knowledge with others, and engaging in activities that don't require significant financial investment.

Austerity lifestyles can be motivated by various factors, including environmental concerns, financial constraints, or a desire for simplicity and self-sufficiency.

As a family, we have been living a life of austerity. It has many benefits like:

Reduced Financial Stress: By cutting back on unnecessary spending, our financial burdens reduced. We don't have any loans from many years. We are able to save decently.
Increased Financial Security: Austerity measures provide a greater sense of financial security and stability, especially in uncertain economic times.
Reduced Environmental Impact: By consuming less, we reduced our carbon footprint and minimize our impact on the environment.
Increased Appreciation for Possessions: As we own fewer possessions, we value, make full use of and appreciate every item.
Focus on Experiences: An austerity lifestyle shifted our focus from material possessions to experiences, which lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.
Improved Health: Reduced consumption of processed foods and increased physical activity (such as gardening) lead to improved physical health.
Reduced Consumerism: By challenging consumer culture, we cultivated a more mindful and intentional relationship with our possessions and consumption habits.
Increased Self-Sufficiency: Learning to grow our own food, repair our own belongings, and live more independently increased self-sufficiency and reduced our reliance on external systems.

It's important to note that the benefits of an austerity lifestyle are subjective and may vary depending on individual circumstances and priorities.

If its not simple, it will break down soon.

****