You can learn all about the Pythagorean cup in this Wikipedia entry.
Like many other events in my life there has been synchronicity here too. On Tuesday night, my friend Koushik who features in so many such synchronicities, exchanged ideas with me about Aparigraha as a way of life. Lo and behold, just a few minutes later another friend Arun sent me the image that features on top showing the Pythagorean cup.
Let me quote a sentence from the Wikipedia entry; “The virtue of aparigraha means taking what is truly necessary and no more.” Is it not strange that the same concept seems to have worked on the mind of Pythagoras?
Further Wikipedia also quotes Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras;
Yoga Sutra’s sutra 2.39 states,
अपरिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथंतासंबोधः ॥३९॥
With constancy of aparigraha, a spiritual illumination of the how and why of motives and birth emerges. (39)
— Patanjali, Yoga Sutra 2.39
The symbol of this cup should also apply to the modern fad of Minimalism.
The Universe is sending me a big message. I am hearing it loud and clear.
My grannie had a jug which when full would spill its contents all over your feet …. if you held it in the wrong way… or maybe if you didn’t hold it in the correct manner.
We have an adage in Tamil that says that the contents of a full vessel will not create waves in the vessel. Meaning like empty drums make the noise.
you and i have lived minimalism for a long time sean.
have you also noticed that there is no effort involved? you quickly grow to not even have to make decisions about ‘things.’ you don’t want things for the sake of having things.
you use what you need. that is all. it’s the most life-freeing way to live! why people fear it and look strangely upon it i can’t fathom. it’s simple. and free of stress.
and according to the ancients mentioned here… it’s also wise!
aparigraha is a wonderful way of life. i enjoyed the link. as always.
i’m hoping minimalism in the capitalist culture of America is not just a trend or a fad.
hopefully it will become a way of life. but i won’t hold my breath over it.
still… as we decimate more and more of our rain forests i’m thinking it might be our only hope on this planet.
tammy j recently posted..moving on old bean
Not to worry Tammy. Before that happens, the two of us will be dancing the tango up where there are no problems.
That cup is brilliant! 🙂
Andy and I have a lot of “things” we use in our projects, so it’s about experiences, not the things themselves.
Cheerful Monk recently posted..Authentic Trump
That is a very interesting distinction that you make there Monk. Very interesting indeed.