It is important for us to understand the difference between necessity and luxury.
Through this understanding, we are empowered by the knowledge of what we can live with and without.
With this vital truth held deep within our hearts, we become capable of fully appreciating all of the excess in our lives for what it is.
It is neither good nor bad, but it is also not necessary for our survival.
We could, if we had to, live with a lot less.
This does not mean that necessity, alone, should be our goal, however.
Less is not an ideal.
Only having that which is necessary, with no hope or desire for more, is an existence without hope.
Hope is, in fact, necessary.
Less of what does not matter and more of what does is the goal.
A life full of joy and meaning is the goal.
Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.
Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.*
*Robert Van Valkenburgh’s black and white photography can be seen at My Darkness To Light
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