3 Simple Life Principles

 3 Simple Life Principles

Experts everywhere

“This is bad for you.” 

“That’s unhealthy.”

“Workout this way.”

“Don’t sleep that way.”

Everyone on the internet, and around us seems to be handing out rules for living a healthy, better, fruitful life.

So much that, it becomes confusing what exactly do and what not to do.

There is a counter to everything that is suggested and an alternative to everything that is rejected.

This excessive messaging, feels overwhelming at times.

And in all this, we forget to ask the real questions

“Will it make me happy?”

“Will it bring peace?”

Wisdom from Science & Spirituality

I am no doctor, no dietician, no psychologist.

I am just a spiritual seeker, who asks “Why?” before I accept or reject anything.

My inner journey led me to understanding how energy moves through us - our body, our mind, our intellect.

Science tells us,

Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. 

It can only be transformed from one form to another.

(Law of Conservation of Energy)

And Bhagavad Geetā too tells us the same thing about our true self - Soul - it is eternal, untouched by death or decay and moves from one body to another.

As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death, the soul casts off its worn-out body and enters a new one.

Weapons cannot shred the soul, nor can fire burn it. Water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it.

Understanding the internal mechanism

While science does not define the soul, from a spiritual lens, the soul too can be seen as pure, unchanging energy—a perspective that helped me bridge these two worlds.

Soul is eternal - does not change or modify.

It cannot be created or destroyed.

It moves from one body to another (after death).

This eternal energy, the soul, manifests and interacts with the world through its vessels: our body, mind, and intellect.

The Body: Receives energy (food, water, air) and it releases through physical effort, bodily waste and perspiration. If this energy isn't properly transformed and released, it stagnates, creating a physical void of vitality that manifests as sluggishness or restlessness.

The Mind: Constantly receives energetic input from the senses, and release it by way of thoughts, imaginations and desires. When the mind relentlessly seeks external stimulation or pleasure, this creates imbalanced energy output, leading to a chaotic stream of desires and a mental 'void' for peace.

The Intellect: Draws energy from stored memory, and releases through developing understanding and decision making. Unnecessary thinking, often driven by seeking control or dwelling on perceived lacks, inefficiently expends this intellectual energy, creating a 'void' of clarity and objective understanding.

3 Simple Life Principles

Building on this understanding, I realised a profound truth: creation itself is built on dualities – the same energy, but in opposite expressions. 

When we seek happiness, we inadvertently create a space, a 'void,' for sorrow. When we chase pleasure, we set the stage for unpleasant emotions. 

True peace, I realised, comes not from seeking one extreme, but from managing our internal energy flow to prevent these disruptive voids and maintain a harmonious balance.

1. Physical Energy Balance

• Consistent Movement: It is extremely important to include a regular physical activity in your daily schedule. Whether it's a brisk walk, running, yoga, or a sport, consistent movement helps release pent-up physical energy and improves overall vitality. This isn't about achieving a fitness goal, but about energy expenditure and circulation.
• Conscious Nourishment: Pay attention to what you consume. Food is a primary source of energy. Choose nourishing foods that provide sustained energy rather than quick bursts and crashes. A Sattvik diet is very effective in managing efficient energy flow.
• Adequate Rest: Sleep and rest are when the body repairs and recharges. Prioritise quality sleep to ensure your physical energy reserves are optimally replenished.
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2. Emotional Energy Balance

This is where the concept of "voids" often manifests most strongly. Releasing emotional energy constructively prevents it from accumulating and causing distress.

• Creative Expression: Engaging in creative pursuits like writing, painting, music, dancing, or even gardening, provides a healthy outlet for emotional energy. It allows for the transformation of inner states into tangible forms.
• Mindful Meditation: Sit quietly and observe your thoughts without getting involved in them. This trains the mind to witness emotions and thoughts as transient phenomena, reducing their grip on you.
• Nature Connection: Spending time in nature can be incredibly grounding and help dissipate emotional intensity.
• Conscious Breathing: Simple deep breathing exercises can immediately impact emotional states by calming the nervous system.

3. Intellectual Energy Balance

This involves conscious engagement with your thoughts and decision-making processes, distinguishing between intellectual activity and reactive emotional thinking.

• Regular Reflection: Dedicate 5-10 minutes in your daily schedule to review your day.
• Identify Triggers: What situations or thoughts led to strong emotions?
• Analyse Responses: Were your reactions automatic, emotionally driven, or a result of conscious, rational thought?
• Learn and Adapt: This isn't about self-criticism, but about understanding your patterns. Over time, this practice allows you to make more intentional choices rather than being swept away by impulses.
• Engage in Learning: Continuously challenging your intellect with new information, problem-solving, or engaging in meaningful discussions keeps intellectual energy flowing productively.
• Limit Unnecessary Mental Clutter: Just as physical clutter can drain energy, excessive mental consumption (e.g., constant news consumption, excessive social media scrolling) can create intellectual "noise" without true engagement. Be discerning about what you allow into your mental space.

The body, mind and intellect are part of the Pancha Kosha - the 5 sheaths which veil the soul.

I have covered more details on the 5 sheaths - body, senses, mind, intellect & subconscious, and suggested some practices to uncover each, in my blog on Pancha Kosha series. 

For a deeper understanding of how each layer functions, you can read:

https://practicalgyaan09.blogspot.com/2025/06/journey-within.html

The practices I suggest are based on various scriptures, guidance of multiple spiritual gurus and my understanding developed basis my practice from these learnings.

I noticed that these simple practices not just improved my energy, but also brought a subtle shift in how I approached the day—less scattered, more centred.

Keep Life Simple

Finally, what works for others, may not always work for you.

We are all unique and hence our journeys, experiences and learnings will be unique too.

Instead of blindly following an advice, use it to carve a unique path for yourself. It is deeply satisfying, enriching and brings peace.

So, ask yourself today—Is my body active? Is my mind calm? Is my intellect clear? These three questions can guide your day.

But remember, objective is not to complicate life. But live it simply.