Via Negativa: The art of minimalism

[CreamCat]

• https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/via-negativa-adding-to-your-life-by-subtracting/
  • Eliminating obvious downsides like bad habits and debt will provide a good life; eliminating good things so you can focus on the very best will lead to a truly flourishing life.
• https://medium.com/the-exofiles/live-a-ruthless-via-negativa-c92002cfc280

Those are good articles on minimalism and improving one's life by avoiding doing stupid stuff.

Nassim Taleb also said on his facebook account

Quote

The entire idea of *via negativa* is that *omission* [avoidance of harm, removal of drugs, corn syrup, cigarettes, gluten, carbs (by fasting), gym instructors, tail risks, etc.] does not have side effects and branching chains of unintended consequences -hence robust. But big corporations [evil pharma, pepsi] and consultants cannot make money from removing; they only benefit from adding.

 

Edited January 28, 2019 by CreamCat

[Leo Gura]

Via Negativa is not minimalism. It is the path to God through total self-negation, AKA Neti Neti method.

This should not be confused with material minimalism.

[Jkris]

@Leo GuraYesterday i saw your video on Neti-Neti. I am not thoughts sensations feelings but how can i negate the feeling of the waking state or existence? The sense of me or i feeling or identity which is present with in this feeling of existence can be negated but not the feeling of existence or being concious. 

I don't know how to put it in words correctly. Pls clarify. 

Thank you. 

 

[Leo Gura]

1 hour ago, Jkris said:

but not the feeling of existence or being concious.

Right. Because that is the True Self!

The point of Neti Neti is to negate everything but the one thing which cannot be negated: existence/consciousness itself.

That emptiness is your true nature. It's what you were before your body/personality was born.

So now just sit and quietly observe that existence/consciousness. But make sure you aren't getting attached to any kind of forms or images of it. Images of it are not it. You must be it directly, without thought or image.

Watch my newer video: How To Do Self-Inquiry

[Rilles]

24 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

newer video

speaking of which

[CreamCat]

2 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Via Negativa is not minimalism. It is the path to God through total self-negation, AKA Neti Neti method.

This should not be confused with material minimalism.

Right, that's the original meaning. Nassim Taleb and his followers gave it a second meaning.

Quote

Via negativa can also be used to describe a similarly “negative” way of improving one’s life; instead of concentrating on what you do, the focus turns to what you don’t do. This path has two main thrusts: stripping bad habits and situations out of your life, and avoiding bad habits/situations in the first place.

This overlaps with (lifestyle) minimalism.

Edited January 28, 2019 by CreamCat

[RichardY]

Quote

Via negativa can also be used to describe a similarly “negative” way of improving one’s life; instead of concentrating on what you do, the focus turns to what you don’t do. This path has two main thrusts: stripping bad habits and situations out of your life, and avoiding bad habits/situations in the first place.

 

[Jkris]

@Leo Gura Thank you ?