We seem to think that simplicity is merely an outward expression, a withdrawal: having few possessions, wearing a loincloth, having no home, putting on few clothes, having a small bank account. Surely that is not simplicity. That is merely an outward show. It seems to me that simplicity is essential; but simplicity can come into being only when we begin to understand the significance of self-knowledge. 

我們似乎認為簡單只是一種外在的表現(xiàn)、一種內(nèi)斂低調(diào)：擁有極少、裹纏腰布、漂泊無家、衣著簡樸、存款微薄。顯然，那并不是簡單，那只是一種外在的表演。在我看來，簡單是必要的；但只有當我們開始明白認識自我的意義，才能簡單。

Simplicity is not merely adjustment to a pattern. It requires a great deal of intelligence to be simple and not merely conform to a particular pattern, however worthy outwardly. Unfortunately most of us begin by being simple externally, in outward things. It is comparatively easy to have few things and to be satisfied with few things; to be content with little and perhaps to share that little with others. But a mere outward expression of simplicity in things, in possessions, surely does not imply the simplicity of inward being. 

簡單不是適應一種模式就好了。簡單需要大智慧，可不是遵循某種特殊的模式、按部就班那么簡單，模式再有價值都是沒用的。很不幸，我們大多數(shù)人的簡單都始于外表，都在外在的事情上做文章。擁有很少的東西，滿足于很少的東西，安于清貧，也許還與別人分享自己的那一點點東西，要做到這樣是相對容易的。但在外在的物質(zhì)上簡單，顯然并不代表內(nèi)心狀態(tài)也簡單。

Because, as the world is at present, more and more things are being urged upon us, outwardly, externally. Life is becoming more and more complex. In order to escape from that, we try to renounce or be detached from things - from cars, from houses, from organizations, from cinemas, and from the innumerable circumstances outwardly thrust upon us. 

因為如今的這個世界，外在有越來越多的東西在催迫著我們。生活變得越來越復雜。為了逃開那一切，我們竭力放棄或脫離物質(zhì)上的東西——脫離汽車、房子、組織、電影，脫離無數(shù)外部強加給我們的境遇。

We think we shall be simple by withdrawing. A great many saints, a great many teachers, have renounced the world; and it seems to me that such a renunciation on the part of any of us does not solve the problem. Simplicity which is fundamental, real, can only come into being inwardly; and from that there is an outward expression. How to be simple, then, is the problem; because that simplicity makes one more and more sensitive. A sensitive mind, a sensitive heart, is essential, for then it is capable of quick perception, quick reception. 

我們以為避世隱退就可以簡單。很多圣人、很多導師棄世隱退，但在我看來，這種棄世對我們?nèi)魏稳硕远冀鉀Q不了問題。本質(zhì)的簡單，真正的簡單，只能在內(nèi)心產(chǎn)生；從內(nèi)心開始，再有外在的表現(xiàn)。那么，要怎樣簡單，這是個問題；因為那樣的簡單會讓人越來越敏感。一個敏感的頭腦、一顆敏感的心靈是必要的，因為只有那時你才能敏于感知、敏于接納。

One can be inwardly simple, surely, only by understanding the innumerable impediments, attachments, fears, in which one is held. But most of us like to be held - by people, by possessions, by ideas. We like to be prisoners. Inwardly we are prisoners, though outwardly we seem to be very simple. Inwardly we are prisoners to our desires, to our wants, to our ideals, to innumerable motivations. Simplicity cannot be found unless one is free inwardly. Therefore it must begin inwardly, not outwardly. 

顯然，只有了解束縛著我們的無數(shù)障礙、執(zhí)著和恐懼，內(nèi)心才能簡單。然而我們大多數(shù)人都喜歡被束縛——被人、被財產(chǎn)、被觀念所束縛。我們喜歡做囚徒。雖然外表看起來我們可能很簡單，但內(nèi)心卻是囚徒。在內(nèi)心，我們是欲望的囚徒，是需要的囚徒，是理想的囚徒，是無數(shù)動機的囚徒。除非我們內(nèi)心自由，否則是找不到簡單的。因此，我們必須從內(nèi)心開始，而不是在外部下工夫。

The First and Last Freedom, 'Simplicity'

《最初和最終的自由》之“簡單”