The Minimalist Manifesto

What do I mean when I say “minimalism”? Obviously I am speaking of something outside of the definitions used to describe schools of art or music - but at the same time, I am speaking of something that is linked to them, to the philosophy behind them.
I am speaking of minimalism as a philosophy - [...]

By Jon

What do I mean when I say “minimalism”? Obviously I am speaking of something outside of the definitions used to describe schools of art or music - but at the same time, I am speaking of something that is linked to them, to the philosophy behind them.

I am speaking of minimalism as a philosophy - minimalism as voluntary restriction of stimuli, much like the sparse palettes and soundscapes that the word is more often linked to. Minimalism dissuades dissipation and councils concentration.

Minimalism is not the philosophy of the least amount possible. It is the philosophy of only those things which truly interest and excite us. It is not a philosophy of saying no to things, but of saying yes to those things that matter.

By ‘minimalism’ I do not mean that one should spend less time doing things or more time doing nothing, but that one should do less things, in order to do more fully those things that remain; those things that are important.

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2 Comments »

Comment by Sheila S. Conrands
2007-04-02 20:30:48

A young man wanted me to find a patron saint for him. One of his ideas was minimalism. After reading your manifesto (which I love) I believe that most of the saints were minimalists, as you interpret it. This doesn’t help my search but does excite my theological mind.

Peace

Comment by Jon
2007-04-03 09:55:20

It does seem that most of the holy men of almost every religion practiced some version of minimalism. Perhaps that has something to do with their drive to concentrate their lives on non-corporeal things. That would definitely correspond to the idea of minimalism as I see it.

 
 
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