“DanShaRi”: Having Less for a More Enriching Life

We should re-examine the relationship between objects and humans, and we should refuse and discard unwanted or unnecessary items. Through repetitive practice, we can forego the attachments to our material belongings and liberate our spirit so that we can live a relaxed and comfortable life. Japanese author Ms. Hideko Yamashita explains and guides us through these areas in her book “DanShaRi.” Practicing DanShaRi is very simple: just give away your unused items. The real significance of discarding them is to ensure that we are the main focus, rather than our possessions. Ms. Hideko Yamashita believes that all our possessions were lent to us from the gods and the Earth. While we own our possessions, we can enjoy and cherish their precious ephemeral usage. Once our affinity ends, we should simply let them go and we can do this with all things. This is the main theme of DanShaRi.