Why Less is More

"Less is more." - Mies van der Rohe

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1886-1969) was a German-American architect who is regarded as one of the pioneering masters of Modern architecture. His style was marked by great clarity and simplicity. And he did not say "Less is a bore," but the paradoxical aphorism "Less is more." Whether it makes sense, and how, depends on interpretation.

In the collation of articles that ends with this page, the Mies aphorism sums up much in a way. So let us talk about why and how less homeopathy "is more", shall we?

The "skin and bones" architecture of Mies is called "the rational approach". If you want to erect a building called "homeopathic theory and practice" - in short, "homeopathy" - and take up the motto of Mies above, try to discard what is useless and stick to the basics, if you find any. Applied to homeopathic theory, the well substantiated findings may be few and far between, and the rest - about ninety-nine percent - carry not much weight to the scientific community.

Adjust your hopes or faith in homeopathy sensibly, for your own good., as homeopathy is "a shady business". I should know. I've practised it.

On our walks through life, the guidance of Buddha against conform belief may help:

Ma anussavena. Do not believe something just because it has been passed along and retold for many generations.

Ma paramparaya. Do not believe something merely because it has become a traditional practice.

Ma itikiraya. Do not believe something simply because it is common opinion.

Ma Pitakasampadanena. Do not believe something just because it is cited in a text.

Ma takkahetu. Do not be [mis]led by [insensible] logic.

Ma nayahetu. Do not believe something merely because it accords with your [id-grounded, cherished] views.

Ma akaraparivitakkena. Do not believe something by considering only outward appearance.

Ma ditthinijjhanakkhantiya. Do not believe something just because you like the idea, led by preconceived notions (and the theory thereby reflected as an approval)

Ma bhabbarupataya. Do not believe something because the speaker seems trustworthy, or what seems acceptable; do not be led by what some seeming believable one says.

Ma samano no garu ti. Do not believe something thinking, "This is what our teacher says". [Do not be led (blindly) by what your teacher tells you is so.]

Buddha finally says that what to go for is well tested, wholesome, praised by the wise and lead to well-being, prosperity and happiness. A result of such a long-range endeavour is "good, sane and sensible conformity", by the way. [More]

Buddha' teachings are fit for science-minded persons, and in harmony with the proverb "Seeing is believing". By less blind, unverified belief, and fewer such beliefs, we may arrive at something better - which is "more" - more fit for living. It is to be hoped. A little bit of hope won't harm you. And if it helps or cures you, it could be just fit - Buddha advocates a provisional faith in his set-up way of life. The sensible "try and see" approach is found in our homeopathy too.

If you take away the masks of homeopathy - the meaningless jargon, misleading concepts and dogmatic theory without good evidence - you may arrive at "skin and bones" to build from. To build a sensible, grounded homeopathic theory and practice - that is a challenge.

The truth: What we have to build that healing discipline on, may be very little - less than "good homeopaths" may want to admit at first. One reason why: their career has been based on the inherited ways and thinking of homeopathy, and to change one's pet beliefs, set career, and status is not an easy thing to do, and to learn new skills for making a living may take much time and cost much too.