Marie Kondo: Tidying Houses, Hearts and Minds, Part 1 of 2

A key question that Ms. Kondo is known for asking is “Does it spark joy?” This question is used to help people decide whether to keep items or discard them. This unique question has a fascinating background story. When she was 15 years of age, Marie Kondo thought tidying up meant discarding things. But she recalls that one day she passed out while tidying, and as she regained consciousness heard a voice telling her, “Look at the items carefully and closely.” She then realized that as she looked at the items she was discarding, they seemed to glow. This was a pivotal moment when Ms. Kondo shifted her focus from discarding possessions to having reasons for keeping them. “And then when you do have items that you decide to give up, you’re supposed to thank them and tell them, ‘Thank you for what you’ve done for me,’ and just let them go.”

She explains the purpose of this activity as follows: “The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude and bidding them farewell is really about examining your inner self, a rite of passage to a new life.”

Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) has previously reminded us to have a spirit of gratitude for the items we use. “Just remember whatever you can, the connection with your Divine Self. With the greater Divine of all divinities. Always try to remember. When you eat, you thank God. When you drink, you thank God. […] […] So, everything we do here, everything we have here, it should be a reminder of our gratitude toward the whole universe, for all the comfort, for all the creations that bless us, help us, sacrifice for us every day.”

Next, the focus shifts to organizing, and the KonMari Method has some great techniques that help with this process. One technique involves folding clothes with a mindful approach. This procedure gives us the opportunity to connect with garments and thank them for their support and protection, and is expressed through a loving gesture while folding. “The key here is to send love, through your palms.”