Timeless Simplicity

Creative Living in a Consumer Society

By John Lane, Clifford Harper

Green Books Ltd

Copyright © 2009 John Lane
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-903998-00-7

Contents

Introduction,
Chapter One Why Voluntary Simplicity?,
Chapter Two A Short History of Simplicity,
Chapter Three Obstacles to Simplicity,
Chapter Four Laying the Foundations for a Simpler Lifestyle,
Chapter Five The Gifts of Simplicity,
Chapter Six The Sacred Arts of Life,
Chapter Seven Conclusion,
References and Notes,
Recommended Reading,

CHAPTER 1

Why Voluntary Simplicity?

Always bear this in mind, that very little indeed is necessary for living a happy life. MARCUS AURELIUS

Frugality, we must remember, is to be conceived not as harsh austerity or poverty but an elegant frugality, as doing more with less. HENRYK SKOLIMOWSKI

The friends who had so often spent evenings with us in our London slum soon found their way here, and the house was often full at weekends. David would go to the station to meet them, and I would stay behind to finish a batch of cakes. Philip and I would hear the train run and in a few minutes we would see David and our friends coming up the lane that was a short cut to the station. Then I would whip off my apron and Philip’s overall, take the cakes out of the oven, put on the kettle and spread the cloth on the kitchen table — for we had meals there — and be just in time to meet them at the gate. I looked forwards to these times, and the extra work they made was richly rewarded by the talks and walks and the friendly way in which everyone accepted our simple way of living. … These were great days, and other days too there were when David was happy and eager and would take Philip on his shoulders, and I carrying the lunch, we would go to Thurnam Castle on top of the Downs, or to some lovely spot along the Pilgrim’s Way. There we would spend the day, Philip playing in the grass and sleeping when he was tired; David reading to me, or going off for a little walk by himself — while I sewed — returning with something for Philip — a rare orchid, or a large striped Roman snail shell, or a piece of strangely shaped flint. Then down again in the evening and back to Rose Acre which after such a day of sweet contentment would look welcoming and homely. HELEN THOMAS

Man falls from the pursuit of the ideal of plain living and high thinking the moment he wants to multiply his daily wants. Man’s happiness really lies in contentment. MAHATMA GANDHI

The attraction of simplicity is mysterious because it draws us in a completely opposite direction from where most of the world seems to be going: away from conspicuous display, accumulation, egoism and public visibility — toward a life more silent, humble, transparent, than anything known to the extroverted culture of consumption. MARK A. BIRCH

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE to live less cluttered, hectic and complicated lives? And what does the subject of this book, voluntary simplicity, actually mean? This chapter seeks to answer these questions both in terms of the quest for greater personal contentment and the continuous violation of life on Earth by a feelingless utilitarianism. For the sake of clarity, I have divided the chapter into two sections, but they are, of course, inseparable. What is good for the world will be good for us.

THE QUEST FOR PERSONAL CONTENTMENT

A good way of looking at simplicity might be a consideration of the standard against which accomplishment is mea

Why do some people choose to live less cluttered, hectic and complicated lives? And what does the subject of this book, voluntary simplicity, actually mean? This chapter seeks to answer these questions both in terms of the quest for greater personal contentment and the continuous violation of life on Earth by a feelingless utilitarianism. For the sake of clarity, I have divided the chapter into two sections, but they are, of course, inseparable. What is good for the world will be good for us.

THE QUEST FOR PERSONAL CONTENTMENT
A good way of looking at simplicity might be a consideration of the standard against which accomplishment is measured in our society.

In a capitalist society, money is generally considered the primary measure of value. This is because the maximization of returns on financial capital is one of its defining objectives. Competition, individualism and material consumption are therefore nurtured as favoured cultural norms. Levels of income, stock prices and the gross domestic product (GDP) have thus become the measure of progress and success. Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that each day more than two trillion dollars are moved around the world in search of quick profits. London’s tallest building is no longer a cathedral, but a commercial enterprise.

In our money-based culture, everyone needs to make use of money as the primary means of exchange and in order to purchase life’s necessities: shelter, clothing, food. But after the bare necessities have been purchased, what else is required? Three holidays a year? A swimming pool in the garden? A second home in the south of France? A new kitchen and a more luxurious car? Where do you, my reader, stand along this spectrum of needs and wants? If your responses are weighted towards the enjoyment of affluence, then this book may have little relevance for you. You enjoy a generous salary, good food, freedom of action, exotic holidays – why change what already provides so much pleasure? But if you are dissatisfied with your current life, feeling that you are missing out from something that you cannot yet define, and are looking for greater contentment, then what I am calling ‘living simply’ may yet hold an attraction for you.