More from V's email

"For me, voluntary simplicity is living consciously, trying to eliminate
the unnecessary, the superficial clutter. It is trying to live morally
and ethically in the global economy by using less.""I think that voluntary simplicity as living on purpose, making sure I have the time to do the things I want to do, not wishing my time away."
"I think voluntary simplicity is being true to yourself, true to the
environment. It's finding that place for every facet of my life anddefining how much is enough. For me it is spiritual."
"It's choosing to enhance one's life by surrounding yourself with what really brings you fulfillment. It is defining my own standard of successand prosperity, community and fun."
"Voluntary simplicity is balancing the realities of my life (limited economics, time and energy) with my values and implementing them into a lifestyle that is comfortable and rewarding. I think voluntary simplicity is an "art of living."
I believe it is an art to live, to be true toyourself and to be open to innovation."
An in-depth discussion and clarification of the term "Voluntary Simplicity" by Philip Slater.
All personal solutions to wealth addiction involve one form or another ofwhat has come to be called Voluntary Simplicity. This doesn't not necessarily mean going "back to nature" and does not mean living in poverty and discomfort, although some people may elect forms of simplicity that would be highly uncomfortable for the rest of us.
Above all, it does not mean forcing yourself to give up something you really enjoy, out of some pious conviction that it's the "right thing to do."
Voluntary Simplicity merely means trying to rid one's life as much as possible of material clutter so as to concentrate on more important things: creativity, human survival and development, community well-being,play.
The key word in Voluntary Simplicity is "voluntary," which means that thegiving up of the material clutter is not coerced either from the outsideor from the inside.
As Andre Vanden Broeck observers, only those who have experienced affluence are in a position to have a "choice divorced from need."
The poor aren't in a position to make such a choice-they are stuck with a scarcity that is neither simple nor voluntary. Nor is Voluntary Simplicity coerced from within, for to deprive yourself out of some ideological conviction is merely to feed the Ego Mafia.
Theword "simplicity" may have overtones that arouse our suspicions: a vaguely puritan ring, conjuring up images of drab smocks, self-righteousness and flagellation. But if this is in the spirit in which Voluntary Simplicity is embraced the result will most certainly be noxious.
There is an old Zen story about two monks traveling together who encounter a nude woman trying to cross a stream.
One of them carries her across, much to the consternation of the other.
They continue in silence for a couple of hours until the second monk can stand it no longer.
"How," he asks "could you expose yourself to such temptation?"
The first monk replies, "I put her down two hours ago. You're still carrying her."
Addiction is internal; if you experiment sincerely with Voluntary Simplicity and find yourself still thinking of money and possessions,your simplicity is a fraud and you might just as well go back to pursuing wealth until you've had your fill of it.
To achieve its goal, Voluntary simplicity must be undertaken in the spirit, not of Puritanism or self-flagellation, but out of adventure.
All adventurers throughout history have, after all, been people who abandoned comforts, possessions, love and security to seek new experiences in faraway places.
Richard Gregg, who coined the term in 1936, once complained to Gandhithat while he had no trouble giving up most things, he could not let goof his books.
Gandhi told he shouldn't try: "As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, you should keep it." He pointed out that if you give things up out of a sense of duty or self-sacrifice they continue to preoccupy you and clutter your mind.
To talk of "denying oneself" is to use the language of despotism. Simplicity is an affirmation, not a denial of oneself. End of quote