What is “Voluntary Simplicity”?
Photo by Miguel Salmeron/Getty Images
In 1936, Richard Gregg, a student of Gandhi’s teaching, defined voluntary simplicity as involving “both inner and outer condition. It means singleness of purpose, sincerity and honesty within, as well as avoidance of exterior clutter, of many possessions irrelevant to the chief purpose of life. It means an ordering an guiding of our energy and our desires, a partial restraint in some directions in order to secure abundance of life in other directions. It involves a deliberate organization of life for a purpose.”
According to Duane Elgin, author of Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich, voluntary simplicity is not about impoverished living, turning away from progress, rural living, or denial of beauty. He quotes Mahatma Gandhi, who denounced a blind denial of the material side of life. Gandhi said, “As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, you should keep it. If you were to give it up in a mood of self-sacrifice or out of a stern sense of duty, you would continue to want it back, and that unsatisfied want would make trouble for you. Only give up a thing when you want some other condition so much that the thing no longer has any attraction for you.”
Though there is “no single ‘right and true’ way to live more ecologically and more compassionately,” Elgin goes on to say, those who choose a simple life:
- Tend to invest the time and energy freed up by simpler living in activities with their partner, children, and friends (walking, making music together, sharing a meal, camping, etc.), or volunteering to help others, or getting involved in civic affairs to improve the life of the community.
- Tend to work on developing the full spectrum of their potentials: physical (running, biking, hiking, etc.), emotional (learning the skills of intimacy and sharing feelings in important relationships), mental (engaging in lifelong learning by reading, taking classes etc.), and spiritual (learning to move through life with a quiet mind and compassionate heart).
- Tend to feel an intimate connection with the earth and a reverential concern for nature. In knowing that the ecology of the earth is a part of our extended “body,” people tend to act in ways that express great care for its well-being.
- Tend to feel a compassionate concern for the world’s poor; a simpler life fosters a sense of kinship with people around the world and thus a concern for social justice and equity in the use of the world’s resources.
- Tend to lower their overall level of personal consumption—buy less clothing (with more attention to what is functional durable, aesthetic, and less concern with passing fads, fashions, and seasonal styles), buy less jewelry and other forms of personal ornamentation, buy fewer cosmetic products and observe holidays in a less commercialized manner.
- Tend to alter their patterns of consumption in favor of products that are durable, easy to repair, nonpolluting in their manufacture and use, energy-efficient, functional, and aesthetic.
- Tend to shift their diet away from highly processed foods, meat, and sugar toward foods that are more natural, healthy, simple, and appropriate for sustaining the inhabitants of a small planet.
- Tend to reduce undue clutter and complexity in their personal lives by giving away or selling those possessions that are seldom used and could be used productively by others (clothing, books, furniture, appliances, tools, etc.)
- Tend to use their consumption politically by boycotting goods and services of companies whose actions or policies they consider unethical.
- Tend to recycle metal, glass, and paper and to cut back on consumption of items that are wasteful of nonrenewable resources.
- Tend to pursue a livelihood that directly contributes to the well-being of the world and enables a person to use more fully his or her creative capacities in ways that are fulfilling.
- Tend to develop personal skills that contribute to greater self-reliance and reduce dependent upon experts to handle life’s ordinary demands (for example, basic carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, gardening, crafts, etc.).
- Tend to change transportation modes in favor of public transit, car pooling, smaller and more fuel-efficient autos, living closer to work, riding a bike, and walking.
Etc.
Adelin said,
August 9, 2006 at 7:00 am
I highly recommend picking up “The Name of my Beloved” (the Sikh Guru Granth, translated by one of my former professors, Nikky Singh) — Sikh philosophy is about living harmoniously with the universe, while turning one’s back to aesthetics and pleasure. That’s a simplification of course, but do pick up the book — it’s beautiful poetry.
Adelin said,
August 9, 2006 at 7:01 am
Oops — that should be “while NOT turning one’s back”… Sorry!
Liz said,
August 9, 2006 at 8:57 am
Yep, yep, yep. Etc. :)
I may have chosen to live rurally, but that’s because I’ve always been a country mouse (ever since spending so much time on my grandparents farm when I was young). I do not feel impoverished, even though my life lacks what many see as “necessities”. It’s possible to live a very good, fulfilling life without all the excess.
Christine said,
August 9, 2006 at 9:08 am
Lately I’ve been struggling with this idea. I feel my life is really cluttered, and I want to simplify, but the usual, easy answers to moving toward greater simplicity don’t seem to work for me. I don’t drive, I don’t buy hi-tech gadgets, I’m vegetarian, I don’t buy my clothes new, I live in a small space with another person, I don’t watch TV, when I do buy new it’s usually eco-friendly. I’ve cut back on my yarn consumption, but other than that, I’m stumped. Any suggestions?
Gina said,
August 9, 2006 at 10:48 am
I struggle with this as well. There is the tug of war that happens on so many levels. I want to be fashionable, but I don’t want to keep supporting big box retailers. I need to learn to sew and refashion. But there’s the question of how else to simply. I knit and bead, so I have a fair amount of supplies, and restricting my purchases to 1) great sale or 2) for specific projects that will be started in the near future is a good idea, but what about books, papers, etc. i’ve pared down my book collection such that any further would not be pleasant. I also struggle with getting my family on board. We live in an area that demands a car just to run out for milk. I hate it, but I seek to offset that. Biking or walking along country roads and state highways without shoulders, sidewalks or bike paths is not something I can do. And yet, I fantasize about just tossing it all out and starting fresh.
Laurie said,
August 9, 2006 at 11:58 am
Jasmin, thank you for this post.
I’m not sure that struggling is the answer. I think that you’ll be happier if you make one small change at a time, and let the things you can’t control go. For example, my husband. We’ve been married 19 years, and we have very different views on v.s. Witness his jetski in the driveway. I can’t bring him around, but I can see that I have had some influence on his life simply by how I live mine. Also, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try to find more ways to simplify, but Christine, you seem to be in a good place. At some point, you find peace at the level you are at, and if more ways come to you that will balance your life, then incorporate them. That’s what I’ve been doing for 20 years, and it has worked well for me.
heather said,
August 9, 2006 at 12:36 pm
what a great post. I had read this book 10 years ago right after college, as a way to “start things off right”, but it looks like a very good time to revisit it - thanks for the reminder.
Alotta Errata said,
August 9, 2006 at 2:32 pm
This post is spot on, and sums up how I have been feeling lately so well.
As a product designer I spent years in school studying trends, fashion, technology, manufacturing, and how to make the next cool, hot seller. I also minored in anthropology and soon had conflicting interests. I love design, art, innovation. I wish for a simple honest life, where I can live uncluttered mentally and physically. I’ve started making changes in my lifestyle. some are easy. some are hard. The most difficult has been my love of cheap clothing. I would often shop the clearance rack at old navy and pick up a few new shirts here or there, and then one day I just though about what that $5 tee shirt really was, what went into it. I made a promise to myself that 1) I will buy less clothing. 2) I will shop first at thrift stores and 2) for a special treat I will quality pieces from companies that support sweat-shop free labor or use organic and sustainable methods and materials or all of the above.
I choose organic free trade coffee instead of the other stuff. i bring my own bags to the store. all stores. I recycle everything I can. These changes aren’t hard but they feel so good.
Now I’m working on changing my life direction. I’m going back to school to study sociology and take some courses on environmental education. Hopefully these new skills mixed with my design education will help me to create some positive social change.
The Worsted Witch » The Golden Rule said,
August 9, 2006 at 4:01 pm
[...] Reading Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich by Duane Elgin, it occurred to me that voluntary simplicity isn’t some newfangled hippie-dippy metaphysical fad. It has deep roots running through the annals of recorded history, especially the religious quarters, from Christianity to Hinduism. But somewhere in the dark woods, the children lost their way. [...]
The Worsted Witch » Simplicity and Consumption said,
August 13, 2006 at 9:16 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. What is “Voluntary Simplicity”? 2. The Golden Rule [...]
The Worsted Witch » Simplicity and Consumption said,
August 13, 2006 at 9:16 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. What is “Voluntary Simplicity”? 2. The Golden Rule [...]
Cricket said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:38 pm
I have been trying to move my life to one that is “outwardly simple, inwardly rich” and it is one of the things that lead me to create my blog. As an American, I live in a throw away world, while other people are starving and without essentials. I try to keep the world in mind when I make a purchase, but I also think very consciously “Do I love this?” and “Will this add value to my life?” Sometimes the answer is yes. But many times the answer is no and when I actually contemplate why I might be wanting to buy something, I realize the hole I am trying to fill needs something else.
Great post…I will be borrowing this book from my public library.
The Worsted Witch » Voluntary Simplicity/Frugality Online Resources said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:01 am
[...] Related articles: 1. What is “Voluntary Simplicity”? 2. The Golden Rule 3. Simplicity and Consumption [...]
The Worsted Witch » Free Fun For Kids said,
October 7, 2006 at 9:18 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. What is “Voluntary Simplicity”? 2. The Golden Rule 3. Simplicity and Consumption 4. Voluntary Simplicity/Frugality Online Resources [...]
The Worsted Witch » World Overshoot Day said,
October 16, 2006 at 11:08 pm
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Elroy Jetson said,
December 8, 2006 at 9:42 pm
I have been researching voluntary simplicity for a while now. Looking past the stereo types is difficult. I blogged about a great definition that really clears things up for me today (http://www.elroyjetson.org). This is the quote I found so profound:
“Frugality is living with less of what money can buy. Voluntary simplicity is wanting less.”
You don’t have to take a vow of poverty but simply change your lifestyle to want more of the things that enrich life and less of things that just add property to your life which ultimately leads to a cycle of work, purchase, payoff, more work. None of that add value to your life.
[a} said,
January 9, 2007 at 5:18 pm
so glad i found this article. as a muslim i like to relate things like this to my own religion, and this entire philosophy fits in perfectly. just…simplicity. i like that. it’s inspired me to be braver and just get rid of the overload.
dibnah said,
January 26, 2007 at 4:32 am
Just omit the things which you know you do not need leave behind the perception of other people and just live in the simplist way.
I often thought that this was a new idea but I bought a book from a charity shop the other day called “Walden; or life in the woods” by Henry Thoreau written in 1845. He talks about voluntary simplicity and getting back to a simpler way of life.
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
The Worsted Witch » Money Quotes said,
February 22, 2007 at 10:49 am
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The Worsted Witch » Shanna Murray’s Two Trees said,
May 2, 2007 at 2:58 pm
[...] Murray’s work is the embodiment of her philosophy; she infuses the organic and recycled materials she uses with the bliss and fullness of spirit that comes with living simply. Her Etsy shop is a revolving exhibit that changes every month. May’s theme is “To Market,” which makes me think of cobblestone paths, cyclists, and quaint French villages far from the madding crowd. Of skirts fluttering softly in the breeze. And freshly baked loaves emerging row after row from a brick oven. [...]
The Worsted Witch » Money Quotes said,
June 8, 2007 at 2:04 am
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