[...] decent review of Voluntary Simplicity, by Duane [...]

For those looking for an intellectually stimulating book, I recommend Thorstein Veblen’s “Theory of the Leisure Class”, or even Stanley and Danko’s “The Millionnaire Next Door”.

For those looking for a book with excellent heating value but not much else going for it, I recommend “Voluntary Simplicity”.

[...] few months ago, J.D. wrote an interesting review of Voluntary Simplicity, a book dedicated to living a stress-free life. What I found most interesting was not the review, [...]

[...] in many personal finance blogs.  JD at Get Rich Slowly indicated this to be one of his goals in a book review he had of Voluntary Simplicity. The Simple Dollar reflect Trent’s quest for simplicity in it’s [...]

I REALLY appreciate your comments. I have been presumptive in combining biophilia and GAIA as concepts. I can appreciate the difference, and recognize that “balance” is not “natural”.

How wonderful for you to have worked with E.O. Wilson. It is ironic that his work has become the basis of much business theory these days (see Peter Senge, Joseph Bragdon, etc.). I am a personal believer that biophilia is a real lever for moving people toward more sustainable living. As it pertains to this (great!) blog, sustainable living and good personal finance go hand in hand.

2, the best “Simple Living” book I’ve read is Elaine St James’ Simply your Life. She’s obviously a Boomer in many assumptions (we all got rich in the 80s?! Not!) but it’s short and (mostly) practical. Of course, this is also a comment on the Simple Living books I’ve looked through. Yes, that includes Voluntary Simplicity, which like you, I wanted to like and didn’t.

Some of the concrete things from St James that I’ve implemented are: Live close to where you work. Skip the newspaper delivery. Cancel magazine subscriptions, or at least only have the ones you actually read. Skip the gym membership, throw out the dusty equipment, and go for a walk. (I live in the temperate northwet. St James notes that if you live where it’s 110 or -40 regularly, then a treadmill may be more simple.) Always buy the same sort of sock. (I now have black and white, but still, it’s easier to find socks now than when I had 1 pair of red, 1 of purple, 1 of green, 1 of fucshia, 1 of yellow…) Then there’s the wardrobe / grooming section that’s mostly for women: With clothes, pick a uniform “look” with limited colors. Skip the purse; take what fits in your pocket. (I did this for years, but between the ipod & the inhaler I started carrying a purse again.) Skip the nail polish. Try washing your face with just water for a week. This will let you find out if you really need cleanser, astringent, moisturizer, night cream, eye cream, et cetera. (I itch like mad without moisturizer – but I don’t need the rest.) This is all from memory – I am definitely paraphrasing and may be off.

DC Portland, I’m familiar with Lovelock’s GAIA hypothesis, and find it intriguing, but don’t know how I feel about the concept of “superorganisms”. (My own term for organisms comprising millions of much smaller organisms.) I know that one could argue that’s all human beings are, but… I love this concept in science fiction, but as an actuality? I don’t know. I’m still chewing on this…

Victorian Librarian, because I was raised for a time as a Mennonite, and because that’s where my roots are, I’m very intrigued by Living More with Less. I look forward to reading it…

I’ll confess that I have not read this book. However, I thought perhaps I could assist you with the “universe as a living organism” concept. By setting the context as the Universe, perhaps Elgin pushed it a little too far. However, personal and heartfelt recognition that the Earth is a living organism is an important piece of our transformation to a sustainable society, in order to achieve long term survival.

If you have not done so already, please check into Edward O. Wilson’s “biophilia hypothesis”. It seems strikingly true to me, and likely will to you as well. In fact, some of the leading organizational theorists in business are preaching biophilia as a force through which business organizations can make themselves more sustainable in their business practices. This is done by playing to the biophilic instincts of their employees.

From E.O. Wilson; “were there no evidence for biophilia at all, the hypothesis of its existence would still be compelled by pure evolutionary logic. The reason is that human history began hundreds of thousands of years ago with the origin of the genus Homo. For more than 99 percent of human history people have lived together in hunter-gatherer bands totally and intimately involved with other organisms. Although this distant kinship is not part of the ordinary person’s consciousness, it is deeply embedded in our vital systems, including our hearts. The brain evolved in a biocentric world, not a machine-regulated world”.

[...] Rich Slowly personal finance that makes cents « Book Review: Voluntary Simplicity | [...]

I’ve never heard of Elgin or voluntary simplicity and I’ve not read his book but I do know that, based on the review here, the same knowledge (stated simply and in much less words) can be found with the likes of Lau-tzu, Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, and more…

I suggest completely bypassing the financial section and walk directly to the philosophy section in the bookstore…

I’ve been looking forward to this book review. I’m also interested in vs (almost-postulant Franciscan tertiary) and periodically read books by people in/around the movement. So far, I haven’t found many that I like.

Maybe I’m looking for too much of a how-to, but I already have philosophical/religious reasons, so unless I feel the need to strengthen my commitment or guilt myself, there’s little points to such books.

Like you, I don’t think this book looks particularly useful. Maybe I’ll read the first chapter sometime at the library.

To me, the keys to voluntary simplicity are 1) reducing the number and complexity of your possessions (including “home improvements” that require a lot of attention and maintenance, such as hot tubs and swimming pools) and 2) reducing or at least focusing your commitments. The more of your time you commit to others, the more fragmented your life is and the more complex it becomes. The more possessions you have, the more time you spend maintaining them.

I don’t think simplicity is tied to income or Eastern philosophy. You can work a 70-hour week in a high-stress job with a six- or seven-figure salary and still have a relatively simple life. It really boils down to focus. The more you spread yourself thin with possessions and commitments, the more complex your life feels. The more focused you are, the more manageable and simple it feels.

Personally, I don’t mind a certain degree of complexity; I find it energizing and motivating even if it’s stressful. But I live a pretty simple life, mainly by keeping possessions and commitments at bay. I’ve gotten really good at saying no, because I want to preserve my time for myself and the things I’m most interested in.

Anyway, it is obviously *his* idea of greater purpose and fulfillment.

Reminds me of that Mennonite book from a LONG time ago, whose title escapes me at the moment.

That is obviously *her* idea of greater purpose and fulfillment.