|
~ Articles & Essays ~
What is Voluntary Simplicity? by Linda Breen Pierce
Recipe for Simplicity by Linda Breen Pierce
~ Organizations & Activities ~
Alternatives for Simple Living is a non-profit organization that equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly.
Mindful Canada is an on-line resource organization for Voluntary Simplicity in Canada.
Seeds of Simplicity is a national, non-profit membership organization for the general public centered on voluntary simplicity. It sponsors the Simplicity Circles Project, directed by Cecile Andrews, author of Circle of Simplicity.
The Simple Living Network is a comprehensive web site featuring simplicity-related news and events, a free newsletter including articles and columns by well-known authors, a database of simplicity study groups, and links to other simplicity-friendly web sites. You can purchase many books and other simplicity-related publications from this web site.
~ Magazines & Newsletters ~
Simple Living Oasis, a quarterly journal edited by Janet Luhrs, author of The Simple Living Guide, offers tips, tools, and inspiration to those who want to live simply. is a newsletter featuring tips on simple living, letters from readers who share their experiences, book reviews and more.
~ Book Summaries ~
Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic by John de Graaf, David Wann, Thomas H. Naylor (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2001). Explores the personal, social, economic, and environmental costs of overconsumption in North America. Suggests strategies for rebuilding families and communities, respecting the earth, and restoring personal health and sanity in a world suffering from excess.
Graceful Simplicity: Toward a Philosophy and Politics of Simple Living by Jerome M. Segal (New York: Henry Holt, 1999). Philosopher and political activist contends that the grass roots, self-help approach to simple living is inadequate to effectuate lasting changes in our culture. Proposes political and social changes to our cultural and financial institutions.
A Reasonable Life: Toward a Simpler, Secure, More Humane Existence by Ferenc Maté (Pflugerville, TX: Albatross Publishing, 2nd edition, 2000). Presents a compelling, witty, radical and passionate diatribe on the state of American society, with corresponding suggestions on how to turn our world back right-side-up.
The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American Culture by David E. Shi (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, Reprinted 2001). Comprehensive historical review of various simplicity movements from the 17th to 20th centuries, written by scholar and researcher of intellectual history.
The Simple Living Guide: A Sourcebook for Less Stressful, More Joyful Living by Janet Luhrs (New York: Broadway Books, 1997). Comprehensive guide on various aspects of simple living, including time, money, inner simplicity, work, simple pleasures and romance, virtues, families, holidays, cooking and nutrition, health and exercise, housing, clutter, gardening and travel.
Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective by Michael Schut, editor (Denver, CO: Living the Good News, 1999). Diversified collection of essays written by experts in the simplicity movement offers excellent overview of the principles of voluntary simplicity.
Simplicity: Notes, Stories and Exercises for Developing Unimaginable Wealth by Mark A. Burch (Gabriola Island, B.C.: New Society Publishers, 1995). Explores the spiritual nature of voluntary simplicity, mindfulness, direct personal involvement in everyday living, ecological issues such as reducing waste and consumption, sustainable development, and greater equitable distribution of the world's wealth and resources.
Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter by Elaine St. James (New York: Hyperion, 1994). Classic popular bestseller offering practical tips on simplifying in the areas of career, household, health, social, finance, and personal affairs.
The Value of Voluntary Simplicity by Richard Gregg (Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill, 1936). Philosophical essay on the need and benefits of living more simply. Still relevant for the 21st century. Author coined term "voluntary simplicity."
Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich by Duane Elgin (New York: Quill, Revised 1993). Classic seminal text for the modern voluntary simplicity movement. Discusses implications of voluntary simplicity from individual and societal/global points of view.
To order any of these books from The Simple Living Network, click here
|