Poverty is involuntary and debilitating, whereas simplicity is voluntary and enabling. Poverty is mean and degrading to the human spirit, whereas a life of conscious simplicity can have both a beauty and a functional integrity that elevates the human spirit. Involuntary poverty generates a sense of helplessness, passivity, and despair, whereas purposeful simplicity fosters a sense of personal empowerment, creative engagement, and opportunity.Sages living in ancient China weren't the only humans to alight on the concepts of balance, humility and simplicity. Throughout the ages, different people in different locales have written and philosophized on these notions. In other words, Taoism is not an end; it is more a means or a framework for synthesizing ideas such as this.
~ from Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich by Duane Elgin ~
I have just begun reading the above cited book and I really like what I've read thus far. It deals with many of the concepts utilized in Taoist philosophy without referencing Taoism at all.
I'm confident I will be sharing more quotes from this book in the days to come.
In looking at the above passage, how would our world be different today IF government leaders and society at large emphasized voluntary simplicity over poverty?
"Vows of poverty" are taken by those joining certain Catholic orders.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of people who have made a lot of money in touting the simplicity movement. I'm wondering what the economy would look like if government and society emphasized voluntary simplicity.
I look forward to more from the book.
ReplyDeleteIt is not for business and government to propose the simple life but for us to just do it and benefit all.