Note: This article is an excerpt reprinted with permission of the publisher from Simple Living in History: Pioneers of the Deep Future, a collection of essays profiling key historical figures whose lives served as examples of living simply. Bible references are to the New International Version (NIV) -- Ed. A clear theme throughout Jesus’ ministry was the conflict between … [Read more...]
In yourself right now is the only place you’ve got
Most of my friends in the environmental community and the Transition movement are big fans of the value of interdependence. They'd surely agree with President Obama when he recently said, "if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own...The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things … [Read more...]
Beyond capitalism with a human face: a radically simple way
Ted Trainer is one of the wisest, boldest, and most dedicated advocates of The Simpler Way. In 2010 he published a book called, The Transition to a Sustainable and Just World, and I have to say that it is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. If you only have time to read one more book in your life, consider reading this one. It speaks directly to our global … [Read more...]
The house that freedom built
Let's say you want to resign from the rat race, unplug from the Matrix and start living in harmony with nature. Where to begin? The quest for freedom can start with buying less stuff, getting out of debt or learning to meet more of your own needs yourself. But for many, the path away from consumerism is blocked by the brick wall of a mortgage. All too often making the … [Read more...]
Voluntary poverty — it could save your life, but what a hard sell
Poverty is finding middle class families these days these days through unemployment, bankruptcy and home foreclosure, whether they like it or not. And mostly, they don't like it. But John Michael Greer, author of this year's The Wealth of Nature: Economics as if Survival Mattered and several previous books on surviving peak oil, suggests that those who haven't found poverty … [Read more...]