Voluntary Simplicity

Live simply so that others may simply live.
—Gandhi

Our current economic system is dependent upon mass consumption. The entire advertising industry is geared towards convincing people to desire things regardless of actual need. Items are intentionally designed to break and/or become obsolete so that we'll buy new ones. Our earth's resources are depleted to make more and more (that ends up in landfills) and workers are paid less and less for each item produced. We work more, have more, but enjoy less.

Imagine a world where people are paid fair wages to create long-lasting, high-quality items that become family heirlooms. Imagine a spiritual life with more meaning, fewer things. Imagine us in right relationship with the Earth and her sacred gifts.

Resources

Voluntary Simplicity
From the Northwest Earth Institute, a five-session discussion course book for the workplace, community or faith center, university or home. This course addresses the distractions of modern society that keep us from caring for ourselves, our relationships, and our environment.