Publisher Description

Consume less and celebrate more for inner peace and ecological integrity.Consumerism drives the pursuit of happiness in much of the world, yet as wealth grows unhappiness abounds, compounded by the grave problems of climate change, pollution, and ecological degradation. We've now reached both an environmental and spiritual dead-end that leaves us crying out for alternatives.Elegant Simplicity provides a coherent philosophy of life that weaves together simplicity of material life, thought, and spirit. In it, Satish Kumar, environmental thought leader and former monk, distills five decades of reflection and wisdom into a guide for everyone, covering:

• The ecological and spiritual principles of living simply
  
• Shedding both 'stuff' and psychological baggage
  
• Opening your mind and heart to the deep value of relationships
  
• Embedding simplicity in all aspects of life including education and work
  
• Merging science and spirituality for a coherent world-view

Elegant Simplicity is a life guide for everyone wanting off the relentless treadmill of competition and consumption and seeking a life that prioritises the ecological integrity of the Earth, social equity, and personal tranquility and happiness.

Back Cover

Satish Kumar embodies the elegance of simplicity...follow his path to make your life simple, elegant, and inspiring. - DEEPAK CHOPRA, author, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Weaving vivid stories and lucid wisdom teachings, gentle yet direct, this book is a magnificent embodiment of its title. - CHARLES EISENSTEIN, author, The More Beautiful World Our Heart Knows is Possible Elegant Simplicity provides a coherent philosophy of life that weaves together simplicity of material life, thought, and spirit. In it, Satish Kumar distills five decades of reflection and wisdom into a guide for everyone, covering: The ecological and spiritual principles of living simply Shedding both "stuff" and psychological baggage Opening your mind and heart to the deep value of relationships Embedding simplicity in all aspects of life Merging science and spirituality for a coherent worldview. Elegant Simplicity is for anyone wanting off the relentless treadmill of competition and consumption, and is instead seeking a life that prioritizes the ecological integrity of the Earth, social equity, and personal tranquility and happiness. In a time of lavish consumerism, loneliness, and alienation, Kumar's message is an uplifting gift that is a welcome antidote. - DAVID SUZUKI, award-winning geneticist, author, broadcaster, and environmental activist Satish Kumar shows that solutions to the big problems of our time lie in thinking and living with elegant simplicity. - VANDANA SHIVA, activist and author, Earth Democracy and Who Really Feeds the World Satish Kumar is long-time peace and environment activist and former Jain monk. Editor of Resurgence magazine from 1973-2016, he founded Devon's Schumacher College, and has authored several books and presented the BBC documentary Earth Pilgrim. He lives in Devon, UK.

Flap

Satish Kumar embodies the elegance of simplicity...follow his path to make your life simple, elegant, and inspiring. - DEEPAK CHOPRA, author, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Weaving vivid stories and lucid wisdom teachings, gentle yet direct, this book is a magnificent embodiment of its title. - CHARLES EISENSTEIN, author, The More Beautiful World Our Heart Knows is Possible Elegant Simplicity provides a coherent philosophy of life that weaves together simplicity of material life, thought, and spirit. In it, Satish Kumar distills five decades of reflection and wisdom into a guide for everyone, covering: The ecological and spiritual principles of living simply Shedding both "stuff" and psychological baggage Opening your mind and heart to the deep value of relationships Embedding simplicity in all aspects of life Merging science and spirituality for a coherent worldview. Elegant Simplicity is for anyone wanting off the relentless treadmill of competition and consumption, and is instead seeking a life that prioritizes the ecological integrity of the Earth, social equity, and personal tranquility and happiness. In a time of lavish consumerism, loneliness, and alienation, Kumar's message is an uplifting gift that is a welcome antidote. - DAVID SUZUKI, award-winning geneticist, author, broadcaster, and environmental activist Satish Kumar shows that solutions to the big problems of our time lie in thinking and living with elegant simplicity. - VANDANA SHIVA, activist and author, Earth Democracy and Who Really Feeds the World Satish Kumar is long-time peace and environment activist and former Jain monk. Editor of Resurgence magazine from 1973-2016, he founded Devon's Schumacher College, and has authored several books and presented the BBC documentary Earth Pilgrim. He lives in Devon, UK.

Author Biography

Satish Kumar, long-time peace and environment activist and former monk, has been quietly setting the global agenda of change for over 50 years. He settled in the United Kingdom after an 8,000-mile peace pilgrimage and took the editorial helm of Resurgence magazine in 1973, a post he held until 2016. Over the decades he has been the guiding spirit behind a number of internationally respected ecological and educational ventures including founding Devon's Schumacher College, authoring several books, and presented the documentary Earth Pilgrim. Satish was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Plymouth, an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from the University of Lancaster, and the Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Abroad. He appears regularly in the media, is on the Advisory Board of Our Future Planet, and he continues to teach and run workshops as a sought-after speaker in the UK and abroad. He lives in Devon, UK.

Table of Contents

Gratitude and Thanks
Foreword by Fritjof CapraPreface: Let's Be Simple
1. My Story: Beginnings
2. Simplicity of Walking
3. Life Is a Pilgrimage
4. Elegant Simplicity
5. A Society of Artists
6. Yoga of Action
7. Learning and Living
8. Right Relationships: We Are All Related
9. Love Unlimited
10. Power of Forgiveness
11. Dance of Opposites
12. Deep Seeing
13. Union of Science and Spirituality
14. Soil, Soul, and Society About the Author
A Note About the Publisher

Promotional

Consume less and celebrate more for inner peace and ecological integrity

Long Description

Consume less and celebrate more for inner peace and ecological integrity. Consumerism drives the pursuit of happiness in much of the world, yet as wealth grows unhappiness abounds, compounded by the grave problems of climate change, pollution, and ecological degradation. We've now reached both an environmental and spiritual dead-end that leaves us crying out for alternatives. Elegant Simplicity provides a coherent philosophy of life that weaves together simplicity of material life, thought, and spirit. In it, Satish Kumar, environmental thought leader and former monk, distills five decades of reflection and wisdom into a guide for everyone, covering: The ecological and spiritual principles of living simply Shedding both 'stuff' and psychological baggage Opening your mind and heart to the deep value of relationships Embedding simplicity in all aspects of life including education and work Merging science and spirituality for a coherent world-view Elegant Simplicity is a life guide for everyone wanting off the relentless treadmill of competition and consumption and seeking a life that prioritises the ecological integrity of the Earth, social equity, and personal tranquility and happiness.

Promotional "Headline"

Consume less and celebrate more for inner peace and ecological integrity

Competing Titles

Being the Change, Peter,Kalmus, 9780865718531, New Society Publishers, 08/01/2017, $21.99, 4,300 Intrinsic Hope, Kate,Davies, 9780865718678, New Society Publishers, 05/01/2018, $18.99, 900 The Abundance of Less, Andy,Couturier, 9781623171322, North Atlantic Books, 01/08/2017, $19.95, 3,000 Shift into Freedom, Kelly,Loch, 9781622033508, Sounds True, 09/01/2015, $18.95, 5,500 How to be a Stoic (reprint edition), Massimo,Pigliucci, 9781541644533, Basic Books, 05/08/2018, $16.99, 1,900

Feature

Internationally renowned author and speaker Founder and Visiting Fellow of Schumacher College, Devon Editor of Resurgence Magazine from 1973-2016 Leading thinker of the Gandhian and environmental movements for over 45 years A source of wisdom and inspiration, this book details the author's ecological and spiritual life philosophy Increasingly people are becoming aware of the environmental and spiritual crisis our culture is facing and are seeking alternative paths; momentum is building toward a turning point The failings of a worldview based on material consumption is becoming more and more difficult to ignore Cultivating a simple life is seen by many as a way to help calm their daily distress and spiritual unease. This book outlines a path of spirituality, simplicity, and sustainability that readers can follow, showing a way to consume less and celebrate more People are becoming increasingly aware that simplicity is urgently needed to protect and care for ourselves and our planet This books shows how a simple life is possible and leads to happiness Audience Fans of the author, people who are interested in spirituality, mindfulness, yoga, sustainable living, environment, climate change, simplicity. Readers of Real Simple, Yoga... International Author will have completed a speaking tour of Australia. He has a following in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Spain and France

Description for Sales People

Internationally renowned author and speaker Founder and Visiting Fellow of Schumacher College, Devon Editor of Resurgence Magazine from 1973-2016 Leading thinker of the Gandhian and environmental movements for over 45 years A source of wisdom and inspiration, this book details the author's ecological and spiritual life philosophy Increasingly people are becoming aware of the environmental and spiritual crisis our culture is facing and are seeking alternative paths; momentum is building toward a turning point The failings of a worldview based on material consumption is becoming more and more difficult to ignore Cultivating a simple life is seen by many as a way to help calm their daily distress and spiritual unease. This book outlines a path of spirituality, simplicity, and sustainability that readers can follow, showing a way to consume less and celebrate more People are becoming increasingly aware that simplicity is urgently needed to protect and care for ourselves and our planet This books shows how a simple life is possible and leads to happiness Audience Fans of the author, people who are interested in spirituality, mindfulness, yoga, sustainable living, environment, climate change, simplicity. Readers of Real Simple, Yoga... International Author will have completed a speaking tour of Australia. He has a following in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Spain and France

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