SouthFraser
UnitarianCongregation
APeopleofSimplicity
SoulMattersThematicPacket
March2017
TableofContents
ANotefromtheMinister.......................................................................................................................................1
WhatisSoulMatters?.............................................................................................................................................2
SpiritualPractice–Simplicity.............................................................................................................................3
QuestionsToLiveWith..........................................................................................................................................5
Story–OneThousandIdeas,OneIdea............................................................................................................6
ReadingsaboutSimplicity....................................................................................................................................8
QuotesAboutSimplicity........................................................................................................................................8
VideosandOnlineMaterial...............................................................................................................................11
ArticlesandOnlineMaterial.............................................................................................................................12
MoviesandTelevisionAboutSimplicity......................................................................................................13
SongsAboutSimplicity........................................................................................................................................14
BooksonSimplicity(fictionandnon-fiction)...........................................................................................14
FutureThemes........................................................................................................................................................15
ANotefromtheMinister Anyintelligentfoolcanmakethingsbigger,morecomplex,andmoreviolent.
Ittakesatouchofgenius—andalotofcourage—tomove
intheoppositedirection.—E.F.Schumacher
Courage.It’snotyourtypicalplacetobegin.Butmaybethat’sgood.Itremindsusofwhat
wealreadyknowbuttoooftenforget:thereisnothingsimpleaboutsimplicity.
Indeedtotalkofsimplicityrequiringcourageremindsusthattheworkofthismonthisnot
justaboutreductionbutconfrontation.Yes,editingourToDoListsandeliminatingclutter
fromourlivesispartofit,butthedeeperchallengeinvolvesrejectingourculture’svalues
andattributionsofworth.Tobeapeopleofsimplicityisnotjustaboutsayingyesto
sunsets,walksinthewoodsandmoredinnerswiththosewelove.It’salsoaboutsayingno
tostatusandsociety’saffirmation.Andthatmostcertainlyrequiresbravery.
Andnotjustbravery,buthonestytoo.It’snotjustsocietythatcelebratesstatus,stuffand
overscheduledlives;weclingtothemaswell.Thebusynessofourlivesisnotjust
overwhelming;it’salsoseductive.Overscheduledlivesdon’tjusttipusover;theytemptus.
Theypromiseuspower,affirmationandproofthatweareofmoreworththantheone
standingnexttous.Thereisareasonwegoonandonabouthowbusyweare.Wearen’t
justcomplaining;we’rebragging.Tobebusyistohavemadeit.Tobeover-committedisto
bewantedandneeded.Nowonderwehavesuchahardtimegivingitallup.
Andwhyisthisframeimportant?Whydwellonhowaddictiveandseductivethiscrazy
gameofchaoticlivingis?Well,becauseitremindsusthatsimplicityisnotasingle-player
game.Weforgetthis,youknow.Wemaketheworkofsimplifyingourlivesallaboutour
ownwill-power.Wetreatourclutteredhousesandfullcalendarslikeourproblemand
challengealone.Andthenwebeatourselvesupforbeingasmaterialistandstatus-driven
aseveryoneelse.
Butthefactisnoonestandsoutsideofthestatusquobythemselves.Noonecanrejectand
confrontacommunityofbrokenvalueswithoutthepromiseandsupportofanalternative
communitythatcelebratesadifferentequationof“worthyliving.”Thatcourageandgenius
ofwhichSchumacherspeaks:it’sjustnotsomethinganyofuscanpulloffonourown.
Thatmaybethemostimportantandkindestmessageofthismonth.Maywehelpeach
otherrememberit.
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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WhatisSoulMatters?
YoumaybewonderingwhatSoulMattersis.Likeothersmallgroupprograms,itscentral
goalistofostercirclesoftrustanddeeplistening.However,SoulMattersaddsfourunique
components:
1. ExploretheWorshipThemesinMoreDepth
SoulMattersisnota“stand-alone”program.Itisdesignedasacompanionprogramto
acongregation’sworshipexperience.CongregationsusingSoulMatterspositionitin
theirsystemas“anopportunitytoexploreourcongregation’smonthly
worshipthemesinmoredepth.”
2. ExperiencetheWorshipTheme,Don'tJustTalkaboutIt.
UnitarianUniversalistswanttodomorethanjustreadandtalkaboutspiritualtopics.
Discussingatopicisimportant.Butthereisnothinglikeexperiential
learning.Honoringthis,SoulMattersparticipantsaregivenaspiritualexerciseeach
monthtoengagepriortotheirgroupmeeting.Forinstance,whenwewrestledwiththe
conceptofgrace,smallgroupparticipantsnotonlyreadwhattheologianshavetosay
aboutit,butarechallengedtofindawaytobringgrace(agiftonedoesn’texpect,earn
orevendeserve)intoanotherperson’slife.
3. QuestionsToWalkWith,NotTalkThrough.
Intraditionalsmallgroups,questionsareanopportunityforthegrouptothink
together.SoulMattersusesquestionsdifferently.Weseethemastools
forindividualexploration.Insteadofaskingourgroupstogothroughthequestions
anddiscussionthemonebyone,SoulMattersparticipantsareaskedtoreadallthe
questionsaheadoftimeandfindtheonequestionthat“hooksthem”—theonethat
speakstoandchallengesthempersonally.Participantsthenlivewith--or“walkwith”-thatquestionforacoupleweeksleadinguptothegroup,comingtotheirmeeting,not
withananswertoeachofthequestionsonthelist,butwithastoryabouthowthisone
particularquestionleadthemtodeeper,personallearning.Thistechniqueleadsus
awayfromabstractionandintellectualizingandchallengesustothinkabouthowthe
topic(andquestion)applytoourdailyliving.
4. AReminderThatUUismisDistinctive,Notan“AnythingGoes,”Religion
Ourmonthlythemesarenotjustinterestingtopics.Rathertheyfocususonaspiritual
valuethatourUUfaithhashistoricallyhonoredandemphasized.Ateachmeeting,we
areremindedthatourfaithpromotesapreferredwayforustobeintheworld.
Atthestartofeachmonth,aresourcepacketwillbemadeavailableviahardcopy,onour
website,andthroughtheChaliceLighter.Resourcepacketsincludearticles,poems,quotes,
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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questionstowrestlewith,andspiritualexercisesallrelatedtothetheme.Ofcourse,ifyou
havematerialrelatedtothetheme,you’llbeencouragedandinvitedtosubmitthemtoRev.
Samayaforinclusionintothepacket.Theservicesduringthemonthwillberelatedtothe
themeinsomewayshapeorform–itcouldbeassimpleasachalicelightingthatfoldsin
thetheme,ortheentireservice.
Attheendofthemonthwe’llholdasmallgroupdiscussioncircle,calledSoulMatters,that
willbefacilitatedbyRev.Samaya.Ifwecontinuewiththematicministryinthe2017-2018
churchyear,itishopedthattherewillbeseveralsmallgroupsthatmeet.Facilitatorsof
thesesmallgroupswouldnaturallyariseoutofthosewhoattendthesmallgroup
discussioncirclesinthepilotprogramperiod–fromFebruarytoMayin2017.
PleasefeelfreetocontactRev.Samayaformoreinformation.
SpiritualPractice–Simplicity
OptionA:Reconciliation
Theroadtoreconciliationisfarfromsimpleandyeteachdaytherearesimplestepswecan
dotoreflectontheimportanceofreconciliation.Inthisclip,CecilSveinsontalksaboutthe
simpleactofbraidingthehairofanotherandtheimportanceitholdsinIndigenous
communities.
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/874537539633
Afterwatchingtheclip,spendtimeeachdayasyoudoyourownhairreflectingonyour
intentionfortheday.Whatteachingsdoesyourhairorhairritualhavetooffer?Or-What
canyoulearnfromyourpersonalmorningritual?
OptionB:WhenLifeWasSimple
Thisexerciseinvitesyoutochallengeyourpresentwithyourpast.Weallrememberatime
when“lifewassimpler.”Thesearefondmemoriesbutalsocomewithasenseofmourning.
Apartofuswisheswecouldreturntothefeelingofthattime,butthebiggestpartof
ourselves“knows”that’snotrealistic.Maybeit’stimetotakeasecondlook.Hereareyour
instructions:
1. Bringthememorybacktolife:Findawaytoreturntothattimeinyourlifewhenlife
wassimplerandmorenourishing.Journalaboutit,sharethestorywithafriend,make
itapartofyourmeditativepractice.
2. Workwiththememory:Spendtimefocusingonwhatwasmostnourishingor
preciousaboutit.Figureoutwhythememoryanchorsyouorkeepscomingback.Note
whatgiftitgaveyouatthetimeandtheimpactonthatgiftbeingabsentfromyour
presentcircumstances.Again,dothisreflectiveworkusingtheformyouaremost
comfortablewith:journaling,conversationwithafriend,personalmeditation,etc.
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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3. Letitchallengeyou:Askyourself“Whycan’titbethiswayagain?”Playdevil’s
advocatewithyourself.Challengeyourselfjustificationsaboutwhylifejustcan’tbethat
simplenow?Askyourselfifthebarriersarereallyimmovableandpushyourselfto
considerhowtheymightactuallybeself-imposedormoreincontrolthanyouwantto
admit.Youmaynotbeabletoreturntothecircumstancesofthatprevioustime,but
whataboutreclaimingthefeelingandthefreedomitofferedyou.
Cometoyourgroupreadytosharewhatgoingthroughtheexercisewaslikeforyouand
whatyoulearned.
OptionC:De-ClutterYourDecisionLife!
Simplicityisnotjustaboutmaterialism.Formany,themostoppressiveclutterisnotthe
stuffpackedintoourphysicalspacebutthemillionsofdecisionswehavetomakeeachday.
Psychologistshaveevengiventhisstruggleaname:“DecisionFatigue”:
• http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decisionfatigue.html
• http://www.businessinsider.com/decision-fatigue-and-productive-mornings-2015-4
Theyseewillpowerfunctioninglikeamusclethatcangetquicklyexhausted.Toomany
decisions,theyshow,quicklyweakenourabilitytothinkclearly,andevenbekind.
Spendingtoomuchwillpowerontheinconsequentialstuffendsupdamagingourabilityto
addresstheimportantdecisionsofourlives.Forthisreason,manypeople-including
PresidentObamaandMarkZuckerberg-arenowsimplifyingtheir“decisionlife”by
routinizingbasicdailyactivities,forinstancewearingthesameoutfitsoreatingthesame
breakfastorlunch:
• http://www.businessinsider.com/barack-obama-mark-zuckerberg-wear-the-sameoutfit-2015-4
• http://www.becomingminimalist.com/wear-one/
SoifitisgoodenoughforPresidentObama,whynotyou?YourAssignment:Simplypicka
dailyroutineandtakethedecisionoutofit.Foroneweekatleast,wearthesamebasic
outfitorpartofthesameoutfit,eatthesamebreakfastorpackthesamelunch.Yougetthe
drift.Findsomewayofyourowntode-clutteryourdecisionlife!
OptionD:RoomforWhat’sInsideYou
Thisexerciseisinspiredbyaquote:
Ithinkyoushouldlearn,ofcourse,andsomedaysyoumustlearnagreatdeal.Butyou
shouldalsohavedayswhenyouallowwhatisalreadyinyoutoswellupinsideofyou
untilittoucheseverything.Andyoucanfeelitinsideyou.Ifyounevertaketimeoutto
letthathappen,thenyoujustaccumulatefacts,andtheybegintorattlearoundinside
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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ofyou.Youcanmakenoisewiththem,butneverreallyfeelanythingwiththem.—
ElaineKonigsburg
Thisquoteremindsusthatsimplicityisnotjustaboutpruningtheworldoutsideofus,but
alsoaboutmakingspacefortheworldinsideus.Therealtragedyofbusylivesisoftennot
aboutbeingoverwhelmedbyoutsidevoices,butbeingcutofffromourinnervoice.
Simplicityinthissenseislessaboutclearingawaythetrivialandmoreaboutmakingroom
forthedivinetospeak.
Sohere’syourassignment:Maketimetolisten.Itisassimpleasthat.AsKonigsburg
putsit,“allowwhatisalreadyinyoutoswellup.”Thereareamyriadofwaystomake
space:meditation,walkinginthewoods,turningofftheradioonyourwaytowork.The
goalistohavetheexperienceofsimplifyingyourscheduleandyourlisteningenoughtofit
theexperiencethatKonigsburgdescribesinherquote.Cometoyourgroupreadyto
explainhowyoupulledthatoff,andwhatyouheard.
OptionE:BeforeIDie….
Forsomethismaybetootrite.Forothersitmaybetootenderandclose.Buttheexercise
ofreflectingonwhatyouwanttodobeforeyourdieorwhatyoumightdoifyouhadonly
onetotwoyearstoliveisacorespiritualpracticeforallreligioustraditions.Itisthe
ultimatesimplifyingandclarifyexercise.Infact,recently,ithascaughttheimaginationof
peoplefromaroundtheworldintheformofgiantchalkboardswherepeopleareinvitedto
completethesentence,“BeforeIdieIwantto…”
• http://beforeidie.cc/site/blog/category/walls/
• http://beforeidie.cc/site/about/
• https://www.ted.com/talks/candy_chang_before_i_die_i_want_to?language=en
Youdonotneedagiantchalkboardinstallationtoachievethesameclarifyingexperience.
YourAssignment:Completethesentenceforyourself.Spendtimethinkingaboutit.
Talkwithfriends.Makeitthecorequestionofyourmeditativepracticeforthemonth.The
challengewillbetopickjustonething.Thegiftwillcomeifyouactuallycommittodoingit
andlivingoutthesentencesoonerthanlater!
QuestionsToLiveWith
Asalways,don’ttreatthesequestionslike“homework”oralistthatneedstobecoveredinits
entirety.Instead,simplypicktheonequestionthat“hooks”youmostandletitleadyouwhere
youneedtogo.Thegoalofthesequestionsisnottohelpyouanalyzewhatsimplicitymeansin
theabstract,buttofigureoutwhatbeingapersonofsimplicitymeansforyouandyourdaily
living.So,whichquestioniscallingtoyou?Whichonecontains“yourwork”?
1. Areyoutryingtosimplifyallonyourown?Ittakesavillagetoraiseachild.Samething
goesforasimplifiedlife.Busynessandcomplexityaretoobigforwhatforoneperson
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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tohandlebythemselves.Whomightbeyourteammates?Whyhaven’tyouaskedthem
tohelp?
2. Whataboutyourchildren?Haveyouallowedyourchild’s/children'slife/livesto
becometoocomplex?Areyouandyourhopesforthemasourceofsimplicityora
burden?
3. Areyourjudgementsaboutotherstoocomplex?Sometimesthesimplestjudgmentisto
assumegoodintentions.Areyoureadingtoomuchintothings? 4. Doyousurroundyourselfwithpeopleofsimplicity?Ifnot,doyouunderstandwhy?
5. Doessimplicitymeansomethingentirelydifferentforyou?Weallrelatetoitina
differentway.Ourneedforitdiffersfrompersontoperson.Areyoufeelingthatroomis
notbeingmadeforyourway?
6. Haveyoualreadydoneit?Allofourlivesincludeexistingsimplicitystrategies.Maybe
yourchallengeistonoticewhatalreadyexistsanddoubledown.
7. Whoisdoingitright?Haveyoutoldthemyouadmirethem?Don’tassumetheydon’t
needthevalidation.
8. Whatdowishyoucouldsay“no”toinyourlife?Whyhaven’tyou?Whatwouldhappen
ifyoudid?
9. Hasoneofyourtreasuresbecomeaburden?Isittimetoletgo?
10. What’syourquestion?Yourquestionmaynotbelistedabove.Asalways,iftheabove
questionsdon'tincludewhatthethemeisaskingfromyou,spendthemonthlistening
toyourdaystohearit.
Story–OneThousandIdeas,OneIdea1
Oftenwefallintothetrapofthinkingthatmoreisbetter,notonlyintermsofmaterialobjects
butalsointermsofideas.ThisRussianfolktalesuggeststhatfocusingwithclarityonasingle
plancanhaveabetterresultthantriflingwiththousandsofideas.
Apeasantfarmerdecidedtosetatrapinordertocaptureananimal.Hedugalargehole
alongthepathandcovereditoverwithsticksandleaves.
Inthemiddleofthenight,afoxtrottedalongthepathandsteppedonthestickscovering
thehole.Hefellstraightdownintoitandwasfrantic.
Thefoxpacedbackandforthandtalkedtohimselfashestrategizedanescapeplan.“I’ve
gotanidea!Here’sanotheridea!Oh,ormaybe,Icoulddothis?”Soitwentforawhileuntil
itwasalmostdawn,andhewasinterrupted.
1
Ancient Stories for Modern Times: 50 Short Wisdom Tales for all Ages, retold by Faye Mogensen, pp. 175-77.
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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Acranewhohadbeengracefullystridingalongthepathhadalsosteppedonthetrapand,
withacrashandathump,hadalsofallenintothehole.
Naturally,thecranewasunhappy!Butshewasgladtobetallerthanthefoxandtohavea
verylongbill.Shemovedintoonecorneroftheholeandbegantopecktheground.
Thefoxresumedhisfranticpacing.Backandforth,forthandbackhewent.Bynowhewas
bragging,“I’vegotthousandsofideas!Thousands!”
Thecranestaredforamoment,thensaid,“I’vegotonlyoneidea.”Sheresumedpeckingthe
ground.
Nowitwasthefox’sturntostare.Hethought,“Whatastupidcrane.Onlyoneidea!Does
shethinkshecandigherwayoutoftroublebypeckingandpeckingattheground?How
ridiculous!”
Thesunrosehigherinthesky.Theanimalsheardthepeasantreturntothetrap.Beforehe
hadremovedthebrushfromabovethem,thefoxbegantoracefasterandfasterallaround
thehole.Thecranebarelymoved.Herbodyslumpeddownintotheholeshehaddug.Her
headwastwistedtoonesideofherbody,andherlegsstretchedstifflyintotheair.She
lookedasthoughshehaddiedoffright.
Whenthepeasantwasabletoseedownintothehole,heroared,“Younastyfox!You’ve
beeneatingmybird!”
Hegrabbedthecrane’slegsandpulledheroutofthehole,scoldingthefoxallthemore
whenherealizedthebirdwasstillwarm.
Thefoxcontinuedracingabout,notsurewhichofhisthousandideastoputintoaction.
Whilethepeasantbusiedhimselfwithtryingtocapturethefox,thecranestooduponher
verylonglegs.Sheimplementedheroneideabyspreadingherwingsandflyingoffto
safety.
Thefoxandhisthousandsofideasmetwithanoutcomethatwasfarlesshappy–atleast
forhim.
Ontheotherhand,thepeasantwaspleasedtonowhaveamuchwarmercollaronhiscoat.
Forreflection:
• Whenhashavingalotofideasbeenhelpfultoyou?Whenhasitbeenahindrance?
• Whataresomeofyourstrategiesforcopingwhenyoufeeltrapped?
• Whenhaveyouexperiencedthebenefitsoffocus?
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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•
Whatmightcauseustoassumethatanotherperson’sactionsmakenosense,wheninfact
theydo?
ReadingsaboutSimplicity Singing the Living Tradition Reading No. 725: The Simplest of Sacraments
Simply to be, and to let things be as they speak wordlessly from the mystery of what
they are.
Simply to say a silent yes to the hillside flowers, to the trees we walk under.
To pass from one person to another a morsel of bread, an answering yes, this is the
simplest, the quietest, of sacraments.
Jacob Trapp
QuotesAboutSimplicity
Definition:freedomfromcomplexity;absenceofcomplication,luxury,pretentiousness,or
ornament
Synonyms:plainness;clarity;modesty;restraint;ease;clearness
Iheardanelderspeakoftheimportanceofourlanguagesandourculture.Hesaidthatour
wordsarepowerful;ourstoriesareelastic;ourlanguagesaremusic:theydance,theymove
andtheyaremedicineforourpeople.Hesaidtheyareaspiritwithinthemselvesandwe
areonlythechannelthatbringsthemtolife.IwritebecauseIknowwhathesaidis
true.NicolaI.Campbell,children’sauthor
MyHeartSoars
Thebeautyofthetrees,
thesoftnessoftheair,
thefragranceofthegrass,
speakstome.
Thesummitofthemountain,
thethunderofthesky,
therhythmofthesea,
speakstome.
Thefaintnessofthestars,
thefreshnessofthemorning,
thedewdropontheflower,
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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speakstome.
Thestrengthoffire,
thetasteofsalmon,
thetrailofthesun,
Andthelifethatnevergoesaway,
Theyspeaktome.
Andmyheartsoars-ChiefDanGeorge
Anyintelligentfoolcanmakethingsbigger,morecomplex,andmoreviolent.Ittakesa
touchofgenius—andalotofcourage—tomoveintheoppositedirection.—E.F.
Schumacher
Simplethingsarealwaysthemostdifficult.Inactuallifeitrequiresthegreatestarttobe
simple,andsoacceptanceofone'sselfistheessenceofthemoralproblemandtheacidtest
onone'swholeoutlookonlife.—CarlJung
Ourlivesareoftenfilledwithamillionthingstodoandconsumethatdistractusfrom
simpleliving.WhenIpayattentionandbecomemindful,Imarvelatthesimplethingsinlife
thatIoncepassedover.Consuminglessandlivingsimplyarethetrueconditionsof
happiness.—BarbaraAnnKipferin201LittleBuddhistReminders
Idobelieveinsimplicity.Itisastonishingaswellassad,howmanytrivialaffairseventhe
wisestthinkshemustattendtoinaday;howsingularanaffairhethinkshemustomit.
Whenthemathematicianwouldsolveadifficultproblem,hefirstfreestheequationofall
incumbrances,andreducesittoitssimplestterms.Sosimplifytheproblemoflife,
distinguishthenecessaryandthereal.Probetheearthtoseewhereyourmainrootsrun.
—HenryDavidThoreau
Simplicitymeansnotonlylettinggoofattachmentstomaterialgoods,butalsotobeliefs
andjudgmentsaboutothers,andofhowIthinktheworldshouldbe.—BradOgilie2
Itiseasytobeheavy;hardtobelight.—G.K.Chesterton
Simplicityboilsdowntotwosteps:Identifytheessential.Eliminatetherest.—Leo
Babauta
Adooropensinthecenterofourbeingandweseemtofallthroughitintoimmensedepths
which,althoughtheyareinfinite,areallaccessibletous;alleternityseemstohavebecome
oursinthisoneplacidandbreathlesscontact.Godtouchesuswithatouchthatis
emptinessandemptiesus.Godmovesuswithasimplicitythatsimplifiesus.—Thomas
Merton
2
http://williampennhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/paradox-of-simplicity.html
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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Simplicityisaboutsubtractingtheobvious,andaddingthemeaningful.—JohnMaeda
Ifindmythoughts,increasingly,notonthesupernaturalorspiritual,butonwhatismeant
bylivingagoodandworthwhilelife—achievingasenseofpeacewithinoneself,Ifindmy
thoughtsdriftingtotheSabbath,thedayofrest,theseventhdayoftheweek,theseventh
dayofone'slifeaswell,whenonecanfeelthatone'sworkisdone,andonemay,ingood
conscience,rest.—OliverSacks
Ourlifeisfritteredawaybydetail.Anhonestmanhashardlyneedtocountmorethanhis
tenfingers,orinextremecaseshemayaddhistentoes,andlumptherest.Simplicity,
simplicity,simplicity!Isay,letyouraffairsbeastwoorthree,andnotahundredora
thousand;insteadofamillioncounthalfadozen,andkeepyouraccountsonyourthumb
nail.Inthemidstofthischoppingseaofcivilizedlife,sucharethe
cloudsandstormsandquicksandsandthousand-and-oneitemstobeallowedfor,thata
manhastolive,ifhewouldnotfounderandgotothebottomandnotmakehisportatall,
bydeadreckoning,andhemustbeagreatcalculatorindeedwhosucceeds.Simplify,
simplify.—HenryDavidThoreau
Ihavejustthreethingstoteach:
simplicity,patience,compassion.
Thesethreeareyourgreatesttreasures.
Simpleinactionsandinthoughts,
youreturntothesourceofbeing.
Patientwithbothfriendsandenemies,
youaccordwiththewaythingsare.
Compassionatetowardyourself,
youreconcileallbeingsintheworld.—Lao-Tzu
fromCredo
Iamnotinlovewithholidays,
birthdays—nothingspecial—
andweekendsarejustdays
numberedsixandseven,
thoughmylove
dozingoverTVgolf
whileIworktheSundaypuzzle
mightbeallIneedoflife
andallIaskofheaven.—DonnaHilbert3
AQuietLife
Whatapersondesiresinlifeisaproperlyboiledegg.
Thisisn’taseasyasitseems.
Theremustbegasandastove,thegasrequirespipelines,mastodondrills,banksthat
dispensethelozengeofcapital.
3
fullpoemhere:http://tinyurl.com/jmasb36
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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Theremustbeapot,theproductofminesandfurnacesandfactories,ofdimearly
morningsandnight-owlshifts,ofwomeninkerchiefsandmenwithsweat-soakedhair.
—BaronWormser4
MyHero
Justasthehareiszippingacrossthefinishline,
thetortoisehasstoppedonceagain
bytheroadside,
thistimetostickouthisneck
andnibbleabitofsweetgrass,
unliketheprevioustime
whenhewasdistracted
byabeehummingintheheartofawildflower.
—BillyCollins
fromSabbaths1999,VII
….WhatmoredidI
thinkIwanted?Hereis
whathasalwaysbeen.
Hereiswhatwillalways
be.Eveninme,
theMakerofallthis
returnsinrest,even
totheslightestofHisworks,
ayellowleafslowly
falling,andispleased.
—WendellBerry
fullpoemhere:http://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2015/11/wendell-berry-sabbaths1999-vii.html
VideosandOnlineMaterial
“LessStuff,MoreHappiness”(TEDTalk)
WriteranddesignerGrahamHillasks:Canhavinglessstuff,inlessroom,leadtomore
happiness?Hemakesthecasefortakinguplessspace,andlaysoutthreerulesforediting
yourlife.
http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness
“TowardsaScienceofSimplicity”(TEDTalk)
Simplicity:Weknowitwhenweseeit—butwhatisit,exactly?Inthisfunny,philosophical
talk,GeorgeWhitesideschiselsoutananswer.
http://www.ted.com/talks/george_whitesides_toward_a_science_of_simplicity
4
fullpoemhere:http://writersalmanac.org/episodes/20160209/
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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“TheArtofStillness”(TEDTalk)
TheplacethattravelwriterPicoIyerwouldmostliketogo?Nowhere.Inacounterintuitive
andlyricalmeditation,Iyertakesalookattheincredibleinsightthatcomeswithtaking
timeforstillness.Inourworldofconstantmovementanddistraction,heteasesout
strategiesweallcanusetotakebackafewminutesoutofeveryday,orafewdaysoutof
everyseason.It’sthetalkforanyonewhofeelsoverwhelmedbythedemandsforour
world.
http://tinyurl.com/lonrc5m
“RepossessingVirtue:MarieHoweonGreaterSimplicityandLauraIngallsWilder”by
TrentGillisforOnBeing
http://www.onbeing.org/blog/repossessing-virtue-marie-howe-greater-simplicity-andlaura-ingalls-wilder/4365
“LivingtheQuestions:WhatisEnough?”podcastwithCarolineHowe,environmentalist
andentrepreneur
http://livingthequestions.squarespace.com/blog/2014/11/3/episode-1-what-is-enough
“LivingtheQuestions:HowCanILiveMoreSimply?”podcastwithZachKerzee,a
Methodistminister,bread-bakerandpart-timefarmer.He'sarecentgradofHarvard
DivinitySchoolandthefounderofSimpleChurch,achurchwithoutabuildingthatmeets
fordinnereveryThursday.Hiscentralspiritualpracticeissimplicity.
http://livingthequestionspodcast.libsyn.com/13-zach-kerzee
EmbodiedSimplicity
https://www.facebook.com/morgan.burks.92/videos/10153769033350630/?fref=nf
ArticlesandOnlineMaterial
“SimplicityontheOtherSideofComplexity”byParkerPalmer,includingapoemby
MaryOliver
http://www.onbeing.org/blog/simplicity-on-the-other-side-of-complexity/6482
Somethingtomakeyousmile
http://tinyurl.com/js6jvf7
Peoplereflectonthequestion,Whatdoesthesimplelifemeantoyou?
http://simplicitycollective.com/what-does-the-simple-life-mean-to-you
Websitewithreflectionsandresourcesonsimpleliving
www.simpleliving.orghttp://www.simpleliving.org/
The7ReasonsThatScienceSaysYouShouldPayForExperience,NotThings
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3046696/the-7-reasons-that-science-says-you-should-payfor-experience-not-things
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TheSpiritofSauntering:ThoreauontheArtofWalking
“IamalarmedwhenithappensthatIhavewalkedamileintothewoodsbodily,without
gettingthereinspirit.InmyafternoonwalkIwouldfainforgetallmymorningoccupations
andmyobligationstoSociety.ButitsometimeshappensthatIcannoteasilyshakeoffthe
village.ThethoughtofsomeworkwillruninmyheadandIamnotwheremybodyis—I
amoutofmysenses.InmywalksIwouldfainreturntomysenses.WhatbusinesshaveIin
thewoods,ifIamthinkingofsomethingoutofthewoods?”
https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/11/17/thoreauwalking/?mc_cid=451061292e&mc_eid=04e3c8a6e2
TheEvolutionofSimplicitybyDavidBrooks
“[M]anyofusareonawirelesshamsterwheel,runningfuriouslytokeeptheinboxinthe
sameplace.…Afterawhilethere’sanachefromallthescatteredshallowness.Soofcourse
there’samassmovementtocombatmentalharriedness,theepidemicofA.D.D.allaround.
Ofcoursethere’sastruggletoregaincontrolofyourownattention,tosetprioritiesabout
whatyouwillthinkabout,toseefewerthingsbuttoseethemmoredeeply.”
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/opinion/the-evolution-of-simplicity.html
MoviesandTelevisionAboutSimplicity
IntotheWild
Theengrossingtrue-lifedramaofanidealisticyoungmanwhoyearnstolivealoneinthe
Alaskanwilderness.
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/17672/into-the-wild
NoImpactMan
“Aboldandastonishingdocumentaryabout…aradicalidealistwillingtoputhisecological
commitmentstoatest.Hestartsoutwithseriousintentions,goesthroughsomeveryfunny
unintendeddevelopments,andendsupwithsomesurprisingresultsforhiswholefamilyof
theiryear-longproject.”
http://tinyurl.com/gtab6fc
Blackish(shortclipfromthetelevisionshow)
Thedevastatingsimplicityandcomplexitywhenitcomestohopeandracialjustice
http://tinyurl.com/j9o29u6
SeekingGod:TheWayoftheMonkattheMonasteryofChristinthe
Deserthttp://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/search?author_first=Diane&author_last=M
arron
AfascinatinglookinsideacommunityofBenedictinemonks.
http://tinyurl.com/z55egzn
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SongsAboutSimplicity
“Tis a Gift to Be Simple” (“Simple Gifts”)
A song that invites humility and walking gently upon the earth as a spiritual practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWTDgc96bg8
“Simplicity” by Bob Seger
http://www.metrolyrics.com/simplicity-lyrics-bob-seger.html
“Give Me the Simple Life” by Ella Fitzgerald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub7A9mK_yX4
BooksonSimplicity(fictionandnon-fiction)
Blush:AMennoniteGirlMeetsaGlitteringWorldbyShirleyShowalter
“‘Ipromise:youwillbetransported,’saysBillMoyersofthismemoir.PartMennoniteina
LittleBlackDress,partGrowingUpAmish,andpartLittleHouseonthePrairie,thisbook
evokesalosttime,inLancasterCounty,Pennsylvania,whenashelteredlittlegirlnamed
afterShirleyTempleenteredafamilyandchurchcaughtupinthemidstofthecultural
changesofthe1950'sand`60's.Withgentlehumorandclear-eyedaffectiontheauthor,
whogrewuptobecomeacollegepresident,tellsthestoryofherfirstencounterswiththe
glitteringworldandherdesireforfancyforbiddenthingsshecouldseebutnottouch.
http://www.amazon.com/Blush-Mennonite-Meets-Glittering-World/dp/0836196260
TheArtofRacingintheRainbyGarthStein
Aheart-wrenchingbutdeeplyfunnyandultimatelyupliftingstoryoffamily,love,loyalty,
andhope,TheArtofRacingintheRainisabeautifullycraftedandcaptivatinglookatthe
wondersandabsurditiesofhumanlife...asonlyadogcouldtellit.
http://tinyurl.com/gnz7tas
EverydaySimplicity:APracticalGuidetoSpiritualGrowthbyRobertJ.Wicks
Toooftenwelongforaspirituallife,butdismissitasimpossibleinahecticworldthat
hardlyallowstimetoeatandsleep,muchlesstonourishandreplenishoursouls.But
RobertJ.Wickssaysweallhavethepathtospiritualitywithinus,ifonlywewouldfollowit.
http://tinyurl.com/jrf8w7n
VoluntarySimplicity-TowardaWayofLifeThatIsOutwardlySimple,InwardlyRich
byDuaneElgin
Thisisabookabout“livingwithbalance.Elginilluminatesthechangesthatanincreasing
numberofAmericansaremakingintheireverydaylives--adjustmentsinday-to-dayliving
thatareanactive,positiveresponsetothecomplexdilemmasofourtime.Byembracing
thetenetsofvoluntarysimplicity--frugalconsumption,ecologicalawareness,andpersonal
growth--peoplecanchangetheirlivesand,intheprocess,saveourplanet.”
http://tinyurl.com/jy7htl5
SFUCSoulMatters–March2017
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Listofbooksforchildrenandfamiliesaboutsimplicity:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/189VKXTIH8Q1D/ref=cm_sw_su_w
FutureThemes
Lookingforwardintotheyear,we’llbecoveringthefollowingthemes:
• AprilisResistance
• MayisCompassion
Inthemeantime,ifyouhaveanypoems,books,quotes,moviestosuggestonthethemeof
ResistancepleasesubmitthemtoRev.SamayaforMonday,March27thtobeincludedin
April’spacket.
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