Plain Living: A Quaker Path to Simplicity

I use readings from this book for the High School First Day School class that I teach. It provides many excellent jumping off points for thoughtful discussions.

Whitmire has assembled thoughtful quotes from generations of Quakers whose vision has helped shape the community of Friends. I found this book extremely informative for those who might be attempting to simplify a busy, stressed-filled life, and find a different way. It could be used effectively as a personal devotion resource or for group conversation. Very helpful in helping discern the difference between needs and wants, between things that you choose and things that have chosen you. A great place to start to rid your life of the stuff that weighs you down, both physically, mentally and spiritually. - Rev. Susan Langhauser

As one who grew up in the Quaker tradition, it was wonderful to reconnect with my roots in such an accessible way. While packed with food for thought, this book on simplicity exemplifies its subject by paring down the text into short, representative quotations to get your own thinking started. It reminds me of poetry. As a book that can be read/used over and over, I bought a copy for my daughter and my siblings as well, and I hope it will be a source of inspiration (as well as understanding of our upbringing) for them as well. Next time I read it, I'll try to take time to ponder some of the "queries" at the end of each chapter. This is also in the manner of "Friends," in terms of truthfully asessing where we stand and where we have room for growth.

This book is a welcome gift for anyone looking for spiritual and moral renewal. It is a library of wise quotes from the Quaker tradition that lead the reader to find peace and inner cleansing. I have read it three times, in short, quiet doses, and will return again for more. More substantial than shelves of self-help books, less strident than relentlessly positive cheerleading, it quietly takes you to places where you can have rewarding "aha!" moments and grow within.

This small book comes packed with a wealth of information. This new paperback (July 2001) is a wonderful book to have by your side, to give as a gift, or to read with a group! We were fortunate enough to receive a review copy, which a neighbor borrowed (and we haven't seen it since)! But before it disappeared, we found it has a collection of Quaker writings and thoughts that those genuinely seeking inner peace and a simpler life will love. This is many steps beyond the books you find everywhere, with empty promises of living a simple life. Following the path Whitmire illustrates, as many have for years and years, means bringing Quaker beliefs into every day life. Reading the words of well known and not so well known Quakers made us want to read more. However, not all of the sources are from in print books -- some are gleaned from out of print editions, from speeches, from conversations remembered by various Friends, or in little pamphlets not readily available to the average reader. Which is why we had to have a book of our own, to read and reread, and mark up. Chapters, and subchapters, include: Chapter 1 Keeping to Plainness by Choosing - Simple Living; Plain LivingChapter 2 Beginning with Ourselves and Our - Work; Time; Integrity; Plain Speech (not just simple words - sarcasm goes against plain speaking); Money and ResourcesChapter 3 Plain Living Day by Day in - Committed Relationships; Parenting and Mentoring; Aging; Humor, Joy and GratitudeChapter 4 Unexpected Songs for Times of - Fear; Suffering; Despair; Death; Grief; HopeChapter 5 Opening Our Hearts Through - Longing; Seeking; God; Faith; Prayer; ScriptureChapter 6 Discovering a Spiritual Path to Plain Living Through - Contemplative Listening; Everyday Mysticism; Leadings; DiscernmentChapter 7 Growing Together in - Community; Decision-Making; Struggle and Conflict Resolutions; Reconciliation and ForgivenessChapter 8 Let us See What Love Can Do in - Practicing Nonviolence; Seeking Equality for All; Listening to the Earth; Spirit-Led ServiceA pleasant surprise -- at the end of each chapter are a few "queries" (a Quaker practice, of raising questions that will prompt reflection) pulled directly from the quotes in the chapters, very inducive to group discussions. Nicely crafted book for Friends and other seekers, although the chapter titles may sound too fundamentalist to some, and new agey to others, inside the book Whitmire offers centered, essential wisdom from many sources which can improve individual lives, community and living with the earth. We're giving that borrowed copy to our neighbor, and we've ordered up many copies for our own use. We hope you'll find one somewhere for yourself.