Gaia: Voluntary Simplicity - General - Introductions

Re: Introductions

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:25:48 GMT

Hi all. I've posted here before but I don't believe I've done an intro...though I tried and tried last night with only err messages. So here's my position. I own a car, two computers, a TV, my son has a game system, and I don't mind saying so as this isn't a contest, just a life choice. Well, believe it or not, I still consider myself to be simplifying my life and I have been for some time. I walk or bike instead of drive whenever I can, buy whole foods, reuse and buy used, and am not much for having a lot of extra "stuff" around just for the sake of collecting it and calling it "mine." That said, I still embrace technology and many aspects of our modern world. To me, I just find that the fewer "things" I have and the less emphasis I put on the material world, the more I enjoy what it is that I have. I experience more, see more, have less stress. I believe understanding our very universe will be revealed to be much more simple than many now believe...but that's a different story.

I was thrilled to find this pod. Good work you're all doing here!

Re: Introductions

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 19:04:01 GMT

Hum yeah I also missed the intro topic, so here I am :)

I have always been interested by protecting the environment, recycling, reducing waste, etc. Since I moved to Montréal, I have met so many wonderful people/organizations that also have these goals at heart and it inspired me to actually do it to, not just think about doing it ! So I'm in the process of changing my eating habits to the ultimate goal of eating vegan and mostly organic food, I now buy pretty much all of my clothes/furniture used or at least fair trade, I try to buy less stuff and borrow/swap (Freecycle rocks !!) more, etc. I'm also trying to get back in shape, spend more time outdoors, develop my spirituality and creativity... That hole simplicity thing is just part of that need to be closer to the ''real'' me, and detach myself from the world of consommation that I never felt I belonged to anyways.

I'm looking foward to discussing with you guys ! :) Ciao ciao !

Re: Introductions

http://jdp.gaia.com — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 15:19:08 GMT

Hi! Ok, I missed the intro thread and just started posting around but now I see it thought I'd formally enlist.

Hi, I'm jdp. I joined this pod as I was browsing the pod list because I have finally realized I have a finite amount of energy (are we allowed to curse here? no. ok, DARN IT) and many many loves. In reflecting upon this it dawned on me that there are many ways my life is more complicated than necessary. Naturally follows that if I start budgeting my energy as I do my $ won't I be more able to follow my passions?

Do I really want to spend a couple hours a week dusting bookshelves and "decor items" or do I want to hike the awesome local trails?

Do I really need those pretty window dressings or is there care more work than they are valued?

If I am going to spend time planting and growing and all just because somewhere I have an unacknowledged love for killing green things - shouldn't the work bear me fruit?

This all sort of hit me at the same time I was sort of sick and needed to revamp many things in my life including how I ate which just fueled my personal mini-simplicity movement - changes in what was in my kitchen, how I used my kitchen time, what foods we ate and the attention they got.

The only complication was - as I started jumping into this living simply, living greenly (organically as much as possible) - it started consuming the energy, replacing the lesser valued stuff's time slots/energy expenditures instead of the "passions" it was meant to free me up for. (YIKES what an awful sentence but thar it is)

SO, I have decided to streamline my living simply efforts - I need personal payoff as well as that 'for the greater good' so now I am trying to limit my efforts to learning a couple new things at a time, mastering them, making them unconscious habit, reaping the rewards before I move on to something new instead of immersing myself in this topic (as I usually do with new things).

I'm actually hoping this pod might help me focus my efforts, make me use my energy efficiently.

Re: Introductions

http://walkingwithgod.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 03:25:13 GMT

Hi,

My name is David and I am a possession-oholic. I think I have had this problem my whole life but just recently discovered that I have a problem. And they say accepting that you have a problem is half the battle. Ok, now for the other half...

My journey into simplicity really got a solid kick in the ass when I read "The Twelve Conditions of a Miracle" by Todd Michael. The very first condition is "Emptiness", and the last condition is "Recycling." I have interpreted emptiness to mean releasing everything I am withholding from the world both spiritually and materially. And I interpret recycling to mean the reuse of everything in our domain; our plastic as much as our abundance. Perhaps you will have a different interpretation.

This is a must read for anyone endeavoring to walk lightly on the earth and make a difference, i.e. Change the World.

Peace~

David

Re: Introductions

http://jenn.gaia.com — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 03:40:07 GMT

Hi, everyone, I'm Jenn, and I'm trying to simplify my life in all kinds of different ways. I've recently ended an engagement, which has complicated things in the short term, but should simplify my life a bit in the long term. Out of that, I've gotten back a lot of things that were mine that need to be dealt with. I've taken three carloads to goodwill over the last week, recycled piles of papers, and returned some other things to their rightful owners. And that's just the stuff that came back to my parent's house, and not the stuff in my apartment (which is next on the chopping block.) In all of this, I've realised that I want and need more time and space for me, and I'm hoping that simplifying will help. I've cut down on the online publications that I read, and will be unplugging my TV so that there's more time for me spend doing the things that really matter to me. I'm also hoping that clearing out more stuff will free up the time spent taking care of it and moving it around, and will give me more room to spread out and explore things I'm interested in. I've also realised that I need, as a student with a limited income, to be more financial responsible, and I'd like to simplify my finances too. This also ties into some of my earlier points. Less stuff means more good activities, I hope, and more activities that are meaningful to me means I'm happier, and less inclined to go shopping. It means no spending to kill time or fill a void. It may also mean more time spent on research, and finishing this degree better and sooner. I'm really hoping that simplifying, bit by bit, will help me find room in my new life to be me, and to really do the things that I want to do. And I'm looking forward to ideas and input from this group. Take care.

Re: What is your Why?

http://Katherine.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:31:40 GMT

Today as I rode my bike to the post office I saw a bumper sticker on a car which read: It may be that your whole purpose in life is to serve as a warning for others........
I thought this was funny but then began thinking.......What could I warn others younger than myself about?
As I explained in my intro.... I have had alot of experience exploring voluntary simplicity and looking back I see that I would have done well to ask myself "Why" I wanted to embark upon that path before embarking upon it.....This would have made it a clear, chosen goal. ...Instead what I did.... was create a reactive response to the mass consumerism around me.... which I felt I could not relate to ....and so voluntary simplicity became a default goal.
I was convinced back then(and still am by the way).... that this economic system in the U.S. was totally unsustainable, and having traveled to some third world countries ....I was also convinced..... it was just plain stupid......I was convinced that any day the whole u.s. economy would collapse....and therefore it seemed only prudent and logical that I learn to live as simply, and as off the land.... as possible .
Looking back I can see and remember the subtle feeling of superiority.... both within myself and the others I associated with ....involved in voluntary simplicity.....I remember we were all vegetarians or vegans too.... so this added to the feeling of being "Different and apart from".......In fact "Special" and even more evolved....sometimes this showed up as blatant rather than subtle....and served as a wedge between connecting to others at the level of heart which was a chosen goal of mine....but at the time this was not so apparent.....as it now is
It is only from the vantage point of age and experience that I can see this need to feel special and evolved...... masked deep feelings of not good enough.....not capable enough.....and manifested as a kind of spiritual materialism.....with all those inherent judgments.
Also I can speak from experience.... that there are Universal Laws.... which just happen..Believe them or not....like them or not......Laws like.......What you focus on grows.......and what you resist will persist.
I learned first hand that when I resisted having "too much stuff" I created more stuff......Focusing on stuff creates more stuff......Just like resisting eating will cause you to eat....(sooner or later)
Another good question to ask then is "What is Voluntary Simplicity, and what does it mean to you"? for every person this may be a little different. If your answer says this involves living with the bare minimal possesssions.... how does that fit in with your mate, your kids, the others in your life? And here's another good question then>>>>>"WHO PAYS FOR YOU"? I mean I have been expecting this whole economic system to collapse any day for 35 years and still here it is.......Because I had this belief I did not wory so much about a retirement plan or a 401k....Instead I focused on learning to grow food, learning about natural medicine etc........What I am looking at now at my age is working until I drop.......and heaven forbid if something should happen to my health so I cannot work.....then my children will have to pay for me?Or the taxes from other citizens? Am I alright with this? No.....not at all.
I really enjoyed reading the book "Radical Simplicity" by Dan Jones.....but I could not help but notice that his wife is the one who kept a regular job and a regular house for their two kids while he lived separarte and apart from them in his various hobbit holes up the road. This means if the kids were sick at night it was she up walking the floor with them not he........Was this a shirking of his responsibilty as a father?
I found I really wanted to hear her side of the story.
Another good question to consider......Do you believe that there is an abundance of everything for everyone on earth....and the big problem lies in class systems, imperial domination, and faulty distribution?
or ....do you believe that there are limited fragile resources, and everyone must learn to use way less and walk lightly upon the earth while here?
Do you believe in unlimited abundance.......or do you believe in lack of resources?
If you believe in abundance but the problem is faulty distribution......Is the remedy to this such a daunting task.... in the light of the imperialsim which has seemed to dominate this country for decades.......that you just default into believeing in limited resources, and live quietly and simply, and not make waves.....
I personally ping pong like a ball between these two viewpoints.
This is not to say that vehicles of change cannot be created within but apart from this current monetary system.....look at barter, recycling etc......
But there are also those who came here to create vehicles of change for large numbers of people at once....and within the current system this is done with big bucks.......Look at the creator of zaadz for instance.......
The bottom line to my why......beneath any bullshit....was always FREEDOM......and that will always be the case.......WHAT IS FREEDOM, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
This is also a good question to ask. For me freedom found and experienced within the confines of limitation, yet transcending the limitation, has always been the greatest goal when achieved.......May we all allow the integration of our divinity, with our humanity, within these bodies.....Hey it's another bumper sticker yet to be made! Now Iv'e brought this full circle....so bye.

Re:Size and consciousness

http://Katherine.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:07:24 GMT

In response to the question that size indicates consciousness I just feel to share since spirit and soul is where consciousness abides and the body is only a vehicle....size does not indicate consciousness.....In fact in certain cultures more weight would indicate more power......Certainly imbalance is indicated but not with the negative conotation so often associated with that word.....It is very easy to get out of balance in this world of duality......with weight you canot hide.....it shows what you need to do everytime you look in the mirror.......but alot of the change is an inner change.....and this is what we all need to do.......My own sister is the worlds fattest vegan.......and she is a wonderful, enlightened being.......a woman of great depth and power and consciousness.......Being fat works for her because of some issues she has yet to deal with......That is all....She is as conscious as the next........I was not offended....but did feel I wanted to share this perspective.

Re: Introductions

http://simplicity-seeker.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 14:25:41 GMT

Katherine, thanks for sharing your story. It's so great to see the diversity of backgrounds in this group. You do sound like a cool mom, and a cool person.

Welcome to the group :)

Maile

Re: Introductions

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 04:47:38 GMT

hi diane i love how you weave the relevance of personal, physical weight into the equation for voluntary simplicty. food consumption and lifestyle consciousness are so key...i wont step onto a very old soapbox about the cost on the environment and those who starve due to meat consumption, not to mention the cruelty of factory farming, for example... this may sound radical or even offensive to some, but does our size somewhat reflect our consciousness? if nothing else, it indicates a state of imbalance. may it be temporary, may people learn to eat only what they need, and only that which serves the body...and the planet. i too lost a small yet significant number of pounds in the last year, it took me a year as it did you and i lost 8 pounds...this has made such a difference, much of this can be contributed to changing my metabolism and detoxing through regular, hot yoga--an intense practice yet ever so rewarding. this practice also greatly minimized my cravings for sugar salt and fat, and helped me to become more mindful in general. at one point i did a "30 day challenge"--doing a 90-minute yoga session 30 days in a row, so i decided to go off sugar and refined carbs at the same time (and of course no meat for the vegetarian)...that was an amazing experience and i highly recommend it--the simplicyt of yoga---the union of the body and the mind, a discipline worth cultuvating... hey, i said no soapbox, well, it was just one foot! :) love

Re: Introductions

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 04:33:36 GMT

absolutely! count me in. as within , so without without a doubt!

Re: Introductions

http://Katherine.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 03:05:13 GMT

I am glad to find this pod on zaadz.....I grew up in Fla. and my last 10 years there I lived on a boat. (See my blog for more about that).....My boat was furnished with things from the garbage(perfectly good things) and everything I owned except the boat would fit in a backpack. (there was a velvet couch and a matress too)
I did have my first child by then and he was born on a boat......after he and I left Fla. and came west we experienced living in many different alternative homes......teepis, tents, vans, a converted bread truck, converted school bus, a wooden pyramid with a dirt floor.....I always considered myself a gypsy......My son was homeschooled and I figured moving around was just a good geography lesson....
When he was eleven and brilliant and articulate...He came to me with his now famous speech about how ripped off he felt to have been living so far outside the mainstream of a world he had chosen to incarnate in to learn about......This speech had a big impact on me because I could see his perspective..and...I had always labeled myself a "good mom"....and by then ...he had younger siblings... and I wondered if they would feel the same way when they got to be eleven. (there was six years between my first child and his siblings) His speech ended with a loud lament that he was the "Only kid in America who had NEVER eaten at Burger King.....so after I took him to get his first whopper.....I made sure he experienced a house in the suburbs, a farm, a trailer in a trailer park, a straw bale cottage, a fancier two story house, and the whole push button turn on heat and lights exsistence.........and this seemed to work best for kids..(they need a place to bring friends home to that they are not ashamed of)...except some of my kids had to move more than they wanted to.......because they had a gypsy mom...Years went by......Now they are all grown......I am back to getting rid of......How much stuff one has gets multiplied by how many family members there are......Its a staggaring amount...........I have read some good books lately......One is called Radical Simplicity by Dan Price.....Another is called Money Harmony by Olivia Mellon.....It is about resolving money differences in ones relationships..........I am in the process of subtraction in my life.....I am going to hold a huge giveaway in the tradition of native americans as soon as the weather allows.......These days I return to simplicity and simultaneously learn about manifestation......since it's all energy.....channeling it........another interesting book is called "Ask and you will recieve" by Ester Hicks.......I am caught between the desire to live radically simply with next to nothing........or to create total abundance so I can do good works with the money.......Most everything involves a simultaneous desire/resistance doesn't it? P/s my kid who is now 30....now says I was a "great mom" and he is greatful to have had so many expereinces in his growing up years.....even though he earns 70,000 a year......He knows the best things in life....are not things....I know this too, and I am proud I taught him at least that much.

Re: Introductions

http://Katherine.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 02:39:01 GMT

I am happy to see this pod here. I am here with a lifelong interest in simple living. I grew up in Fla. and my last ten years there I lived on a boat....(See my blog for more about that)...When I left Fla. and came west everything I owned fit into a backpack. Even though I had one child then (All his belongings fit into a backpack too) He and I then Lived in various alternative dwelling places......like a tipi, a van, a school bus converted to a housebus, and tents......I percieved myself largely as a gypsy.
When my beautiful son was about eleven he came to me with a very articulate speech to let me know how ripped off he felt to be raised so far out of the mainstream culture when this is the world he had incarnated to learn about.......This talk made a huge impression on me since it made alot of sense from his perspective and I had always considered myself a "good Mom"........ALSO

Re: Introductions

http://simplicity-seeker.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 18:41:53 GMT

Okay, I'm creating it now.

Re: Introductions

http://denmarkguy.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:53:22 GMT

>>> Would anyone like me to add a discussion section devoted to simplifying our inner lives? <<<

I think that would be a wonderful idea!

I can only speak to my personal experience, but I really believe the introspective part of decluttering is greater than we might think, at first glance.

We can throw stuff away and simplify to our heart's content, but unless we face the beliefs/values/fears/fixations that created the need to clutter, changes are hard to bring about.

Oh, and thanks for the welcome!

Love always,
Peter

Re: Introductions

http://simplicity-seeker.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:14:08 GMT

Hi Peter. Welcome. It's great to have another long-time simplicity seeker join. Pod members like me (who just started simplifying a few months ago) will learn a lot from you, I'm sure.

I like what you say about simplifying the inner life. Others have mentioned this, too. Would anyone like me to add a discussion section devoted to simplifying our inner lives?

Re: Introductions

http://denmarkguy.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:06:31 GMT

Hi, my name is Peter. I'm completely delighted to see this pod "sprout." Thanks for creating this space!

Funny how the Universe seems to send exactly what we need, exactly when we need it-- a link to this pod was the first thing I saw after finishing a blog entry about "spring cleaning." I just love meaningful synchronicity...

I've been in the process of "downscaling" my life for almost a decade. In the beginning, it was just a process of "getting rid of clutter" and improving organization. A few years into the process, I realized that I also had a bunch of clutter in my sense of self, and my values, and a whole lot of other "invisible" areas. We hang onto "stuff" we don't know we're hanging onto. Friendships. Relationships. Habits. Beliefs. ANy number of things that don't support what we want. As I find myself closing in on the final chapters of simplification, I can now look back and honestly say that the process has entailed at least three-quarters "inner work," and maybe one-quarter actual "getting rid of stuff."

The large house in which I live now remains as the final "piece" of complexification in my life. The house, itself, isn't a problem... it is the original paradigm, lifestyle, habits and values that put me in it-- in the first place-- that has undergone major renovation. The house (which is far "too much") is merely a "symptom" of how I once defined myself.

I have downscaled and simplified before. But the "junk" always returned. It took me a number of "attempts" to understand that I had to "spring clean myself" before I could effectively spring clean my surroundings. I believe our surroundings (regardless of whether we like it, or not) are merely a mirror of our inner states. This time I feel like it's going to "stick" because the foundation (namely, my definition of who I really am, and what I really want) has been simplified.

Of course, other people's mileage may vary... ;-)

Love always,
Peter

Re: Introductions

http://simplicity-seeker.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 16:59:45 GMT

Hi Mary, and welcome. I agree with you about 'shopping' the students' discards (I live in Berkeley, right near the UC campus).

While part of voluntary simplicity is getting rid of what you don't need, I think frugality and cheaply/freely obtaining what you do need is also very much a part of it!

Re: Introductions

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 15:34:00 GMT

HI My name is Mary. I am delighted to find this new pod--and some Zaadster pals here! I am way into letting stuff go---giving it away. (try www.freecycle.org for an online free give and take near you)...Its a flow, and the flow has changed to be more out than in! But look out come May when the students pack up to go home, thats when i traditionally and shamelessly dumpster dive for some of the goods they leave behind. This year I need some area rugs for the office at my new job so i can do yoga on breaks...( the students' discarded rugs are perfect cus they have outgassed for a year and i can always find some in great shape.) Whatever i dont have use for, I freecycle or bring to our local homeless shelter. In the bigger picture, now that our son has moved into the world on his own, is to continue to seriously scale down what we own so we can close up shop here and live in another culture that lives more simply, at least for a year, and see what life changes that brings. (whiel we do humanitarian work there). Meanwhile, we care for our dogs in their golden years and are working to free ourselves of debt, the latter of which will really simplify our lives! The radical life change will come at just the right time and its so nice to just be here now. Thanks for starting this and I'll look forward to podding here!

Re: Introductions

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 21:48:11 GMT

I should add here that having done all of this v e r y v e r y s l o w l y I am now at a point where I really don't even want a single french fry (or anything deep-fried). I also no longer like the taste of soda beverages. That was something I didn't expect. A pleasent side effect!

Re: Introductions

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:11:42 GMT

Hi Maile,

I couldn't decide whether to repond here or at your blog! Thank you for posting this. It took me a year to loose the seven pounds I had been struggling with. I don't mean to insult people with more to lose, but for me this seven pounds was a huge stone wall.

You're advice is so right on, with one tiny adjustment. I never had to cut out anything. It was all about portion control. You're absolutely right: babysteps is the best way to success. Here are my rules, but I had to work them in slowly.

1. Eat sitting down, without the TV. (But not in the car! You know what I mean.)
2. Eat small amounts of a lot of things.
3. Savor every bite. That one is very important.
4. Don't let youself get overwhelmingly hungry (IOW, don't skip meals); I carry an emergency whole-grain cereal bar just in case.
4. Walk as much as possible. For me this meant parking as far from work as I could and walking the rest of the way in, and taking a walk after lunch. This created three relaible walks a day.
5. Exercise in a way that suits YOU. If the gym doesn't do it for you, play soccer with the kids, walk the dog briskly, get a mat and do a few simple exercises in your home for a few minutes each day.
6. Watch the alcohol. A glass of wine isn't going to hurt. Three drinks will. Again, savor.
7. Drink a bottle of water in the morning, one in the afternoon and a few oz/ml before dinner.

For example, when I go out to eat, I order something healthy, but delicious, and if it came with french fries, I did not deprive myself. I ate 7. That was my arbitrary number! I would eat seven fries and leave the rest. And you know how notoriously huge restaurant portions are, so if you eat half, you'll have a nice lunch for tomorrow.

Likewise, if your house is a wreck, use baby steps to clean it up. 15 minute sessions, followed by a reward of 15 minutes checking your Zaadz traffic! (It's amazing what you can do with 15 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning time.)

Gotta get to work. Have a great day!
Diane