Plain Living: A Quaker Path to Simplicity

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.

We used this book at our Lutheran/Episcopal Church for a book study during Lent. The many different quotations and questions at the end sparked much conversation and ensured there were gems of inspiration for a wide variety of people. The book takes the Quaker inside out approach to simplicity. You won't find "10 ways to declutter your cupboards" in here. Instead, you will be challenged and inspired to a higher awareness of God's values and inspired to constantly be asking yourself, "What is God calling me to do in this moment."For those not familiar with the Quaker/Friends tradition, this made a very interesting and suitable first glance. Be aware, however, that the tradition emphasizes a theocentric view of spirituality verses a Christocentric one. Christ is talked about, but the Spirit and the Light are talked about much more. And this tradition emphasizes a practical spirituality over a core theology or set of doctrines. Some will find these ideas challenging and that can lead away from examining the topics at hand.All in all, it was a good read, inspiring and challenging us in the spiritual discipline of simplicity and introducing us to the Friends/Quaker Christian tradition.

You know, as a so-called unprogrammed Quaker, I have to say, I really respect Friend Whitmire's writings. I have several of her books, and her approach is compassionate, peaceful, respectful, and wise, without delving into the mired politics that sometimes pervade modern Friends' writings. I'm always very suspicious of political hijacking of religion, because the bold reality is that conservative politics aren't always greedy and hardline, and liberal politics aren't always constructive and compassionate. The point being, as Quakers, we should take a step beyond politics to the space where real compassion and inclusiveness are possible, without the need to resort to political tribalism.With that rant over, I return back to my original point that Whitmire's writings are mature and nonsectarian while simultaneously being compassionate and constructive. She's an excellent author and I recommend her books to anyone, Quaker or not.

Mostly a ministers view of Quaker spirituality. A lot of poetry written by a variety of Quakers and others. The chapters are well titled but the content was pleasant but rambling. There are better writing about Quaker spirituality by non-ministers. Always better to go to George Fox and John Woolman's writing. Many Quaker pamphlets from Pendle Hill Publishing give more specifics on current practice. Quaker spirituality is better experienced directly from the Spirit as opposed to someone else writing about it. Non-programmed meetings give the best exposure to what the founders of the Quaker movement meant to achieve. Most religions focus on books, ministers, ceremonies, rituals and music as a path to God. Quakers focus on direct intimate experience with Spirit and Peace Testimony that creates peace within, peace with others and peace with God. Quakerism, A Theology for Our Time by Patricia A. Williams is a better overview of traditional unprogrammed meetings although she does not discuss newer Quaker programmed meetings.

This was a lovely calming read. I'm not religious in a formal, organized sense but this book spoke to me. Essentially, it is about conversations between you and your God. Private, with the goal of stripping away your various rationalizations on "why" you do this or that. And ultimately, it isn't the "why's" that matter. It is about your heart, or gut responses, in that you know, deep down, what is "right". Pleasant because there are no moralizing "should's" or prescriptions for salvation - again, it is about having an honest relationship with yourself and your God. And growth and change.Well, at least that is what it said to me. :)

A simply lovely book. Beautiful ideas which will stimulate thought, no matter what your religious beliefs.One of my favourite books. This is my second copy.

A wonderfully honest and human collection of wisdom and experiences to help one make one's journey. A book I return to frequently and buy to gift to others.

I was disappointed with this book. It's just a bunch of quotes in subject/chapter format. Found the information to be all over the place. Since Quakerism has become so "New-Agey" but used to be a Christian religion the quotes from different time periods range from liberal to consevative views which felt inconsistent and uninspiring to me. Not what I was looking for.

L'ouvrage est en fait un recueil d'histoires, de méditations, d'anecdotes qui nous donnent à goûter toute la saveur de la liberté des Quakers et de leur intimité avec le divin. Un ouvrage simple, sobre, mais dont certains exemples vous resteront en mémoire. Une belle surprise, mais rien d'académique ou d'historique.

This book was from a Quaker meeting house ,and hadn't been de -registered ,so ,having bought it ,I have sent it back to them ,as they confirmed it was still on their library list !