Comment by Kevin Camp on 11th mo. 19, 2012 at 9:34am

Twentieth century American psychological theorist David McClelland suggested worldly asceticism is specifically targeted against worldly pleasures that "distract" people from their calling and may accept worldly pleasures that are not distracting. As an example, he pointed out Quakers have historically objected to bright-colored clothing, but wealthy Quakers often made their drab clothing out of expensive materials. The color was considered distracting, but the materials were not. Amish groups use similar criteria to make decisions about which modern technologies to use and which to avoid.

Comment by Ray Lovegrove on 11th mo. 19, 2012 at 3:44pm

Unlike other Quaker testimonies the call for simplicity is difficult to justify to the outside world. We may use arguments of sustainability and environmentalism, but for many years plainness of dress and simplicity of lifestyle were Quaker 'trademarks'. A religion without a designated priesthood, a hierarchy or even a cross needed some distinguishing characteristic by which to be recognised, by each other and by others.

For me personally the desire to live an evermore simple life ( I am a non-driving, vegetarian, self-sufficient Quaker) is a major force in my life. I never have to justify to non-Friends my desire for peace or social justice, but I constantly have to justify my seeking of simplicity. As a Quaker I find myself particularly sympathetic to other 'plain people'; Amish, Old Mennonites, Bruderhof etc. not only for their pacifism, which I share, but for the simplicity of their lifestyle which I could not hope to come close to emulating.

If you are looking for logic in my yearnings for simplicity , you won't find it ~ I am drawn to it  for reasons that are inexplicable to me and, I expect everybody else!

Comment by Howard Brod on 11th mo. 19, 2012 at 10:22pm

In my meeting I've noted that when we discuss simplicity, we always come around to asking ourselves what is the value of it.  That leads us to the word - 'authenticity' and a discussion of 'inner simplicity' or 'simplicity of spirit'. 

I gave up trying to be simple on the outside years ago because it became an empty symbol for me. Instead I started just working on being authentic; being publicly who I truly am on the inside. This has helped me and others to know what to expect from me; to be aware of my many shortcomings; to face my inner pain and joy; to express my gifts and address my weaknesses.  I have found that once I started practicing authenticity (which I think is the goal of simplicity), I've found it easier to grow into the person the Spirit would have me be. 

Simplicity on the outside (by what we do, say, wear, drive, or inhabit) changes with the wind.  What's simple now can one day become complex, and what is now complex can one day become simple.  The Quaker plain language, once viewed as simple, became viewed by the world as awkward and even eloquent over time.  Such is the trap of striving to do 'simple' things.

Grinding my self down to my core authenticity may or may not lead me to adopt simple language, simple attire, and a simple life-style.  But the pure honesty of this approach to simplicity is compelling.  It has helped me to face my personal demons because others (especially within my meeting) know what those demons are, and they help me as I try to help them with theirs.

I do think it is more important for a spiritual community to cultivate a culture of authenticity than create a community that follows an outside code of simplicity.  When a community values authenticity, acceptance of each individual naturally follows. We then easily love each other for who we are and feel joy as each of us grows with the Spirit's help.

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