Satish Kumar - 22 Mar

Advance Praise for Elegant Simplicity

A wonderful manifesto for a life well-lived... like its author, this book is wise, warm, and simply elegant.

David Orr, Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics Emeritus, Oberlin College

Satish Kumar s book Elegant Simplicity is the distillation of his lifetime of ideas and actions. It shows the intimate connections between the inner and outer world, soil, soul and society, beauty, joy and non-violence. It indicates that solutions to the big problems of our timeclimate change, hate and violence, hopelessness, and despairlie in thinking and living with elegant simplicity, reducing our ecological footprint while enlarging our hearts and minds.

Vandana Shiva, activist and author, Earth Democracy and Who Really Feeds the World

Satish Kumar embodies the elegance of simplicity in his life and his teachings. I have learnt both wisdom and creative solutions from him to complex problems. Follow his path to make your life simple elegant and inspiring.

Deepak Chopra

An inspiring explanation of the fruits of simplicity and what living simply involves, by a writer who has experienced what it means to live a simple life.

Mark Tully, former Bureau Chief of the BBC, New Delhi, journalist and author, No Full Stops in India

In Elegant Simplicity, Satish Kumar shares extraordinary insights from his incredible life of spiritual activism, teaching, and practical living. A profound and accessible guide to an ecological civilization of peace, material sufficiency, and spiritual abundance for all. A must-read for all who seek an alternative to an economy now driving us to self-extinction.

David Korten, author, When Corporations Rule the World, The Great Turning, and Change the Story, Change the Future

There is no one on the planet better-equipped to tackle this project, and his insights will make you think and rethink how youre living and how you might change. Powerful!

Bill McKibben, author, Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?

My parents married during the Great Depression, which shaped their values that were passed on to me: Live within your means, Save some for tomorrow, Share, dont be greedy, and Work hard for the necessities in life, but money does not make you a better or more important person. Those life lessons were swept aside as post-war America chose consumption as the way to economic recovery. When the economy becomes societys goal rather than a means to a higher end, Donald Trump is the ultimate consequence. In this moving and eloquent book, Satish Kumar takes us through his own journey to a simpler, happier life with a low ecological footprint. In a time of lavish consumerism, loneliness, and alienation, Kumars message is an uplifting gift that is a welcome antidote.

David Suzuki, award-winning geneticist, author, broadcaster, and environmental activist

Reading Satish Kumars books is always uplifting! In Elegant Simplicity he distills a life of commitment to positive action and experience into his deep love for the human family and all life on this beautiful, endangered planet. He honors us all at the deepest level by acknowledging the abundance we create when we trust and care for all in our biosphere , practice forgiveness, and enjoy all the simple delights of everyday life. Beyond all sects and ideologies, this book is a benediction!

Hazel Henderson, author, Creating Alternative Futures, and founder & CEO, Ethical Markets Media

Weaving vivid stories and lucid wisdom teachings, gentle yet direct, this book is a magnificent embodiment of its title.

Charles Eisenstein, author, Climate: A New Story

Copyright 2019 by Satish Kumar. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Diane McIntosh.
Cover Image: Breath Olivia Fraser, www.oliviafraser.com

Printed in Canada. First printing March 2019.

This book is intended to be educational and informative.

It is not intended to serve as a guide. The author and publisher disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk that may be associated with the application of any of the contents of this book.

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Elegant Simplicity should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below. To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com

Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to:

New Society Publishers
P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
(250) 247-9737

LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

Kumar, Satish, 1936, author
Elegant simplicity : the art of living well / Satish Kumar.

Issued in print and electronic formats.
ISBN 978-0-86571-910-1 (hardcover).ISBN 978-1-55092-703-0 (PDF).ISBN 978-1-77142-299-4 (EPUB)

1. Simplicity. 2. Conduct of life. 3. Sustainable living. 4. Social values. 5. Self-actualization (Psychology). I. Title.

New Society Publishers mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.

In thinking, keep to the simple.

In conflict, be fair and generous.

In governing, dont try to control.

In work, do what you enjoy.

In family life, be completely present.

LAO TZU

This book would not have been possible without the help of many friends and associates.

First and foremost I would like to express my deep gratitude to June, my wife and life companion of 45 years. Over many months and with great patience and diligence, she has edited and corrected my manuscripts. Many of the thoughts and themes in this book have emerged out of our conversations over the years. Thank you June.

This book is truly a family affair, my daughter Maya has also put a tremendous amount of time and effort into reading, entering edits, and making practical as well as philosophical improvements to this book. Thank you Maya.

I have received huge help from my colleague Lynn Batten at the Resurgence Trust in correcting and improving copy again and again with painstaking accuracy. Thank you Lynn.

My gratitude goes out to Elaine Green, for her gracious and skillful support over the years. Elaines constant and regular help has been invaluable. Thank you Elaine.

My colleague at Schumacher College, William Thomas, has been helpful and attentive in recording my Fireside Chats. Some of these conversations have been used in this book. These informal chats have also been transcribed by Lee Cooper, who found time for this project in spite of his busy rehearsal schedule and many other commitments. Thank you William and Lee.