Simple Living: A Book That Can Change Your Attitude Towards Life

Author: Lisa Ingraham Plante (USA), translated by Chen Zi and others
Translator: Chen Zi, Wang Xiaoli, Wang Guangxin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This magazine has had a significant impact across the United States, and the philosophy of simple living is increasingly being accepted and practiced. Simple Living is the author's magnum opus after years of research and practice in simple living, completed in 1999. Before that, she had published works such as Simple Living Is Beautiful and The Happier You Are, the Simpler You Live. In modern society, most people live in a state of comfort with food and clothing, but in reality, many are still troubled by spiritual anxieties. They face a loss of security due to intense competition and a lack of life content from being too busy with work. How can one break free from such a life? Simple Living will show you a brand-new way of life, helping you find true happiness.
Simple Living introduces a brand-new approach to a simple lifestyle. In modern society, people are busy with careers, money, and fame, and these external glories obscure our souls, leaving us exhausted. However, the author of this book, Plante, advocates for a simple life. More ease, less anxiety; more authenticity, less pretense; more joy, less sorrow. Let the simplicity of external life enrich our inner world—this is the goal of simple living. In the book, the author explains the beauty of simplicity, the spirit of conciseness, and introduces simple attitudes toward work, family, and wealth. She teaches us how to enjoy leisure and entertainment time, how to live a simple and healthy life, how to make personal choices in life, and how to balance simple living with future trends. Through this book, you will understand the true way of simple living.
Simplicity is the only path to returning to our inner selves, silencing the endless clamor of the outside world. I suddenly realized that my life had entered a about ten years ago. Everything around me seemed colorless and tasteless, and the mountain of legal documents piled on my desk was driving me crazy. My daily struggles were almost pushing me to the brink of madness. What made me feel particularly lost was that when I was lonely, I couldn’t find a single person to talk to. At that time, I had achieved considerable success in the legal field, but fame and wealth couldn’t fill the growing emptiness within me.
To escape this state, I tried every possible means, such as traveling to distant parts of Asia and Africa. Whether it was the incense-filled India or the mysterious Egypt, nothing could calm me down. I kept asking myself, what was missing in my life, until one day, I came across Thoreau’s Walden. This book showed me a new direction in life. Thoreau, in search of life’s meaning, took an axe into the forest and lived there for nearly two years. By returning to nature, he was able to escape the distractions of modern material civilization and deeply contemplate the essence of life. The light of wisdom shone on him like the morning sun, guiding him to leave behind an immortal masterpiece. He said, “I came to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to face the facts of life, and to find the meaning of existence. I did not wish to live what might be called an artificial life. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” I will never forget the profound impact this passage had on me when I first read it. I realized that I would dedicate my life to practicing a new way of living.
In modern Western society, while the economy and technology are highly developed, many third-world countries suffer from war, famine, and natural disasters. Perhaps many people in the third world see Western countries as their dream of paradise, but the truth is that wealth does not equal happiness. Even in comfortable conditions, many people are troubled by spiritual anxieties—facing a loss of security due to intense competition and a lack of life content from being too busy with work.
I have a colleague who is quite young but already well-known in the legal field. He excelled in handling major cases right after graduation, showing great talent. He works diligently and takes on as many cases as possible to establish a strong foundation for his career. On the surface, he always appears energetic and tireless, but during a dinner together one time, he looked utterly exhausted, like a completely different person. He sadly told me, “Work, work—I always thought success was everything, but now I feel so.”
Another example is my uncle, Charles. He was once a successful businessman, renowned in the food industry, but his later years were very lonely, losing all passion for the outside world. After his intense desire to dominate others was satisfied, it seemed he could no longer find joy in life. It wasn’t the passage of time but a narrow way of life that extinguished his vitality. I believe that civilization is merely an external support, and success and wealth are just external glories. True happiness comes from discovering one’s authentic self and maintaining inner peace.
I have a friend who has been working as a freelancer for many years. His life isn’t wealthy, but it’s very relaxed. He practices yoga and has been doing so for over a decade. His simple and unassuming lifestyle has made him content with what he has, and every time we meet, he appears radiant and serene. Influenced by him, I also began practicing yoga and have learned many ways to achieve inner peace. At the same time, I further studied Eastern culture and found that the philosophy of simplicity and the pursuit of harmony with nature have had a profound influence on people in the East. Seeking freedom and tranquility without sacrificing the spirit for material possessions—this way of life is vastly different from what the West advocates, yet it is gradually changing the perspectives of Westerners.