Jennifer Farley Tony Wright Nature & the Human Spirit 4/12/05 Lit Review Voluntary Simplicity & Sustainable Living as Spiritual Action I. Introduction Voluntary simplicity and sustainable living as a spiritual action are topics that can be interpreted in many different ways. The definition of sustainability alone draws diverse and often subjective interpretations. Even if people were to agree on a single definition of sustainability, actions to achieve sustainability could vary widely. We view sustainability as a moving target a goal rather than an end point. One way to help humans reach more sustainable ways of living is to lead a life that is spiritually fulfilling and less dependent on material wealth. As resources are being depleted and the human population and consumerism continues to rise, a handful of people are increasingly responding to this trend by searching for ways to lead sustainable and simpler lives. Yet, even though the number of people actually trying to lead more sustainable lives is clearly a minority, the few acting towards this goal can serve as inspirations for us all. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has (Margaret Mead). II. Some Background and Definitions of Sustainability Sustainability first came to public notice in Wes Jackson s work about agriculture in the late 1970 s, Lester Brown s Building a Sustainable Society (1980) and in Allen Brown s How to Save the World and the World Conservation Strategy (1980). The Brundtland Commission in 1987 also featured sustainability and defined it as: 1
Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. (Orr, 2002). Sustainable living also maintains ecological integrity, social and economic justice, and non-violence democracy and peace (McDaniel, 2002). III. Spirituality & Sustainability: According to David Orr (2002), sustainability concerns for ecological integrity, social and economic justice, non-violence, democracy and peace match the impulses of many prophetically minded religious leaders. As such, Orr advocates a spiritual center to the sustainability movement and sees spirituality and sustainability as going hand-in-hand with each other. Orr believes that a transition to a sustainable future is inevitable, but it can occur catastrophically or peacefully (McDaniel, 2002). Spiritual renewal can aid in this peaceful transition and spiritual awareness requires a transformation of mind, heart, desire, and intention (McDaniel, 2002). We are in need for a sense of mystery and humility, gratitude and celebration. In other words, healthy religious wisdom can help guide us to a spiritual and sustainable life (Orr, 2002). If the sustainability movement is in need of spiritual renewal and awakening, then can the world religions help us achieve this goal? It depends on who you ask. Alisse Garner, in her letter to the editor, comments on the December 2002 issue of Conservation Biology, which focused on the topic of sustainability and spirituality. She suggests that religions at their core suggest values of wisdom, love, compassion, understanding, and empathy; all values that Orr suggests for spiritual renewal (Garner, 2003). Orr believes that religions in their fundamentalist forms cannot help; they are part of the problem (Orr, 2
2002). Yet, Garner argues that religion is not part of the problem, people are the problem (Garner, 2003). This continues to be a topic worthy of discussion. IV. Voluntary Simplicity Leading a simple life has its roots in history and world traditions (Elgin, 2003). Over 2,000 years ago, Christians, Taoists, Buddhists, and Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle were encouraging a life rich in spirituality and less in mindless accumulation (Elgin, 2003). Although, this way of life has apparently been lost for many Western people, a handful of concerned people are seeking this way of life and volunteering to live more simply. In 1992 over 1,600 of the world s senior scientists signed a Warning to Humanity declaration, which stated that humans and the natural world are headed on a collision course; we (humans) may alter the world to the extent that we will be unable to sustain life the way we know it (Elgin, 2003). We are reaching a whole-systems crisis and our current rates of consumption are unsustainable. In an effort to help curb this whole-systems crisis, more and more people are choosing to live more simply, not for sacrifice, but instead because they want deeper meaning and satisfaction to their lives. They want more than what is being offered by a high stress, consumption-obsessed society (Elgin, 2003). Studies have shown that happiness levels are not higher than they were several decades ago when Americans had less material wealth (Myers, 2004). People are feeling like they are not spending their time on things they enjoy. For instance, one poll found that 65% of people spend their leisure time doing things that they would rather not do (Priesnitz, 2005). People want more time and energy to lead a more meaningful life. 3
Voluntary simplicity is also a search for more supportive relationships, faith communities, positive traits, and the flow. People seeking a simple life are moving ahead into a life that is materially more modest, but rich in family, friends, community, creativity, and a soulful connection to the universe (Elgin, 2003). The good life stems from loving and being loved, finding connection and meaningful hope in communities and by experiencing flow in work and recreation (Myers, 2004). The link between wealth and well-being weakens once people are able to afford life s necessities, and more money provides diminishing additional returns (Myers, 2004). Humans have created spiritual hunger in an age of plenty. Money, indeed, does not buy happiness, and quality of life, rather than quantity of life is becoming more important. V. Overpopulation- The Role Played In Sustainability Living a sustainable life will be difficult given that the world s population continues to grow. This yields large numbers in a modest amount of time (Bartlett, 1994). When applied to the idea of population, it is a daunting task to try and incorporate a plan for a sustainable society. Therefore, population growth and sustainability are in conflict with each other, in regards to the balance of the population size and available resources (Barlett, 1994). Since these two variables are inversely related, then consumption may not be as much of a problem if population growth is halted; but even if malpractice of consumption continues after population growth has halted, available resources will continue to be an issue. Thus, steps need to be taken not only to educate the world to the impacts of population growth, but also to the immediate concern of limited resource availability. 4
People need to realize the impacts of their actions on all levels of living. Neither decreased population growth nor a decrease in consumption alone will lead to a sustainable society (Bartlett, 1994). Rather, both are important, and a multi variable, complex solution may be needed to build both local and global societies. VI. Final Thought Is there hope for a sustainable human race? This question is debatable, and could just waste time; and we haven t got time to waste. Let s not waste time, but instead take action towards simplicity and sustainability, while keeping Barlett s thought for the future in mind: When competing experts recommend diametrically opposing paths of action regarding resources, carrying capacity, sustainability, and the future, we serve the cause of sustainability by choosing the conservative path, which is defined as the path that would leave society in the less precarious position if the chosen path turns out to be the wrong path. (1994, p. 27) 5
REFERENCES Bartlett, Albert A. 1998. Reflections of Sustainability, Population Growth, and the Environment Revisited. <http://www.oilcrisis.com/bartlett/reflections.htm> Accessed 2005 March 29. Elign, Duane. 2003. The Garden of Simplicity. <http://www.life.ca/nl/94/elgin.html> Accessed 2005 April 1. Garner, Alisse. 2003. Letters: Spirituality and Sustainability. Conservation Biology. 17(4):946-947. Holtzman, David. 1999. Ecological Footprints. Dollars & Sense. 224:42. McDaniel, J. 2002. Spirituality and Sustainability. Conservation Biology. 16(6):1461-1464. Myers, David. 2004. The Secret to Happiness. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/other/pop_print_article.asp?id=866> Accessed 2005 April 3. Orr, D. 2002. Four Challenges of Sustainability. Conservation Biology. 16(6):1457-1460. Overbay, Mark. 1999. Eco-footprinting. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/other/pop_print_article.asp?id=760> Accessed 2005 April 3. Priesnitz, Wendy. 2005. Less is More-Taming the Power of Possessions. <http://www.life.ca/nl/86/possessions.html> Accessed 2005 April 1. Spittles, Brian. 2004. To Be Or Not To Be : Deconstructing Indigenous Sustainability. Social Alternatives. 23(2):49-64. 6