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Timeless Simplicity: Creating Living in a Consumer Society
This is a book about simplicity, not destitution, not parsimoniousness, not self-denial, but the restoration of wealth in the midst of an affluence in which we are starving the spirit. It is a book about the advantages of living a less cluttered, stressful life than that which has become the norm in the overcrowded and manic-paced consuming nations. It is a book that has nothing to do with subsistence living on the Lake Isle of Innisfree, but everything to do with having less and enjoying more enjoying time to do the work you love, enjoying time to spend with your family, enjoying time to pursue creative projects, enjoying time for good eating, enjoying time just to be.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
58 people are currently reading
1603 people want to read
About the author
John Lane
11 books7 followersJohn Lane (1930-2012) was an English painter, writer, and art editor of Resurgence magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 6, 2011
I have just finished reading this and was hooked from the first paragraph of the introduction.
This is a book about simplicity-not destitution, not parsimoniousness, not self-denial-but the restoration of wealth in the midst of an affluence in which we are starving of the spirit. It is a book about the advantages of living a less cluttered, stressful life than that which many of us now live, in the over-crowded and manic-paced consuming nations.
If any of you are feeling that you need to find a slower pace of life, I recommend that you read this as a good starting point. It is only just over 100 pages long and is a gentle but absorbing read. The book is organised into 6 chapters and covers subjects such as how to reduce expenditure, adopting a positive attitude and following your bliss.
It has taken me many years of struggling and a recent severe bout of depression for me to finally start to make positive changes to my life. I have given up my job and begun to take pleasure in performing simple activities such as cooking and knitting. These combined with my love of reading and desire to write and I finally feel that I am living the life I should be.
What could you be doing?
August 3, 2020
4.5 stars
John Lane's 100 page book is about the benefits of living a simple and less cluttered life. It's not about destitution, nor poverty, nor a clarion call to abandon materialism. He mentions early on that if you're someone who enjoys the pursuit of wealth and is motivated by a desire to earn and spend more, then this book is not for you. It's aimed towards those who feel discontentment by participating in the consumerist and materialist race that we see around us.
Across 6 chapters, he builds on the argument from multiple angles - historical precedent, present day unhappiness, religious and spiritual examples, and a global environmentalist point of view. He's critical of industrial production because it catered more towards running machines to produce things rather than thinking whether people needed it or not. Once goods started being produced in hoards, people had to figure out how to sell it, and thus we are where we are where tons of advertisements nudge us to earn more to spend more.
I was inching towards a perfect rating because I felt as though he went into my head and worded my thoughts onto paper but there were errant points that I didn't agree with - comments like higher divorce rates in the last century indicating increased levels of unhappiness, increase in crime, violence, and addiction as response to materialistic discontent, and glorification of poverty of some communities as spiritual richness. Nonetheless, it's a book I can come back to year after year if I get caught up in the rat race, just to remind myself of what I believe in.
“The industrialist was horrified to find the fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe. - Why aren’t you fishing?, said the industrialist.
Because I have caught enough fish for the day.
Why don’t you catch some more?
What would I do with them?
Earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would bring you money to buy nylon nets, so more fish, more money. Soon you would have enough to buy two boats even a fleet of boats. Then you could be rich like me.
What would I do then?
Then you could sit back and enjoy life.
What do you think I’m doing now?”
John Lane's 100 page book is about the benefits of living a simple and less cluttered life. It's not about destitution, nor poverty, nor a clarion call to abandon materialism. He mentions early on that if you're someone who enjoys the pursuit of wealth and is motivated by a desire to earn and spend more, then this book is not for you. It's aimed towards those who feel discontentment by participating in the consumerist and materialist race that we see around us.
Across 6 chapters, he builds on the argument from multiple angles - historical precedent, present day unhappiness, religious and spiritual examples, and a global environmentalist point of view. He's critical of industrial production because it catered more towards running machines to produce things rather than thinking whether people needed it or not. Once goods started being produced in hoards, people had to figure out how to sell it, and thus we are where we are where tons of advertisements nudge us to earn more to spend more.
I was inching towards a perfect rating because I felt as though he went into my head and worded my thoughts onto paper but there were errant points that I didn't agree with - comments like higher divorce rates in the last century indicating increased levels of unhappiness, increase in crime, violence, and addiction as response to materialistic discontent, and glorification of poverty of some communities as spiritual richness. Nonetheless, it's a book I can come back to year after year if I get caught up in the rat race, just to remind myself of what I believe in.
December 17, 2009
I enjoyed this book which invites us to rediscover the joy and wonder of living simply. A book to be returned to often to remind myself how I should be living.
April 11, 2025
This is a good intelligent discussion of why a life of authenticity and simplicity is more rewarding than one driven by materialism, speed, clutter, and media controlled life-styles.
March 16, 2022
Good intro to simple living, although really lacking in fresh ideas.
Most of the book is quotes, which were also the best parts.
Lack of real, pragmatic direction, leaving the reader stuck in this weird limbo where the philosophy (?) isn't really that profound, nor practical. It's only 90ish pages, and those feel like a drag more often than not.
Most of the book is quotes, which were also the best parts.
Lack of real, pragmatic direction, leaving the reader stuck in this weird limbo where the philosophy (?) isn't really that profound, nor practical. It's only 90ish pages, and those feel like a drag more often than not.
Read
August 15, 2022quick summery:
all my friends and I have our own houses somewhere nice and artsy-fartsy professions that allow us to live simple lives! and you should too!!! now here're some quotes I like...
all my friends and I have our own houses somewhere nice and artsy-fartsy professions that allow us to live simple lives! and you should too!!! now here're some quotes I like...
March 5, 2021
ชวนตั้งคำถามในยุคแห่งการบริโภคได้น่าสนใจดี
June 30, 2019
I just finished reading a book called Timeless Simplicity by John Lane. The message in this book is all about living a simple life, leaving behind the consumer trappings and endless acquisition of things you don't truly need and coming into closer communion with your own soul. It's not about destitution, self-denial, deprivation or poverty; but instead, it's about getting back to living simply so the focus can be on the things that matter and not on mindless consumption, working at something you don't love in order to pay for the things that demand attention. It's about creating a life that is centered on the soul, on awareness of nature, other people, connection, and silence. It's about shedding what is distracting you from living your best and truest life. And to me, that is a message I embrace - to align the soul to it's true self and elevate.
August 21, 2016
I agree with the author's message, but I found his analysis too symplistic and the tone of the book too moralizing. Also, I didn't find his writing style very engaging. Still, in the end it remained to be a somewhat inspirational read, probably because the book's central message is rarely heard today.
November 14, 2020
What a book!
I've had latent feelings for a long time of rejection for many aspects of the material world we live in today. That's not to say that I am not grateful for many modern conveniences, but I've always felt that much of what we know of as 'normal' is in fact anything but and a return to traditional ways of interacting with the world is long overdue.
John Lane has done an outstanding job of putting into eloquent, written form the same feelings I had and expanded upon them with much of his own knowledge, insight and wisdom. He talks about how we are moulded from childhood to be ever wanting more, to be constantly competing with others, to be seeking the constant endorsement and validation from our peers and to be dependent on the very luxuries which in turn leave us dissatisfied with what we have. This concoction is a recipe for chronic unhappiness which sadly many never escape from.
But for those of us who are determined to question this feeling of melancholy, this book exists to reinforce the notion that we need to go back to the basics. We need to introduce the general and specific definitions of simplicity into our lives. We can choose to define these terms according to what feels right to our own situations, as well as adhering to generally accepted definitions of living a life of simplicity. John Lane makes it clear that there is no specific doctrine to follow in this regard, but we should have a feeling for what we want to achieve.
The distinction between a simple life and an easy one is one that is made clear early on, and for good reason. Simplicity according to Lane is about losing the heavy weight of unnecessary excesses, but this doesn't entail a life without burden at all.
From the mentioned benefits of simplicity are also that we as a species need to reign in our industrial dictatorship over nature in order to bring habitats and the general environment back from the edge. The Industrial Revolution forever changed the world in many ways, but what has been most lasting is the damage we have caused to our worldly home. Cultivating a mindset of simplicity is an effective tool towards living in balance and harmony with nature again, it is no surprise that such a life would make a person feel like they are living a life full of meaning.
I liked how Lane explained the different aspects of life that we can apply a simplicity mindset towards. Even for someone who lives within 'the system' and cannot make a way out in the short term, we are taught to take pleasure in the seemingly menial acts of life such as cooking, gardening and housework. Normally we see such actions as the banal necessities of life that are best done as quickly and mindlessly as possible. However, simply changing our mindset so that we cook with artistry, we pay attention to the details of planting seeds, we focus on maintaining a garden so that is aesthetically pleasing and we mindfully clean our houses means that we are able to see past the immediate action and appreciate the purpose behind them. We cook with purpose and maintain a beautiful garden because ultimately, it is an artform. We clean our houses with purpose because it hones the sense of gratitude and contentment within us. With these mental changes we can appreciate what we have more and break the chains of endless consumerism. By focusing on these small actions we open ourselves up to be explored from within, rather than searching outwards for the next best thing.
I have seen some classical paintings in my time, but I never felt like they had made much of an impression of me. Every now and again I saw a globally loved and admired painting of a cup and perhaps some other cutlery and fruit on a table. I never understood why these paintings were so beloved by so many. Thankfully John Lane allowed me to understand why too. It turns out that amongst many other reasons, such paintings allow the viewer to view that exact moment in time, to be lost in the reflections in the silver spoons, to be absorbed in the red warmth of an apple. Such paintings allow the viewer to be almost lost in time and thought, being present nowhere else and being able to fully appreciate the detail, beauty and indeed simplicity of a simple table setup. I am grateful for having this perspective and it is humbling to know what I have been missing out on all these years.
This book taught me to greatly appreciate the small things in life, to assign meaning and value to the work I have to do in my personal and professional life, to take pleasure in activities I would have otherwise thought of as menial, and above all, take the time and effort to find out what you love to do in life. Don't spend endless years of your life in ignorance of what makes you happy. Perhaps your passion lies in working with animals, children, plants or paint brushes. As long as there remains air in your lungs you have the opportunity to discover what it is.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone who feels like the luxuries of modern life have somewhat caused us to lose our way, anyone who believes there is more to life than our current world pre-occupations, and to anyone who believes that the world has an inherent beauty that we commonly overlook.
I've had latent feelings for a long time of rejection for many aspects of the material world we live in today. That's not to say that I am not grateful for many modern conveniences, but I've always felt that much of what we know of as 'normal' is in fact anything but and a return to traditional ways of interacting with the world is long overdue.
John Lane has done an outstanding job of putting into eloquent, written form the same feelings I had and expanded upon them with much of his own knowledge, insight and wisdom. He talks about how we are moulded from childhood to be ever wanting more, to be constantly competing with others, to be seeking the constant endorsement and validation from our peers and to be dependent on the very luxuries which in turn leave us dissatisfied with what we have. This concoction is a recipe for chronic unhappiness which sadly many never escape from.
But for those of us who are determined to question this feeling of melancholy, this book exists to reinforce the notion that we need to go back to the basics. We need to introduce the general and specific definitions of simplicity into our lives. We can choose to define these terms according to what feels right to our own situations, as well as adhering to generally accepted definitions of living a life of simplicity. John Lane makes it clear that there is no specific doctrine to follow in this regard, but we should have a feeling for what we want to achieve.
The distinction between a simple life and an easy one is one that is made clear early on, and for good reason. Simplicity according to Lane is about losing the heavy weight of unnecessary excesses, but this doesn't entail a life without burden at all.
From the mentioned benefits of simplicity are also that we as a species need to reign in our industrial dictatorship over nature in order to bring habitats and the general environment back from the edge. The Industrial Revolution forever changed the world in many ways, but what has been most lasting is the damage we have caused to our worldly home. Cultivating a mindset of simplicity is an effective tool towards living in balance and harmony with nature again, it is no surprise that such a life would make a person feel like they are living a life full of meaning.
I liked how Lane explained the different aspects of life that we can apply a simplicity mindset towards. Even for someone who lives within 'the system' and cannot make a way out in the short term, we are taught to take pleasure in the seemingly menial acts of life such as cooking, gardening and housework. Normally we see such actions as the banal necessities of life that are best done as quickly and mindlessly as possible. However, simply changing our mindset so that we cook with artistry, we pay attention to the details of planting seeds, we focus on maintaining a garden so that is aesthetically pleasing and we mindfully clean our houses means that we are able to see past the immediate action and appreciate the purpose behind them. We cook with purpose and maintain a beautiful garden because ultimately, it is an artform. We clean our houses with purpose because it hones the sense of gratitude and contentment within us. With these mental changes we can appreciate what we have more and break the chains of endless consumerism. By focusing on these small actions we open ourselves up to be explored from within, rather than searching outwards for the next best thing.
I have seen some classical paintings in my time, but I never felt like they had made much of an impression of me. Every now and again I saw a globally loved and admired painting of a cup and perhaps some other cutlery and fruit on a table. I never understood why these paintings were so beloved by so many. Thankfully John Lane allowed me to understand why too. It turns out that amongst many other reasons, such paintings allow the viewer to view that exact moment in time, to be lost in the reflections in the silver spoons, to be absorbed in the red warmth of an apple. Such paintings allow the viewer to be almost lost in time and thought, being present nowhere else and being able to fully appreciate the detail, beauty and indeed simplicity of a simple table setup. I am grateful for having this perspective and it is humbling to know what I have been missing out on all these years.
This book taught me to greatly appreciate the small things in life, to assign meaning and value to the work I have to do in my personal and professional life, to take pleasure in activities I would have otherwise thought of as menial, and above all, take the time and effort to find out what you love to do in life. Don't spend endless years of your life in ignorance of what makes you happy. Perhaps your passion lies in working with animals, children, plants or paint brushes. As long as there remains air in your lungs you have the opportunity to discover what it is.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone who feels like the luxuries of modern life have somewhat caused us to lose our way, anyone who believes there is more to life than our current world pre-occupations, and to anyone who believes that the world has an inherent beauty that we commonly overlook.
October 24, 2024
- จะบอกว่าเป็นหนังสือปรัชญาอีกเล่มก็คงไม่เชิง
- หนังสือเน้นไปในด้านของความเรียบง่าย โดยจะกล่าวถึงว่า ทำไมเราควรใช้ชีวิตอย่างเรียบง่าย มั��ดียังไง ที่ผ่านมาเราเจอปัญหาอะไร เราจะทำได้อย่างไร และเราจะได้อะไรจากความเรียบง่ายในชีวิต
- หนังสือไม่ได้บอกให้เราไม่มีทรัพย์สิน แต่ถ้าเราลดความต้องการลงได้ เราก็จะมั่งมี ไม่ว่าจากภายนอกหรือภายใน
- หนังสืออ่านง่าย แต่ละตอนไม่ได้เยอะมากจนอ่านไม่ไหว ตัวหนังสือก็สบายตา แถมในแต่ละตอนก็มีโคว้ทของบุคคลที่มีเนื้อหาเกี่ยวข้องกันไว้ เหมือนเป็นตัวอย่างเพื่อให้เข้าใจได้มากขึ้น
- อ่านแล้วอบอุ่น ไม่รุนแรง ไม่กดดัน ชักชวนให้เปิดใจ
- หนังสือเน้นไปในด้านของความเรียบง่าย โดยจะกล่าวถึงว่า ทำไมเราควรใช้ชีวิตอย่างเรียบง่าย มั��ดียังไง ที่ผ่านมาเราเจอปัญหาอะไร เราจะทำได้อย่างไร และเราจะได้อะไรจากความเรียบง่ายในชีวิต
- หนังสือไม่ได้บอกให้เราไม่มีทรัพย์สิน แต่ถ้าเราลดความต้องการลงได้ เราก็จะมั่งมี ไม่ว่าจากภายนอกหรือภายใน
- หนังสืออ่านง่าย แต่ละตอนไม่ได้เยอะมากจนอ่านไม่ไหว ตัวหนังสือก็สบายตา แถมในแต่ละตอนก็มีโคว้ทของบุคคลที่มีเนื้อหาเกี่ยวข้องกันไว้ เหมือนเป็นตัวอย่างเพื่อให้เข้าใจได้มากขึ้น
- อ่านแล้วอบอุ่น ไม่รุนแรง ไม่กดดัน ชักชวนให้เปิดใจ
January 27, 2020
John Lane seems simple and so does his book, so does his teachings and so does his tools.
The book gives tools on how to simplify one's life and teaches how one can find less cluttered and less stressful life, in the times in which we're swimming in the opposites.
The book gives tools on how to simplify one's life and teaches how one can find less cluttered and less stressful life, in the times in which we're swimming in the opposites.
February 25, 2012
Inspiring.
June 6, 2020
สะกิดให้ชวนคิดแตกต่างในยุคสมัยที่อะไรๆก็ต้องเร่งรีบ
October 9, 2024
"The industrialist was horrified to find the fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
- Why aren't you fishing?, said the industrialist.
- Because I have caught enough fish for the day.
- Why don't you catch some more?
- What should I do with them?
- Earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would bring you money to buy nylon nets, so more fish, more money. Soon you would have enough to buy two boats even a fleet of boats. Then you could be rich like me.
- What would I do then?
- Then you could sit back and enjoy life.
- What do you think I'm doing now?"
"What right have you to take the word 'wealth' which originally meant 'well-being' and degrade and narrow it by confining it to a certain sorts of material objects measured by money?" ~ John Ruskin
"My hit lies in the middle of a dense forest;
Every year the green ivy grows longer.
No news of the affairs of men,
Only the occasional song of a woodcutter.
The sun shines and I mend my robe;
When the moon comes out I read Buddhist poems.
I have nothing to report, my friends,
If you want to find the meaning, stop chasing after so many things." ~ Taigo Ryokan
"Our schools are, in a sense, factories in which the raw materials are to be shaped and fashioned into products to meet the various demands of life. The specifications for manufacturing come from the demands of the twentieth century civilization, and it is the business of the school to build its pupils to the specifications laid down." ~ E.P. Cubberly
"Consider the average American worker. The alarm rings at 6:45 and our working man or woman is up and running. Shower. Dress in the professional uniform - suits or dresses for some, overalls for others, whites for the medical professionals, jeans and flannel shirts for construction workers. Breakfast, if there's time. Grab commuter mug and briefcase (or lunch box), and hop in the car for the daily punishment called rush hour. On the job from nine to five ... Act busy. Hide mistakes. Smile when handed impossible deadlines. Give a sigh of relief when the axe known as 'restructuring' or 'downsizing' - or just plain getting laid off - falls on other heads. Shoulder the added workload. Watch the clock. Argue with your conscience but agree with the boss. Smile again. Five o'clock. Back in the car and onto the freeway for the evening commute. Act human with mates, kids or roommates. Eat. Watch TV. Eight hours of blessed oblivion." ~ Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
"Let's go back to the basics and remember that all we really have to do is put a roof over our heads and meals on the table. Beyond that our time can be better spent enjoying our lives, being with the people we love, creating things we love that don't harm the earth, and contributing something meaningful to the world." ~ Elaine St. James
"I must Create a System, or be senslav'd by another Man's." ~ William Blake
"The great legacy of the past is its slowness, its patience, its human scale, its measured human pace and undisturbed quietness. These remain the sanest objectives of anyone seeking to simplify." ~ John Lane
"There is no wealth but life." ~ John Ruskin
"At lunch time prepare a meal for yourself. Cook the meal and wash the dishes in mindfulness. In the morning after you have cleaned and straightened up your house, after you have worked in the garden or watched clouds or gathered flowers, prepare a pot of tea to sit and drink in mindfulness. Allow yourself a good length of time to do this. Don't drink your tea like someone who gulps down a cup of coffee during a workbreak. Drink your tea slowly and reverently as if it were the axis on which the earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing towards the future. Live the actual moment. For only this actual moment is life." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
"The tragedy of modern discontent is that it is largely generated by ourselves - by our culture and its mindset." ~ John Lane
- Why aren't you fishing?, said the industrialist.
- Because I have caught enough fish for the day.
- Why don't you catch some more?
- What should I do with them?
- Earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would bring you money to buy nylon nets, so more fish, more money. Soon you would have enough to buy two boats even a fleet of boats. Then you could be rich like me.
- What would I do then?
- Then you could sit back and enjoy life.
- What do you think I'm doing now?"
"What right have you to take the word 'wealth' which originally meant 'well-being' and degrade and narrow it by confining it to a certain sorts of material objects measured by money?" ~ John Ruskin
"My hit lies in the middle of a dense forest;
Every year the green ivy grows longer.
No news of the affairs of men,
Only the occasional song of a woodcutter.
The sun shines and I mend my robe;
When the moon comes out I read Buddhist poems.
I have nothing to report, my friends,
If you want to find the meaning, stop chasing after so many things." ~ Taigo Ryokan
"Our schools are, in a sense, factories in which the raw materials are to be shaped and fashioned into products to meet the various demands of life. The specifications for manufacturing come from the demands of the twentieth century civilization, and it is the business of the school to build its pupils to the specifications laid down." ~ E.P. Cubberly
"Consider the average American worker. The alarm rings at 6:45 and our working man or woman is up and running. Shower. Dress in the professional uniform - suits or dresses for some, overalls for others, whites for the medical professionals, jeans and flannel shirts for construction workers. Breakfast, if there's time. Grab commuter mug and briefcase (or lunch box), and hop in the car for the daily punishment called rush hour. On the job from nine to five ... Act busy. Hide mistakes. Smile when handed impossible deadlines. Give a sigh of relief when the axe known as 'restructuring' or 'downsizing' - or just plain getting laid off - falls on other heads. Shoulder the added workload. Watch the clock. Argue with your conscience but agree with the boss. Smile again. Five o'clock. Back in the car and onto the freeway for the evening commute. Act human with mates, kids or roommates. Eat. Watch TV. Eight hours of blessed oblivion." ~ Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
"Let's go back to the basics and remember that all we really have to do is put a roof over our heads and meals on the table. Beyond that our time can be better spent enjoying our lives, being with the people we love, creating things we love that don't harm the earth, and contributing something meaningful to the world." ~ Elaine St. James
"I must Create a System, or be senslav'd by another Man's." ~ William Blake
"The great legacy of the past is its slowness, its patience, its human scale, its measured human pace and undisturbed quietness. These remain the sanest objectives of anyone seeking to simplify." ~ John Lane
"There is no wealth but life." ~ John Ruskin
"At lunch time prepare a meal for yourself. Cook the meal and wash the dishes in mindfulness. In the morning after you have cleaned and straightened up your house, after you have worked in the garden or watched clouds or gathered flowers, prepare a pot of tea to sit and drink in mindfulness. Allow yourself a good length of time to do this. Don't drink your tea like someone who gulps down a cup of coffee during a workbreak. Drink your tea slowly and reverently as if it were the axis on which the earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing towards the future. Live the actual moment. For only this actual moment is life." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
"The tragedy of modern discontent is that it is largely generated by ourselves - by our culture and its mindset." ~ John Lane
March 26, 2025
4.5⭐️s
‘Few things would surprise me less, in social life, than the upspringing of some anti-luxury movement, the formation of some league or guild among the middling classes…the members of which would bind themselves to stand aloof from all the great, silly, banal, ugly, and tedious luxe-activities of the time, and not to spend more than a certain sum per annum on eating, drinking, covering their bodies, and being moved about like parcels from one spot of the earth's surface to another.’ (Arnold Bennet)
This was just the book I needed. John Lane calls for voluntary simplicity, the idea of living simply even if one has the means for more. He talks about how although certain appliances/tech can appear to ease our lives, they can ultimately complicate them (eg, maintenance, repairs, upgrading). He talks about planned obsolescence - the idea that products are made to wear down quickly, so that we are forced to buy new ones as soon as possible - from kitchen appliances to ikea furniture to iPhones. A particularly disturbing statistic is that by the age of twelve, the average American will have seen 200,000 TV adverts. The message is clear - consume, consume, consume. The rat race leads to a life where one is constantly looking for the next material upgrade, never being content with what one already has. This preoccupation has resulted in the neglect of our souls, and consequently, spiritual impoverishment.
He also talks about how these attitudes are so normalised that the only way to break free is to actively make the intention to consume more purposefully. He tells us not to seek a life of poverty or deprivation, but to simply identify and reduce our excesses (and our excesses are indeed many). It is a switch from a life of material wealth to spiritual wealth, an opportunity to open avenues of joy in aspects of our lives beyond the purely worldly. The creativity and fulfilment involved in things like homemaking, nature-watching, gardening, art and poetry, can lead to a beautiful, wholesome life. He defines simplicity as simply loving something more than one loves ‘more’.
Such an important book, in a time when one feels weighed down by worldly excesses, by the expectation of what it means to live a ‘good’ life. And streamline John Lane’s advice with what we already know as Muslims- what a beautiful faith, that has always called us to a vast inner existence, and to live in this world as but a traveller.
‘Competition for more distracts you (from God), until you end up in your graves.’ (102:1-2)
‘Few things would surprise me less, in social life, than the upspringing of some anti-luxury movement, the formation of some league or guild among the middling classes…the members of which would bind themselves to stand aloof from all the great, silly, banal, ugly, and tedious luxe-activities of the time, and not to spend more than a certain sum per annum on eating, drinking, covering their bodies, and being moved about like parcels from one spot of the earth's surface to another.’ (Arnold Bennet)
This was just the book I needed. John Lane calls for voluntary simplicity, the idea of living simply even if one has the means for more. He talks about how although certain appliances/tech can appear to ease our lives, they can ultimately complicate them (eg, maintenance, repairs, upgrading). He talks about planned obsolescence - the idea that products are made to wear down quickly, so that we are forced to buy new ones as soon as possible - from kitchen appliances to ikea furniture to iPhones. A particularly disturbing statistic is that by the age of twelve, the average American will have seen 200,000 TV adverts. The message is clear - consume, consume, consume. The rat race leads to a life where one is constantly looking for the next material upgrade, never being content with what one already has. This preoccupation has resulted in the neglect of our souls, and consequently, spiritual impoverishment.
He also talks about how these attitudes are so normalised that the only way to break free is to actively make the intention to consume more purposefully. He tells us not to seek a life of poverty or deprivation, but to simply identify and reduce our excesses (and our excesses are indeed many). It is a switch from a life of material wealth to spiritual wealth, an opportunity to open avenues of joy in aspects of our lives beyond the purely worldly. The creativity and fulfilment involved in things like homemaking, nature-watching, gardening, art and poetry, can lead to a beautiful, wholesome life. He defines simplicity as simply loving something more than one loves ‘more’.
Such an important book, in a time when one feels weighed down by worldly excesses, by the expectation of what it means to live a ‘good’ life. And streamline John Lane’s advice with what we already know as Muslims- what a beautiful faith, that has always called us to a vast inner existence, and to live in this world as but a traveller.
‘Competition for more distracts you (from God), until you end up in your graves.’ (102:1-2)
May 23, 2025
Utter perfection. If I had pockets big enough to fit a book, this is the one I'd carry around with me everywhere.
The substitution of happiness with the acquiring of material possessions, though painfully silly, has been unfortunately ubiquitous in our times. "If I had a black Birkin 35 bag, I would never complain again". We are being constantly bombarded from left to right with the delusion that consuming more = more happiness. But what we, again, constantly fail to acknowledge is that, like drugs, this is a fleeting rush of dopamine. The reason for this heavy dependence on modern seductions delves way deeper, it reflects a terrifying lack of inner contentment, one only intensified by the finger pointing at your back to consume more.
In short, this book is the antidote to this materialistic plague roaming around.
Lane uses gentle yet affirming reminders to redirect us away from the chaos and hecticness and back to the core of our being and essence. "Strive for the fulfilment that transcends your individual egoistic self," he says, in an argument against the individualism phenomenon that's being so greatly supported. He calls looking after our own narrow interests "locking ourselves up in the dungeon of the ego." Had we instinctively been solitary beings, our ancestors wouldn't have depended on tribes to stay alive. We must forgo these narcissistic promotions of isolation in the name of 'self-interest' and dwell in the solace of community, companionship, and connection.
There is no greater joy than mutual acts of love. To try and sacrifice that for the quest of climbing up the ladder is preposterous.
He digs into many other subjects as well, such as the trivialization of the human spirit, rethinking our beliefs in order to find our bliss, and setting limits and culling the unnecessary to make room for what's truly important.
Lane lays the foundation for living a simple life by clearly outlining the route to find personal contentment: one that isn't sullied by any external, social expectations, but one that is influenced by living wholly in the present. Snatching ordinary moments and immortalizing them as extraordinary, eternal ones: to live with an open heart and let our imagination allow us to savor the ordinary.
Indeed, this is a timeless little gem. A perfect instruction book showing how to let go of the capitalist chains holding us and instead aim to reach inner wealth.
"Always bear this in mind, that very little indeed is necessary for living a happy life." – Marcus Aurelius
The substitution of happiness with the acquiring of material possessions, though painfully silly, has been unfortunately ubiquitous in our times. "If I had a black Birkin 35 bag, I would never complain again". We are being constantly bombarded from left to right with the delusion that consuming more = more happiness. But what we, again, constantly fail to acknowledge is that, like drugs, this is a fleeting rush of dopamine. The reason for this heavy dependence on modern seductions delves way deeper, it reflects a terrifying lack of inner contentment, one only intensified by the finger pointing at your back to consume more.
In short, this book is the antidote to this materialistic plague roaming around.
Lane uses gentle yet affirming reminders to redirect us away from the chaos and hecticness and back to the core of our being and essence. "Strive for the fulfilment that transcends your individual egoistic self," he says, in an argument against the individualism phenomenon that's being so greatly supported. He calls looking after our own narrow interests "locking ourselves up in the dungeon of the ego." Had we instinctively been solitary beings, our ancestors wouldn't have depended on tribes to stay alive. We must forgo these narcissistic promotions of isolation in the name of 'self-interest' and dwell in the solace of community, companionship, and connection.
There is no greater joy than mutual acts of love. To try and sacrifice that for the quest of climbing up the ladder is preposterous.
He digs into many other subjects as well, such as the trivialization of the human spirit, rethinking our beliefs in order to find our bliss, and setting limits and culling the unnecessary to make room for what's truly important.
Lane lays the foundation for living a simple life by clearly outlining the route to find personal contentment: one that isn't sullied by any external, social expectations, but one that is influenced by living wholly in the present. Snatching ordinary moments and immortalizing them as extraordinary, eternal ones: to live with an open heart and let our imagination allow us to savor the ordinary.
Indeed, this is a timeless little gem. A perfect instruction book showing how to let go of the capitalist chains holding us and instead aim to reach inner wealth.
June 17, 2023
Bon petit livre sympathique, facile à lire. On y trouve de belles réflexions sur la simplicité, facile à définir mais difficile à appliquer dans notre société ou le succès se mesure par la croissance économique, la consommation et l'accumulation de capital.
Acheté parce l'ouverture souvent cité sur les réseaux sociaux, résume bien l'esprit du livre :
The industrialist was horrified to find the fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
- Why aren’t you fishing?, said the industrialist.
- Because I have caught enough fish for the day.
- Why don’t you catch some more?
- What would I do with them?
- Earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would bring you money to buy nylon nets, so more fish, more money. Soon you would have enough to buy two boats even a fleet of boats. Then you could be rich like me.
- What would I do then?
- Then you could sit back and enjoy life.
- What do you think I’m doing now?
Lane, John. Timeless Simplicity (p. 8). Green Books. Édition du Kindle.
Acheté parce l'ouverture souvent cité sur les réseaux sociaux, résume bien l'esprit du livre :
The industrialist was horrified to find the fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
- Why aren’t you fishing?, said the industrialist.
- Because I have caught enough fish for the day.
- Why don’t you catch some more?
- What would I do with them?
- Earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would bring you money to buy nylon nets, so more fish, more money. Soon you would have enough to buy two boats even a fleet of boats. Then you could be rich like me.
- What would I do then?
- Then you could sit back and enjoy life.
- What do you think I’m doing now?
Lane, John. Timeless Simplicity (p. 8). Green Books. Édition du Kindle.
January 28, 2025
Good little book that doesn't overstay it's welcome but does heavily rely on the work of other people (specifically other white middle-class men). It would have been nice to hear perspectives from people other than those most similar to John Lane. He does cover simplicity in other cultures but only from an outsiders perspective.
Women have been doing much with little and making beauty out of nothing for centuries but hardly get a mention or quote (which this book is full of). Jane Austen is mentioned in passing but other prominent women often credited as influential in the voluntary simplicity movement are simply ignored. For all Lane's talk of Henry David Thoreau, he doesn't even mention Emily Dickinson.
This book for it's faults was eerily prophetic in terms of the current state of the world considering it was published in 2000. The discussion of societal isolation and over-consumption is infinitely more relevant in the post-covid world of influencer marketing, fast-fashion and planned obsolescence.
Women have been doing much with little and making beauty out of nothing for centuries but hardly get a mention or quote (which this book is full of). Jane Austen is mentioned in passing but other prominent women often credited as influential in the voluntary simplicity movement are simply ignored. For all Lane's talk of Henry David Thoreau, he doesn't even mention Emily Dickinson.
This book for it's faults was eerily prophetic in terms of the current state of the world considering it was published in 2000. The discussion of societal isolation and over-consumption is infinitely more relevant in the post-covid world of influencer marketing, fast-fashion and planned obsolescence.
October 19, 2023
Re-reading this from many moons ago. I'd remembered it as being a very beautiful, inspiring book and therefore it's stayed on the bookshelf all this time. However on re-reading I felt that the book was more about persuading the reader to adopt a simpler lifestyle rather than inspiration and guidance for actually living it. This was relatively new to me at the time that I read it, but the idea of simple living has garnered much more traction since then (albeit still not so much in the mainstream media!) It's definitely worth a read if you're curious about the notion of simple living, the quotes and references are also a good starting point for further reading. I love the woodcut-style illustrations that decorate the beginning of each section.
May 25, 2023
The premise of the book is really interesting and I fully agree with it. However, there were some things I didn’t agree with, such as the demonization of boredom (I think boredom is essential for creativity and self development) and the rejection of any kind of activity that brings you stress or suffering (I think a spiritually healthy life can’t be achieved by the rejection of hardships).
Also, there were some really interesting bits in the book but in general it felt repetitive as the arguments stayed only at surface level and as other reviews mention, the writing style is not very engaging.
Also, there were some really interesting bits in the book but in general it felt repetitive as the arguments stayed only at surface level and as other reviews mention, the writing style is not very engaging.
February 3, 2024
This book is worth the read for anyone living in the post-covid world/economy. It is interesting to see how 20 years after this book released, more people do seem to be challenging the king of consumerism that Lane condemns.
Lane makes an effort to include perspective from non-western culture and almost all major religions. I appreciated the cultural insight, but did lose him on some of the spirituality.
Even if you have no desire to live the simple, country-based life that Lane describes, this book is a valuable resource for showing another way to live, challenging some of our harmful habits, and reminding us of our humanity beyond Target and Netflix. :)
Lane makes an effort to include perspective from non-western culture and almost all major religions. I appreciated the cultural insight, but did lose him on some of the spirituality.
Even if you have no desire to live the simple, country-based life that Lane describes, this book is a valuable resource for showing another way to live, challenging some of our harmful habits, and reminding us of our humanity beyond Target and Netflix. :)
January 6, 2025
เป็นหนังสือที่ดี ที่ทำให้ผู้ที่ได้อ่านได้หันมาพิจารณาตัวเองบ้าง ลองหันกลับมาใช้ชีวิตที่เรียบง่าย ไม่ต้องฟุ้งเฟ้อแบบไม่มีแก่นสาร เพียงแต่ลักษณะการนำเสนอ อาจจะสุดโต่งไปนิด นำเสนอตัวเองกับบุคคล หรือกลุ่มคนที่ค่อนข้างจะสุดไปทางด้านที่เรียบง่าย น่าจะทำให้ผู้ที่อยากจะสนใจมีความรู้สึกกลัวที่จะต้องเปลี่ยนแปลงตัวเองในลักษณะนั้น
สิ่งที่น่าสนใจมากคือการอยู่กับปัจจุบัน มองเห็นตามความเป็นจริง ที่ศาสนาพุทธ (ที่เป็นพุทธจริงๆ) เน้นอยู่เสมอ
โดยเนื้อหาแล้วถ้าเป็นในไทย คงเน้นไปทางแนวทางพุทธศาสนาแบบที่เรียบง่าย หรือถ้าจะกว้างขึ้นมาและน่าจะปฎิบัติเรียนรู้ได้ง่ายกว่าก็คงเป็นเรื่องเศรษฐกิจพอเพียง ของในหลวง ร 9
สิ่งที่น่าสนใจมากคือการอยู่กับปัจจุบัน มองเห็นตามความเป็นจริง ที่ศาสนาพุทธ (ที่เป็นพุทธจริงๆ) เน้นอยู่เสมอ
โดยเนื้อหาแล้วถ้าเป็นในไทย คงเน้นไปทางแนวทางพุทธศาสนาแบบที่เรียบง่าย หรือถ้าจะกว้างขึ้นมาและน่าจะปฎิบัติเรียนรู้ได้ง่ายกว่าก็คงเป็นเรื่องเศรษฐกิจพอเพียง ของในหลวง ร 9
July 30, 2025
This was such a delightful read for those contemplating work-life balance and trying to reclaim their leisure time from addictive technology. I've lately been feeling like life has been escaping me too quickly and my after work hours seem to be not enough, this book was the perfect antidote. I've read books on minimalism and zen before but they didn't hit for me the way this one did. I've totally reframed my attitude towards domestic activities and have found joy and magic in things I previously was forgetting to pay attention to. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys self-help lit and will be sharing quotes from it with my family and friends.
March 12, 2024
I was really hoping for more from this book. From a philosophical standpoint, I feel like I am already living these values, so nothing here was new to me. And the philosophical focus on why to take on a more simple life was grounded in religious doctrine of the past, which holds limited appeal to me. And the handful of tips on how to live a life of simplicity in our Consumer world where not that all that terribly helpful, or I have been doing 90% of it already. Very disappointing overall.
September 18, 2024
A thoughtful criticism on modern rush. An inspiring read on simplicity and creativity and beauty. I loved how short and intentional the book was. John Lane often references different philosophers, spiritual leaders, and artists through out history, as well as accounts of some of his own experiences. Felt a little emotional finishing the book as I’ve recently been contemplating the missed opportunities and presence before my grandmas passing years ago and this book reminded me a lot of her 🤍
February 28, 2025
My low rating might have more to do with the book not meeting my expectations than the book itself. I was expecting a lot more practical advice on how to simplify my life. This was more an essay on simplicity. Also it was somewhat comical to read as the author stressed the busyness and extreme consumerism of present day (year 2000) which has nothing on today with our electronics and immediate access to Amazon, Walmart, etc and the bombardment from social media to buy this and that, etc.
February 2, 2025
loved the topic and enjoyed the authors “take” on simplicity. it is a deep dive so if you are just beginning your journey or tiptoeing into it this might? not be the book for you. thank you for introducing me to the artist Chardin and i enjoyed a post read rabbit hole of info on the Watts Towers! you learn something new everyday 😀
September 20, 2025
This isn’t a self help book in a traditional sense, and for that I’m in love with it. It’s an amazing book to return to every now and then, to remind you of what it means to live simply. It is an open invitation to embark on your own journey of detaching from societal scripts, finding peace in solitude and acceptance and discovering who you are in your most essential and authentic self.
January 2, 2021
I agreed with the sentiment of the book, that we need to pare back our lives and the material excesses that we consume. I just didn’t connect with the style of writing. I preferred Mark Boyle’s ‘Moneyless Man’ and ‘The Way Home’ books, that had a similar message in an easy to understand manner.
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