Customer Reviews

Plain Living: A Quaker Path to Simplicity

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4 star:		(2)
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This small book comes packed with a wealth of information. This new paperback (July 2001) is a wonderful book to have by your side, to give as a gift, or to read with a group!

We were fortunate enough to receive a review copy, which a neighbor borrowed (and we haven't seen it since)! But before it disappeared, we found it has a collection of Quaker writings and thoughts that those genuinely seeking inner peace and a simpler life will love. This is many steps beyond the books you find everywhere, with empty promises of living a simple life. Following the path Whitmire illustrates, as many have for years and years, means bringing Quaker beliefs into every day life.

Reading the words of well known and not so well known Quakers made us want to read more. However, not all of the sources are from in print books -- some are gleaned from out of print editions, from speeches, from conversations remembered by various Friends, or in little pamphlets not readily available to the average reader. Which is why we had to have a book of our own, to read and reread, and mark up.

Chapters, and subchapters, include:

Chapter 1 Keeping to Plainness by Choosing - Simple Living; Plain Living

Chapter 2 Beginning with Ourselves and Our - Work; Time; Integrity; Plain Speech (not just simple words - sarcasm goes against plain speaking); Money and Resources

Chapter 3 Plain Living Day by Day in - Committed Relationships; Parenting and Mentoring; Aging; Humor, Joy and Gratitude

Chapter 4 Unexpected Songs for Times of - Fear; Suffering; Despair; Death; Grief; Hope

Chapter 5 Opening Our Hearts Through - Longing; Seeking; God; Faith; Prayer; Scripture

Chapter 6 Discovering a Spiritual Path to Plain Living Through - Contemplative Listening; Everyday Mysticism; Leadings; Discernment

Chapter 7 Growing Together in - Community; Decision-Making; Struggle and Conflict Resolutions; Reconciliation and Forgiveness

Chapter 8 Let us See What Love Can Do in - Practicing Nonviolence; Seeking Equality for All; Listening to the Earth; Spirit-Led Service

A pleasant surprise -- at the end of each chapter are a few "queries" (a Quaker practice, of raising questions that will prompt reflection) pulled directly from the quotes in the chapters, very inducive to group discussions.

Nicely crafted book for Friends and other seekers, although the chapter titles may sound too fundamentalist to some, and new agey to others, inside the book Whitmire offers centered, essential wisdom from many sources which can improve individual lives, community and living with the earth.

We're giving that borrowed copy to our neighbor, and we've ordered up many copies for our own use. We hope you'll find one somewhere for yourself.

The writings inspire the spirit in plain and simply terms, allowing the reader to mentality disengage from the commercialism of today. The book takes the reader on a journey of 'potentials' and illustrates thought processes on how to get there. The questions poised at the end of each chapter are reflective in nature, and I found the little glossary of Quaker terminology to be helpful.

This book is a welcome gift for anyone looking for spiritual and moral renewal. It is a library of wise quotes from the Quaker tradition that lead the reader to find peace and inner cleansing. I have read it three times, in short, quiet doses, and will return again for more. More substantial than shelves of self-help books, less strident than relentlessly positive cheerleading, it quietly takes you to places where you can have rewarding "aha!" moments and grow within.

Whitmire has assembled thoughtful quotes from generations of Quakers whose vision has helped shape the community of Friends. I found this book extremely informative for those who might be attempting to simplify a busy, stressed-filled life, and find a different way. It could be used effectively as a personal devotion resource or for group conversation. Very helpful in helping discern the difference between needs and wants, between things that you choose and things that have chosen you. A great place to start to rid your life of the stuff that weighs you down, both physically, mentally and spiritually. - Rev. Susan Langhauser

As one who grew up in the Quaker tradition, it was wonderful to reconnect with my roots in such an accessible way. While packed with food for thought, this book on simplicity exemplifies its subject by paring down the text into short, representative quotations to get your own thinking started. It reminds me of poetry.

As a book that can be read/used over and over, I bought a copy for my daughter and my siblings as well, and I hope it will be a source of inspiration (as well as understanding of our upbringing) for them as well.

Next time I read it, I'll try to take time to ponder some of the "queries" at the end of each chapter. This is also in the manner of "Friends," in terms of truthfully asessing where we stand and where we have room for growth.

I use readings from this book for the High School First Day School class that I teach. It provides many excellent jumping off points for thoughtful discussions.

Plain Living is a book of quotes by Quakers from the far past to the more recent past. The quotes are divided up under headings to assist a person looking for quotes by subject area, such as death, time, suffering, etc. There are also questions at the end of the chapter to help a person think about what was read. I like quotes, and many of the quotes were not only useful but well written. A person does not have to be a Quaker to like this book.

This book is a compliation of quotes that express Quaker ideas. The author lists these quotes, by topic, in separate chapters. There is no unifying prose within this book. I was disappointed because I was expecting the kind of book you can sit back and read. This is JUST and bunch of quotations. If I had wanted a reference book to pull quotations from I'd bought a 'book of quotations.

The author has curated a collection of quotations on various themes related to simplicity and plain living, which have been important values in the teachings of the Religious Society of Friends from its founding. The book is written specifically for Friends. It incorporates that spiritual viewpoint and each chapter ends with queries related to the particular topic. The quotations are from words written and spoken by Friends, from George Fox in the 1600s right up to the present.

However, the book and the included quotations focus on spiritual content and not religion as form so it is useful for anyone who values honest living and wants insightful words to ponder. This is an excellent book to read to stimulate and focus contemplation for people of other religions and even the irreligious.

The consistent strength and unanimity over four hundred years of the voices and values of the various authors is quite impressive and so this book can also provide an introduction to the teachings of the Friends as well as serve as a contemplative text.

Very highly recommended.

Very helpful compilation of Quaker topics and quotes. Quality reading now. I'll use it often in the future as well.