implicity grows from sacred roots, embodying a wealth of spiritual virtues and values made apparent by attitude, words, activities, and lifestyle. Simplicity is beautiful, and like the moon, it radiates coolness in contrast to the effulgence of the sun. Simplicity is natural. It may appear common and without appeal to those whose vision has become habituated by superficiality. However, to those with an artist’s refined insight, a glimpse of simplicity is enough to recognize the masterpiece.

Simplicity combines sweetness and wisdom. It is plainness of mind and intellect. Those embodying simplicity are free from strenuous thinking and complicated, extraneous thoughts. The intellect is sharp and alert. Simplicity calls on instinct, intuition, and insight to create essenceful thoughts and empathetic feelings. There is egolessness in simplicity, as if one embodying that virtue has renounced possessiveness and is free from material desires which distract the intellect, causing it to wander into wasteful territory. Being without desire does not mean one goes without. On the contrary, one has everything, including inner fulfillment. That is apparent on the face - innocent of disturbance, weakness, and anger - and in the behavior - uniquely elegant and royal, yet naive. Simplicity is being the innocent child and the wise master. It teaches simple living and high thinking.

People living simply normally enjoy a close relationship with nature. Their ethic is derived from perennial traditions operating according to the laws of nature. They rise at dawn and retire at dusk. They tell the time of day by the position of the sun and determine the dates of sacred days by the position of the moon. Herbs become their natural cures, the backyard their farmers’ market, and the moon and stars their light bulbs. The natural world is their classroom. This does not mean that all should adopt such a lifestyle. However, there are lessons to be learned in nature. When the ethic of simplicity is followed, there is hardly any waste. All resources, time, thoughts, ideas, knowledge, money, and raw materials are valued as investments.

From simplicity grows generosity. Generosity is sharing hard-earned income with liberality of spirit. Sharing one’s own resources in a congenial and caring manner is to bring back to human activity the meaning of family. Simplicity is more than giving money and material possessions. It is giving of the self that which is priceless - patience, friendship, and encouragement. In the spirit of putting others first, those embracing simplicity donate their time freely to others. That is done with kindness, openness, and pure intentions and without expectations and conditions. As a result, such individuals reap the abundant fruits sown from the seeds of generous actions.

Simplicity is truth. The beauty of truth is so simple, it works like alchemy. No matter how many disguises may come in front of it, the light of truth cannot remain hidden; it will reach out to the masses in a language so simple yet with a message so profound. The messengers of truth have always embodied ordinary forms, led simple lives, and adopted simple mediums of imparting their messages. They lived and spoke the truth, bringing beauty to the lives of others. In their simplicity and splendor, they can be compared to the jeweller. While remaining true to the integrity of his profession, the jeweller makes every single jewel flawless and precious, but he himself remains simple.

Today beauty is defined by the fashion and beauty industries, amplified by the rich and famous, and embraced by the masses. Beauty, however, is not only skin deep, as the saying goes. Beauty in its simplest form is about removing the arrogance of expensive clothing and extravagant living. Beauty goes beyond rich and poor. It is appreciating the small things in life, sometimes not visible or apparent to the rest of the world. Simplicity is appreciating inner beauty and recognizing the value of all actors, even the poorest and worst off. It is considering all tasks, including the most menial, to have worth and dignity.

The ethic of simplicity is the precursor to sustainable development. Simplicity teaches economy. It teaches investment by example to those clear and honest about their needs and who live accordingly. Simplicity is the conscience which calls upon people to rethink their values. Simplicity asks whether we are being induced to purchase unnecessary products. Psychological enticements create artificial needs. Desires stimulated by wanting unnecessary things result in value clashes complicated by greed, fear, peer pressure, and a false sense of identity. Once fulfillment of basic necessities allows for a comfortable lifestyle, extremes and excesses invite overindulgence and waste. While that approach can be defended as a means to build certain economies, it should not be used at the expense of pushing other economies into dire poverty. It should not be that imposed sacrifice of some brings great affluence to others. That is not a principle but an injustice!

Simplicity helps decrease the gap between "the haves" and "the have nots" by demonstrating the logic of true economics: to earn, save, invest, and share the sacrifices and the prosperity so that there can be a better quality of life for all people regardless of where they were born.

"In developing countries, for example, women are key to the management of many environmental systems. They grow food as well as cooking it; they provide fuel as well as burning it; they manage the water supply as well as using it. If energy, land and water are the keys to survival, the keys are held by the women of the world."

Dr. Nafis Sadik,
Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund,
June, 1992