Robert Lawrence Smith’s book, A Quaker Book of Wisdom you heard earlier  in the service talks some about  people who take the idea of simplicity to extremes.  One such person he named in the book was Henry David Thoreau, a transcendentalist who had some Quaker roots.  Robert Lawrence Smith writes, “Quakers are not the only people who have extolled simplicity – Henry David Thoreau called out for the simple life with an austerity few Quakers ever envisioned” –Robert Lawrence Smith argues that simplicity is a necessity that Quakers have to embrace to be able to hear “the still small voice of God.” 

Henry David Thoreau’s concept of simplicity involved living a life free from unnecessary possessions and distractions so that we can make decisions without focusing on the social demands but on our own inner compass.  Like Quaker simplicity, simplicity for Thoreau was not just about having few material possessions.  Thoreau and Quakers both believe that we are to keep our lives free of societal pressures as much as possible.  There is that of God in the Joneses next door, but we do not have to push ourselves to be like them or “keep up” with them.  Yet we have to care about the Joneses and how our choices about how we live might impact their lives.  So the peace testimony is touched by the testimony of simplicity and the testimony of community.

For Quakers simplicity is the value professed first when we start spelling out the acronym of SPICES.  We begin with S for simplicity. P for peace. I for integrity. C for community. E for equality and S for stewardship. As Robert Lawrence Smith suggested, our SPICES are mixed together, one impacting the other with each choice we make.  Like the balls of Newton’s Cradle on the front of your bulletin, one cannot move one of the balls in a line without impacting the others.  So it is with the spices. All of the SPICES are intertwined. And Thoreau’s idea that we should free ourselves from social pressure runs through our SPICES, not just simplicity. The Integrity testimony also teaches us that we are to think of and treat all people equally and fairly.  This is true regardless of their possessions, status, race or family.  Because of the SPICES, equality as much as simplicity, we are to steer clear of the relentless pursuit of material wealth. There are many ways to look at simplicity, and when we examine a situation or a choice for simplicity, we will often come back to examining the situation or choice for peace, community, stewardship and integrity. 

We have to keep simplicity in mind when making a stand on something or when we are helping others, not only that we go with a simple, uncluttered approach, but also that we do not cause any unnecessary complications for other people and the actions strengthen the community bonds.  Our lives, when lived with simplicity, will many times be kinder and gentler. Like Thoreau, Quakers teach that a simple life allows for a deeper connection with the people and the environment in which we exist so through good stewardship we become very mindful of our connections to nature and to other people.  Listen for the ways in which these Quaker values were modeled by Thoreau:

• Thoreau deliberately chose to live a minimalist life style, not out of necessity, but by choice, to experience the freedom and authenticity that came from living without the burdens of material possessions and social pressures. 
• Thoreau emphasized the importance of living in the present moment and appreciating the simple pleasures of the relationship we acknowledge with nature and each other. 
• He advocated for independence from societal norms and expectations, encouraging individuals to follow their own moral compass and pursue their own paths.  While not the same as following that of God within each of us, finding the Divine in other creations is clearly a Quaker value. Thoreau found solace and inspiration in nature, and his simple life allowed him to experience a deeper connection with the natural world. 
• He encouraged individuals to be mindful of their thoughts and actions, and to detach from material possessions and societal distractions.  It is in this form of austerity and self awareness that we learn best to live with integrity and with a more inspired way of seeing the world.

He encouraged people to streamline their lives and live with greater purpose. Thoreau influenced people through his life and through writings, such as writing the books Walden and Civil Disobedience.  He made his views about the abolition of slavery very clear in his other writings as well.  Some of his ideas were later published from his journals and pamphlets he wrote. His ideas continue to inspire individuals to embrace minimalism, reduce consumerism, and find meaning in a less cluttered world.   But he also stood for equal rights to citizenship for all men.

But Thoreau expressed great doubt about all organized religion, and even though Quakers do not have creed or dogma, they had enough religious elements to count as a religion. He attended Hicksite Quaker meetings and took a side in the Hicksite/Orthodox split in the Quaker denomination during his time, but he made it clear that he was not a Quaker. He however, helped with the Underground Railroad.

This is Hicksite/Orthodox split that ended up being the division that caused us to have Friends General Counsel for unprogrammed meetings and  Friends United Meeting (Orthodox)for yearly meetings represented those meetings that are programmed.  Our yearly meeting is still in discussion but have chosen to remain more orthodox in worship behavior and Hicksite in beliefs. This tension has arisen all over again, particularly in more progressive churches as they debate same gendered marriage as well the use or less use of scripture and how many unprogrammed meetings to have.  But Thoreau was there at the beginning of the split in the 1800’s and liked the writings and teachings of Elias Hicks, the Quaker that wanted more open worship and less scripture. He specifically was opposed to the Quietist Movement among Orthodox Quakers that aimed to slow down action on social justice issues and quiet all civil unrest while people sought stillness. These are tensions that remain and show up even in our pastoral evaluation process and in our Circle of Friends with differences over what it means to be Quaker, how much to use scripture and how many open worship Sundays to have in a month still up for discussion.  Our yearly meeting, that is also discussing these things as they write a Faith and Practice, is not a member of Friends United Meeting or Orthodox, not because of a disagreement among Quakers on these things specifically but because Friends United Meeting has a written policy to exclude homosexuals in its hiring process. We do not support that policy and as such we are in an independent yearly meeting that has made its stance of equality for all clear. 

I think Thoreau would be somewhat happy for us as we discern what is the right amount of religiousness in KFFC church, but more so because we have taken a stand to be open and affirming of all individuals. Thoreau thought the conscientious objectors and their commitment to nonviolent demonstrations were signs of positive character among Quakers and encouraged us to stay active and internal-compass-driven in making change in our own lives.

Like being something treasured by Thoreau, simplicity in life is not owned by Quakers as a way of life or a religious concept.  Many Anabaptists such as Mennonite and Brethren embrace simplicity as part of their worship of God. Buddhists believe in seeking only what you need rather than what you want and living in a more minimalistic way.  Buddhist also believe that you should live without the weight of status and wealth upsetting the balance of your spiritual journey.  Many religions hold avarice and coveting as acts and attitudes that cause spiritual downfalls.

But those balls in Newton’s Cradle of our testimonies interact in even further ways. We can see the line that connects simplicity with equality when we flatten the social ladder and admit that all people are the same. This certainly helps build a healthier community. But also, if we live with equality and compassion, we will live with fewer things and care more naturally.  And if we live with less, in some cases we live with more simplicity. Status as a reason for becoming rich or following money-driven social norms will become much less prevalent in our lives, making it easier to practice equality, community and integrity.   It is certainly easier to make decisions when our lives are not complicated.

One reason for this is that simplicity in life emphasizes clarity.  It asks us to focus on what is essential and make that a priority. We have to have priorities to live with simplicity, have to know ourselves, and have to act with that awareness as we make decisions about what goes and what stays in our lives.  This kind of discernment is a great way of asking ourselves about the purpose in life and how authentic we are to others and to that purpose.  Sometimes we realize we are wearing a very heavy mask or hiding behind some form of disingenuousness.  Stepping out into the open helps to open new worlds for us and new ways of thinking.

Living honestly and with integrity can make life a lot easier, a lot more simple, and a lot more straight forward.  When we avoid situations complicated by ego, we often avoid pitfalls in life.  A time of introspection and discernment also gives us a chance to look at our choices and take account of what we have chosen in our lives and find ways to be more authentic.  Be the best you, but for God’s sake, be genuinely you. You can ask yourself questions like, “Does this or that go with my life’s purpose?”,  “Can I be more intentional about what I want to happen in my life?”  A simple query is “Do I really need this?” or “Why am I doing what I am doing?” help us discern our choices at that time. Living simply and intentionally doesn’t remove the chaos that is living, but makes our approach to life a simple one helps the chaos feel less overwhelming.  It can help with discerning what is ego and what is for the greater good of community as well.

Simplicity helps us to know more about something, not less.  Situations and choices have to be candled for what is essential. This will help us streamline our courses and eliminate unnecessary steps or layers of decision.  People who use simplicity at work tend to focus on functionality, create straightforward and clear steps, and prioritize what is important and what is just nice to have.  We sometimes hear people say that it is “clean work product” or “an uncomplicated process”.  There is less clutter, no unnecessary steps, and very simple routines to reach your goal.  This is called being “in good order” by older Quakers and means that it produces a more peaceful, manageable, and focused process. It should make things easier to understand and use. 

But personally, it leads to a clearer heart and head and less convoluted experiences.  I am not saying that Quakers have it all down.  What I am saying is that there are things in our Quaker values that can give our lives purpose, simplicity and meaning if we just take the time to be retrospective and introspective in our discernment.

Queries:  Think of a choice you recently had to make:

• “Does this go with my life’s purpose and how?”
• “Can I be more intentional about what I want to happen in my life and how?” 
• “Do I really need this?”
• “Why am I doing what I am doing?”
• “What are your priorities?”
• What are you really intending to happen?”

Bibliography

A Quaker Book of Wisdom, Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense, by Robert Lawrence Smith, first edition 1998 and reprint in 2002, by Quill, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, NY

Reflections on Simplicity: Henry David Thoreau: I Simplified My Life by Not Finishing Walden, Colleen Valles,  https://medium.com/@colleenvalles/reflections-on-simplicity-henry-david-thoreau-4733bd36f844

Minimalism, Intentionality, and Simplicity: https://coffeecarbsclutter.com/f/minimalism-intentionalism-and-simple-living?blogcategory=Homemaking+Ideas

DeSales Spirituality Center, Simplicity … of Intention: vol2num7simplicityintention.pdf or https://www.iccwilm.org/uploads/4/1/7/9/41798621/vol2num7simplicityintention.pdf

“May we not see God?”: Henry David Thoreau’s Doctrine of Spiritual Senses; Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2021, author Lydia Willsky-Ciollo

In Praise of Quaker Colors, Commentary by Walter Hesford, https://favs.news/in-praise-of-quaker-colors/#:~:text=Sometime%20in%20the%20late%20fall%20or%20early,journal%20that%20nature%20now%20has%20Quaker%20colors.&text=I%20have%20only%20worshiped%20with%20Quakers%20a,in%20olden%20days%2C%20quake%20with%20inspired%20enthusiasm.

Walden and On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/205/205-h/205-h.htm