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" If the world is a tree,

we are the blossoms "

Novalis

The World is my Living Room

June 11th, 2013

I have always been fascinated by Thoreau’s approach to living simply. His little hut in the woods at Walden Pond was an exercise in bringing life back to the basics as a way of understanding what is truly important. This act feels very Druidic in spirit. Here is a modern-day approach.

There is something deeply liberating about shedding the trappings of consumerist living. Not everyone could function in this tiny hut but the beauty and simplicity of the design and the quest to become more aware of the excess and unnecessary accumulation that our society encourages, is something that could be embraced by any of us, regardless of where we live. The pertinent question to ask is what do we need to have a happy, comfortable life? The answer might be different  for each of us but I suspect that we might agree that many of the things we gather about us serve only to weigh us down. The burden of so much stuff can be like wearing a heavy coat on a hot day; ah, the relief when we slip it off and feel the cooling air on our skin, the freedom to move without hinderance…

9 Responses to “The World is my Living Room”

  1. I suspect this is part of the attraction of vacations. It isn’t just going to different places. One leaves behind the trappings: one’s car, household neccesities etc. It’s like going possession free for a time.

  2. I am living in a little hut at the edge of Abel Tasman National Park at the moment . This voluntary simplicity is so fulfilling . I have been here for two months , have minimal belongings and a very very simple everyday experience . Possession free for a time has been a great gift to myself and my unfolding . I have used this time to focus on Druidry ,and I am studying the Bardic Gwersu at a far deeper level this time . I find my meditations are punctuated with bird calls , the Eisteddfodds are accompanied by rain on my tin roof , and the free processing space my mind feels owing to lack of clutter has afforded me the most magical reclaiming of my connection to both soul space and the sacred other (nature) ..
    Bliss is a forest Hut .. I feel the whisper of the ancients here ..
    Cheers for the share Philip .. both the vid and the excellent work you have done on the Mp3s they are Awentastic !!

  3. I think the older we get the less we realize we need after learning the lesson of too much accumulation.
    I still have so much to eliminate , though .
    Stuff stuff stuff!!!
    Any one wanting to come over to Spain to help us do that would be welcome….. like a WOOFFer ??????
    The popularity these days of tiny houses is interesting.
    Like a wendy house for grown ups!

  4. I learnt my lesson about stuff and clutter after my divorce . I wanted a fresh start and my approach was simply, if I don’t use it or wear it in 6 months , it goes to a charity shop. As a so called consumer as they like to call us all now, I think before I buy , Do I need it ? Or do I want it ? The needs always out weigh the wants. The moor space you have, the temptation is to fill it.

  5. “…the things we gather about us serve only to weigh us down.”

    Very insightful. I agree with the poster who said that may be some of the attraction of vacations. Hubby and I go camping at least twice a year into secluded mountain areas for just that reason. It’s a great feeling to let go all the “stuff” go, even if just for a moment, and live closer to nature.

  6. How quaint. I think the UK Government has a similar idea for lone parents (to mention one group). Let them live simply and work rather be supported by all the hard working folk who can afford to take holidays in Nature and pretend to be living simply.
    Now to my mind if you REALLY want to live in simplicity, try being out of work in an economically deprived area. Forget the propaganda of the media and Government. There are people out there queuing at food banks to feed their children. Depressed and miserable people and rising child poverty.
    Contemplate that in the woods.

  7. How absolutely necessary! In the last six months, I shed from a 2,200 sq foot home and two yards (which I regretted most giving up) to 825 sq feet and guess what? I need to shed about 200 more feet to be even lighter and “happier”. The yards that I so regretted giving up have been replaced by the greater outdoors. It is wonderful. Different, but wonderful. Highly recommend it.

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