Simplicity Circles are Rippling Out to Thousands
by Cecile Andrews
The simplicity circle is a small-group, participatory form of learning that helps people create lives focused on the well-being of both people and the planet.
If simplicity is a form of conscious living, simplicity circles are a form of conscious learning. Simplicity circles help people move away from lives of consumerism, commercialism, and competitiveness to lives focused on creativity, community, and connection.
A simplicity circle is part discussion group, part consciousness raising group, part support group, part action group. It combines elements from the educational and social change movements of the Swedish study circle, Danish folk education, and the Latin American popular education movement of Paulo Freire.
The simplicity circle approach to learning and social change builds resistance to the domination of experts and authorities in our lives. When people analyze their own experiences, they begin to think for themselves, no longer responding like automatons to society's dictates and expectations.
Simplicity circles transform people's lives. People begin to develop a new way of looking at life; they find ways to cut back on their consuming, to work less, rush less and find more time for community, creativity and celebration. They learn to live in harmony and connection with themselves, with others and with nature.
Since the first circle started in 1992 in Seattle (and which is still going, by the way), simplicity circles have spread across the country and beyond to England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The Secret of the Circle!
So why are simplicity circles so popular? What happens to people in them? Well, the same words keep recurring--friendship, support, intellectual stimulation, inspiration to change, seeing the world with new eyes, personal transformation..
People say that simplicity circles help them consume less, leave jobs that are driving them crazy, slow down and enjoy life more. People not only quit consuming a lot of stuff, they quit wanting to consume a lot of stuff.
Underlying all of this is the fulfillment of a basic human need - recognition.
Not recognition as we usually think of it--as in publicity, status, or awards. It's being recognized as your true self, being seen and accepted and valued for who you are rather than for the image of success we've all learned to project.
First, people recognize themselves--voicing thoughts and feelings they had long buried. It's like the experience of reading something and thinking, "I've always thought that!" But only in this accepting, congenial setting do people begin to express that they're sick of the corporate culture, sick of the drive to compete and win, sick of all the stuff they've accumulated.
People are recognized by each other. Instead of the blank stares so many of us get when we tell people how we feel about our consumerist, commercialized society, we get looks of recognition. "Yes! I've always felt that way, too"!
As Jonathan Schacter, a young Seattle attorney struggling to find a way to practice law in a sustainable manner puts it, "The experience of participating in a circle and the honest telling of our desire to be unburdened by the complexity of modern society has had a tremendous effect on me. I came to realize that there are people in my community that struggle, as I do, with the prevailing 'wisdom.' Knowing that others are questioning the implication that the purpose of work is to earn money so that we can buy things, gives me hope and strength for my own quest for a meaningful life."
Marge Wurgel, co-convener of the San Diego Voluntary Simplicity Group says, "As a result of participating in a voluntary simplicity circle I have become more conscious of the choices I have for living a satisfying and more environmentally friendly life. I have used the experiences of other people to inspire me, show me ways to live more deliberately, and teach me ways I can live more simply and sanely. ...I get support and encouragement to continue to simplify my life, and in return, I get to share my experiences and help others continue on their paths of living satisfying and sustainable lives"
Arnie Anfinson, a member of the longest ongoing circle (started in 1992), talks about the experiences of members of his circle: "A number of the women tell of how they find support in our meetings when their friends criticize their frugal, simple-living ways. One calls me at times between meetings for a 'booster shot' to protect her from well-meaning, pitying and criticizing friends.
Our discussions frequently branch out beyond the primary topic of finding joy in 'the simple life.' Our concern for the future sustainability of our planet, which is always just beneath the surface for most of us, comes to the surface often; our discussions are very much of the 'whole systems everything depends on everything else" type.
Ultimately, then, in simplicity circles people begin to recognize the interdependence of all life. This recognition is a tremendous motivation to live in harmony with themselves, with others, with the planet and to continue to work to transform our commercialized, consumerist society.
Here are some of the features of a successful simplicity circle:
Small: Small is still beautiful, especially for groups of people. Only in the small group can you experience the intimacy and authenticity that inoculate you against the sickness of consumerism.
Leaderless: With leaders, we tend to become passive, and passivity is an underlying cause of the consumer society. In simplicity circles, we replace passivity with participation. In Sweden, study circles have been called education by the people, for the people, and of the people!
Egalitarian: With no designated leaders, people relate to each other as equals. Since our destructive response to nature springs from the urge to dominate, it is imperative that we learn to share power as equals.
Noncompetitive: To avoid chaos and competition, we need a special kind of format, one that creates cooperation. This is where the "circle" comes in. For each question or point discussed, we take turns going around the circle, using a timer (three-minute limit) to control the talkative ones. Everyone relaxes because they know they are going to have their turn. No longer are people competing but helping each other find ways to simplify their lives.
Experiential: In a good discussion, people tell stories. Everyone is interesting when they speak from life experience, when they answer such questions as "When have you experienced community, and what are the forces keeping you from experiencing community today?" "When have you felt most alive?" "What is something that you purchased in the last few years that you hate yourself for?" "Describe a transformative experience with nature."
Action-oriented: Simplicity circles are not business as usual--they are not just polite, enjoyable discussions that you can forget about the next day. No, the purpose is to change lives, change society. Each week people commit to a concrete action and return the following week to report and reflect. As people talk about their efforts, they feel encouraged, supported and inspired to persevere in learning a new way to live that is both fulfilling and safe for the planet.
Cecile Andrews is the author of The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life (HarperCollins, 1997). She is a former community college administrator who is now a community educator with The Simplicity Circles/Learning for Life Project in Seattle, Wash. She writes a column for the Seattle Times called "Voluntary Simplicity" and has her doctorate in education from Stanford University.