Simplify

This is a delightful and highly practical book by a man who experimented in living off-grid in a yurt and is appropriately subtitled 'how to stay sane in the world going mad.' A central part of his answer is slowing down and becoming aware of our connection with nature. He gives advice on downscaling, rewilding, simple food and unteching yourself, then in the second part recommends 21 practices to help you simplify your life in terms of stillness, taking it easy, learning to breathe, dancing, doing what you love and practising gratitude. The third and fourth parts address being you really are and walking your talk. I really enjoyed the author's down-to-earth tone and explanations of how we can all become Earth Warriors rather than worriers, living slowly enough to be fully present: 'a warrior does not rush' (c.f. Aristotle: 'a wise man is never in a hurry.') We all need to do the work, including that involving shadow and healing. We can create a new earth by stopping feeding the old one 'with our energy, our money, our fear, our taxes and our minds.' In this way, we can become part of a new caring generation that he calls Team Earth.