Posted: August 2, 2024   •   Posted in: Action, Faith, Simplicity

Living Simply: Lessons from ‘Aunt’ Eloise (Part 1)

Many of us yearn to live more simply; to lead less complicated, less cluttered and more balanced lives. ‘Simplicity’ is one of the key Quaker principles or testimonies.

Try to live simply. A simple lifestyle freely chosen is a source of strength. (Advices & queries 41) 

As the daughter, grand-daughter and great-grand-daughter of missionaries in South Asia, I spent my early childhood amongst people for whom simple living was largely imposed. As children we were absorbed into the community and went to the local village school. This was home. I remember something of the poverty but mainly the warmth and generosity extended to our family.

There is clearly a difference between choosing to live simply and simplicity that is unavoidable. Yet voluntary simplicity might be sought to redress the balance, even if in a very small way. ‘Live simply that others might simply live’ is a saying attributed to Gandhi, as well as to others such as Mother Teresa. It is a powerful statement but one that has many challenges.

Faith in action

Quakers try to live simply and focus on the things that really matter: our spiritual lives, the people around us and the natural world. We call for a sustainable way of life that puts people and planet first. (Quakers in Britain – Simplicity)

Quakers speak of ‘faith in action’, such as intentionally bringing simplicity into our lives. How often do we meet someone whose life speaks in this way?  In my own stumbling journey towards simplicity I reflect on the life of Eloise, a favourite ‘missionary aunt’.  She had retired to the UK on a small pension and had little materially but considered herself to have more than enough for her needs.  It was only after Eloise died that I learned she was a Quaker. This was some years before I came to my first Quaker meeting.  Eloise offered a wonderful example of voluntary simplicity as a spiritual approach and a way of life. I am not sure whether she was a Quaker when she served in a number of countries but her ‘life spoke’ throughout.

We try to live simply and to find space for the things that really matter: the people around us, the natural world, and our experience of stillness. (Quakers in Britain – Our values)

Although not without its challenges, Eloise appeared to lead a contented and fulfilled life. She focused on inner and outer simplicity, with the latter creating space for what she believed to be important. In practice, this was more time for meditation, reading and reflection, for relationships, and in service to others.  There are aspects of Eloise’s life and lifestyle that I would not choose, or that I would find too difficult to implement. However I continue to reflect on the lessons she gently and non-judgementally offered when I was young, not explicitly but by how she lived her life.

I will give examples of these ‘lessons in simplicity (and more)’ in Part 2.

Carrie (Beccles Quakers)