As the idea of simplifying our hectic, day to day schedules grows more and more appealing, many have embraced the tenets of the burgeoning Voluntary Simplicity movement. Encouraging lives that are inwardly rich and outwardly simple, voluntary simplicity has captured the imagination of thousands of over-extended Americans. It is estimated that 15 percent of America's 77 million baby boomers will have joined the movement by the end of the decade.

Cecile Andrews is one of the guiding forces of the movement, having abandoned her career as a college administrator in order to devote herself full time to developing, leading, and writing about voluntary simplicity circles. In The Circle Of Simplicity: Return To The Good Life Andrews offers her thoughtful take on what has gone wrong, closely examining all that is troubling about our modern lives, and fashioning a pragmatic blueprint for change. Andrews philosophical, down-to-earth suggestions for discovering ways to simplify day to day life -- whether that means changing careers, cutting consumption, carrying less debt, improving the environment, or spending more time with family and friends -- provide the first steps toward replacing a workaday routine with greater enjoyment and fulfillment.

Andrews's approach promotes the idea of Simplicity Circles, small groups of people who gather together to help each other simplify their lives. The idea for simplicity circles draws its inspiration from a number of sources, including Swedish and Danish educational models, Native American wisdom, and Quaker spiritual practices. Having led scores of workshops and seminars on voluntary simplicity, Andrews is an unrivaled source on the ways to organize and conduct effective circles. Through her years of applied experience, she has learned what succeeds and what doesn't, and her emphasis, appropriately, is on keeping it simple and keeping it working.

The Circle Of Simplicity guides readers through the basic steps for setting up a simplicity study circle. Eschewing the idea of leaders, circles should be democratic, authentic sessions among small groups that foster reflection, conversation, and genuine dialogue. Andrews offers the nuts and bolts for insuring that study circles work to the benefit of all participants, including practical advice on meeting places and times, keeping journals, and encouraging flexibility.

Andrews suggests a concrete format for each meeting's agenda, and includes specific questions and issues that she discusses at length in The Circle Of Simplicity. For example a study circle meeting ten times (the minimum duration for success) should work its way through:

• Introductions: Getting to know each other
• Understanding Study Circle: Discuss the study circle method of learning
• Transforming Personal Consumption: Why we consume, and how we need to reduce consumption
• Finding Your Passion: Thinking of ways to earn money from your passion
• Building Community: Learning how to build more community in our lives
• Community Continued: Understanding how society discourages community and thinking of ways to encourage it at work
• Living Mindfully: Understanding how to slow down and live mindfully
• Transforming Work: Thinking of ways to improve the work situation
• Planning for the Future: Discussing public policy and planning the shape the circle will take for those who wish to continue

"Simplicity Circles lead to both personal fulfillment and social change," Andrews asserts. quot;Change doesn't usually start from the top and it isn't initiated by just one person. It is people, in their ordinary lives, who search for answers and make a difference... in examining their own lives, people discover their own wisdom and begin to transform themselves and the values of a society."

Purposefully conversational in tone, The Circle Of Simplicity is an inviting introduction to one of the most vibrant, life-affirming movements affecting thousands of thoughtful people today. By adopting the principles of voluntary simplicity and simplicity study circles, many more can replace persistent feelings of alienation and exhaustion with those of fulfillment and serenity.