The Abundance of Less: Lessons in Simple Living from Rural Japan [Paperback]

Inspiring stories of 10 urbanites who decided to ‘the simple life’ in the rural mountains of Japan—for anyone interested in sustainable living, Japanese culture, and Eastern spirituality.
 
“Subversive in the best possible way.” —Bill McKibben, New York Times–bestselling author

The Abundance of Less captures the texture of sustainable lives well lived in these 10 profiles of ordinary—yet exceptional—men and women who left behind mainstream existences in urban Japan to live surrounded by the luxuries of nature, art, friends, delicious food, and an abundance of time. Drawing on traditional Eastern spiritual wisdom and culture, these pioneers describe the profound personal transformations they underwent as they escaped the stress, consumerism, busyness, and dependence on technology of modern life.
 
This intimate and evocative book tells of their fulfilling lives as artists, philosophers, and farmers who rely on themselves for happiness and sustenance. By inviting readers to enter into the essence of these individuals’ days, Couturier shows us how we too can bring more meaning and richness to our own lives.“We are in an overheated world—physically and spiritually. It is extremely powerful to read of people who have managed to escape that world, not by traveling to outer space but by heading toward reality. This is subversive in the best possible way.”
—Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy
 
“Reading this magic book is like drinking from a fresh wellspring deep in the mountains: it slowly returns one to sanity. In an era when the allure of ten thousand digital screens eclipses the inner radianc