Is simplification just a matter of surrendering posssessions it is it something more

In
, or, Life in the Woods, authortells of an experiment he undertook to live
life as simply as possible. He did not surrender his possessions in the same way that somebody
does who enters a monastery. Instead, he built a cabin for himself by the shore of Walden Pond,
grew crops, and got by with the minimum amount of possessions that he felt he required to live
comfortably. As Thoreau relates in his book, simplicity meant much more to him than a mere
surrender of his possessions. A few examples from the text will illustrate this.

Thoreau went to Walden Pond so that he could live life more fully,
but in his opinion, this could only be achieved by living more simply. Simplicity, according to
Thoreau, had not only to do with a minimum of possessions, but also deliberately paring down
personal schedules to the performing of only essential activities. He was of the opinion that in
keeping frantically busy, most men were unable to perceive and contemplate the important things
in life. In chapter two of Walden, "Where I Lived, and What I Lived
For," Thoreau writes:

I went to
the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and
see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had
not lived.

In the final chapter of
Walden, "Conclusion," Thoreau shares several important thoughts concerning simplicity.
For instance, he found it unnecessary to travel because he thought the inward exploration of the
self was more important.

If you would
learn to speak all tongues and conform to the customs of all nations, if you would travel
farther than all travelers, be naturalized in all climes, and cause the Sphinx to dash her head
against a stone, even obey the precept of the old philosopher, and explore thyself. Herein are
demanded the eye and the nerve.

Thoreau also argues that in a simple life, success as the world sees it is not
necessary. Simplicity involves following personal vision, not going along with the
crowd.

Why should we be in such
desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with
his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music
which he hears, however measured or far away.

Thoreau also writes that it is necessary to be content with your life as it is and not
be overly concerned about your circumstances.

However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it or call it hard
names.

Finally, Thoreau writes that
to live simply, the most important personal value is a love of truth.

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me
truth.