The Art of Simple Living
100 Daily Practices from a Zen Buddhist Monk for a Lifetime of Calm and Joy
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4.5 • 40 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
"Does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter." --Publishers Weekly
Relax and find happiness amid the swirl of the modern world with this internationally bestselling guide to simplifying your life by the renowned Zen Buddhist author of Don’t Worry and How to Let Things Go.
In clear, practical, easily adopted lessons--one a day for 100 days--renowned Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno draws on centuries of wisdom to teach you to Zen your life. Discover how . . .
Lesson #4: lining up your shoes after you take them off can bring order to your mind;Lesson #11: putting down your fork after every bite can help you feel more grateful for what you have;Lesson #18: immersing yourself in zazen can sweep the clutter from your mind;Lesson #23: joining your hands together in gassho can soothe irritation and conflict;Lesson #27: going outside to watch the sunset can make every day feel celebratory;Lesson #42: planting a flower and watching it grow can teach you to embrace change;Lesson #67: understanding the concept of ichi-go ichi-e can make everyday interactions more meaningful;Lesson #85: practicing chisoku can help you feel more fulfilled.A minimalist line drawing appears opposite each lesson on an otherwise blank page, giving you an opportunity to relax with a deep breath between lessons. With each daily practice, you will learn to find happiness not by seeking out extraordinary experiences but by making small changes to your life, opening yourself up to a renewed sense of peace and inner calm.
A PENGUIN LIFE TITLE
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Zen monk and garden designer Masuno (Zen and Art of Minimalism) does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter: pare down and simplify. Masuno offers 100 directives that he insists are small and subtle: "With really only minor effort, it is possible to savor the extraordinary," he promises. Readers will indeed find some easy-to-implement suggestions, such as joining one's hands together to temper irritation. The format underscores the theme of simplicity. Each directive is accompanied by a page of explanation and a minimalist line drawing by Harriet Lee-Merrion, making for daily bite-size reflections. Not every instruction is equally obvious: "see things for what they are," "make time to be alone," and "give up the need to be liked by everyone." Some of the ideas require elaboration, but, unfortunately, Masuno's own explanations never extend beyond a page for each directive. A bestseller in Japan, this will certainly resonate with fans of Zen practice, or those simply looking to declutter a busy mind.
Customer Reviews
Excellent!
Will surely share this powerful, yet simple daily living inspirational guide with others. A must read! Will continue to use these insights as a daily reference.
Very good insight.
Page by page this book is full of good tips for everyday life and lots of advice for every lifestyle question. It was a great read.
Rich in Awareness
The simple art of listening and being. That’s what I have to share.
Each mantra or chapter is full with context necessary for a slow fruitful life. Each day I would read a chapter sit, quietly listen, breath, and then progress to the next section. Over the course of 3 months this book provided insight and sincerely slowed my quick pace life. I would highly recommend to anyone who needs a break in this fast life we’re all living.