The Art of Simple Living - 100 Daily Practices from a Zen Buddhist Monk for a Lifetime of Calm and Joy

"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.

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 c hange;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

Leseprobe:

1
MAKE TIME FOR EMPTINESS.
First, observe yourself.

Be with yourself as you are,
but without haste, without impatience.

In our everyday lives, do any of us have time to think about nothing?

I imagine most people would say, I don t have a moment to spare for that.

We re pressed for time, pressured by work and everything else in our lives. Modern life is busier than ever. All day, every day, we try our best just to do what has to get done.

If we immerse ourselves in this kind of routine, unconsciously but inevitably we lose sight of our true selves, and of true happiness.

Any given day, a mere ten minutes is all you need. Try making time for emptiness, for not thinking about anything.

Just try clearing your mind, and not being caught up in the things around you.Various thoughts will float up in your mind, but try to send them away, one by one. When you do so, you will begin to notice the present moment, the subtle shifts in nature that are keeping you alive. When you are not distracted by other things, your pure and honest self can be revealed.

Making time for not thinking about anything. That is the first step toward creating a simple life.