Zen: The Art of Simple Living

This is a book that BookSloth has opened not once, but twice. On her first reading, she approached it with resistance, sceptical that simplicity could truly be so powerful. Her monkey mind scoffed: can lining up your shoes or savoring morning air really make a difference? She finished that initial read unconvinced, feeling the advice was pleasant but perhaps too simple. Yet something quiet happened in the weeks that followed. BookSloth found that phrases from Masuno’s gentle instructions kept surfacing in her daily life. They weren’t quotes she’d consciously memorised, but they lingered in her subconscious, arising unbidden at just the right moments. The wisdom of the book had planted seeds. Bit by bit, Zen: The Art of Simple Living was working on her from the inside out. This realisation moved BookSloth to pick up the book a second time, now with a more open mind. And this time, one particular lesson struck her heart with full force. Masuno, who is not only a Zen monk but also a renowned garden designer, writes about the danger of being swayed by too many opinions when creating something. He shares from experience: “If I focus too much on what the team sees, then it can be difficult to complete the garden as an expression of my own thoughts. Although it may seem counterintuitive, when it comes to coordinating what direction the rocks will face, the fewer people involved, the easier it is to synchronise. And when it’s time to make the final adjustments, it’s best to do it alone.” For BookSloth, who does books for a living, this passage became the quote she wanted to share with every author she works with. It’s a gentle nudge to trust one’s own vision. In a world where writers are often inundated with feedback from teams, beta readers, and market trends, Masuno’s words remind us that art (whether a garden or a novel) sometimes flourishes best with fewer voices and a bit of solitude. BookSloth finds this insight quietly profound. She has already started telling her writers: carry your project with a team when needed, but for the final touches, don’t be afraid to step into the quiet and listen to your own creative voice. The book also taught BookSloth that “simple” doesn’t always mean “easy”. The practices Masuno suggests are straightforward–wake up 15 minutes earlier, arrange your room simply, breathe deeply. They sound easy enough, yet implementing them proved to be a true exercise in mindfulness. BookSloth noticed how her own monkey mind would resist these small changes. One evening, for example, she tried the book’s advice to pause after every bite during dinner. Such a simple act–and yet her thoughts kept racing, impatient to move on. This is where the real challenge of the book lies: its tips are plain and practical, but following them asks you to slow down and wrestle kindly with that restless part of your mind. BookSloth came to appreciate that simplicity is a discipline. In embracing these humble practices, she often confronted her busy modern habits. With patience, though, each little exercise reflected just how full her mind had been and how much calmer it could be. The simplicity that she once dismissed as trivial turned out to be stealthily transformative. This book changed BookSloth. Not with a thunderbolt epiphany, but in a quiet, enduring way. She carries herself a bit differently now. Mornings start with a brief moment of emptiness (just as Masuno gently instructs), and it leaves her feeling more present throughout the day. When anxiety swells, she finds herself recalling the book’s gentle voice: “The answers you seek are within.” BookSloth is grateful she gave this book a second chance. Shunmyō Masuno’s warm, no-frills wisdom seeped into her life and work, proving her initial scepticism both right and wrong: yes, the book really is simple–and that’s exactly why it’s so powerful. Warmly recommended to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the noise of modern life. Read it slowly, let its lessons percolate, and you may just find yourself, as BookSloth did, a little more at peace, a little more you, on the other side of its pages.

I love this book.This book I have not read from cover to cover.I dip in and out of it. Such wise words to reflect onyour current situation. I find it great to read. There is illustrations in the book which are drawn and its nice to read and look at.

As someone who has a very busy professional and social life I love these sort of books to help with lifestyle challenges and lessons. There's a lot to be said for this spiritual path and I've used a lot of the guidance and teachings to help to bring a greater balance to my life. Definitely worth a read and it certainly makes you think. It might even make you change a few things.

A beautifully presented collection of simple ideas and thoughts to spark positive change – 5 Stars I’m so glad I purchased this book; dipping in to its pages is a feast for the eyes and a breath of fresh air for the mind. Hardback, and an ideal size to drop into a bag or backpack, I read this as much while I’m out in the open as when I’m indoors. Drawing on principles from Feng Shui, Japanese horticulture, mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhist philosophy, this volume contains one hundred suggestions of ways in which we can enrich our lives. Illustrated throughout, the artwork is as gentle in its design as are the words on each page. The ideas expressed within present small changes that require very little (if any) material input, instead they encourage a shift in perception and habits. Paying attention to small details in our environment, and even to mundane tasks, requires a focus that naturally reduces the ‘busyness’ of the mind. The outcome, as the author explains, is both kinder to ourselves and to those we encounter. For anyone looking for an introduction to Zen values, wanting help dealing with stress, or simply trying to find the essence of what makes them happy, then this book is a great place to start. Whilst the concepts are presented with a child-like simplicity, mastering the mind-set it advocates takes practise and dedication. However, adopting just a few of the ideas suggested quickly brings positive results and an improved sense of well-being that makes practising a pleasure.

Recommend :))

But a few too many sweeping assumptions make it surprisingly jarring! 'Empty your mind', is suggested to much. A feat that is proven to be impossible for the human mind

This is a wonderful book; clear, concise and beautifully presented. Shunmyo Masuno, the author of this book, is leader of a 450 year-old Buddhist temple and is also an expert Zen garden designer, so is in a very well-suited position to advise readers on the beauty of Zen. The book consists of 100 'daily practices' you can change to make your life more meaningful and spiritually sound. In a world dominated by technology and a move away from nature, where mental illness is becoming a global epidemic, Masuno's guide is the olive branch everyone should possess in their library of books for healing the mind. These practices are simple, relatively easy-to-do and effective. Though I haven't had time to fully delve into putting these practices into practice (excuse the awful language), I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to find more happiness, peace, love, or spirituality in their life. I would ESPECIALLY recommend this to mental health sufferers like myself. To me, Masuno's words ring out with so with empathy and yet sensible knowledge, perfectly applicable for the modern day. Get this book: it could help change your life for the better, one small change at a time.

What to say about a book that espouses the need to put away our likes and dislikes? I bought this after seeing it listed on the reading list of Treeleaf Zendo (thank me later). I didn’t buy it before that. Why not? Because I thought it would be the usual trite advice with pretty pictures. But it isn’t. It has lots of things that I recognise as being truly a part of zen. It has a couple of things that I don’t know what to make of (we’re all in Buddha’s palm? Trust in yourself?). That isn’t to say that I disagree with them, only that they have left me stumped. But I read this book and I enjoyed every page of it. It really is no more than a finger pointing at a path to a higher place from where you can see the moon. Does the level from where you see the moon make a difference?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it provided me with clarity on various aspects of life. It helped me navigate through significant life changes and career challenges, proving to be a valuable resource for finding peace in solitude. The concepts of Zen are presented simply and comprehensibly, making them accessible to all readers. The explanation of Zazen is particularly enlightening. I highly recommend this book to senior government officials and management professionals.

Even the existence of the book makes you feel better

The book is amazing, but I'm upset because it didn't come in a package, so I received the book with stains that can't be cleaned.

Da leggere e rileggere. Design molto bello, da aprire ogni giorno random e prendersi la pillola del giorno. Super raccomandato per se stessi o come regalo

Book is good.. delivery before time..