A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind by Shoukei Matsumoto

Bestseller in Japan and Europe

Description

Cleanliness is next to enlightenment. In this Japanese bestseller a Buddhist monk explains the traditional meditative techniques that will help cleanse not only your house – but your soul. Live clean. Feel calm. Be happy. We remove dust to sweep away our worldly cares. We live simply and take time to contemplate the self, mindfully living each moment. It’s not just monks that need to live this way. Everyone in today’s busy world needs it. In Japan, cleanliness is next to enlightenment. This bestselling guide by a Zen Buddhist monk draws on ancient traditions to show you how a few simple changes to your daily habits – from your early morning routine to preparing food, from respecting the objects around you to working together as a team – will not only make your home calmer and cleaner, but will leave you feeling refreshed, happier and more fulfilled.

In this book, a bestseller in Japan and Europe, Shoukei Matsumoto offers up the cleaning practices of Buddhist monks, to help us all live simply and mindfully in each moment.

My Thoughts

A small insight into what it is like to be a Buddhist monk, what their days consist of and how their way of life, their mindset, could help the rest of us appreciate all that we have – yes, ‘things’ – but especially our family, friends, colleagues and, indeed, others in our communities. Through treating our belongings properly, cleaning etc., we will improve our relationships with those we love and those we are not so close to and more importantly, perhaps, with ourselves.

What a charming, gem of a little book. Read your way through this Buddhist monks reasons for why cleaning helps unclutter the mind and body, why it is important to living a simple and contented, happy life and get a few cleaning/life tips along the way.

Thanks to Penguin via NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5*

Information

Publisher:   Penguin Books UK

Published:   4 Jan 2018

EDITION:     Paperback
ISBN:            9781846149696

#MonksGuide

Author: Shoukei Matsumoto is a Buddhist monk at the Komyoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan. Since entering the Temple in 2003, his days begin with cleaning. Cleaning is greatly valued in Japanese Buddhism as a way to cultivate the mind.