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A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

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A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

By: Shoukei Matsumoto
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind by Shoukei Matsumoto, read by Adam Sims.

We remove dust to sweep away our worldly desires. We scrub dirt to free ourselves of attachments. 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 today needs it.

The Zen sect of Buddhism is renowned for the cleanliness of its monks, but cleaning is greatly valued in Japanese Buddhism in general as a way to cultivate the mind. In this book, I introduce everyday cleaning methods typically employed in temples, while sharing what it's like to be a monk in training.

This book will improve the condition not just of your own mind, but also the people around you. I hope listeners will discover that cleanliness is an opportunity to contemplate oneself.

Audio updated as of February 2018.

©2018 Shoukei Matsumoto (P)2018 Penguin Audio Buddhism Cleaning & Organizing House & Home Philosophy

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Critic reviews

The most unusual self-help book of 2018 ... There is something surprisingly calming about just reading the book, hearing Matsumoto's simple instructions and admiring the clean pen drawings of Japanese sandals and brooms (Jane Fryer)

A bestseller in Japan, this charming book offers practical cleaning tips as well as fascinating insights into the Buddhist approach to life, which counters the wastefulness of modern society with a respect for spaces and objects that is deeply humane ... Ideal preparatory reading for the January clean (PD Smith)
All stars
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This book seem like a good entrypoint to a calm mind.
it unfortunately ends abruptly.

The narrator was excellent.

A good book.

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Written to heal confused minds, I felt extremely inspired. I particularly loved the practical tips

Soothing and inspiring

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Very interesting encounter on daily cleaning which takes place in Buddhist temples. It's short but contains lots of informations. I will definitevly listen to it again on slower speed and make some notes this time and research what exactly are all these tools he's been talking about. Especially I'm interested in the essential oil used as insect repellent in wardrobes as it might be nice change for traditional lavender used in eastern Europe.

Monks life

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thank you!🙏 & Namaste!❤

those who have their hearts open will understand some basic infos to apply on daily life and improve all together.👌

note for the author

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Beautifully read but not exactly what I hoped for. I was expecting more about cleaning as a form of meditation and taking pleasure in simple things. There was more culturally specific facts about the superiority of traditional Japanese tools and investing money in good quality Japanese handmade objects. There were a few tips - such as cleaning windows with newspaper and remembering to close kitchen cabinets. Things I knew already.

Not what I'd hoped for

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The story was good. It made me calm down and gave me a chance to look around me again. However, I cannot give a credit to narrative. Yes, the voice helped me clam down and focus, but it was very hard listen unless I was on earbuds or headphone. If anyone who want to listen this book through a speaker, especially during driving, I do not recommend it.

Good story, not so good narrative

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This is peaceful and relaxing book with good advice. However as I have already mentioned in the headline, the reading voice is robotic and so not very pleasant. The last chapter just stops unexpectedly.

Robotic voice; finished abruptly without any conclusion, please fix

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So relaxing, it's almost meditative. It's made me look at cleaning in a whole new light - something mindful and uplifting, instead of a chore. The narrator is very good too.

A joy to listen to!

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An intelligent and thoughtful insight into mindful living – from the methods behind cleaning a temple or your home to the clothes you should wear. The book is almost poetic at times and a relaxing listen.

Thought provoking

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I didn't realise how meditative I'd find learning about how to clean a temple from a monk with a lovely relaxing voice... I live in a flat!!

now temple cleaning in my 2 bed flat!

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