The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno Summary
Overview of The Art of Simple Living
Zen monk Shunmyo Masuno reveals 100 snack-sized practices that transform daily chaos into calm. This international bestseller, praised by Elle.com as essential for modern mindfulness, offers what Neil Pasricha calls "little Zen practices" that can revolutionize your well-being. Ready to quiet the noise?
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Key takeaways
The Extraordinary Within the Ordinary
Imagine standing at the summit of a mountain, feeling weightless and free. Now, what if you could experience that same serenity while washing dishes or commuting to work? This is the promise of Zen-inspired simple living. For 2,500 years, Zen Buddhism has offered practical wisdom for finding peace not by escaping our daily lives, but by transforming how we experience them. We often seek extraordinary experiences to escape our overwhelming routines, only to return to the same burdens. But what if the extraordinary already exists within our ordinary moments? The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity. Rather than attempting to change the world (an impossible task), we can change ourselves - our habits, perspectives, and responses. These adjustments need not be dramatic but subtle shifts that create profound change over time. Begin your day fifteen minutes earlier to sit quietly, focusing on deep breathing from your tanden (below your navel). As your breathing settles, your mind naturally becomes still. While enjoying your morning tea, notice the sky and listen for birdsong. This simple practice creates mental space that carries throughout your day. When was the last time you truly did nothing? In our hectic lives, few of us create space for emptiness. Pressed by endless notifications, deadlines, and responsibilities, we're constantly busy completing necessary tasks. This unconscious immersion in activity disconnects us from our true selves and genuine happiness. Just ten minutes daily is enough to begin transforming this pattern. Find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted. This mindfulness extends to how we experience meals and our living spaces. To simplify your inner self, arrange your rooms sparely, removing visual and mental clutter.
The Breath as Your Anchor and Nature as Teacher
Work as Spiritual Practice
The Art of Relationship
Living in the Present Moment
The Path to Your True Self
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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