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  • A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

  • By: Shoukei Matsumoto
  • Narrated by: Adam Sims
  • Length: 2 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (72 ratings)
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A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind cover art

A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

By: Shoukei Matsumoto
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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Summary

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

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)

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What listeners say about A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

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Short and cut out before the end

I would not recommend this book. It was very short and the end of the book on audible came in the middle of a description of a breathing exercise. I would say this book could be useful for a monk learning how to look after a temple, but it really didn’t offer much for a normal householder like me.

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6 people found this helpful

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A good book.

This book seem like a good entrypoint to a calm mind.
it unfortunately ends abruptly.

The narrator was excellent.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Robotic voice; finished abruptly without any conclusion, please fix

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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Monks life

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.

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1 person found this helpful

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Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy soul.

A great book that reminds us the importance of taking care of the things we own and the place we live which ineffect gives a sound mind, body and soul.

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1 person found this helpful

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Soothing and inspiring

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Change

If one only practiced 1 task described in this book, your life would become better.

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A joy to listen to!

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.

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now temple cleaning in my 2 bed flat!

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!!

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note for the author

thank you!🙏 & Namaste!❤

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

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