If you want to learn how to live in a cleaner, tidier, less cluttered home and environment, there are plenty of books with tips to help you in that process, but few will approach the topic with the mindset this book offers. All of the necessary tasks to succeed in living mindfully and in a minimalistic way are seen through the lens of spirituality.

Here we are invited to approach cleaning our homes in a sacred, nurturing manner, with slow deliberation, careful attention to detail and an attitude of reverence, while treating daily tasks as acts of humble gratitude for what we have and revealing the best way to take care of our possessions.

This involves a room by room narrative based on the author's monastic environment and routine, all of which is fascinating and intriguing. Thankfully, most of it is applicable to those of us who live elsewhere, because the advice given is easily transferable to our own unique lifestyle and circumstances.

Simple line drawings and wise observational insights add to the charm of this little book, as does the author's description of his daily life as a monk. Although we might think we have nothing in common with him, we all need to take care of our homes and to live with awareness.

You will learn how to live with less, value what you already have and how to extend its life, making this a timely addition to the self help library. It's also a useful guide to being grateful, attentive and less materialistic in general, while viewing life from a perspective of care and consideration for others and the environment we live in.

A nice little book with gently words and practices. Made me want to spring clean in the middle of winter. Not sure I'd use all the recommendations as they are not relevant. Easy to read and ponder life in general.

This is not a book about how to clean, this is a book about why cleaning is reflective of an attitude to life. In that context it is quite beautiful, although sometimes frustrating. Frustrating because my life will never be as simple as a monk's and I'm not sure I want it to be...

"People who don't respect objects don't respect people. For them, anything no longer needed is just rubbish. A child who grows up watching their parents act this way comes to perceive not just objects but friends in the same way as well."

"Be grateful for the things that have served you and give them to people who could use them, where they can have a purpose and shine again. Appreciate the things right in front of you."

I think these two quotes sum up a lot of the context of the book. This is about attitude, about consumerism and an introduction to the Zen mind of appreciation and respect.

Recommended for anyone who is jaded by the "tidying up" genre and wants a more philosophical/spiritual look at life and 'stuff'.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Shoukei Matsumoto is an Shin-Buddhist monk and representative of the Buddhist Youth Association of Komyoji and he sas written this short guide describing the meditative and mind-clearing properties of daily cleaning in the temple and how this can benefit all, including non-Buddhists, through conscious and deliberate actions whilst cleaning. As Buddhist philosophy is at the core of Shoukei’s beliefs the procedures are to promote spiritualism and one’s place in nature, for instance ironing when done intentionally is to ‘iron out the wrinkles of the heart’. As all natural cleaning products are used it is a gentle minder of how the detergents and other chemicals we use are destroying the planet. Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for a review copy.

A dinky little book which offers an insight into the daily life of a monastery and the monks who inhabit it. The cleaning advice offered is pretty much common sense - make sure you involve your family, don't do gardening when it's raining, tidy things away at night before you go to bed and don't leave things unfinished - while some of the tips aren't going to be applicable to the majority of households, but it's interesting to view a snapshot of a vastly different lifestyle.

The first in my ‘Preparing for Spring’/surviving January booklist, this was a great one to start with. As you probably know by now, I love a good book on mindfulness, de-stressing and managing your mind. I also love a bloody good clean! This book is written by a Japanese monk, who unpicks the reasoning behind cleaning your house and the effects it has on your mental wellbeing. It sounds boring, but it’s not! It’s almost like hypnotherapy. Hate cleaning the bathroom? Well, for Japanese monks, it’s the cleanest room of the house and they take great pride in keeping it that way. Can’t stand the cold in the winter? Actually, having the windows open not only physically blows away those dusty, mouldy winter cobwebs, but also blows them from your ears, contributing to a fresh mind.
Some of the most enlightening ideas to take from this book included:
• Waste shouldn’t exist in home objects, they become wasted when they get treated that way.
• If you don’t respect objects, you won’t respect people (something I use on my kids in work – speaking of which…)
• Children need chores! It helps them to contribute and cleaning the home should be a family affair. It also teaches responsibility and routine. In Japan, the children clean the classroom at the end of the day – brush pan, dusters and all (and I thought my kids were well trained!)
• In Buddhism, it is a valued law not to kill – people, animals, anything. If you allow flies and bugs to find a place in your home, it’s your fault if you then have to kill them, so don’t let them be attracted to it in the first place!
• Don’t put off what can be done today to tomorrow (one of my Mum’s favourites)
• Everything has a place (ditto).
• Live by the words: meals, manners, gratitude. Japanese monks eat in silence to appreciate every bite.
• Sleep and breathing should be done mindfully to appreciate each moment and do it properly.
• And finally, washing your face should be an event. (Try telling me that after a late night when I just want to get into bed…)

These are just some of my favourites. There is a whole wealth of knowledge and quotable titbits in this book. I love how it associates cleanliness with a calm mind. This is certainly something I agree with and practice. How can you teach in a scruffy, disorganised classroom? Papers everywhere, how can you know where anything is? Cluttered living room, how can you relax? Washing to go away left in the bedroom, that isn’t a sanctuary for sleep! Everything really does have a place. Surprisingly, I feel less resentful towards those jobs I particularly dislike in the house now. Ironing. My number one nemesis. However, whilst it still bugs me we haven’t invented an ironing/folding washing machine yet, I now think of it as removing the creases and imperfections to make myself presentable and organised. I like it. And I like this book. Out now.

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*

I found aspects of this book interesting and reflective. Unfortunately a lot of people couldn't put the time and effort in to maintain such a high level of cleanliness. It was quite repetitive. Overall the intention was good, but practically, unlikely to be achievable by the majority of its readers.

A really interesting read. In Japanese culture cleaning isn't just about removing dirt, it's linked to "cultivating the mind". The book is broken down into chapters which take you through cleaning the individual rooms in a house then to body and mind. Whilst a lot of the text may be specific to Eastern residences and cultures the Western world can learn a lot about the art of a clean house and mind.

I'm afraid I gave up on this book after a couple of chapters. Whilst there are good points in there for the everyday reader, the details about how to clean different items properly would only really be useful for other Buddhist monks who have the whole day to clean.

Unfortunately, as a freelancer and single parent of 3, I just do not take much from this book. I did like the suggestions about getting in touch with nature... which I do already.

This book would be more interesting for people who are interested in Buddhism, mindfulness, or Japanese culture in general.

This is an unusual book, and does have some interesting ideas about how cleaning could be a kind of mindfulness practice... which I can see the benefits of. It of course written by a monk who has a very different lifestyle and commitments to many and so I did find it grated a bit after a while, and I didn't feel inspired to clean more. Having said that I do think that using boring or mundane tasks to take time for mental reflection is a good idea.

I have to admit to being a little confused about who this book is written for. From the description, “a Buddhist monk explains the traditional meditative techniques that will help cleanse not only your house - but your soul,” I was expecting more of an insight into Buddhism and spirituality in general. What followed was more of a common sense instruction manual on how to do everything from clean your altar to brush your teeth! The general message that we should spend the morning polishing the floors by hand, doing the laundry and cleaning the kitchen and bathroom before taking the kids to school or going to work is slightly patronising to anyone who doesn’t happen to live in a monastery! Of particular mention is the section that berates anyone for using a tumble dryer as we should, “Use energy from the sun and dry your clothes in a natural setting.” I can only assume the writer has never visited Manchester...

There are some interesting (but still common sense) messages to take away from this such as opening the windows to let fresh air (and nature) into your life, appreciating the value of all objects and reusing or repurposing items wherever possible and the value and importance of teamwork. However, rather than being left “refreshed, happier and more fulfilled” I was on the whole slightly bemused.

We tend to view cleaning as a chore and pay someone else to do it if we can afford. But this book gives a very different perspective and agues that one can achieve spiritual fulfilment and peace through cleaning. The style is very simple and refreshing, however I felt that there could be a bit more insight into the life in the monastery to give more depth.

I really enjoyed this little book and was quite surprised to find I have already been doing some of the suggestions already. For example cleaning of a morning and trying not to kill anything, for example spiders and woodlice. The book makes a lot of sense to me. We should look after our homes and possessions as we are lucky to have them. It is a very interesting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Penguin UK for providing me an ARC copy of this book that I freely chose to review.
Sometimes I read the title and the description of a book in one of my favourite genres and it is intriguing enough or it has something that makes me want to read it. But sometimes I see a book that is completely different to what I normally read but still, it seems to call me and this is one of those books.
As I am about to move (houses and countries), I thought a book about cleaning (not only our houses but also our minds) might be an asset. And, oh boy, was I right!
This book does what it says on the tin. I can’t guarantee you that you’ll end up cleaning more if you read it, but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t make you think about the process.
I don’t know how accurate a translation of the original this is, but I loved the simple style of writing. Although the sentences are not elaborate or complex, and the ideas it contains seem extremely simple, they are beautiful in their simplicity and unassuming. This is not a book of advice that will quote analytics, statistics, and numbers of followers. It just explains what life for Zen monks living at a temple is like, and explains their philosophy.
I am not very house-proud and I can’t claim to spend a lot of time cleaning (and even less thinking about cleaning), but there are some chores that I do enjoy, and some whose mechanics can free my mind and make me forget the things around me. Although this is not what the book is about (it is a way of life and it is very specific and ordered), I think most of us will identify with some of the thoughts behind it.
The book highlights the importance of respecting nature, our bodies, our possessions (and we don’t need many), all life, and each other. It is a short book and it is also a relaxing read that will make you look at things differently and give you some pause. And, as I said, you don’t need to be big on cleaning to enjoy it.
I thought I’d share some examples of passages I highlighted from the book, so you can get an idea of what to expect:
I hope you enjoy applying the cleaning techniques introduced here in your home. There’s nothing complicated about them. All you need is a will to sweep the dust off our heart.
‘Zengosaidan’ is a Zen expression meaning that we must put all our efforts into each day so we have no regrets, and that we must not grieve for the past or worry about the future.
It goes without saying that dust will accumulate in a home that is never cleaned. Just as you have finished raking the leaves, more are sure to fall. It is the same with your mind. Right when you think you have cleaned out all the cobwebs, more begin to form. Adherence to the past and misgivings about the future will fill your head, wresting your mind from the present. This is why we monks pour ourselves heart and soul into polishing floors. Cleaning is training for staying in the now. Therein lies the reason for being particular about cleanliness.
I hate ironing. I must say that after reading this I know what I’ll think about when I have to iron something from now on:
How to Iron. When ironing, visualize yourself ironing out the wrinkles in your heart.
By letting go of everything, you can open up a universe of unlimited possibilities.
A lovely book, a deep book, and a simple book. I kept thinking of friends and relatives who might enjoy/benefit from it (and I don’ t mean because of the state their houses are in!). And I am sure many of you would enjoy it too. Just try it and see.

Interesting & some thought provoking ideas, but hard to mesh this lifestyle into the western world where most of us are working long days to make ends meet. However, there are bits and pieces everyone could take from this

A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind is literally a cleaning manual for those who follow spirituality as part of their general course. Shoukei Matsumoto, a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, has created a simple guide for those who want to be mindful about their daily chores and why monks themselves do each task with such vigour and importance.

While the book itself is sweet, with lovely picture representations, I did feel that some of it may not apply to a secular western household as they speak of how to repair an altar. And when you live by yourself, sharing chores is not really an option. With that in mind, the book is geared for a certain audience, many of which may have to read this as just a pleasant handbook.

What a delightful little book. I read it from cover to cover within an hour and found it calming and fascinating in equal measure.

This bestseller by a Zen Buddhist monk is in the tradition of books about minimalism, mindfulness and decluttering. It draws a line from cleaning your home and living in an uncluttered space, to cleansing your soul and feeling calm and fulfilled. Shoukei Matsumoto explains that in the temple, the monks begin their day by sweeping dust away, not because the temple is dirty or messy, but to take away the gloom in their hearts. And he explains that undertaking household tasks mindfully and with joy will make you happier and more enlightened.

“Life is a daily training ground, and we are each composed of the very actions we take in life.”
I should admit at the outset that while I’m a fan of this aspirational approach, I am not one of life’s naturally tidy people. Rooms in my house frequented by visitors might muster an 8 out of 10 rating — marks detracted for dusty shelves and skirting boards, and a few scattered magazines — but the hidden areas of my home would score far lower; I have messy bookshelves, an untidy desk and a frankly embarrassing wardrobe full of unworn clothes.

Perhaps these messy hidden spaces are symptoms of a cluttered mind, complicated emotions and years of emotional baggage? All I know is that January usually sees me wishing for clean lines and empty surfaces. While I’m a long, long way from owning as few possessions as a Buddhist monk, the spirit of the book spoke to me and there were many practical tips as well as pearls of wisdom for me to take away.

“When ironing, visualize yourself ironing out the wrinkles in your heart.”
How different is this Zen approach to my own! For many years, when my four children were young, Sunday evening was my designated ironing time. Out would come the laundry baskets of clean washing and I would position my ironing board in front of the television set and treat myself to marathon sessions of Dawson’s Creek to get me through the ordeal of school uniforms and work shirts.

I’ll be honest and say that not being a Zen master, I doubt I could have maintained this visualizing of my heart for two to three hours. But now that my ironing pile is smaller, maybe I can manage a mindful and serene twenty minutes?

The book is divided into sections such as Understanding Cleaning, Useful Items, The Kitchen, Personal Items, Outside the Home, and Body and Mind. And the charming line drawings should not go unmentioned — they complemented the book’s message with their pleasing simplicity.

Having no tokonoma or butsuma of my own to tend to, and no shoji paper screen doors to clean or repair, the book provided an absorbing insight into domestic Japanese culture. I imagine people will find it interesting and enlightening on many different levels.

Matsumoto’s parting thought is that spring cleaning is not only a way of clearing the mind of all the year’s grime but that — when undertaken with your family — it can also strengthen the bonds you share. Now if I can just persuade my family to read this little book and adopt its principles…

A lovely book with a simple but effective message — do read it.

A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind, Shoukei Matsumoto
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Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Health, Mind & Body , Religion & Spirituality

I like to read books about other cultures and religions, and thought this sounded interesting. Its a quick and easy read, very slanted towards monks and temple life but with some parallels that apply to everybody.

I do find when I've had a mammoth blitz on the house that I feel better, that I get pleasure from seeing a clean room so I can understand the ethos about taking pride in cleaning, in doing a job well. I think the message I got from it was that and also give a task your full attention, don't let your mind wander but focus and appreciate what you are doing as an important task. Its not just cleaning a floor, but making the home smell good, appealing to visitors, a place you can take pride in and focusing your mind while doing so lets some of the other clutter in there go, relaxes us. Well, that's the way I read it ;-) and it does make sense to me.
I made a note about this part that resonated with me. “Adherence to the past and misgivings about the future will fill your head, wresting your mind from the present. That is why we monks pour ourselves heart and soil into the polishing of floors. Cleaning is training for staying in the now. Therein lies the reason for being particular about cleanliness.” Sometimes we're so busy looking ahead, to whats yet to come but which can change and looking to the past which we can't change that we don't appreciate today. Its time we'll never get back so enjoy it.
When early in the book he is talking about Buddhism, and not harming other creatures he explains by keeping the temples clean they avoid insect and other infestations which they would then need to deal with, so its easier to keep to their beliefs by preventing it happening in the first place. My agnostic cockney gran used to say “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” so clearly that transcends countries and religions.

I am going to try to take on some of the things I've read, make cleaning a regular schedule instead of my current ad-hoc when-I-feel-like-it one...and to focus on what I'm doing wholly instead of letting my mind wander. Like most of us I could do with some calm so its well worth trying.


Stars: 5. a short but very interesting book. Mostly centred around monks and temples it never the less has an ethos we can bring into our own cleaning regime.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and publishers

In 2017 I began to incorporate more self-care and spiritual practises into my life. In 2018 it has been my goal to really engage with a more mindful, present, and tranquil lifestyle. For that reason I felt very conflicted about what to rate this book. I loved the essence of this book and was so sure I was going to adore it, before I began reading. In actuality, I loved the idea of it more than the end result.

This book opens up the ideologies behind many of a monk's daily practises and shows how the reader can also use the same mindful techniques to improve their environment and mindset. I really appreciated how, for such a short book, this provided details on a multitude of everyday items in the Japanese culture. I found these sections of interest but, perhaps, not of great use to a Western reader. Once I understood the simple concept of the book - how cleaning is led about getting rid of grime and more about cultivating the mind - there was nothing more this book had to offer me as I have little use on knowledge of how to properly care for a shōji or a monk's clothing.