Buddhism for the Unbelievably Busy

by Meshel Laurie

Dear Reader – This is not a book about coping with unbelievable busyness. It’s a book about making it stop.

What if I told you that a lot of what keeps you unbelievably busy is not only pointless, but avoidable, nonsensical and entirely driven by your own fears, insecurities and ego? You’d probably want to slap me, if you could find the time, right?

Don’t worry, I was once just like you: exhausted, harried, overcommitted and flummoxed as to what to cut back on. I’m not completely cured, but for the first time in years I have room to breathe and to think about what kind of life I really want to live. And I have Buddhism to thank for this.

In this book I’ve compiled the teachings, ideas and practices that got me to this point. Buddhism helped me dig deep to discover why I was determined to do so much, and why I was so afraid to stand still and be alone with myself. It’s not hippy-trippy stuff, believe me. Buddhism is just as relevant and practical in our modern world as it’s ever been.

As crazy as it sounds, I’m asking you to add one more thing to your list today: read this book, and let it help you free yourself from the grind of your unbelievable busyness. Live the peaceful life you know you deserve and be the person you want to be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2017

About the author

Meshel Laurie is a comedian presently on air (Nova) in Melbourne. You'd have seen her on television on Can of Worms, Spicks and Specks and GNW; she was a regular on Rove and the Circle. She also writes for Mamamia and is highly active on Twitter, where she has over 50,000 followers.

Meshel has been a stand-up comedian since 1994, and appeared in fourteen Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival and a sell-out season of a one-woman-show at the Sydney Opera House. Meshel is a member of the Advisory Board of SISHA (South East Asia Investigations into Social and Humanitarian Activities), an ambassador of Karuna Hospice, an ambassador of Childsafe Australia and an ambassador of A Flying Start for Queensland Children, for the Queensland Department of Education and Training.

Reviews

[Carly Findlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Buddhism for the Unbelievably Busy on my flight back from Hobart. It's so well written - funny and relatable, with some good advice. I love how Meshel has included so many anecdotes from her own life as well as case studies about other busy people.

She writes warmly, it's funny and practical. It's not ever preachy.

While my life isn't anywhere near as busy as Meshel's, I've felt like I've been on a hamster wheel of busyness for the last two years - really struggling to get business admin and housework done, and also needing to reschedule important hospital appointments because I am travelling a lot. Plus I am a no-phobe, scared I'll miss out on future work if I say no. I aim to breathe a little more in 2018/191, and this book is a great resource to help me do that.

[Josephine Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! It has challenged me and already helped me to start making changes. Meshel is witty, compassionate, unflinching in her criticism of herself and inspiring. I’m so grateful to have read it. Highly recommend.

[Emma Balkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was refreshingly honest about how Meshel Laurie found herself to be a workaholic. Her insights are candid and interesting. While the Buddhist philosophy didn’t really appeal to me, I found the ideas to be quite useful. A book with alliteration in the title, a book about mental health, a book about a problem facing society today.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Meshel Laurie’s work. This book is an interesting way to learn about Buddhism through Meshel’s own life. She is also a brilliant narrator of her own life. I did really enjoy it.

I was looking more for a book to help teach me about the basic principles of Buddhism and how I can apply them - which is what I thought this book was about.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I laughed and cried, was challenged, poked and prodded into thinking about life. How you live it, how you cope with challenges, mindfullness, meditation, all the good stuff and the gritty stuff as well.

[Justine Puls-welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. I recommend extremely highly! Loved it. Will be rereading many times.

[Nicole Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful enlightening read that challenges and encourages you to reflect on the contents of your life.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, pithy and highly relevant book for this over busy working mum. Gave me serious kick up the pants and a refreshing take on Buddhist basics. A surprising gem.

[Raig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puts Buddhism into a perspective that is very relatable. Not necessarily something I believe in but enjoyed learning.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comedians are generally brilliant at cutting to the important bits, so I thought this might be an interesting read. The formulaic self help aspects let it down though.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this due to being a massive Meshel fan after listening to her podcast The Nitty Gritty Committee. Loved her voice on that program, was very sad for it to end!

For me, this book contained many home truths that resonate with me, but that I often fail to practice due to overwhelm etc blah blah blah. Being constantly reminded is important! and I am glad I read this book for that reason, and I also loved Meshel's honesty here in writing about her own experiences.

If I'm being honest though, I didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped I would. I guess partly an expectation thing, the voice here felt different to the one i grew to love on her podcast. I also didn't really relate to some of the Buddhist stuff eg karma, I guess I prefer a more 'take it or leave it, but this is its value' approach, but that's just my personal taste. I read Stephen Batchelor's 'After Buddhism' a couple of years ago, which I loved and took a lot of value from. It took a more secular approach.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very relatable, insightful & funny. Enjoyed reading this.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical guide to how Buddhism can be a helpful approach in the real world.

[John]

yes this is worth reading , given me by son for Christmas and i have just finished it on ANZAC day took a while to get round to it since I have been unbelievably busy .
Studied Buddhism ? Born in Australia , raising kids etc yes find a little time to read this one .
Homage to Dalai Lama , Meshel is not Kondro Robina but still I count her as a dharma sister and am grateful for effort in writing this book ...