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Mind Full to Mindful: Zen Wisdom From a Monk's Bowl
بسیاری از ما برای حفظ آرامش در طول روز و یا به خواب رفتن در شب تلاش میکنیم.ذهن ناآرام و خیانتکار ما باعث میشود لحظهای احساس خوبی داشته باشیم و لحظهای احساس وحشتناک. منفیگرایی و اضطراب از کجا ما را فرا میگیرد و چگونه میتوانیم آرام باشیم؟ ذن هنر دستیابی به آن آرامش درونی را بدون تشریفات یا جزماندیشی به ما نشان میدهد. این کتاب در مورد مشاهده زیبایی، سعادت و حقیقت در زندگی روزمره ماست. رانندگی به محل کار یا شستن ظروف، هر عملی به راحتی میتواند برای ما مراقبه باشد. این کتاب زیبا بر اساس آموزههای اصلی ذن، چشماندازی را ارائه میدهد که زندگی را تغییر میدهد. ام سوامی، نویسنده پرفروش بسیاری از کتابهای دگرگونکننده، هنر شادی را با طنز، داستانها و حکمت فراوان با شما به اشتراک میگذارد و شما را به سفری از ذهنانباری به ذهنآگاهی میبرد.
192 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2018
253 people are currently reading
3023 people want to read
About the author
Om Swami
42 books574 followersOm Swami is a mystic who lives in the Himalayan foothills. Prior to renunciation, he founded and ran a multimillion-dollar software company with offices across the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
May 18, 2018
I have been reading OM swami for a long time. I am not his follower. I usually keep reading books of yogis and I got to know him by book 'If Truth Be Told'. I picked it accidentally, no one recommended it to me. Since then I am reading his books. Few of them like 'A Million Thoughts ', 'The Wellness Sense', 'Kundalini' are his based on his philosophy or experiences. 'The Last Gambit' is a quite good fictional book from him. Rest of books mostly are the compilation of his discourse to followers, which personally I didn't find that much interesting.
'Mind Full to Mindful' is different from all of his previous work. It is based on Zen teaching. I keep reading spiritual books from various religions. But nothing has impressed me like Buddhism and Zen in particular. Zen is ridiculously simple to understand. Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism influenced by Taoism (the perfect combination). Om Swami has explained various zen concepts with his understanding. In Initial few chapters, he explained roots and history of zen and few zen concepts like 'zazen', 'wall gazing', 'Chado', 'Kinhin', 'Osoji' which are very prominent in East Asia ( China and Japan ). Then he dedicated four chapters to explain 'Prajna Paramita Sutra' or 'Heart Sutra'. Heart Sutra is the most popular Buddhist scripture. This commentary of Om Swami on Heart Sutra is the core of this book. Later few chapters dedicated to explaining principles like compassion, non-violence, forgiveness.. etc which are prominent in Buddhism. Next few chapters like 'Sit Quitely', 'Care for your body', 'Learn to Handle Pain' are his commentary on poems from 'Buddha in blue jean'. This book is about 200 pages to read, still, you don't have that much time to read at least go through his commentary on heart sutra. Om Swami has explained it very beautifully with small stories and illustrations still, if you find it a little bit difficult to understand, at least go through the chapters 'Sit Quitely', 'Care for your body', 'Learn to Handle Pain'. A good introductory book on zen but not a complete one.
'Mind Full to Mindful' is different from all of his previous work. It is based on Zen teaching. I keep reading spiritual books from various religions. But nothing has impressed me like Buddhism and Zen in particular. Zen is ridiculously simple to understand. Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism influenced by Taoism (the perfect combination). Om Swami has explained various zen concepts with his understanding. In Initial few chapters, he explained roots and history of zen and few zen concepts like 'zazen', 'wall gazing', 'Chado', 'Kinhin', 'Osoji' which are very prominent in East Asia ( China and Japan ). Then he dedicated four chapters to explain 'Prajna Paramita Sutra' or 'Heart Sutra'. Heart Sutra is the most popular Buddhist scripture. This commentary of Om Swami on Heart Sutra is the core of this book. Later few chapters dedicated to explaining principles like compassion, non-violence, forgiveness.. etc which are prominent in Buddhism. Next few chapters like 'Sit Quitely', 'Care for your body', 'Learn to Handle Pain' are his commentary on poems from 'Buddha in blue jean'. This book is about 200 pages to read, still, you don't have that much time to read at least go through his commentary on heart sutra. Om Swami has explained it very beautifully with small stories and illustrations still, if you find it a little bit difficult to understand, at least go through the chapters 'Sit Quitely', 'Care for your body', 'Learn to Handle Pain'. A good introductory book on zen but not a complete one.
December 19, 2019
What's the craziest thing a book has made you do?
I visited the Ashram of the author Om Swami - Badrika Ashram- because of his super captivating writing style.
This book did such magic on me, that I had to personally go and check the author.
I am currently reading two more of his books - If Truth Be Told (A Monk's Memoir) and A Million Thoughts
As the name suggests, Mind Full to Mindful is a collection of Zen lessons from the author himself.
If you want to learn the art of storytelling, read his books.
I visited the Ashram of the author Om Swami - Badrika Ashram- because of his super captivating writing style.
This book did such magic on me, that I had to personally go and check the author.
I am currently reading two more of his books - If Truth Be Told (A Monk's Memoir) and A Million Thoughts
As the name suggests, Mind Full to Mindful is a collection of Zen lessons from the author himself.
If you want to learn the art of storytelling, read his books.
March 18, 2020
For someone who frowns upon spirituality and religion, this book is a game changer.
Om Swami was a working professional in Australia post his MBA in the same country. In 2010, he decided to forgo his material possessions to be a monk. He meditated in the Himalayas for thriteen months. This book is all about Zen and the Zen way of life.
It tells you about Zazen, Shunya, Chado and useful concepts you might have not heard if spirituality is not your thing. This review is very short as I expect you to read the book to understand the Zen.
In conclusion: A Zen Guide for life!
Om Swami was a working professional in Australia post his MBA in the same country. In 2010, he decided to forgo his material possessions to be a monk. He meditated in the Himalayas for thriteen months. This book is all about Zen and the Zen way of life.
It tells you about Zazen, Shunya, Chado and useful concepts you might have not heard if spirituality is not your thing. This review is very short as I expect you to read the book to understand the Zen.
In conclusion: A Zen Guide for life!
February 7, 2024
“It’s all about how you handle life. it is what it is. If you deal with life compassionately, gratefully, and delicately, you will discover that it’s every bit as beautiful and that it belongs to you whole heartedly”
A wonderful read filled with little seeds of knowledge that I intend on nurturing.
A wonderful read filled with little seeds of knowledge that I intend on nurturing.
July 11, 2022
“Your thoughts are just thoughts. They are not your life.” 💭
August 21, 2020
A really well written book on awareness by the wonderful author OM SWAMI.
The book gives us insight of awareness and points out a major yet undisclosed difference between real spirituality and the one which is prevailing in the minds of most millennials.
It describes how easily one can live it's whole life peacefully just by becoming "AWARE" and how meditation can be used as a tool to a healthy- peaceful life.
It is surely a MUST READ !
The book gives us insight of awareness and points out a major yet undisclosed difference between real spirituality and the one which is prevailing in the minds of most millennials.
It describes how easily one can live it's whole life peacefully just by becoming "AWARE" and how meditation can be used as a tool to a healthy- peaceful life.
It is surely a MUST READ !
January 2, 2023
A light read about mindfulness and meditation. I always enjoy these reads because they remind me to be present and enjoy time as it passes by. To start the year with this reminder (while on vacation) seemed fitting.
I enjoyed the explanations of emotions, and how we draw strength from whatever it is our mind is focused on (this could be positive or negative, leading us down either emotional path). Simply put, to keep any emotion alive requires feeding it.
I have a hard set growth mindset in work - it is something that is hard to set aside. One portion of this book mentioned this, stating growth is good (and we should always grow to be better people), but you don’t always have to grow in life/work (ie. take that promotion, start that business, take on more work, etc.). We sometimes get confused and think taking on more work equals growth - this is not true. Instead, work on being the best at what you currently do. Or, work on finding peace where you currently are (this is often harder to do than constantly growing).
I also have a hard time with self-discipline in boring and mundane tasks. This pairs with that “growth” mindset. Doing mundane tasks is frustrating as I feel it isn’t allowing me to move forward. This book talks about mastering these mundane tasks as when they are complete fast and well, you have more time to work on what you want to actually be doing.
One quote that stuck out to me was, “the more self centred you are, the more pain you feel”. The author then goes on to talk about people that are angry, jealous, etc. and how it comes from a self centred place. This made sense to me as these people stay ruminating on negative thoughts and let them fester. To be more in control of yourself, the only way to go is inward and fix what is there.
3 stars only because there were no revelations - just repackaged thoughts I’ve already read in previous books. That’s not to say it was not good - if you haven’t read about mindfulness or meditation prior, this is a great read.
I enjoyed the explanations of emotions, and how we draw strength from whatever it is our mind is focused on (this could be positive or negative, leading us down either emotional path). Simply put, to keep any emotion alive requires feeding it.
I have a hard set growth mindset in work - it is something that is hard to set aside. One portion of this book mentioned this, stating growth is good (and we should always grow to be better people), but you don’t always have to grow in life/work (ie. take that promotion, start that business, take on more work, etc.). We sometimes get confused and think taking on more work equals growth - this is not true. Instead, work on being the best at what you currently do. Or, work on finding peace where you currently are (this is often harder to do than constantly growing).
I also have a hard time with self-discipline in boring and mundane tasks. This pairs with that “growth” mindset. Doing mundane tasks is frustrating as I feel it isn’t allowing me to move forward. This book talks about mastering these mundane tasks as when they are complete fast and well, you have more time to work on what you want to actually be doing.
One quote that stuck out to me was, “the more self centred you are, the more pain you feel”. The author then goes on to talk about people that are angry, jealous, etc. and how it comes from a self centred place. This made sense to me as these people stay ruminating on negative thoughts and let them fester. To be more in control of yourself, the only way to go is inward and fix what is there.
3 stars only because there were no revelations - just repackaged thoughts I’ve already read in previous books. That’s not to say it was not good - if you haven’t read about mindfulness or meditation prior, this is a great read.
August 1, 2020
A good introductory book to Zen and Zen meditation. Om Swami, cycles through his experiences, excerpts from Buddhist texts and several fictional stories to present the ideas of Zen and the Zen way of life. The book is a good page turner and is filled with a lot of quotes. I would definitely read my highlights of this book later.
A must read for anyone looking for different perspectives in life and Zen Philosophy. You may not agree to whatever Om Swami has written, he doesn't want you to either.
A must read for anyone looking for different perspectives in life and Zen Philosophy. You may not agree to whatever Om Swami has written, he doesn't want you to either.
Read
August 20, 2018Still absorbing the ideologies covered in this book. Will update this later.
July 28, 2019
Om Swami explains lot of good information for life in a clear and jovial way. A very good and simple to read english.
June 11, 2024
Easy light read with some good excerpts to take away.
December 6, 2020
I suggest you to read it, the first thing in the morning, that's the best time to take out maximum from this book. Very practical routines and easy to follow meditation "on the go". Give it a read even if you are not inclined towards meditation at all.
October 25, 2023
Easy read, nice takeaways and examples. Enjoyed the different real stories that were included and the message behind them.
April 7, 2018
Another beautiful book full of wisdom
Great stories, examples and analogies in the book. I have started implementing some of the things recommended in the book and seeing the results.
Great stories, examples and analogies in the book. I have started implementing some of the things recommended in the book and seeing the results.
April 8, 2019
So many people crave being spiritual, others run away from it thinking it may lead them to become a sanyasi. Spirituality is slowly taking the shape of some religion but what we don’t know is that spirituality is not a set of rituals to follow to get somewhere, to get to some place. It is doing nothing. It is being yourself, doing nothing, not dying to reach a stage and simply flowing with life. Everybody, in some or the other aspect of life is very spiritual, knowingly or unknowingly.
Mind Full To Mindful is a book based on the teaching of Buddha and Zen. It teaches you the art of being spiritual and calm and peaceful by following the “no rituals or dogma following” policy. It includes a few types of zen meditation that change our perception towards meditation. It also comprises of a few Zen elements that we can incorporate in our lives and lead a happy, peaceful and mindful life. Mindfulness is the top most priority of this book.
The title of this book is witty and relevant to the content of the book. I, personally, have become so calm, comparatively less stressed and very mindful about the tasks I do. The cover of the book is very eye-catchy and the book does justice to it. You won’t regret buying the book because of it’s peaceful cover and not learn how you can be peaceful.
The language is so not monk-like. The author is a monk, which may lead you to think that the words used in the book will all go above your comprehensive capacity but it is not so. It has easy words, a lot of humour and a lot of tips and tricks. This monk-ish book is my favorite monk-ish book in terms of language.
The content focuses on mindfulness, gratitude, peace and spirituality. It breaks the myths we have for spirituality, teaches us love, compassion, and mediations like Zazen etc. However, at some points in the book, some impractical things (for the competitive world) is mentioned and may not be easy for you to implement in your life.
My opinion on this book is clear - it is my favorite mindful book. I have already started wearing a beads bracelet on my hand to remind myself to be mindful all the time, I have quit multi-tasking and surprisingly, I have started producing more. Except for some impractical concepts (which are very few), I love the book and would definitely recommend it to the people who need peace in life and think that spirituality is a tough nut to crack.
Mind Full To Mindful is a book based on the teaching of Buddha and Zen. It teaches you the art of being spiritual and calm and peaceful by following the “no rituals or dogma following” policy. It includes a few types of zen meditation that change our perception towards meditation. It also comprises of a few Zen elements that we can incorporate in our lives and lead a happy, peaceful and mindful life. Mindfulness is the top most priority of this book.
The title of this book is witty and relevant to the content of the book. I, personally, have become so calm, comparatively less stressed and very mindful about the tasks I do. The cover of the book is very eye-catchy and the book does justice to it. You won’t regret buying the book because of it’s peaceful cover and not learn how you can be peaceful.
The language is so not monk-like. The author is a monk, which may lead you to think that the words used in the book will all go above your comprehensive capacity but it is not so. It has easy words, a lot of humour and a lot of tips and tricks. This monk-ish book is my favorite monk-ish book in terms of language.
The content focuses on mindfulness, gratitude, peace and spirituality. It breaks the myths we have for spirituality, teaches us love, compassion, and mediations like Zazen etc. However, at some points in the book, some impractical things (for the competitive world) is mentioned and may not be easy for you to implement in your life.
My opinion on this book is clear - it is my favorite mindful book. I have already started wearing a beads bracelet on my hand to remind myself to be mindful all the time, I have quit multi-tasking and surprisingly, I have started producing more. Except for some impractical concepts (which are very few), I love the book and would definitely recommend it to the people who need peace in life and think that spirituality is a tough nut to crack.
June 12, 2020
Straightforward, no-nonsense approach to spirituality.
February 1, 2019
🌻Mind Full to Mindful by Om Swami was a book that I stumbled upon while searching for a good read that encourages mindfulness and how to practice it. 🌻If you don't know what Mindfulness is, it's an age old practice started first by Budhha where we are supposed to be in the present while being in the present. 🌻More often than not, while we are doing something, our mind is preoccupied with thousand other things and the continuous chaos and blabbering depletes our ability to be in the moment and enjoy life. 🌻The practices are really as simple as mindful eating or walking, other virtues that reinforces it's practice are compassion, humility, discipline and forgiveness. 🌻I really loved this tiny but amazing book by Om Swami! I encourage each one of you to pick and read it, trust me it's going to do you good.
May 19, 2018
Must read for all who are directionless and want something to cheer them up. Or those who have a direction in life but want to grow and improve the quality of life. This book is a good and gentle nudge.
July 15, 2020
Much like Swamijee's other books this is packed with humour, profundity and spiritual sense. Swamijee gives a nice peek into the zen way of living.
December 31, 2020
Complex concepts explained in simple words. A good introductory book on Zen meditation.
June 6, 2023
A good book with lot of insights about life, meditation, thoughts, actions.
Few stories are really good to understand the actual context.
Few stories are really good to understand the actual context.
June 12, 2021
Author: Om Swami
Genre: Self-help
Mind Full to Mindful is simply a ladle of wisdom closed in a book scooped directly from Om Swami’s own experiences that lends an authenticity in all he wants the readers to know. This book is helpful for people who want to attain a serene and peaceful life. It comes with the art of finding inner peace and revitalizing Zen teachings that are based on original theorems.
Turning over the pages of a book never gets as interesting as this one, since it connects rationally to the readers, impacting directly on their lives. Soon after I completed reading this book, I found out that the essence of flipping each page of this book should never go in vain. A true reader who picks up this book out of a pile should serve it right by practicing what the author intends to teach the reader. One of the key tricks to connect with the steep tranquility is to practice zen teaching after each chapter.
Mind Full to Mindful not just offers wisdom based on tenets of Zen, but also defines the true meaning of Zen life. Zen wisdom is completely a conditioning concept in this paperback that teaches awakening and leads to heart & soul-free conditioning. The author of this book narrates each story with plain simplicity and urges people to form a goal of spirituality. He wants to make people understand that zen does not come with hardships, but it comes with effortlessness while enlightenment is something you cannot attain but become through your own experiences and struggles.
Om Swami highlights Zen meditation and reckons it as the easiest form of meditation out of all and a lot of this is based on being aware throughout the meditation. He beautifully underlines the true foundation of any meditation that brings awareness and enlightenment. Zen is a positive perspective on life that one has to attain by himself. Narrating of Buddha, the first Zen practitioner, Om Swami writes that being aware is being awake while being unaware is being asleep.
Interestingly as you turn over the chapters, you’d know that Zen wisdom persuades you to deal with adversity and find enlightenment. What struck me the most was the way in which the author imparts invaluable lessons of wisdom through stories and tells us that to enlighten is not about attaining enlightenment but to become one yourself. According to the Buddha, Zen is kindness, spirituality, and awareness. The little cartoons and illustrations add up a better understanding of the narrative throughout the book.
One must know that prior to abstention; Om Swami founded and ran a multi-million dollar software company that is popularly known to be a zen practitioner himself and a mystic who lives in Himalayan ranges. The author pacifies emptiness with 5 of his aggregates namely form, sensation, perception, memory, and absolute consciousness. He also highlights the fact that everything is a reaction in our lives that leads to nothing but a void and emptiness.
While all of this is about perception and emptiness in the end, what struck me the most was the chapter that stirred emotional perception through life. Mind Full to Mindful teaches us to de-clutter the junk we store in our minds just like we contaminate our homes with it. Leading the zen life will simply declutter our minds by giving up the unnecessary negativity and grudges we store against others and ourselves. This book empowers to rise above concepts related to progress and development that are nothing but mundane and materialistic.
Zen life is a bridge gap between intention and words that helps us to frame what we make of ourselves while talking of Bodhidharma, this book teaches much about wall gazing and tea rituals that you may hold sacred to your heart. Om Swami tells that zen meditation is not just focusing and closing eyes. It is beyond concentration in which you have to find an extension of normal life.
Reading this book by Om Swami is not simply reading an incessant book on Buddhism or zen practices, it is more about cleansing and filtering clutter by being mindful in our lives. It directs us to make our life more insightful and spiritually fulfilling.
Genre: Self-help
Mind Full to Mindful is simply a ladle of wisdom closed in a book scooped directly from Om Swami’s own experiences that lends an authenticity in all he wants the readers to know. This book is helpful for people who want to attain a serene and peaceful life. It comes with the art of finding inner peace and revitalizing Zen teachings that are based on original theorems.
Turning over the pages of a book never gets as interesting as this one, since it connects rationally to the readers, impacting directly on their lives. Soon after I completed reading this book, I found out that the essence of flipping each page of this book should never go in vain. A true reader who picks up this book out of a pile should serve it right by practicing what the author intends to teach the reader. One of the key tricks to connect with the steep tranquility is to practice zen teaching after each chapter.
Mind Full to Mindful not just offers wisdom based on tenets of Zen, but also defines the true meaning of Zen life. Zen wisdom is completely a conditioning concept in this paperback that teaches awakening and leads to heart & soul-free conditioning. The author of this book narrates each story with plain simplicity and urges people to form a goal of spirituality. He wants to make people understand that zen does not come with hardships, but it comes with effortlessness while enlightenment is something you cannot attain but become through your own experiences and struggles.
Om Swami highlights Zen meditation and reckons it as the easiest form of meditation out of all and a lot of this is based on being aware throughout the meditation. He beautifully underlines the true foundation of any meditation that brings awareness and enlightenment. Zen is a positive perspective on life that one has to attain by himself. Narrating of Buddha, the first Zen practitioner, Om Swami writes that being aware is being awake while being unaware is being asleep.
Interestingly as you turn over the chapters, you’d know that Zen wisdom persuades you to deal with adversity and find enlightenment. What struck me the most was the way in which the author imparts invaluable lessons of wisdom through stories and tells us that to enlighten is not about attaining enlightenment but to become one yourself. According to the Buddha, Zen is kindness, spirituality, and awareness. The little cartoons and illustrations add up a better understanding of the narrative throughout the book.
One must know that prior to abstention; Om Swami founded and ran a multi-million dollar software company that is popularly known to be a zen practitioner himself and a mystic who lives in Himalayan ranges. The author pacifies emptiness with 5 of his aggregates namely form, sensation, perception, memory, and absolute consciousness. He also highlights the fact that everything is a reaction in our lives that leads to nothing but a void and emptiness.
While all of this is about perception and emptiness in the end, what struck me the most was the chapter that stirred emotional perception through life. Mind Full to Mindful teaches us to de-clutter the junk we store in our minds just like we contaminate our homes with it. Leading the zen life will simply declutter our minds by giving up the unnecessary negativity and grudges we store against others and ourselves. This book empowers to rise above concepts related to progress and development that are nothing but mundane and materialistic.
Zen life is a bridge gap between intention and words that helps us to frame what we make of ourselves while talking of Bodhidharma, this book teaches much about wall gazing and tea rituals that you may hold sacred to your heart. Om Swami tells that zen meditation is not just focusing and closing eyes. It is beyond concentration in which you have to find an extension of normal life.
Reading this book by Om Swami is not simply reading an incessant book on Buddhism or zen practices, it is more about cleansing and filtering clutter by being mindful in our lives. It directs us to make our life more insightful and spiritually fulfilling.
March 24, 2024
Book: Mind Full to Mindful: Zen Wisdom From a Monk's Bowl
Author: Om Swami
Publisher: HarperCollins India (2018)
Total Pages: 192
Reviewed By: Neel Preet
In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, achieving inner peace can feel like an impossible dream. Our minds race with anxieties, negativity clings to us like a shadow, and finding moments of true serenity seems like a luxury reserved for yogis on mountaintops. But Om Swami, in his gentle and humorous book "Mind Full to Mindful," offers a refreshing perspective: Zen wisdom teaches us that peace isn't some distant utopia; it's nestled within the ordinary moments of our everyday lives.
Swami, a bestselling author and former monk, draws on his own experiences and the rich tapestry of Zen teachings to guide readers on a journey from being "mind full" – overwhelmed by thoughts and anxieties – to becoming "mindful" – present, aware, and at peace. The book's core message is disarmingly simple: true happiness lies not in chasing external objects or achieving some grand state of enlightenment, but in cultivating a mindful approach to everyday life.
Swami's approach is refreshingly practical. He doesn't advocate for complicated rituals or rigid meditation practices (though he acknowledges their value). Instead, he encourages readers to see everyday activities – driving to work, washing the dishes, folding laundry – as opportunities for mindful practice. By focusing on the present moment, on the simple act itself, we can cultivate a sense of calm and peace that transcends the chaos of our thoughts.
The book is a treasure trove of Zen stories, humorous anecdotes, and practical exercises. Swami's writing style is engaging and accessible, making even complex concepts relatable to a broad audience. He doesn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges of being mindful – our monkey minds are, after all, notorious for their restlessness. But with gentle encouragement and practical tips, he equips readers with the tools they need to cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives.
Here are some of the book's strengths:
A) Simple yet profound message: The book's core message – finding peace in the present moment – is refreshingly straightforward and universally applicable.
B) Practical guidance: Swami goes beyond theory, offering practical exercises and techniques to help readers cultivate mindfulness in their everyday lives.
C) Engaging writing style: The book is infused with humor, personal anecdotes, and Zen stories, making it an enjoyable and easy read.
D) Accessible to all: "Mind Full to Mindful" is suitable for readers with no prior experience with Zen meditation or mindfulness practices.
While the book's focus on simplicity is a strength, it might leave some readers seeking a more in-depth exploration of Zen philosophy or meditation techniques. Additionally, some readers might find the focus on everyday activities as opportunities for mindfulness a bit too basic.
Overall, "Mind Full to Mindful" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to cultivate inner peace and navigate the complexities of modern life with greater awareness and serenity. Om Swami's gentle guidance and practical wisdom make this book a transformative read that can help you find peace in the most unexpected places – even in the midst of a chaotic world.
Here are some additional thoughts:
i) The book serves as a great introduction to Zen philosophy and mindfulness practices for beginners.
ii) Seasoned meditators may still find value in Swami's unique perspective and practical tips.
iii) The book's emphasis on finding joy in everyday activities can be a powerful antidote to the constant striving and busyness of modern life.
Whether you're a seasoned meditator or simply curious about finding more peace in your daily life, "Mind Full to Mindful" offers a valuable roadmap to inner serenity.
Author: Om Swami
Publisher: HarperCollins India (2018)
Total Pages: 192
Reviewed By: Neel Preet
In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, achieving inner peace can feel like an impossible dream. Our minds race with anxieties, negativity clings to us like a shadow, and finding moments of true serenity seems like a luxury reserved for yogis on mountaintops. But Om Swami, in his gentle and humorous book "Mind Full to Mindful," offers a refreshing perspective: Zen wisdom teaches us that peace isn't some distant utopia; it's nestled within the ordinary moments of our everyday lives.
Swami, a bestselling author and former monk, draws on his own experiences and the rich tapestry of Zen teachings to guide readers on a journey from being "mind full" – overwhelmed by thoughts and anxieties – to becoming "mindful" – present, aware, and at peace. The book's core message is disarmingly simple: true happiness lies not in chasing external objects or achieving some grand state of enlightenment, but in cultivating a mindful approach to everyday life.
Swami's approach is refreshingly practical. He doesn't advocate for complicated rituals or rigid meditation practices (though he acknowledges their value). Instead, he encourages readers to see everyday activities – driving to work, washing the dishes, folding laundry – as opportunities for mindful practice. By focusing on the present moment, on the simple act itself, we can cultivate a sense of calm and peace that transcends the chaos of our thoughts.
The book is a treasure trove of Zen stories, humorous anecdotes, and practical exercises. Swami's writing style is engaging and accessible, making even complex concepts relatable to a broad audience. He doesn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges of being mindful – our monkey minds are, after all, notorious for their restlessness. But with gentle encouragement and practical tips, he equips readers with the tools they need to cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives.
Here are some of the book's strengths:
A) Simple yet profound message: The book's core message – finding peace in the present moment – is refreshingly straightforward and universally applicable.
B) Practical guidance: Swami goes beyond theory, offering practical exercises and techniques to help readers cultivate mindfulness in their everyday lives.
C) Engaging writing style: The book is infused with humor, personal anecdotes, and Zen stories, making it an enjoyable and easy read.
D) Accessible to all: "Mind Full to Mindful" is suitable for readers with no prior experience with Zen meditation or mindfulness practices.
While the book's focus on simplicity is a strength, it might leave some readers seeking a more in-depth exploration of Zen philosophy or meditation techniques. Additionally, some readers might find the focus on everyday activities as opportunities for mindfulness a bit too basic.
Overall, "Mind Full to Mindful" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to cultivate inner peace and navigate the complexities of modern life with greater awareness and serenity. Om Swami's gentle guidance and practical wisdom make this book a transformative read that can help you find peace in the most unexpected places – even in the midst of a chaotic world.
Here are some additional thoughts:
i) The book serves as a great introduction to Zen philosophy and mindfulness practices for beginners.
ii) Seasoned meditators may still find value in Swami's unique perspective and practical tips.
iii) The book's emphasis on finding joy in everyday activities can be a powerful antidote to the constant striving and busyness of modern life.
Whether you're a seasoned meditator or simply curious about finding more peace in your daily life, "Mind Full to Mindful" offers a valuable roadmap to inner serenity.
May 29, 2024
My fav quotes (not a review):
"As a great philosopher (I think it was Uncle Ben in Spiderman), who once said, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ The reverse is also true, I suppose. The more you have to deal with, the more energy you discover in you."
"The first thing most people do in the morning is no longer praying to God or looking at the sunrise or taking in some fresh air. Instead, with the eagerness of a teenager on a first date (multiplied by ten), they jump to their phones to see messages and social media updates. As if it’s the oxygen mask dropped from a plane flying at a high altitude. Falling asleep is a four-step process for me. The first thing I do is lie down on my back. I feel constant, profound sensations in my head. These sensations build up to such proportions that I have no words to explain what happens at that time. After a while, I lie down on my left side for fifteen minutes, and then on my right for another fifteen minutes. Then I lie down on my tummy to have those sensations subside. This balances the subtle energies for me and I’m able to slip into light sleep then. Restful but light."
"If I have had any interaction with anybody at all – even if it is a discourse, or somebody seeing me over dinner – I need to be on my own for an hour after that before I can do sleep meditation. To sum up, I need two hours’ preparation – call this one of the side effects of intense meditation, because it is not desirable, and I don’t want it to be this way. There is something that is just flowing through my whole body all the time. I constantly feel these waves of bliss exuding from the top of my head. And just as it doesn’t matter how much you like getting drunk, you don’t want to remain drunk all the time – it’s too tiring – I am constantly in that bliss, such that everything is a bit of a challenge for me in this world: to hold a normal conversation, to talk to people and so on. Only when I joke and laugh a bit, do I get a bit of momentary relief. Those sensations disappear for a few seconds, and then come back again. That’s why I call humour divine – it gives me relief that nothing else can."
"‘I was ironing my clothes. The phone rang and I accidentally put the iron to my ear.’ ‘That’s terrible. But what about the other ear?’ ‘The scoundrel called back.’"
"here was this man who found himself in a place where all was only ever well and he began enjoying the existence of his dreams. Within a mere week, however, he was so bored that he went to the angel and said, ‘I’d like to do something. You need to give me some work. I’m well educated, there must be plenty I can do around here.’ ‘Sir,’ he replied, ‘there is no work here, no jobs, no tests. You simply have to enjoy yourself.’ The man tried to live that life but couldn’t. He pleaded again a week later, protesting that he was terribly bored. ‘Damn it,’ he shouted, ‘I need something to do. This place is like hell.’ ‘Sir,’ the angel replied calmly, ‘and where exactly do you think you are? This is hell.’"
"If you keep that in mind – for which you have to learn to sit quietly and be in the present moment – most things in life will not bother you. Imagine watching a movie, but on mute. Even the most emotional scenes would appear funny to you because you can’t hear what the characters are saying, while they would seem animated, waving their arms about."
"Similarly, when you are having an angry conversation, just record it. Now everybody has smartphones, so it’s easy to do this. Record the conversation and play it back later; you will see the ridiculousness of the whole episode"
"You have to be calm before you can meditate. Meditation is your training to be calm afterwards, when you step out into the world."
"When you drink cold water, even room temperature water, and your vocal chords and throat is a bit clogged, it worsens it."
"As a great philosopher (I think it was Uncle Ben in Spiderman), who once said, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ The reverse is also true, I suppose. The more you have to deal with, the more energy you discover in you."
"The first thing most people do in the morning is no longer praying to God or looking at the sunrise or taking in some fresh air. Instead, with the eagerness of a teenager on a first date (multiplied by ten), they jump to their phones to see messages and social media updates. As if it’s the oxygen mask dropped from a plane flying at a high altitude. Falling asleep is a four-step process for me. The first thing I do is lie down on my back. I feel constant, profound sensations in my head. These sensations build up to such proportions that I have no words to explain what happens at that time. After a while, I lie down on my left side for fifteen minutes, and then on my right for another fifteen minutes. Then I lie down on my tummy to have those sensations subside. This balances the subtle energies for me and I’m able to slip into light sleep then. Restful but light."
"If I have had any interaction with anybody at all – even if it is a discourse, or somebody seeing me over dinner – I need to be on my own for an hour after that before I can do sleep meditation. To sum up, I need two hours’ preparation – call this one of the side effects of intense meditation, because it is not desirable, and I don’t want it to be this way. There is something that is just flowing through my whole body all the time. I constantly feel these waves of bliss exuding from the top of my head. And just as it doesn’t matter how much you like getting drunk, you don’t want to remain drunk all the time – it’s too tiring – I am constantly in that bliss, such that everything is a bit of a challenge for me in this world: to hold a normal conversation, to talk to people and so on. Only when I joke and laugh a bit, do I get a bit of momentary relief. Those sensations disappear for a few seconds, and then come back again. That’s why I call humour divine – it gives me relief that nothing else can."
"‘I was ironing my clothes. The phone rang and I accidentally put the iron to my ear.’ ‘That’s terrible. But what about the other ear?’ ‘The scoundrel called back.’"
"here was this man who found himself in a place where all was only ever well and he began enjoying the existence of his dreams. Within a mere week, however, he was so bored that he went to the angel and said, ‘I’d like to do something. You need to give me some work. I’m well educated, there must be plenty I can do around here.’ ‘Sir,’ he replied, ‘there is no work here, no jobs, no tests. You simply have to enjoy yourself.’ The man tried to live that life but couldn’t. He pleaded again a week later, protesting that he was terribly bored. ‘Damn it,’ he shouted, ‘I need something to do. This place is like hell.’ ‘Sir,’ the angel replied calmly, ‘and where exactly do you think you are? This is hell.’"
"If you keep that in mind – for which you have to learn to sit quietly and be in the present moment – most things in life will not bother you. Imagine watching a movie, but on mute. Even the most emotional scenes would appear funny to you because you can’t hear what the characters are saying, while they would seem animated, waving their arms about."
"Similarly, when you are having an angry conversation, just record it. Now everybody has smartphones, so it’s easy to do this. Record the conversation and play it back later; you will see the ridiculousness of the whole episode"
"You have to be calm before you can meditate. Meditation is your training to be calm afterwards, when you step out into the world."
"When you drink cold water, even room temperature water, and your vocal chords and throat is a bit clogged, it worsens it."
September 13, 2020
Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing great. I am back with another review a fan read on the art of Z E N mediation. Well, I started to read this I wanted to decrease my silly mistakes during exams. Which I figured out was happening due to mindlessness of mine. So while practicing meditation I came across this book in crossword.
And when I bought this and started reading it literally changed my views about what is meditation and how it can be done in other ways than the usual way of just sitting and foucussing on breathing. ( Also made a podcast about this you can check it out in the podcast highlights).
📌 Thing which I liked about the book is it clears you why, how and what we should do in meditation. Zen meditation is really helpful and serves the purpose of meditation in our so called fast lives.
📌 The book will tell you about how your other actions can have effect on your meditation practice. The things like eating, physical activities, our speech, routines have a great influence on our practices.
📚 The greatest thing which I liked about the book is it tells you great stories from budhhas life which are kind of sarcastic, filled with humour and full of wisdom. Along with this book has so many good qoutes which are like tag lines you can use to remember the things.
📚 The book has beautiful pictures at end of every chapter which makes it really cool as it describes the chapter in a subtle and wise messgaes from them.
So that's all I wanted to tell you about this book. If you want to start meditation during this lockdown do read this book or you can DM me I'll let you know what I learned from here.
Thank you for time. I hope you find this helpful and you gonna use it for your betterment. If you LIKED this do SHARE it with your friends. The COMMENT box is open for discussion .
Thank you 😊.
And when I bought this and started reading it literally changed my views about what is meditation and how it can be done in other ways than the usual way of just sitting and foucussing on breathing. ( Also made a podcast about this you can check it out in the podcast highlights).
📌 Thing which I liked about the book is it clears you why, how and what we should do in meditation. Zen meditation is really helpful and serves the purpose of meditation in our so called fast lives.
📌 The book will tell you about how your other actions can have effect on your meditation practice. The things like eating, physical activities, our speech, routines have a great influence on our practices.
📚 The greatest thing which I liked about the book is it tells you great stories from budhhas life which are kind of sarcastic, filled with humour and full of wisdom. Along with this book has so many good qoutes which are like tag lines you can use to remember the things.
📚 The book has beautiful pictures at end of every chapter which makes it really cool as it describes the chapter in a subtle and wise messgaes from them.
So that's all I wanted to tell you about this book. If you want to start meditation during this lockdown do read this book or you can DM me I'll let you know what I learned from here.
Thank you for time. I hope you find this helpful and you gonna use it for your betterment. If you LIKED this do SHARE it with your friends. The COMMENT box is open for discussion .
Thank you 😊.
August 20, 2018
I quite loved this book. It sends its message across in a very crisp manner using simple words. As the author says towards the end, "Wise people are simple. Simplicity is Zen." and thus, is the nature of this book. It gives messages with deep meanings by using very simple examples.
While reading I kept noting down the so-called 'Rules for a Zen life' that I was deriving from it. I ended up filling the last one and a half page of this book with my 'cheat-sheet' which I think will help me live my life better.
My schedule for reading this book has been to read it daily for about 20-30 minutes (or 1 chapter), first thing when I reach office. I like to get into the office early as this is the period there is calm around me with very little sound and disturbance. This has helped calm me and prepare me for the day ahead (especially Mondays).
An important thing I realized is that this made sense to me because I have been through what is called 'mind full' living. Employed in the private sector I fully understand what is 'shallow work' and mindlessly running from pillar to post with a full mind. I am not sure whether someone who hasn't lived this way would realize the true value of this book. It's like saying we have to first fall in order to learn how to pick ourselves up.
While reading I kept noting down the so-called 'Rules for a Zen life' that I was deriving from it. I ended up filling the last one and a half page of this book with my 'cheat-sheet' which I think will help me live my life better.
My schedule for reading this book has been to read it daily for about 20-30 minutes (or 1 chapter), first thing when I reach office. I like to get into the office early as this is the period there is calm around me with very little sound and disturbance. This has helped calm me and prepare me for the day ahead (especially Mondays).
An important thing I realized is that this made sense to me because I have been through what is called 'mind full' living. Employed in the private sector I fully understand what is 'shallow work' and mindlessly running from pillar to post with a full mind. I am not sure whether someone who hasn't lived this way would realize the true value of this book. It's like saying we have to first fall in order to learn how to pick ourselves up.
February 12, 2019
Mind'Fool' to Mindful!!!
First of all my humble obeisance at divine feet of Swamiji.
We all have so much crap in our head which makes us 'Fool' I suppose. This book will empty you out. We are already full. A full cup cannot be filled in more. We need to empty out ourselves - in order to fill it with new wisdom.We must become comfortable with ourselves first - with both our negatives and positives and then pave our way through it. It happens only when we take a pause.Reflect and then realign ourselves. This book just talks about all that process. It start with such a beautiful story of Buddha which itself summarizes and entire Zen wisdom one would ever wants to know. The rest of the book talks about practical methods of practicing the entire philosophy. Swamiji is so generous to talk about his own personal challenges and the ways he had overcome those. One gets a big hope in this grand scheme of things after reading this book. Thank yo so much Dear Swamiji. The words are not enough to sing your glories. _/\_
First of all my humble obeisance at divine feet of Swamiji.
We all have so much crap in our head which makes us 'Fool' I suppose. This book will empty you out. We are already full. A full cup cannot be filled in more. We need to empty out ourselves - in order to fill it with new wisdom.We must become comfortable with ourselves first - with both our negatives and positives and then pave our way through it. It happens only when we take a pause.Reflect and then realign ourselves. This book just talks about all that process. It start with such a beautiful story of Buddha which itself summarizes and entire Zen wisdom one would ever wants to know. The rest of the book talks about practical methods of practicing the entire philosophy. Swamiji is so generous to talk about his own personal challenges and the ways he had overcome those. One gets a big hope in this grand scheme of things after reading this book. Thank yo so much Dear Swamiji. The words are not enough to sing your glories. _/\_
October 26, 2018
This is the first book of Om Swami that I read. This book is all about the "'Mindfulness" i.e how to be aware of your thoughts, actions etc. This book's core philosophy is that whatever you do, do it with complete awareness. This book teaches Zen philosophy, giving references to Buddha's story. The author also discusses the four form of Zen meditation. Those are "Zazen", "Wall gazing", "Chado" i.e Zen tea ritual, "Kinhin and sleep meditation". The author describes how to do each meditation. If you want to be a Zen practitioner, you should follow the four virtues of Zen philosophy described by the author. Those four virtues are "Compassion", "Humility", "Discipline", and "Forgiveness". Zen philosophy also tells about the importance of sitting quietly, taking care of your body, how to handle pain and practice non-violence.
I liked the book. The language of the book is very simple and subtle. The book contains only 185 pages.
I liked the book. The language of the book is very simple and subtle. The book contains only 185 pages.
August 13, 2022
I liked the fact that overall there were introductions to some Zen meditation concepts and the philosophies behind them, a bunch of which was new to me. The comic element was also gently placed and not bad and it makes for a smooth reading throughout. However, I would have liked for the content to be a bit more focused on the Zen-related info, often I found the content to be randomly changing between the author's own experiences with, what it's supposed to be, and the author's advice. I think it could have packed more Zen and been more focused. But maybe that's not the intention at all, maybe the readers are meant to learn about the author themself along with the Zen concepts, not that either of them were unpleasant. Either way, it's a good introduction and a good book to start learning about Zen concepts, which themselves require a lot of practice. But, good things to know about overall.
September 12, 2022
This is a gem of a book.
Written in the very simple language that Om Swami is so well known for, he brings forward an introduction to the various concepts of Zen. Read again, I said 'introduction'. In other words, if you are looking forward to some heavy reading on the Zen practices and teachings, probably this book is not right for you. But, for you to understand what Zen is about and the various tools and processes used by the followers of Zen, this is a most ideal book.
The language is lucid, the chapters really small to engage you for the exactly right amount of time, the accompanying stories are very appropriate and the book is very engaging.
And at the cost that it comes for, just go ahead and get it. I am positive you will love reading it.
Written in the very simple language that Om Swami is so well known for, he brings forward an introduction to the various concepts of Zen. Read again, I said 'introduction'. In other words, if you are looking forward to some heavy reading on the Zen practices and teachings, probably this book is not right for you. But, for you to understand what Zen is about and the various tools and processes used by the followers of Zen, this is a most ideal book.
The language is lucid, the chapters really small to engage you for the exactly right amount of time, the accompanying stories are very appropriate and the book is very engaging.
And at the cost that it comes for, just go ahead and get it. I am positive you will love reading it.
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