Perfectly Ordinary: Buddhist Teachings for Everyday Life

by Alex Kakuyo

In this practical, easy to understand book Alex Kakuyo explains how the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of Buddhism can help us in daily life.
Drawing from personal experiences on farms, in temples, and in the U.S. Marines, Alex tells stories that show how the daily grind of work, traffic jams and family drama is the source of our enlightenment.

Genres: Buddhism

239 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2020

Reviews

[Inge Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following Sensei Alex Kakuyo on social media for about a year. He is a Buddhist teacher and a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. When his book came out a few months ago I bought a copy. What interested me most was his explanation of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of Buddhism. Both subjects are something I am quite interested in.

Alex’s writing is easy to understand and he shares his personal experiences working on farms, in temples, and in the U.S. Marines to help explain the Buddhist teachings. His stories show how the daily grind of working, and even traffic jams can become the source of our enlightenment.

If you are new to Buddhism or have studied its philosophy for a while, “Perfectly Ordinary” is a good read.

[Rob Bloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Since the author is an American, he relates the Buddhist concepts to everyday life in modern society. It’s written in small chunks and the information is highly digestible. As I read each section, I felt a calm and relaxed feeling that life is going to be ok.

[Gabrielle Jarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly Ordinary is a perfectly satisfying manual of Buddhist philosophic applications to our ordinary lives. Alex Kakuyo reflects innocence (while being experienced in many facets of life, including Marine), humility, and goodness. Always preferable traits, especially in a spiritual teacher. Accepting what is and being mindful of the perfect ordinary in our lives leads to less suffering, more peace, and moments of enlightenment.

[Moonshadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book serves as a primer for The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path. But you don’t have to be a Buddhist to absorb the simple ways that adhering to these tenets can make your life more peaceful and joy. The author uses his life experiences to show how anyone can find peace and contentment by mindfully navigating life. Excellent book, highly recommended.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what the title says

I knew nothing about Buddhism but I love spiritual teachings and this book was an excellent introduction to Buddhism, full of every day ways to incorporate spiritual lessons into life. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend the book to anyone with an interest in growing spiritually while learning more about Buddhism.

[Robert Schwab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical Buddhism

This is a very readable, uncomplicated application of Buddhist principles to everyday life. Anyone curious about the practice would benefit from this book. It deliberately avoids too much depth and thus remains ver readable throughout. A great and practical introduction

[Paul Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound and Practical Guidance

This book by Alex Kakuyo skilfully combines the wisdom of Zen Buddhist insight practices with a deeply practical way of confronting our problems with a courage and a clear mind. I found it encouraging, humane and very useful. Thank you, Sensei Alex Kakuyo, for sharing your knowledge with compassion and good humour.

[Melissa Everly-kosek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Buddhist resource

This book is an excellent resource to apply Buddhist lessons into every day life and events. The Buddhist liturgy and meditation practices are especially helpful.

[Dionne Seevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kakuyo conventionalizes the act of including Buddhist practices in everyday life. I have great appreciation for their insight and personal examples.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book highly enough! What a terrific collection of essays that bring the Dharma into everyday life.

[Johann Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a vital part of keeping myself grounded in/through 2021. Kakuyo reveals the daily relevance of Buddhism’s tenets in short and simplified form. Kakuyo substitutes some of the romanticism surrounding the mysticism and monastic lifestyle that many may attribute to the religion with a more practical interpretation for use in everyday life. His offered anecdotes clearly demonstrate the application of the Noble Eight Fold Path and will remain with me for a long time. This book made me relish simplicity and opened my eyes to the beauty of pedestrian life. It is all as the title states “perfectly ordinary”. 5*s 📚

[Candice Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Through stories of personal experiences and tales of daily living that are often laugh-out-loud funny and very relatable, it takes ancient Buddhist wisdom and breaks it down to its simplest form to make it easily understandable and relevant for modern times. There are beautiful and profound messages here for everyday life that both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike will enjoy and greatly benefit from. This book is a joy and a wonderful guide to just being in the world.