The Little Book of Zen: A Beginner’s Guide To The Art Of Zen

by Astrid Carvel

A beginner's guide to the art of zen by Astrid Carvel

How can we be happy?
How should we treat others?
How should we spend our time?

Zen is a philosophy for living in a state of kindness, gratitude and awareness, teaching us to be present and to experience the world as it truly is. This book will guide you through the concepts of Zen, revealing how you can apply its principles to your daily life and how you can reap the benefits to gain a greater sense of peace and calm.
 
Are you ready to discover the secrets of Zen?
 
Within these pages you’ll
 The history of the Zen school of thought, and how it has shaped the world we live in todayAn introduction to Zen practices and beliefs, including the Six Virtues and the Five Precepts, and to Zen ceremonies, holidays and ritualsTips for cultivating and perfecting your practice, and developing your own sense of “Zen”Step-by-step instructions for trying various meditations and exercises for yourselfIdeas to make your daily life and home more ZenExercises in Zen arts, such as calligraphy, painting, gardening and flower arrangingWise words from the world’s most enlightened thinkersThought-provoking Zen teachings to help you see things in a new light

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Julie Thomason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this little guide fascinating, affirming and inspiring. I have been attracted to Zen like things, but this helped me join up the dots and that I do more Zen practice than I gave myself credit for and some attitudes will be easier to incorporate. I love the Japanese tea ceremony, I write Haiku, I have tried Ikebana and I love it, and want to explore Wabi Sabi. A good intro for anyone wanting a light intro into Zen. I am inspired to explore more

[Emma_bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets you thinking when it comes to being calm and organised. I like the idea of meditation, breathing exercises and grounding yourself.

We have a cat so can't have the plants but live close to a park so I can go on a daily walk to explore.

I like how calm I felt while reading this, it made me want to get rid of things in my life, possessions and bad thoughts.

Worth a read if you are struggling with life, need a change or just want to appreciate the now and not the future or past that you can't change or aren't guaranteed.

[Kissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it. The ideas about learning to be present felt practical and achievable. Although this is a Zen book rather than a law-of-attraction style book, I appreciated how it takes a more realistic approach. Instead of telling you to simply “think positive” or ignore difficult feelings, it encourages you to acknowledge your thoughts, sit with them for a moment, and then let them go before taking a calm, proactive step forward. It felt like a grounded and gentle introduction to a Zen way of living. It’s also a quick easy read, with most, I already do.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little book for people looking for a quick overview of Zen. It gives examples of how you can introduce the philosophy into your life in small, practical ways. I think this book is great for dipping into when you need to refocus or find a tiny snippet of inspiration - whether it be for your home, wellbeing and creativity. 5* for simplicity and impact.

[Eelyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little book of Zen does a great job summarizing the principles of Zen in an easy to understand and easy to adopt kind of way. I would recommend this book to people who'd like to get started with Zen practices or simply remind themselves of this. It was a quick and enjoyable read after breakfast.

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book if ur looking for a short read, and if you’re trying to put your mind at ease. I preferred the first 3/4 of the book since the last part was too much about specific zen teachings like flower arranging and watercolor, so I preferred more about mindfulness and the way you think and stuff like that

[Namita ♛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some aspects of it were very enlightening. Quick and easy read, especially when commuting to and from work.

[Mrs M E Dussart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zen made accessible

Short chapters- easy reading
Demystifying language but retaining spiritual meaning
Practical,simple advice
Incorporating Zen into daily life
Easy reference text.

[Kieran Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book. I’m already starting to implement some of the teachings, and it’s made me even more curious about certain concepts, especially haiku’s.