3 Books From 3 Monks About Practical Ways to Calm Your Brain
You might not know these books exist
If you want to learn how to be a billionaire, you should read the biography of Richard Branson, or maybe you’ll study the growth of Amazon and Facebook.
If you want to learn how to cook delicious meals, you would read books from Gordon Ramsay, or maybe books from Sanjeev Kapoor if you are looking for flavoursome Indian recipes.
And if you want to learn practical ways to calm your brain, who would be better to teach other than monks?
Here are three books from 3 monks that will teach you practical ways to calm your brain.
Mind Full to Mindful
This book had such an impact on me that as soon as I read this book, I made a plan to meet the author, Om Swami. I went to his ashram. Unfortunately, Om Swami was travelling someplace else at that time. But I was looking forward to seeing where does this author lives.
His ashram (temple) is in the mountains, in solitude with such a peaceful and soothing environment. The two days I spent there was such a bliss.
Om Swami talks about the principles of Zen and various Zen meditation forms in this book. The tone of this book is simple, and the writing is to the point and witty. Even if someone hasn’t read a book in their life, this could be a good “first book.”
I have also read two other books from Om Swami, “If Truth be Told,” and “The book of kindness,” and his writings are simple and effective.
Action step from the book
Sit in silence and notice your breathing. Walk, and notice your breathing. Even before sleeping, slow down, declutter your brain, and just notice your breathing.
A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind
Cleaning is a spiritual practice, and probably one of the best approaches to embrace forgiveness in your life.
Around a year ago, I wrote a book about forgiveness, “Burn Them Down,” and I can confidently say I know a thing or two about forgiveness. I can’t hide this, but practices mentioned in “A monk’s guide to a clean house and mind” definitely helped me embrace forgiveness in my own life.
We forgive others in order to free ourselves. ~ Sharon Salzberg.
Forgiveness is directly related to a calm mind. I have seen so many of my coaching clients feeling relaxed and calm right after they start practising forgiveness.
In this book, Shoukei Matsumoto shares the daily cleaning rituals of Buddhist monks. The book is easy to read and has a calming aura around its words.
Action step from the book
Develop a cleaning practice. Spend a few minutes every day cleaning your surroundings. Start with your washroom. Proceed to your wardrobe, kitchen, and ultimately cover your whole house.
Open Awareness Open Mind
The author of this book, Karma Yeshe Rabgye, gifted me this copy when I met him a week ago. I went to seek some spiritual guidance, and a 1.5hr conversation with him changed a lot of my life plans. He is quite active on his Facebook page, where he conducts live meditation sessions.
In this book, the author argues that it’s not healthy for us to chase happiness. Happiness is impermanent. It’s bound to change. So, we must learn to become calm and peaceful. Only stillness can help us feel content in life.
The book talks about how to relax and calm your mind with awareness. It challenges you to question your decisions and thoughts and live a thoughtful and meaningful life.
Action step from the book
Whenever you feel angry, guilty, ashamed, try to sit in silence, and observe how your body is feeling. Recall what might have triggered this emotion. Don’t manipulate the emotion; don’t try to “be positive” all the time. Sit and relax, and observe what’s up with your emotions.
Seek the truth, and comfort will follow.
Summary
If you want to learn practical ways to calm your brain, who would be better to teach other than monks?
Here are three books from 3 monks that will help you learn practical steps to calm your mind —
- Mind Full to Mindful by Om Swami
- A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind by Shoukei Matsumoto
- Open Awareness Open Mind by Karma Yeshe Rabgye
Also from Dipanshu Rawal on Books Are Our Superpower
Originally published at https://www.dipanshurawal.com/monk-books