LArt De La Simplicite English Edition

Easy read, some nice ideas.

Best book I’ve read on minimalism and living with intentional focus on what matters in every aspect. So happy that I purchased this and would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to make a change from consumerism to a life living on your own terms.

I absolutely adore this book. I have listened to the audio version on audible many times and just love it so much I had to buy the book. I will pass this down to my daughter one day.

Liked everything about this book. I have read many “life simplifying” books and found this one exceptionally well done.Well written in a concise and easily relatable manner. Purchased a second copy as a backup.

I liked this book so much I bought one as a gift for my sisters. I highly recommend this book for anyone organizing their lives. You will love it too.

Lovely book that is perfect to give as a gift! Book was shipped immediately and arrived in perfect condition.

I bought this book as I'm in the middle of minimising and really liked the small anecdotes pertaining to this that the author provides. I really enjoyed reading her perspective on zen and how she was able to get this across in an easily accessible and uncomplicated way.However, and it's a big however, comments she makes about mental health issues are ignorant and just appalling and really soured the taste of this book for me.She writes: "...anxiety is the result of uncertainty and negativity that is the result of low energy and self esteem..." and picks it up again to add, "Anxiety is a habit of thought, nothing more!" and suggests sucking it up by reading a good book or getting our mind to become flexible (????) She says don't tackle your problems, rise above them and other totally unhelpful and nonsensical 'gems'.While I am totally aligned with the recommendation that sensual pleasures do alleviate the mind and some stresses, to suggest that a mental illness is just a habit or that it's purely a result of low self esteem is really unfortunate. Perhaps the translator mistook her meaning? Not sure but this facet, while small in relation to the rest of the book, had a big impact.If you steer clear of that crap and stick to the observations made about sensuality, cleanliness, grooming et al you'll enjoy this book.

It's a excellent book. It's a book for people that want to know more about how to live a simple and meaningful life! Well written, with a lot of practical advice.

Ein wundervolles Buch, mit vielen Inspirationen, für ein Leben, ohne Ballast. Sehr schön beschrieben. Ich werde das eine oder andere ganz bestimmt umsetzen. Sehr Lesens-und empfehlenswert.

I enjoyed this book very much. Written by a French woman living in and captivated by Japanese culture, it presents Oriental philosophy with a slight Western edge. Loreau has an appreciation of Western attitudes which, together with her enthusiasm and conviction in the health and wellbeing effects of this philosophy, make this book an easy and inspirational read.The book is split into three parts, each addressing s different are of life, Materialism and Minimalism, Body, and Mind. In Materialism and Minimalism, Loreau addresses the burden of possessions, and how to get the best from our possessions, our time, and our money. In Body, she deals with self-image and self-esteem and how best to look after ourselves, while in Mind she talks about mindfulness and meditation, and provides ideas and exercises to help maintain good mental health.I particularly like her encouragement to read, Very few people read as much as they could or should I also like her invocation to consider what you’ve read, not just when you finish a book, but while you are reading it.While there weren’t really any new ideas here, I like the way they were presented and this book has already started me on my next decluttering journey, and I will also try to blow away a few cobwebs from body and mind as well.

For those interested in minimalism, but not interested in everything that comes from the Far East, this is not the book to buy. Only one third is dedicated to it. The other thirds are dedicated to "body" and "mind". "Body" is full of eastern animistic superstition and health/beauty "advice" laded with miths and new-age pseudo-science "The-secret-life-of-plants-level".The demeaning comments on "the legacy of Judeo-Christian thinking" are pure prejudice. Doesn't the author know that there isn't a religious vow in catholicism that excludes the vow of poverty? That Jesus said "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (Mt 6:19)" and "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. (Mt 19:21)”?I understand that in the post-Christian West people have little clue of Christian heritage (if she doesn't know the gospels, let alone the wisdom literature of the Church Fathers) and contemporary minimalism have mostly drunk from Zen sources, but this author goes way to far in her rejection of western culture as a whole (that she manifestly knows only from orientalist gurus) and in her delving into the East, swallowing flys and camels alike.

A different way of living...learn lots of new things

How to lead a simple, noble and fulfilling life. I believe that the book contains the essence of teachings of Zen and other schools of thought to lead such a life. The writer apparently has practiced what she has written and this book needs to be read and reread for focussing on that which is important in life and overlooking the rest.