Zen and the Art of Housekeeping

by Brownell, Lauren Cassel

• ISBN13: 9781598694499
• ISBN10: 1598694499
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-03-01
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

Wash the dishes, do the laundry, mop the floors, scrub the toilets, make the beds, vacuum the rugs... the list goes on and on, with little time to stop, breathe, and take in your beautiful surroundings. Now you can. Learn to be at peace and attain enlightenment while doing all the "little" things around the house.

Author Biography

Lauren Cassel Brownell is a graduate of the University of Texas and has served in advertising and marketing positions at newspapers across the country. Once marriage and motherhood became her top priorities, she perfected her Zen style of house maintenance as a home-based freelance writer and consultant. When she's not busy reflecting among the suds and sponges, Brownell enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She lives in Lubbock, TX.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vi
Introduction	p. ix
The Middle Way	p. 1
Zen concept: all things in moderation
Cleaning koan: does a house have buddha nature?
The Heart of the Home	p. 31
Zen concept: meditation
Cleaning koan: if the kitchen is the heart of the home, what is the heart of the kitchen?
Blue Monday: learning to Love Laundry	p. 49
Zen concept: factors of enlightenment-investigation, tranquility, and mindfulness
Cleaning koan: what is the color of clean?
Buddha in the Bathroom	p. 63
Zen concept: factor of enlightenment-concentration
Cleaning koan: what is the sound of clean?
Roots and Wings: cleaning the Floors	p. 73
Zen concept: factor of enlightenment-energy
Cleaning koan: whose footprints are on your floor?
The Ones You Love	p. 87
Zen concept: factor of enlightenment-equanimity
Cleaning koan: who is the face in the mirror?
The Things You Love	p. 107
Zen concept: factor of enlightenment-rapture
Cleaning koan: what fills empty spaces?
Cleaning Green	p. 137
Zen concept: reverence for nature
Cleaning koan: if the purpose of cleaning is to get rid of dirt, what is the purpose of dirt?
Cleaning With the Seasons	p. 157
Zen concept: embracing the rhythm of nature
Cleaning koan: what gives life its flavor?
Achieving Enlightenment	p. 169
Zen concept: creating rituals
Cleaning koan: what is the shape of your life?
Conclusion	p. 181
Resources	p. 185
Opportunity for existential extra credit on the path to enlightenment	p. 189
Housekeeping trivia	p. 195
Quick reference for zen terms and concepts	p. 197
Housekeeping Journal	p. 201
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