Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
ork
WORK TITLE: L’Art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less
WORK NOTES: trans by Louise Rogers Lalaurie
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 10/12/1955
WEBSITE:
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY: Japan
NATIONALITY: Belgian
https://whostolemycroissant.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/the-art-of-simplicity-japan-with-a-dash-of-paris/ * http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-3524231/The-joy-life-reap-benefits-paring-down.html * http://collectivehub.com/2016/06/how-to-live-more-with-less/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born October 12, 1955.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and essayist. Conduct seminars on how to simplify life. Also taught French at a Buddhist University and spent time training as a novice nun at Aichi Senmon Niso-do Temple, Nagoya, Japan.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
French essayist Dominique Loreau has lived in Japan since the 1970s and has adopted the Japanese way of life. She is the author of L’Art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less, first published in France in 2005. More than 350,000 copies of the book have been published internationally. In addition to writing, Loreau offers seminars to people looking to simplify their way of life.
L’Art de la Simplicité is based on the principle of “less is more” as a fundamental way to change a person’s life. Inspired by Asian philosophy, Loreau provides a set-by-step guide to not only rid the home of clutter but also to calm the mind and energize the body. Writing in the introduction to L’Art de la Simplicité, Loreau tells how she began traveling around the world but was drawn to Japan after visiting the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Loreau went to Japan and decided to stay. She soon found herself undergoing an intense self-examination, provoked by her experience in such two vastly different cultures as Japan and France. Loreau writes in L’Art de la Simplicité: “I began searching for the perfect way of life. And by a gradual process of elimination, I came to understand that the pursuit of simplicity was the right way for me to live both comfortably and at peace with my conscience.”
As Loreau began her journey of introspection, she kept notes on how to live a simpler life, which ended up being the basis for L’Art de la Simplicité, which is also largely influenced by Zen philosophy. Loreau relates how the Japanese culture taught her the importance of style, beauty, deportment, and even the smallest gestures. Loreau writes in L’Art de la Simplicité: “The right way to handle chopsticks, or the perfect posture when sitting on a tatami mat, all are connected to an attitude of asceticism practiced with grace and rigor.”
The book is broken up into three parts: “Materialism and Minimalism,” “Body,” and “Mind.” In the book’s initial section, Loreau discusses the dangers of material excess and the burden that too many possessions places on people. She goes on to discuss how to choose a more minimalist way of life and overcome the fear of change that accompanies what for most people would be a drastic new way of living. The basic instruction is for people to get rid of all possessions that they don’t want or need. “By removing things that we do not need or that are only there because of an emotional attachment, we can surround our life with the essentials,” noted Katie Kuo on her self-named website.
In the second part, Loreau focuses on the body, with instructions such as beginning each day with body-brush scrub. She also discusses a program for self-directed fitness, including how to eat better and lose weight. For example, she suggests that people seeking to lose weight start each day by drinking a glass of either hot or cold water diluted with a teaspoon of hone and tablespoon of vinegar. The book’s final section focuses on how to clear the mind of clutter. The goal is to reduce anxiety and improve relationships. Loreau writes about the practice of mindfulness. She urges readers to learn how to say no and to avoid negativity. Loreau includes various rituals and affirmations to help people develop these abilities.
“With grace and enthusiasm, Loreau mines the many aspects of simplicity in chapters on inner ecology, other people, and polishing yourself like a pebble,” wrote Spirituality & Practice Web site contributors Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, adding: “All of these play a major role in the continuing quest for a life full of pleasure and meaning.” A Publishers Weekly contributor called L’Art de la Simplicité “a thought-provoking tome … with a powerful message.”
BIOCRIT
BOOKS
Loreau, Dominique, L’Art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less, St. Martins Griffin (New York, NY), 2017.
PERIODICALS
Booklist, December 1, 2016, Annie Bostrom, review of L’art de la Simplicité, p. 7.
Publishers Weekly, September 26, 2016, review of L’Art de la Simplicité, p. 75.
ONLINE
Culturetheque, http://www.culturetheque-blog.com/ (April 20, 2016), review of L’Art de la Simplicité.
Katie Kuo, https://katiepassionfruit.com/ (August 23, 2016), Katie Kuo, review of L’Art de la Simplicité.
Spirituality and Practice, http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com (June 1, 2017), Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, review of L’Art de la Simplicité.*
Dominique Loreau is a French essayist who has lived in Japan since the 1970s. After fully adopting the Japanese way of life, she now offers seminars for those who want to simplify their lives. L'art de la Simplicite was published in France in 2005 by Laffont and is an international bestseller.
"Introduction" -- first page
L'art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less
Annie Bostrom
113.7 (Dec. 1, 2016): p7.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
L'art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less. By Dominique Loreau. Tr. by Louise Rogers Lalaurie. Jan. 2017.256p. St. Martin's/Griffin, $19.99 (97812501203041.640.
It was in Japan, her adopted home for more than 30 years now, that French essayist Loreau came to understand the value of simplicity for pleasant living spaces and overall health. Here, in three parts ("Materialism and Minimalism," "Body," "Mind") that are divided into many brief sections, lists, and affirmations, she shares her Zen-inspired philosophy of restraint in all things, along with the steps required for readers to achieve happiness in minimalism, too. Advice like perfecting every aspect of one's living space, fasting frequently, or beginning each day with a thorough body-brush scrub won't be immediately heeded by everyone, and the blank pages designated for note-taking will be problematic for libraries, but most readers will find a habit or relationship to ponder freshly through Loreau's lens. Further, this is already a best-seller in its original French. American readers have happily sought French advice in books like Bringing Up Bebe (2012) and French Women Don't Get Fat (2005), and the runaway success of Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2014) has spurred interest in Japanese-inspired minimalism.--Annie Bostrom
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Bostrom, Annie. "L'art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less." Booklist, 1 Dec. 2016, p. 7. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA474715943&it=r&asid=2b7dfd22d3345cb6ebe243b8e3ad8e64. Accessed 1 June 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A474715943
L'Art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less
263.39 (Sept. 26, 2016): p75.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
L'Art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less
Dominique Loreau, trans. from the French by Louise Rogers Lalaurie. St. Martin's Griffin, $19.99 (256p) ISBN 978-1-250-12030-4
Loreau (L'Art del'Essential) combines Zen with utter practicality in this empowering book of advice, a bestseller in France. After explaining that "more and more people are seeking the joys and benefits of a simpler, more natural existence," Loreau arranges her writings into three general sections: "Materialism and Minimalism," "Body," and "Mind." Covering practical topics such as money ("your servant, not your master") and self-directed fitness, as well as philosophical ones such as mindfulness and the art of change, she advocates simple but sometimes difficult emotional habits, including learning to say no ("When you compromise your dreams or values for another person, you lose a little of yourself and your strength"), avoiding negativity, having self-faith, and dealing with anxiety. Sensible rituals and affirmations help readers follow the author's sage advice to accept life as it is. Loreau credits her emphasis on minimalism to Japan, where she has lived for many years, and describes Japanese culture as placing great importance in simplicity and serenity. Despite the occasional odd suggestion (not many people will limit their wardrobes to black, beige, gray, and white), this is a thought-provoking tome, elegantly translated by Lalaurie, with a powerful message. (Jan.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"L'Art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less." Publishers Weekly, 26 Sept. 2016, p. 75. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA465558234&it=r&asid=a47552e13ea9c2fe75868c6abc31cc9b. Accessed 1 June 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A465558234
L'Art de la Simplicité (How to Live More With Less) by Dominique Loreau
April 20, 2016
|
Louise
It always seems complicated to live simply. Thankfully, with Dominique Loreau’s L’Art de la Simplicité (How to Live More With Less), you will get a few steps closer to achieving that lifestyle. 200 000 French women have already found precious advice in this book, which will be published in the United-Kingdom on Thursday 21st April by Orion, translated by Louise Lalaurie.
We at the book office are craving simplicity, and have compiled our favourite advice from the book, to get you started:
Live every day by keeping all your senses awake.
Have rituals in your day to day life, and make the simplest of actions sacred.
Live in elegance and perfection.
Sculpt, file, purge, clean, nourish and decorate your body.
Brush your body for 5 minutes every day with boar hair bristles – Polish yourself like a pebble
Eat less, but better. To gain weight is to die a little.
If your body is light, your life will be too.
Eat every meal in the same wooden bowl.
Every morning when you wake up, dilute a teaspoon of honey with a tablespoon of vinegar into a glass of hot or icy water, to lose weight.
Cultivate the art of living alone.
Read as much as you can. (This one isn’t the hardest to put into practice for us!)
No doubt you are already on the path to a clean and balanced life, full of healthy habits… Read this book to stay on the straight and narrow!
Book Review: L’art de la Simplicité
Posted on August 23, 2016 by Katie Kuo
Lart-high-res.jpgIf I could wrap up this book as simply as possible, I would say that it was truly inspiring, enlightening and gives us a pinch of a reminder for what we already know deep inside. Living life each day is an experience that all 7 billion of us have. If you have ever questioned “What is the meaning of my life?” then you are not alone. After reading the book, I feel that I don’t question that so intently, because there is more of an acceptance and understanding that our existence is to live life the best we can. We are here for merely a moment, and so it would be far more enjoyable to strive for a life lived with true happiness. The book touches on three sections: Materialism and Minimalism, Body and Mind.
When I first began reading the book, I assumed that it would only touch on living with less materials (eg. clothing) and only having what is important, useful and valued. However, the book touches on all aspects of everyday life and how we are all capable of living a fulfilled life. The clothing we wear each day, is important in how we feel about ourselves. The clutter in the spaces of our lives, can have a bigger affect on us than we may realise. By removing things that we do not need or that are only there because of an emotional attachment, we can surround our life with the essentials. When I lived at home as a child or even in the space I live in today, there was always a character of simplicity. This allowed more space to move around, less cleaning of unnecessary and unused objects and a greater appreciation for what one already has.
In consumerism we are convinced we need more and more, when in fact, we only need what we need. It seems so clear and transparent, yet it is often looked past, and people will spend money on things that are only to fill temporary happiness and are not for long term use. Looking after your body, also comes from what you put inside of it. Loreau talks about how we should only eat when we are hungry. As previously mentioned, many of the lessons and wisdom that are mentioned in the book are things that most of us know deep down in our hearts. It’s all a matter of practicing these values and incorporating them into our lives. She talks about how stress is created from our mind, and the level of power our mind and our thoughts have over our lives. Stress is a creation of thoughts and scenarios, which do no occur 90% of the time.
When it comes to relationships, our lives are far better lived when we simplify our contacts. Detox people who are toxic and end relationships that give you no support. Loreau mentions that “You don’t have to bare your soul to someone to be close with them.” It is incredibly true. It’s the company we are in and even the comfortable silences with a friend that can bring true pleasure. The book touches on many many other topics, however the one thing that radiates throughout is the matter of having self-love, good values and gratitude for the small things. The kindness we surround ourselves and that we act on will have a greater affect on the life we live. We have more than we need to live a well balanced and satisfactory life. It all comes down to how we choose to live it.
The key to loving how you live is in knowing what it is you truly love. – Sarah Ban Breathnach
Share this:
L'Art de la Simplicité How to Live More with Less
By Dominique Loreau
A rousing and robust exploration of the art of simplicity.
Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Twitter
Facebook
Link
Print
"We are only just beginning to realize the dangers of excess and opulence. More and more people are seeking the joys and benefits of a simpler, more natural existence, looking beyond the endless temptations of consumerism to devise new, meaningful, contemporary lifestyles."
— Dominique Loreau
Dominique Loreau is a French essayist who has lived in Japan since the 1970s. After fully adopting the Japanese way of life, she now offers a seminar for those who want to simplify their lives.
Her philosophy is propelled by the ancient truth of less is more. Her bellwether book L'art de la Simplicité is an international bestseller with over 350,000 copies sold. Now it is available in English for the first time.
Simplicity
What does she mean by simplicity?
"Simplicity means possessing little, clearing the way for the bare necessities, the quintessence of things."
"Simplicity is beautiful because it brings hidden joys."
"Simplicity is the perfect union of the beautiful, useful, and appropriate. Nothing should be superfluous."
"Simplicity means creating harmony among very few objects, each one of which is unique and indispensable."
In a world that is getting more loud, brutish, and violent, it is easy to see why so many pine for simplicity in their busy and complicated lives. During the last decades, we have seen some of the egregious dangers of too muchness and consumerism run wild. In the first two chapters, Loreau makes a good case for the rise of minimalism and the fall of a life of material excess.
Beauty
"A home furnished with nothing but a handful of beautiful, absolutely essential things is a haven of peace. Cherish it, clean it and inhabit it with care and respect — it is a protective shell for your greatest treasure: your own self."
"Style and beauty help us to progress, and surpass ourselves. In Japan, beautiful deportment and gestures express the perfect balance between intent and effort. The right way to handle chopsticks, or the perfect posture when sitting on a tatami mat, all are connected to an attitude of asceticism practiced with grace and rigor."
"Creating a beautiful life is the highest vocation. Remember: beauty is present in small details, in order and cleanliness, in things that support and nourish us."
It is only natural that Loreau write about the spiritual practice of beauty since the Japanese elevation of this virtue is revealed in the tea ceremony, flower arrangements, calligraphy, decorative boxes, and other activities. The Balinese have also integrated beauty into everyday life. In her exploration of this topic, the author covers ethics, aesthetics, the body, and nurturing self.
Rituals
In another section, Loreau suggests that we sanctify the simplest actions using rituals. To begin, she quotes Antoine de Saint-Exupery's classic children book:
" 'What's a ritual?' said the Little Prince.
'Something else that is too readily forgotten,' said the Fox.
'It is what makes one day different from another, or one hour from the other hours.' "
The author then asked about our personal rituals and what they bring to our lives. "Montaigne said that a life lived to the full is a life enriched and nourished by ritual. Rituals bring comfort when we stumble under the pressures and demands of everyday existence."
With grace and enthusiasm, Loreau mines the many aspects of simplicity in chapters on inner ecology, other people, and polishing yourself like a pebble. All of these play a major role in the continuing quest for a life full of pleasure and meaning.