In order to cope with life’s stresses, many of us withdraw inside and ignore issues, which can occasionally lead to anxiety or melancholy. In an attempt to improve their own and their loved ones’ happiness, some respond by putting in more effort at work, school, or home.
But what if you’re just yourself? Before we can be at peace with the world around us, we must first be at peace with ourselves, much as we are told to take our oxygen before assisting others on aircraft.
In this lovely sequel to his global bestseller The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, Zen Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim applies his signature wisdom to the practice of self-care, contending that you can only have loving and satisfying relationships with your partner, family, and friends if you accept who you are and all of your imperfections.
Read about The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down – Haemin Sunim with this detailed guide!
About the Author
Haemin Sunim is among the world’s most renowned Zen Buddhist authors and instructors. He came to study cinema in the United States after being drawn into the spiritual life. He was born in South Korea.
After attending Princeton, Harvard, and UC Berkeley, he taught Buddhism at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, after completing rigorous monastic training in Korea. He is one of the Top 10 Spiritual Leaders of the Next 20 Years by Spirituality & Health and one of the 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness by Greatist.
He has over a million followers on Facebook and Twitter (@haeminsunim). With over four million copies sold, his books, Love for Imperfect Things and The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, which have been translated into over thirty languages, are well-liked as manuals for overcoming obstacles in daily life as well as for meditation.
When not on the road spreading his teachings, Haemin Sunim resides in Seoul, where he established the nonprofit organisation School of Broken Hearts, which provides meditation and group therapy to those going through difficult times.
Review
Even the most enlightened among us may find it challenging to practice self-compassion… Self-compassion is not synonymous with selfishness, as Haemin Sunim makes clear throughout his book. He argues that we can only care for others when we take care of ourselves. —New York Times
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A true gem. It reminds us that the foundation of healing is compassion, beginning with ourselves. I heartily endorse this book. — Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, #1 New York Times bestseller
A gem! I don’t need to be flawless. What amazing news! Many of my fears vanished after reading this book, which hit me like a tonne of bricks. — Neil Pasricha, the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Equation and The Book of Awesome
Even though you are the most remarkable person on the planet and everyone sees genius, love, and light when they look at you, none of that outward awe means a thing if you don’t realise it yourself.
Instead of adoring the notion that you are loved by others, Haemin Sunim teaches you how to love yourself first. It makes a world of difference.” —Marc and Angel Chernoff, New York Times bestselling authors of Getting Back to Happy
“Haemin Sunim is the real deal. His teachings’ elegance and simplicity speak directly to the heart. This book will increase your love of life and awaken insight, so keep it close at hand. Tara Brach, the best-selling author of True Refuge and Radical Acceptance
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down is a great book to go with it. Zen instructor Haemin Sunim explains the crushing impact of perfectionism and how harmful it is to believe that your value as a person depends only on your performance. He then walks you through the process of regaining your freedom and your life, page by page. Co-author of Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Busy World, Mark Williams
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Calm, heartwarming, and… full of wisdom and powerful truths.” —Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life co-author Héctor García
The Buddha rather rebelliously asserted that our own defects are where our journey to waking begins, rather than a deity or teacher. It makes me very glad to see Haemin Sunim giving new life to self-befriending techniques that enable us to become the finest carers for ourselves. —Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Rebel Buddha and Emotional Rescue author
Love for Imperfect Things speaks to every human heart because Haemin Sunim speaks from the innermost heart—the heart of compassion—beyond all cultural and religious barriers.” —Gratitude, the Heart of Prayer author David Steindl-Rast, OSB, brother
A priceless present for everyone… Once again, Haemin Sunim has delivered excellent, practical counsel in a perceptive, approachable way. Everybody should have this book by their bedside so that we may all go to sleep smiling. Allen Lokos, author of Through the Flames, Patience, and Pocket Peace; founder and directing instructor of the Community Meditation Center in New York City
Beautifully insightful observations on our inherent imperfections. An excellent lesson on letting go. As comforting to my racing “must do better!” mentality as taking a hot bath when I’m feeling chilly. —The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober author Catherine Gray
These important life lessons resonate easily and deeply because of Haemin Sunim’s beautiful and straightforward writing.” —Is It Just Me? author Miranda Hart.
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In this entertaining collection of thoughts, Zen Buddhist master Sunim explores important yet commonplace facets of the human experience in a way that is both relatable and beneficial. The book includes insightful proverbs in addition to tales from Sunim’s own life… A light-hearted book filled with witty sayings, smart counsel, and generally beneficial reminders to help ease the stresses of busy living. —Publishers Weekly
Shrewd life lessons… Simple, quick lessons for cultivating and expanding our practice of empathy toward ourselves and others.” —The Library Journal
Sunim’s writing style is likened to a warm hug, since it is both kind and inviting. Sunim surprises everyone by stating, “I don’t think life has something grand in store for me,” despite the fact that many self-help books advocate for triumphant purpose-seeking. Reading the book several times on a train ride, before bed, or as part of your morning ritual is worthwhile. —List of books
A gem… A lovely manual for being more considerate, caring, and even opening up higher thinking… You want to stay up late reading this book, hold on to it, and leave it on your bedside table. Regular opening is both possible and recommended. Advance Media, NJ
Kind, gentle manual for inner peace.” —BookPage
It’s encouraging that a voice as subtly amiable as Haemin’s can turn you into a mega-celebrity in these snark-filled days. Haemin speaks particularly well on the minor annoyances in life and how they may occasionally be more difficult to handle than the more significant, dramatic ones. —The Guardian
Brimming with wisdom, maxims, and insightful spiritual guidance. This book is wonderful for people who are too hard on themselves since it is full of life lessons about accepting the imperfect because our imperfections are what make us special. —Bustle
Mindfulness for the modern age: bite-sized Buddhism.” —The Observer
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Summary
Haemin Sunim teaches us how to develop more understanding, compassion, and love so that we may see the beauty in even the most flawed things, including ourselves. What should we do when we are no longer comforted by statements like “Just do your best and things will turn out fine?”
Haemin Sunim demonstrates in Love for Imperfect Things how to develop greater love, compassion, and knowledge in order to see the beauty in even the most flawed things, including oneself. The world starts to see you as deserving of attention when you take care of yourself first.
The type of profound, enduring love exhibited by a parent does not end when the loved one acts in a way that you disagree with, as opposed to simply loving someone when you feel you comprehend what it is you love.