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Self-Reflection with Sunim Hae-min
In modern-day society, it is quite common to feel stressed and frustrated at the world. About 33% of people experience some kind of stress, according to the American Institute of Stress. In How to Be Calm in a Busy World: The Things That You Can See Only When You Slow Down, Haemin Sunim shows us how self-reflection can help with those feelings.
This Buddhist teacher made these lessons into bite-size pieces that you can apply to your own life. Translated into English in 2017 by Kim Chi-Young, the core message of the book is loud and clear; "When you slow down, the world slows down with you" (Sumin). If you like self-help books or want quotes to inspire you, this might be perfect. This international best-seller has proven to be a hit with over 3 million copies being sold in Korea alone. Currently, it even has a 4.1 out of 5 on Goodreads, a solid rating for the website.
Each chapter has illustrations by Lee Young-cheol with a very simplistic and whimsical theme that matches Sunim’s writing. The book is filled with colorful backdrops with vibrant yellows, blue hues, and little people wandering in lush flower fields and endless skies.
The book itself is filled with knowledge but it isn’t dense nor does it feel like you're reading a textbook. Sumin includes his struggles throughout the book establishing a vulnerable relationship with the reader. Within the eight chapters he includes topics like first love and forgiveness, each one will help you understand the world and yourself a little more. Excerpts like the one below can be found on Sumin’s Instagram if you want a few peaks as to how the book is.
It’s definitely a book full of wonder and good advice to weave into your everyday life. If it piqued your interest, How to Be Calm in a Busy World: The Things That You Can See Only When You Slow Down, can be bought at most bookstores or online.
Featured image: The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down (Penguin Books)
Written by: Stephanie Lemus
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