a documentary by Waad al-Kateab, directed by Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts
launched in 2019 by PBS Frontline, Channel 4 News and ITN Productions, 95 minutes
documentary by Lex Reitsma, featuring Irma Boom
launched in 2018 by Selfmade Films, 55 minutes
written by Elle Luna, published by Lev. / Bruna Uitgevers
genre self-help / personal development, 168 pages
written by Maaike Hartjes, published by Nijgh & Van Ditmar
genre non-fiction/biography, 288 pages READ MORE
written by Kirsten Jassies and Joyce Nafzger, published by Snor
genre social media & educational, 151 pages
READ MORE
The cupola of the Bonnefanten Museum only gets a new artwork once every couple of years, so when one of your favourite contemporary artists turns it into something new, you got to go and experience it!
a film by Reiner Holzemer, featuring Dries van Noten
launched in 2017 by Dogwoof Pictures, 52 minutes
starring Piet Oudolf, directed by Thomas Piper
launched in 2018 by Argot Pictures, 75 minutes
written by Austin Kleon, published by Lannoo
genre nonfiction / self-help, 140 and 215 pages
Although there are many great books to read, every now and then I feel like rereading one of the books I’ve read before. Sometimes I really liked the story, sometimes the book was very inspiring, sometimes for no particular reason at all. READ MORE
written by Saroo Brierley, published by Boekerij
genre memoires / non-fiction, 233 pages
starring Iris Apfel, directed by Albert Maysles
launched in 2014 by Magnolia Pictures, 79 minutesREAD MORE
written by Martje Haverkamp & Emilie Sobers, published by Uitgeverij Unieboek | Het Spectrum bv
genre life-lessons, 188 pages
starring the Minimalists, directed by Matt D’Avella
launched in 2016, 78 minutes
They say that ideas float through the air and all you have to do is grab them. If you don’t somebody else will, sometimes several people will. When I came across an article in the newspaper about people joining the Tiny House Movement in the Netherlands, in my mind it got immediately linked to the documentary that my boyfriend and I had watched the previous evening. A documentary definitely worth telling you guys about!
‘Minimalism’ is a fascinating documentary about minimizing your life. A life in which less means more. A lifestyle conflicting with the western ideal in which materialism equals happiness. We’ve all heard of Marie-does it spark joy-Kondo who taught us how to get rid off all the stuff that we don’t need. Well, for some people that is only the beginning.
– Ryan Nicodemus
In this documentary we get to know people that brought minimalism to an even higher level. For example Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn, also known as ‘The Minimalists’.
We follow Ryan and Joshua on their tour through America. A tour on which they try to introduce this ideal of living a minimalistic lifestyle to as many people as possible. They go to conferences, give presentations and take part on radio and tv shows to talk about the significant difference changing from a consumeristic lifestyle to a minimalistic lifestyle has made. Both men are now feeling so much happier, no longer working long days to earn a lot of money to buy things they don’t really want or need.
The documentary introduces not just Ryan and Joshua’s version of a minimal lifestyle, but many more people that at a certain point in their life decided to take back control and live life differently.
What really inspires me is how they all explain that living a less excessive life makes life so much easier and enjoyable. There is no more worrying about what to wear when you can choose between five first choice-sweaters instead of a hundred seconds. Something simple like owning less clothes would surely make the morning ritual of many men and women much less stressful (not even mentioning what this would mean for our natural environment and the people working in all those mass production processes.)
Having watched this documentary and having read the article really helps and inspires me to keep focusing on the important things in life. To keep living my life intentionally, to make decisions that will increase mine and other people’s happiness, not just the number on my bank account. When living a more minimal life, life won’t be perfect, nor easy, but it will be simple.
– Joshua Fields Millburn
To learn more about the minimalists, have a look at their website.
written by Giulio Cesare Giacobbe, published by Mana
genre educational, 160 pages
As a yoga and pilates practitioner, I’ve always considered following meditation lessons as well. But I either couldn’t find the time or the right meditation class to actually do so. When my colleague, who’s an even more fanatic yogi, told me about this book, about the lessons it teaches you and how much it had brought her, I simply couldn’t wait to read it and start the course myself.
Giulio’s son Yuri was a Bodhisattva, a reincarnation of the Buddha. When Yuri was only 27 he past away and transferred his buddhism to his father. A man who unlike his son, considered himself to be an old sinner. But Giulio changed into a buddha. He found enlightenment and realized that it’s possible for everybody to become a buddha too. Buddhism no longer was just a theory to him, it became something real and finally resulted in this book.
Even though what you’re reading now is a book review. It would be more correct to call this a short course for getting a buddhist state of mind, in the form of a book. The book not only provides us with a clear and easy to understand explanation of the base principles on which a buddhistic mindset can be build. These principles have also been translated into a 5 week course that can be followed and completed by everybody who’s open and willing to do so.
It is not a book about religion. It’s a book about a psychological method with a practical goal; to end your mental suffering and achieve a permanent state of serenity. Perhaps this all might sound complicated or maybe even a bit far fetched. But don’t worry, it really isn’t. The writer explains the essence of a buddhistic mind in a very clear and easy to understand way. And the five assignments derive from this explanation very naturally. Really everybody can do this.
Reading the book is only the beginning. The writer proposes you first read the book completely, before starting the assignments that each take at least a week. I’ve read the book twice but haven’t finished all the courses yet. I prefer to take more time for each assignment and really let it sink in. But I’m sure that in some weeks, I as well will reach the ultimate goal and become a buddha. Wouldn’t you like to give it a try?