By: burgundy bug
Hardcover copy of “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t: Cut the Crap and Live Your Life”
Source: The Burgundy Zine
“The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t: Cut the Crap and Live Your Life” is a self-help book by Fabrice Midal, one of the leading meditation teachers in France.
Throughout the book, The author cuts the crap and dispels common myths about meditation as well as sociological structures to guide the reader towards a more fulfilling life.
A Bit of Context…
Fabrice Midal is a doctor of Philosophy, an author, and the founder of the Western School of Meditation.
Midal has written multiple books, including “The Pure Joy of Being: An Illustrated Introduction to the Story of the Buddha and the Practice of Meditation” and “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t: Cut the Crap and Live Your Life,” among others.
“The French Art of Not Giving a Shit: Cut the Crap and Live Your Life” is an international best seller. It was translated to English by Ian Monk and published by Hachette Book Group in Nov 2017.
The French Art of Not Giving a Shi*t: Review
Midal’s 2017 self-help book serves as a public service announcement that advises against traditional means of meditation and social structures.
Throughout the book, Midal uses his background in Philosophy and years of experience in the meditation and wellness field to share what he has learned with the reader.
“Meditating involves freeing ourselves from the hell of total consciousness.”
Fabrice Midal (Ch. 7)
Midal firmly holds that there are no rules to meditation: it’s simply a state of being. The idea that one must sit, breathe, or think a certain way while meditating goes against its very core foundation.
With each chapter, the author commands the reader to:
- Stop Meditating
- Stop Obeying
- Stop Being Wise
- Stop Being Calm
- Stop Holding Yourself Back
- Stop Being Passive
- Stop Being Conscious
- Stop Wanting to Be Perfect
- Stop Trying to Understand Everything
- Stop Rationalizing
- Stop Comparing
- Stop Being Ashamed
- Stop Tormenting Yourself
- Stop Wanting to Love
- Stop Discipling Your Kids
Each chapter is a breezy, interesting, and engaging read. The book itself is light and easy to throw in your bag for some on-the-go enlightenment.
In Stop Being Passive, Midal explains that “running around like a hamster does not mean being active.” Rather, it is the art of daring to be fully present.
“I become truly active when I dare to stop everything.”
Fabrice Midal (Ch. 6)
While meditation is the central focus of “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t,” Midal’s ideology branches off in a way that it can be applied to multiple aspects of life.
Overall, “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t” is a digestible read that offers another perspective on wellness. Midal’s views that are discussed throughout the book are grounded in the philosophy of personal development and empowerment.
Bug’s Two Cents
I was sitting at a computer on campus, reiterating my to-do lists cyclically in my head as deadlines for essays, projects, and the third issue of The Burgundy Zine seemed to keep piling up on me.
“I keep stressing myself out over irrelevant details and deadlines,” I vented to my friend Jack. “I don’t know why, because everything seems to work out just fine in the end anyways.”
That’s when Jack handed me “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t.” It couldn’t have been a better time for him to lend me the book.
Although I dove into it knowing that Midal’s life work was devoted towards meditation, I was actually surprised by how present it was throughout the book. Nevertheless, I didn’t find that it necessarily altered the core philosophy of Midal’s sentiment.
I found “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t” delightful and insightful all at once. In addition to redefining what I thought I knew about meditation, it reinforced what I already knew I needed to do: cut the crap and stop giving a shit; to stop holding myself back, wanting to be perfect, trying to understand everything, rationalizing, and tormenting myself.
Chapter eight, “Stop Wanting to Be Perfect” was particularly touching for me.
In my notes, I wrote:
“This was definitely one of my favorite chapters. I’m empathetic, and yet I always criticize my own thoughts and feelings, holding myself to unrealistic ideals.
note2self: Emotions are GOOD!”
Burgundy Bug
In “Stop Wanting to Be Perfect” Midal shares his own personal trials as a testament against measuring yourself to grades and sociologically embedded concepts of ‘perfection.’
The author further supports his point by making note of how we are so quick to empathize and comfort others while they’re struggling, and yet we don’t regard ourselves with the same kindness.
Instead, we often brutally batter ourselves over the littlest mistakes, convinced that it isn’t the situation, but that we are at fault.
By the end of “The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t,” I felt refreshed with a new outlook on meditation and self-care.
Overall? I give Midal’s book 3.5 out of 5 deep breaths.
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