Don't worry 48 lessons on relieving anxiety from a Zen Buddhist monk

Shunmyō Masuno

Book - 2022

"Put yourself at ease with this highly practical, internationally bestselling guide to reducing anxiety and living worry-free by the renowned Zen Buddhist author of The Art of Simple Living. Can you think of a time when you were worried about something, but then a random comment or occurrence made you realize how insignificant it was, and you were amazed by how much lighter you felt? We often allow ourselves to be frightened by shadows that aren't really there. As renowned Zen Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno says, 90 percent of our worries won't come true. The key is to focus only on the here and now. By doing so, we free ourselves from unnecessary anxiety or worry, and our mind will be at peace. In Don't Worry, you will le...arn to: act instead of worrying-things will definitely work out better; stop comparing yourself to others-90 percent of your obsessions will disappear; interpret things positively-you are the one to decide whether you are happy or not; stop seeking, stop rushing, stop obsessing; stop taking in too much information; take a break from competition-it's the Zen way of avoiding anxiety; remove unnecessary things from your life and make your life absolutely simple. The goal is to reduce, to let go, to leave behind. By doing so, you'll discover a calmer, more relaxed, more positive version of yourself"--

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Subjects
Genres
Self-help publications
Published
New York : Penguin Life [2022]
Language
English
Japanese
Main Author
Shunmyō Masuno (author)
Other Authors
Allison Markin Powell (translator)
Item Description
Includes index.
Physical Description
xi, 208 pages ; 19 cm
ISBN
9780143136705
  • Foreword
  • Part 1. Reduce, let go, leave behind.
  • The Zen way of keeping anxiety and worry at bay
  • 1. Don't delude yourself.
  • 2. Focus on "now."
  • 3. Don't burden yourself or drag yourself down.
  • 4. Pare down your belongings.
  • 5. Just be, as you are.
  • 6. Take off your colored glasses.
  • 7. Be gracious.
  • 8. Recognize limitations.
  • Part 2. Concentrate only on things you can achieve here and now.
  • By doing so, you'll stop thinking about unnecessary things.
  • 9. Reconsider the obvious.
  • 10. Don't rush, don't panic.
  • 11. Respond positively.
  • 12. Cherish the morning.
  • 13. Live by your own standards.
  • 14. Don't seek out the unnecessary.
  • 15. Shine wherever you find yourself.
  • 16. Don't go against your feelings.
  • 17. Make your evenings calm.
  • Part 3. Step away from competition and things will fall into place.
  • "Everyon is their own person, and I am who I am."
  • 18. Don't fixate on victory or defeat.
  • 19. Keep at it, slow and steady.
  • 20. Experience gratitude.
  • 21. Use the right words.
  • 22. Let young people take charge.
  • 23. Accept your circumstances, whatever they may be.
  • 24. Do today's things today.
  • 25. Don't simply run away.
  • 26. Be more tolerant.
  • 27. Go with the flow.
  • 28. Don't talk just for the sake of talking.
  • 29. Adjust your breathing.
  • 30. Change the "air" in your home.
  • Part 4. Surprising tips for improving relationships
  • How to form good connections and let go of had ones
  • 31. Cherish your connections.
  • 32. Make good connections.
  • 33. Yield to others.
  • 34. Don't wield "logic."
  • 35. Spend ten minutes a day in nature.
  • 36. Make people want to see you again.
  • 37. Admit errors right away.
  • 38. Don't hesitate to ask for help.
  • 39. Be a good listener.
  • 40. Don't base decisions on profits and losses.
  • Part 5. Change how you worry about things and your life will change for the better.
  • On money, aging, death, and more
  • 41. Money
  • 42. Getting Older
  • 43. Old Age
  • 44. Love
  • 45. Marriage
  • 46. Children
  • 47. Death
  • 48. One's End
  • Index of Zengo, or Zen Sayings
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Masuno (The Art of Simple Living), the head priest of a Buddhist temple, delivers a Zen approach to eliminating worry and anxiety in this straightforward guide. Masuno shares 48 teachings that encourage readers to "focus only on the here and now" and "leave behind" their troubles so that they might become "calmer, more relaxed, and positive." For example, the author recommends readers "pare down" their belongings because getting rid of material things stamps out the attachments that "cloud" one's thoughts. Touting the benefits of forging one's own path, Masuno says to stop comparing oneself to others and to "live by your own standards," which are developed through experience. The author tells how to let go ("focus on 'now' "), stay mindful ("don't rush, don't panic"), embrace one's individuality ("accept your circumstances, whatever they may be"), and live in harmony with others ("admit errors right away"). Masuno's spare prose embodies his message, and though some of his lessons can feel trite ("live in the moment") others take an unexpected direction ("change the 'air' in your home"). Even when the advice is familiar, Masuno's directness and wisdom make this worth a look. (Apr.)

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Review by Library Journal Review

Masuno (The Art of Simple Living), who leads a 450-year-old Zen Buddhist temple in Japan, brings wisdom and experience to his new book of pragmatic advice for simplifying life and reducing anxiety by employing Buddhist thought. Masuno's 48 lessons are broken into five parts, good for quick reference, and ask readers to consider whether aspects of their thinking are making them dissatisfied with themselves and others. He discusses thought habits that can create fear about concerns that don't really exist; this mentality is particularly fueled by overconsumption of negative information (like sensationalist news). Masuno also tells readers to remind themselves that suffering, in various forms, is ultimately a common, regular experience for all people, one that can't necessarily be ended or avoided. VERDICT Highly recommended for general readers interested in Eastern philosophy and open to learning practical approaches to dealing with anxiety. Masuno's useful advice is particularly needed in recent times.--Gary Medina

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