How to Let Things Go - by Shunmyo Masuno (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Feeling overwhelmed? Step away from life's mounting demands and free yourself up for what matters with this succinct and sensible guide by the Zen Buddhist author of the international bestsellers The Art of Simple Living and Don't Worry. Amid the relentless cycle of news, social media, emails, and texts, it can be hard to know when, if ever, we can step away from everything clamoring for our attention. Renowned monk Shunmyo Masuno offers us a radical message: We can leave it all be, and indeed sometimes the best thing we can learn is how to do nothing. A few of the things How to Let Things Go teaches us: Lesson #2: Give people space-being caring and being nosy are not the same thing. Lesson #13: Follow your goen to good opportunities. Lesson #15: Remember that social media is a tool and nothing more. Lesson #19: Let farewells be, and leave your relationships to nature. Lesson #40: Think of letting things go not as throwing them away, but setting them free. Lesson #75: Make decisions in the light of the morning-don't rush into them. Lesson #90: Take more breaks the busier you become. With these and ninety-two other practical tips, we can abandon the futile pursuit of controlling everything in our lives and unlock the key to a fulfilling social life, individual well-being, and a calmer, more focused mind"--

Book Synopsis

"You might have encountered the 'let them' theory, inspired by the book of the same name by motivational speaker Mel Robbins. . . . Another book with a similar message [is] How to Let Things Go. . . . Perfectly designed for modern readers . . . it provides a deeply practical approach to life." --Buddhistdoor Global

Feeling overwhelmed? Step away from life's demands and free yourself up for what matters with this succinct and sensible guide by the Zen Buddhist author of the international bestsellers The Art of Simple Living and Don't Worry.

Amid the relentless cycle of news, social media, emails, and texts, it can be hard to know when, if ever, you can take a break from everything clamoring for your attention. The internationally bestselling Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno offers a radical message: You can leave it all be, and, indeed, sometimes the best thing you can learn is how to do nothing. How to Let Things Go will teach you to:

• Lesson #2: Give people space--being caring and being nosy are not the same thing.
• Lesson #15: Remember that social media is a tool and nothing more.
• Lesson #19: Let a relationship come to an end rather than force it.
• Lesson #40: Think of letting things go not as throwing them away but as setting them free.
• Lesson #75: Make decisions in the light of the morning--don't rush into them.
• Lesson #90: Slow down and take more breaks.

With these and ninety-three other practical tips, you can abandon the futile pursuit of trying to control everything and discover the key to a fulfilling social life; individual well-being; and a calmer, more focused mind.

Review Quotes

"Take life's challenges day by day with the help of the newest book from Shunmyo Masuno. . . . Masuno's voice shines through his tips, which are often simply put and charmingly straightforward. Despite being rooted in Zen concepts, this book's accessible format and worldly focus make it a great choice for readers of all backgrounds." --Tricycle

"[A] wise and succinct guide . . . Masuno has a knack for turning a phrase to make familiar advice memorable. . . . The stressed will find much to appreciate." --Publishers Weekly

"Akin to a pocket Dhammapada or Bible, it provides inspirational and practical lessons for navigating social media, relationships, careers, and personal growth . . . with an easy-to-digest format that fits neatly on a smartphone screen." --Buddhistdoor Global

"Provides succinct instructions paired with hard-to-argue rationale, simplifying what otherwise might feel like a daunting task." --Lion's Roar

About the Author

Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest of a 450-year-old Zen Buddhist temple in Japan, is the author of the international bestsellers Don't Worry and The Art of Simple Living as well as an award-winning Zen garden designer for clients around the world. He is a professor of environmental design at one of Japan's leading art schools and has lectured widely, including at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cornell University, and Brown University.

Allison Markin Powell (translator) won the PEN Translation Prize for her translation of Hiromi Kawakami's The Ten Loves of Nishino and was a finalist for the Man Asian Literary Prize for her translation of Kawakami's The Briefcase. She has also translated Shunmyo Masuno's The Art of Simple Living and Don't Worry, and works by Osamu Dazai, Fuminori Nakamura, and Kanako Nishi, among others. She was the guest editor of the first Japan issue of Words Without Borders and maintains the online database Japanese Literature in English. She lives in New York.