The Zen Monkey and the Lotus Flower: 52 Stories to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Thoughts, Find Happiness, and Live Your Best Life

This is not a usual book for me. It was recommended as a book club read and I was curious. I have practised yoga for many years and am familiar with some of the basic principles of mindfulness and meditation but was interested to learn more. This book was printed in 2024. It has 157 pages an contains 52 short stories. Each story is usually around a page long and is followed by a similar length explanation. There are several principles that are explored and they are looked at in different ways. That can lead to a feeling of repetition if you read them quickly - read the stories gradually (as they are meant to be read) and the messages are gently reinforced. There are important life lessons here which are worth taking time to consider. I got drawn into the messages and am sure that this will stay with me for some time. I'm not sure this book will change my life but it will encourage any reader to approach problems in a slightly different way. It might also promote a change of attitude. The book is perfect to dip in and out of. It actually suggests you read one story each week - this would give time to ponder and digest before moving on. The stories are very easy to read and the explanations are clear. As you progress through the book there are some useful tips that can be used in your life - one example being "try to praise or encourage at least one person every day", this is not hard to do and makes a big difference to both people. Each story starts with an illustration that perfectly sums up the subject of the tale. It is worth pausing on the drawing to consider its artistic quality before moving on.

Lovely little book with simple relevant stories which remind us to slow down and take a look at the beautiful things around us that often we take for granted (including our selves). This book could/should be read by everyone it's certainly made a small difference to my life.

Lessons in life. Wonderful short stories to carry through life. A reminder of how we always need to be open to learn.

Very good book,makes you think very useful.A very good read.

This book is brilliant. One of my favourites.Well worth a read. Quick delivery.

I bought two copies of this book, one for myself and one for a friend who I think may like and understand its purpose, even though I am a practitioner of Buddhism and he isn't. Most practitioners and students of Buddhism will already recognise this style of story-telling. As fables or parables, they have simple themes and are intended to make you think about the specifics of Buddhist practice and its eightfold noble path, particularly in Zen Buddhism. But the glorious thing is that they can make everyone stop to think, in just the same way that, say, Aesop's fables had a similar purpose. The book is a simple read and suitable for anyone from childhood through to old age, to help learn some of the truths of living and often a gentler and more peaceful way to look at life.

Good quality book and very interesting read

Really enjoyed the stories

Great book, I recommend to get it.

Used this everytime for meditation guide to students. They all enjoy the story very much.

Love love love this little book! I read a few of the stories to my grandson who is 9 years old. He grasped the meaning of the stories relating to his own world! I was impressed.

Its a nice little book, Each story is 2 pages long (max) and with nice Zen philosophies behind each one. After each story there are a few words from the author to explain; what to take from each story and what to practice more with this story in mind. This is the reason I gave it 3 stars. I find the notes from the author to much and it would be better to just to read the story and see where my own mind takes me.

I love this book. There are 52 short stories, and I read one for each week in the year. All of them are relevant to our modern lives and provide great wisdom and guidance for maintaining inner peace and clarity in our tumultuous world.