Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno

100 Lessons in Zen Wisdom for a Calmer, Simpler, More Meaningful Life

In a world that glorifies busyness, complexity, and constant stimulation, the ancient wisdom of Zen offers a radical alternative: slow down, simplify, and find beauty in the ordinary. Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno — one of Japan's most celebrated Zen Buddhist monks and garden designers — distils centuries of Zen philosophy into 100 short, practical lessons that anyone can apply to their daily life.

From how you arrange your desk to how you begin your morning, from the way you breathe to the way you listen, Masuno shows that Zen is not a religion or a retreat — it is a way of being present in every moment of every day. This is a book about finding peace not by changing your circumstances, but by changing the way you see them.

Book Details

• Author: Shunmyo Masuno
• Publisher: Michael Joseph (Penguin)
• ISBN: 9780241371831
• Format: Hardcover
• Genre: Mindfulness / Zen / Spirituality / Self-Help

What the 100 Lessons Will Teach You

• How to begin each day with intention, calm, and clarity
• The Zen art of decluttering — your space, your schedule, and your mind
• How to find stillness and presence in the smallest, most ordinary moments
• Why doing less — and doing it fully — is more powerful than doing more
• How to cultivate gratitude, acceptance, and equanimity as daily practices
• Simple rituals and habits that bring Zen wisdom into modern life

Why This Book Has Resonated With Readers Worldwide

• A bestseller in Japan and across Europe — now beloved by readers worldwide
• 100 short lessons — read one a day or dip in whenever you need a moment of calm
• Beautifully designed hardcover — a stunning gift for anyone seeking more peace and simplicity
• Written by a practising Zen monk with decades of wisdom and experience
• Perfect for fans of Ikigai, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and The Book of Joy
• A book to return to again and again — each reading reveals something new

You don't need to travel to a monastery to find peace. You just need to look more carefully at the life you already have. Zen: The Art of Simple Living will show you how.