Zen Monk Shares Four Strategies to Simplify Life and Alleviate Daily Struggles

In a world where stress and complexity are commonplace, Zen Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno offers guidance on how individuals can stop making life harder for themselves. Drawing from his book "How to Let Things Go," Masuno outlines four core principles to help people conserve their energy and find clarity in challenging times.

Masuno encourages readers to adopt a more constructive mindset by thinking positively, especially in the face of adversity. “Will spending lots of time worrying help? It will not,” he writes, urging individuals to actively choose optimism to better navigate difficulties. Recognizing humanity’s natural tendency toward pessimism, he emphasizes that “the more you’re able to look on the bright side, the less anxious you’ll feel and the better things will go.”

Optimistic man | Source: Pexels

Another recommendation is to trust personal judgment and avoid overreliance on external opinions. “All these opinions may confuse you and cause you to overthink things,” Masuno notes. Instead, he advises, “You must first know your own mind,” reinforcing the idea that confidence in one’s decisions is essential to personal growth.

Masuno also advises letting go of the past, whether marked by success or failure. Citing the ever-changing nature of work and life, he explains, “Both successes and failures are already in the past,” highlighting that clinging to previous outcomes may prevent future progress.

Man using his smartphone | Source: Pexels

Finally, he underscores the importance of knowing when to disengage from unproductive conflicts. “There are times when it’s best to just step out of the ring,” Masuno states, suggesting that energy should be redirected toward self-improvement rather than dwelling on perceived injustices.