It's Okay Not to Look for the Meaning of Life: a Zen Monk's Guide Living Stress-Free One Day at Time

Zen monk Jikisai Minami takes the things we are supposed to strive for and turns them on their head. The 35 short, thought-provoking essays in this book are divided into four chapters about our sense of self, our hopes and dreams, our personal relationships and how to face death. Each essay begins with a deliberately controversial point of view to help us look at life's problems through fresh eyes. : Although the author's messages may seem harsh at first, his teachings help us reduce anxiety in our daily lives. Being bound by the belief that "I have to do X" or "I need to achieve Y" causes immense stress. The author encourages us to accept our reality and live our lives from that starting point. This, he believes will free us from anxiety, relationship problems and negative emotions.