The Practice of Not Reacting: Zen Wisdom for a Happy Life
Ryushun Kusanagi
Jul 2026 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Mark Takeshi Ota
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4 hr 30 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook
Now available in English for the first time, the groundbreaking Japanese bestseller that teaches you how to improve your relationships, calm your emotions, and shape a life that’s in your control.
A stressful day at work. An argument with a loved one. A post on social media that ruins your mood. Our minds react strongly to failures, frustrations, and comparisons, destroying our confidence and making us feel helpless against feelings of anger, stress, and anxiety.
But it's not external events that cause us to lose our happiness—it's our internal reactions to them. The Practice of Not Reacting offers the key to a drama-free life: stop reacting unnecessarily. When we stop reacting, the mind settles and we find peace. Ryushun Kusanagi's approach relies on the ancient Buddhist idea that one should seek to understand worries and respond to them logically, rather than try to eliminate or suppress them. In a few simple steps, you will learn how to:
Loved by hundreds of thousands of readers across Japan, this concise book is for anyone seeking the vital freedom that comes with the practice of non-reaction.
A stressful day at work. An argument with a loved one. A post on social media that ruins your mood. Our minds react strongly to failures, frustrations, and comparisons, destroying our confidence and making us feel helpless against feelings of anger, stress, and anxiety.
But it's not external events that cause us to lose our happiness—it's our internal reactions to them. The Practice of Not Reacting offers the key to a drama-free life: stop reacting unnecessarily. When we stop reacting, the mind settles and we find peace. Ryushun Kusanagi's approach relies on the ancient Buddhist idea that one should seek to understand worries and respond to them logically, rather than try to eliminate or suppress them. In a few simple steps, you will learn how to:
- Stop pointlessly judging your circumstances as "good" and "bad"
- Free yourself from the pain of stress, worry, and negative emotions
- Live authentically, without being influenced by what others think of you
- Let go of the habit of measuring yourself against others' successes and failures
Loved by hundreds of thousands of readers across Japan, this concise book is for anyone seeking the vital freedom that comes with the practice of non-reaction.
Now available in English for the first time, the groundbreaking Japanese bestseller that teaches you how to improve your relationships, calm your emotions, and shape a life that’s in your control.
A stressful day at work. An argument with a loved one. A post on social media that ruins your mood....
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About the author
Ryushun Kusanagi is a Buddhist monk and scholar. He has written several bestselling books on Buddhism and runs a Buddhist center in Tokyo.
Ryushun Kusanagi is a Buddhist monk and scholar. He has written several bestselling books on Buddhism and runs a Buddhist center in Tokyo.
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