The Monkey Who Thought Too Much

Does your mind ever give you a moment's peace?

Meet the monkey. He lives at a temple, where he still finds plenty of opportunities to think, wonder, worry and occasionally get himself into a muddle.

Fortunately, life has a way of showing him things he might never have worked out by thinking alone.

In these 31 gentle, quietly funny stories, the monkey encounters the everyday puzzles and peculiarities of being alive. Sometimes the wise old Master offers a perspective he hadn't considered. Sometimes it's an ordinary moment that reveals something unexpected. And sometimes, well, the monkey is simply the monkey.

Along the way, there are little reminders of things we all know but can so easily forget: that not everything needs fixing, not every question needs an answer, and life doesn't always turn out quite the way we imagine.

These are stories to enjoy in a few spare minutes, to dip into whenever the mood takes you, or to keep beside your bed for the end of a busy day. Each one stands on its own, with a simple question at the end to invite a moment's reflection-should you feel so inclined.

No special knowledge of Zen required. No lessons to memorise. Nothing to get right.

Just a little time away from your own busy mind. Enjoy the monkey's gentle humour, see something of yourself in his experiences, and discover fresh perspectives that might help you loosen your grip on the things you think you need to figure out.

A little less overthinking. A little more ease.

A thoughtful gift for the overthinker in your life-or for anyone who could use a smile and a gentle reminder not to take it all quite so seriously.