The Monk and The Butterfly - 60 Beautiful Stories of Zen: Embracing Mindfulne...

A really great read that should inspire a greater love of daily life with a wonderful, peaceful feeling as you read them.

I like to open up “The Monk And The Butterfly” before bed and see which sorry the Universe leads me to. It always seems to be the right story at the right time. Thank you Kai Murano for the calming lessons that you illustrate throughout your book. One of my favorites is the one about who owns the gift if the recipient refuses the gift. Without saying too much and giving away the story and the lesson, that can be applied to so many areas of our lives. I highly recommend this book for all ages. The short stories provide much wisdom and comfort. They teach valuable lessons as well as help to relax the nervous system.

The book's very tone is one of serenity. Murano thoughtfully groups the tales by subject: mindfulness, positive thinking, inner peace, compassion, simplicity, adaptability, patience, letting go and gratitude, which I appreciate as at different times we struggle with different triggers and it will be easy to revisit the relevant insightful stories upon which to meditate. His explanations of the stories are clear, which is refreshing as I feel like a lot of books I've read with zen stories exalt in remaining cryptic! Not only are they presented clearly, but Murano weaves the lessons from the different stories together as for example, lessons on adaptability and letting go may both be relevant meditations for a single challenge. If you feel like you'd like some peace from a troubled mind, read this book.

This book is a wonderful compilation of short stories that teach about different aspects of mindfulness, being in the moment, and living life with inner peace. It reminded me of a Japanese storybook I had growing up that taught life lessons. The stories are bite-size pieces that are easily digested and understood. They are simple yet profound. I particularly enjoyed the story of Farmer Lost Horse. It reminded me that things are not always as they appear, and having peace throughout what may seem like an up or down is important. Also, what may be considered a negative in life may turn out to be a blessing. These are not only stories for adults who want to understand a zen way of thinking but they can also be read to children as short stories.

As the headline here says, these are more or less several fables for illustrating Buddhist principles of mindfulness, patience, and impermanence. It includes the story made famous in the West by the film, Charlie Wilson's War, of the farmer who's horse escapes, setting off a series of ups and downs for the farmer and his family that shows a universe constantly in transition. The book works well as both an educational text and an entertaining short story collection.

Great read.... moving and inspirational. As I transition into retirement at 68, I found that it was much more emotional and difficult than I thought it would be. These stories contained within , have helped me greatly in seeking peace during this part of life's journey.

This is one of those books that I'll re-read over and over until it falls apart, then order another one. I absolutely love the fables, they apply now just as much as they did 2,500 years ago. Definitely a keeper and probably a frequent gift.

The Monk and the Butterfly is beautifully written. I will be reading this repeatedly. Such lovely life lessons of Zen and how and why to incorporate the principles in your life. Each chapter has impactful stories to demonstrate the power of each principle and give you pause for self reflection. I already try to live by these concepts, without naming it as such. But this has helped me take it to the next level. I loved the sketches and quotes tucked in, as well. I'll definitely be buying this as gifts for friends and family!

I loved this book! Each story offered a unique moment of clarity and insight, making ancient Zen teachings feel incredibly relevant to my everyday life. The sections on mindfulness and letting go were particularly impactful, providing me with practical wisdom and a sense of inner peace. This book has become a cherished guide on my journey to living more mindfully and compassionately.

constantly uplifting and a great read, delivered in short story format for satisfation

I am so very glad I bought this book. The stories are short, but well written and descriptive, and truly convey their message. The teachings through the stories, whether it be about Mindfulness, Gratitude, or Inner Peace (to name a few) have really inspired me. This is an excellent resource if you want to gain a better understanding about yourself and how to approach the world around you.

Lovely short stories to help you slow down, think a little more, and to live in the moment. Each chapter tells a story with a deeper meaning which you can relate to in this fast moving world. This book leaves you feeling happy and positive, and will help you see many stressful situations in a different light. Mindfulness at its best. At the end of the book, I love the fact the author helps you continue to explore the wisdom of Zen with a link to a free eBook, to help you apply mindfulness daily and to continue with the Zen way of living.

This book was such a disappointment. It’s clear the entire content was generated by AI (likely ChatGPT). If you type in prompts like "write me a story about Zen and Mindfulness" or "Zen and Positive Thinking," you'll get almost identical stories, even with the same writing patterns. I can't believe this book has so many positive reviews. It’s just like the Zen Monkey book, another AI-written piece. It's honestly a disgrace. Furthermore, if you’re genuinely interested in Zen, many of the topics in this book have nothing to do with Zen principles. When you read traditional texts like the Mumonkan or Blue Cliff Records, no one ever talks about "positive thinking." That’s not what Zen is about, and the "author" clearly lacks a true understanding of the philosophy.