The Zen of Work

Name: The Zen of Work
ISBN: 9787555916864

Ke YunluHenan Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaAug 2024

3.2

Word count: 101K words
Chapters: 33
ISBN: 9787555916864

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Summary

Many professionals work themselves into illness, and some even die young. People say they "only know how to work, not how to rest." In truth, they do know how to rest—they simply have no energy or time left to do so. The root cause lies in their inability to work well. In the language of "Work Zen," they "don't know how to work." Celebrated author Ke Yunlu blends the classic wisdom of modern psychology and Eastern Zen to explain, through vivid examples, the twenty-four styles of Work Zen—teaching us to work without extra psychological expenditure, to stay orderly amid a thousand tasks, to work efficiently, to work with genius-like inspiration and endless creativity, to pick things up and put them down freely, to "job-hop" at will between work and rest, and to reach life's finest state through Zen-inspired work and effortless living—making everything fall into place and enjoying a career life where half the effort yields double the results and everything goes your way.

Editor's review

Work Zen is writer Ke Yunlu's profound reflection on and response to the spiritual predicament of modern professionals, following his series of works on spiritual growth. This book is not a conventional workplace-skills manual; rather, it integrates the wisdom of Eastern Zen with modern work scenarios to explore how to maintain inner calm, clarity, and creativity amid a busy, pressure-filled, even alienating professional life. With his characteristic delicate touch and philosophical reflection, Ke Yunlu guides readers to reexamine the essence of "work"—it is not merely a means of making a living, but can also serve as a training ground for cultivating the mind and realizing self-worth. The book offers no quick-fix "successology" formulas; instead, through a series of true-to-life stories, cases, and mind-training exercises, it inspires readers to build a work attitude of being "present" without "drowning," to learn to observe the inner self in action, and to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. For modern knowledge workers who feel exhausted, anxious, or lost about the meaning of work, this book offers a gentle yet powerful spiritual remedy. Its value lies in helping readers build a more flexible and sustainable inner order, so that they can maintain physical and mental health and vitality in the long marathon of their careers.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Professionals who have long been in high-pressure work environments, feel physically and mentally exhausted, and long to find balance
Readers interested in Eastern philosophy or spiritual growth who hope to apply Zen wisdom to practical life
People currently in a period of career burnout or confusion who wish to redefine the meaning of work and their self-worth
Managers or team leaders who hope to improve team atmosphere and care about employees' mental health and inner motivation

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking concrete, quickly applicable workplace competition tactics or strategies for promotion and salary raises
Readers completely uninterested in spiritual-growth topics, or those averse to any content with a philosophical bent

Reading tips

Treat this book as a practical guide rather than a theoretical read, and try to follow the simple exercises in it—even if it is only five minutes a day observing the breath and the present moment
There is no need to read for speed; when feeling heavy work pressure or a restless mind, select relevant chapters to reread and reflect on
Reflect in light of your own real work cases, and record the subtle changes in mindset or behavior that reading brings

About the publisher

Henan Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1996

Founded in 1996, Henan Literature and Art Publishing House mainly publishes books on literature and art, social sciences and broadly cultural subjects, and also edits and publishes the journal Celebrity Biography, gradually forming a publishing style characterized by full-length historical novels and biographical literature. Judging from the 269 titles in the database, its publishing scope also covers mystery and detective fiction, foreign literature, classic works and world classics. Representative books include Ellery Queen's four tragedies, Slaughterhouse-Five, Blindness, The Siege of Lisbon, The History of the Siege of Lisbon, the ten-volume Collected Works of Wang Zengqi, Old Tales Retold and the two-volume Classic Short Stories of Stanisław Lem, the God of Science Fiction. In terms of authors, it includes foreign masters such as Kurt Vonnegut, José Saramago and Ellery Queen, as well as translators such as Yang Xi, Yu Jianhua and Fan Weixin.

版权信息
序
预备式
第一式初查忙累账
第二式末位淘汰法
第三式发现额外支出
第四式分门别类·细化额外支出
第五式真相大白·发现多余焦虑
第六式减床去屋·从最多余焦虑开刀
第七式轻装上阵
第八式釜底抽薪·明日活动卡
第九式多管齐下综合减压法
第十式建立情绪档案
第十一式顺应情绪自然规律
第十二式消减烦恼的四大法门
第十三式清理愿望账
第十四式每日金八条
第十五式基本放松法
第十六式舒展眉心放松法
第十七式耳聪目明法
第十八式融会贯通放松法
第十九式游戏工作法
第二十式每日承上启下
第二十一式打牛不打车·当好自己的教练
第二十二式思维川流不息
第二十三式静心灵感法
第二十四式别开生面法
收式
附录一减压新思路——消除十二种额外支出
附录二处理人际关系十大金法则
附录三禅与现代生活
附录四直视当下的心灵
后记

FAQ

What makes this book different from ordinary stress-reduction or time-management books?

The core difference lies in its philosophical foundation. It does not focus on optimizing external work methods or managing time; rather, it guides readers to explore inwardly, change their cognition and mindset about their relationship with work, adjust their energy-consumption patterns at the root, and pursue a work state in which "flow" and "awakening" coexist.

Can people with no experience in Zen practice or meditation understand and benefit from it?

Absolutely. Author Ke Yunlu is skilled at explaining profound ideas in plain, accessible language; the book's content is close to everyday life and work scenarios and requires no prior knowledge. What it offers is a shift in life attitude and way of thinking, not strict religious practice.

Is this book suitable as material for team reading or book clubs?

Very suitable. Many topics discussed in the book—such as coping with pressure, concentration, the meaning of work, and interpersonal relationships—are common workplace issues. Team reading can promote deep exchange among members and help build a more supportive and self-aware team culture.

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About the author

Ke Yunlu Author · China · 1946

Ke Yunlu, whose real name is Bao Guolu, was born in Shanghai on November 13, 1946, and is a contemporary Chinese writer. In 1968 he went to Shanxi as an educated youth, later working at the Yuci Jinlun Factory, and rose to fame in 1980 with the short story "Three Million." He is known mainly for novels such as "New Star," "Night and Day," "Furong Country," "Dragon Year Files" and "Cao Cao and Emperor Xian," with his early works focusing on reality and reform and closely portraying individual fates amid social transformation. His writing later expanded into cultural anthropology and psychology, and the works listed here also touch on social psychology and applied psychology, such as "Work Zen." Publicly available information on his later life and creative shifts is limited, but overall his works span social fiction and psychological writing, with diverse subjects and a style that emphasizes realistic observation and psychological insight, giving him a recognizable presence in contemporary Chinese literature.