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Being with Busyness: Zen Ways to Transform Overwhelm and Burnout
Navigate burnout, relieve stress, and reconnect with your inner joy with mindfulness and compassion practices inspired by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh
In this fast-paced, complex world, how do we uphold our ideals without burning out? How can we remain open and vulnerable while also ensuring our safety and protection? Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist and leadership coach Jo Confino examine the modern diseases of busyness, overwhelm, and burnout, and how the power of mindfulness and compassion can help us when we run out of energy and inspiration to
• Process suffering
• Regain balance
• Set healthy boundaries
• Rest and nourish ourselves
• Bring back more happiness and joy in our lives
Phap Huu and Jo Confino also offer ways to practice the authentic, loving, and courageous communication needed to break through and transform stressful situations in relationships at work and home. With examples drawn from real life on the spiritual road, they share candid stories, timeless wisdom, and the simple yet effective practices they follow daily for a dynamic and balanced way of life.
In this fast-paced, complex world, how do we uphold our ideals without burning out? How can we remain open and vulnerable while also ensuring our safety and protection? Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist and leadership coach Jo Confino examine the modern diseases of busyness, overwhelm, and burnout, and how the power of mindfulness and compassion can help us when we run out of energy and inspiration to
• Process suffering
• Regain balance
• Set healthy boundaries
• Rest and nourish ourselves
• Bring back more happiness and joy in our lives
Phap Huu and Jo Confino also offer ways to practice the authentic, loving, and courageous communication needed to break through and transform stressful situations in relationships at work and home. With examples drawn from real life on the spiritual road, they share candid stories, timeless wisdom, and the simple yet effective practices they follow daily for a dynamic and balanced way of life.
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
60 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 28, 2024
Everything I Hoped For
When I first learned about Thich Nhat Hanh, I set out to read and absorb everything he has ever written. It was a time in my life when I was desperate for something to give me peace and to learn about who I am. When he passed, I felt a kind of loneliness that was new to me. Then I stumbled upon a podcast. I have been an avid listener of The Way Out Is In. Listening to Jo and Brother Phap Huu have such deep discussions about Thay’s teachings, and how they make them so easy to understand and adaptable to daily life has been life changing. Listening to Brother Phap Huu tell stories about his time as Thay’s attendant warmed my heart. When I heard they were writing a book, well, it was just the icing on the cake. The book makes it even easier to incorporate the teachings and it’s never out of reach. Thank you for this wonderful guide of mindfulness and for me, peace.
When I first learned about Thich Nhat Hanh, I set out to read and absorb everything he has ever written. It was a time in my life when I was desperate for something to give me peace and to learn about who I am. When he passed, I felt a kind of loneliness that was new to me. Then I stumbled upon a podcast. I have been an avid listener of The Way Out Is In. Listening to Jo and Brother Phap Huu have such deep discussions about Thay’s teachings, and how they make them so easy to understand and adaptable to daily life has been life changing. Listening to Brother Phap Huu tell stories about his time as Thay’s attendant warmed my heart. When I heard they were writing a book, well, it was just the icing on the cake. The book makes it even easier to incorporate the teachings and it’s never out of reach. Thank you for this wonderful guide of mindfulness and for me, peace.
April 15, 2025
This book is a GIFT. Everyone can benefit from reading this!
March 21, 2026
In this busy world, we all need a book which actually talks about mindfulness, talks about real problems, and gently helps us see the world in a different way.
" Being with Busyness" felt exactly like that kind of book to me.
It doesn’t try to tell you to escape your responsibilities or suddenly become a different person. Instead, it meets you where you are in the middle of your chaos, your overthinking, your exhaustion and reminds you that even here, you can pause.
Written by Brother Phap Huu and Jo Confino, and deeply inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, this book feels less like something you read and more like something you experience.
What stayed with me the most is how simple everything is. Not easy, but simple.
Being present. Listening deeply. Creating boundaries without guilt. Slowing down without feeling like you’re falling behind.
The book moves through busyness, overwhelm, and burnout and instead of rushing to “fix” you, it slowly helps you understand yourself better. It gives you space to breathe, to reflect, and to come back to yourself in the most gentle way.
This isn’t the kind of book you finish in one go.
It’s the kind you read slowly, sit with, and return to when life starts feeling too loud.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or just disconnected from yourself, this book might quietly become your safe space.
" Being with Busyness" felt exactly like that kind of book to me.
It doesn’t try to tell you to escape your responsibilities or suddenly become a different person. Instead, it meets you where you are in the middle of your chaos, your overthinking, your exhaustion and reminds you that even here, you can pause.
Written by Brother Phap Huu and Jo Confino, and deeply inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, this book feels less like something you read and more like something you experience.
What stayed with me the most is how simple everything is. Not easy, but simple.
Being present. Listening deeply. Creating boundaries without guilt. Slowing down without feeling like you’re falling behind.
The book moves through busyness, overwhelm, and burnout and instead of rushing to “fix” you, it slowly helps you understand yourself better. It gives you space to breathe, to reflect, and to come back to yourself in the most gentle way.
This isn’t the kind of book you finish in one go.
It’s the kind you read slowly, sit with, and return to when life starts feeling too loud.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or just disconnected from yourself, this book might quietly become your safe space.
January 5, 2025
Such a wonderful book for our busy modern times. Filled with personal stories and insights from Br. Phap Huu & Jo Confino, it was formatted like the podcast (which I also love) and their distinct voices came through. It also offers some practices that you can do in your daily life. Great little book.
February 26, 2026
Being with Busyness is a positively impactful book that encourages the readers to learn various ways to cope with overwhelming emotions and burnout. In this profoundly deep and beautiful book, Brother Phap Huu and Jo Confino put across various stories as examples of restoring balance, importance of stillness and cultivating healthy boundaries.
The book is segmented into two parts; Busyness, Overwhelm, and Burnout and Healthy Boundaries. Each section gives you vance to re- evaluate your thoughts and take a moment to understand the lesson. I took my time in exploring the book because these weren't just random thoughts of automated experiences rather they have their own hues and gradual healing and genuine transformation.
"Coming home to ourselves is also a process of learning to be truthful and transparent with ourselves."
"It's also important to recognise that practices such as deep listening, compassionate speech, mindful eating, walking meditation ,and total relaxation do not take years of practice to put into action. You can start straight away and they will immediately have an impact. The more we practice them, the deeper the impact will be."
This is a great book that I would highly recommend.
The book is segmented into two parts; Busyness, Overwhelm, and Burnout and Healthy Boundaries. Each section gives you vance to re- evaluate your thoughts and take a moment to understand the lesson. I took my time in exploring the book because these weren't just random thoughts of automated experiences rather they have their own hues and gradual healing and genuine transformation.
"Coming home to ourselves is also a process of learning to be truthful and transparent with ourselves."
"It's also important to recognise that practices such as deep listening, compassionate speech, mindful eating, walking meditation ,and total relaxation do not take years of practice to put into action. You can start straight away and they will immediately have an impact. The more we practice them, the deeper the impact will be."
This is a great book that I would highly recommend.
March 8, 2026
📍Finding calm in the middle of life’s constant rush.
Being with Busyness explores how mindfulness can help people navigate the constant pressure and speed of modern life.
Drawing from the teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village tradition, the book shows how awareness, breathing, and presence can transform everyday busyness into moments of calm and clarity.
Rather than suggesting we escape responsibilities, the authors encourage readers to remain fully present within them.
This book is ideal for readers feeling overwhelmed by fast-paced schedules, digital overload, and constant demands.
It’s especially helpful for people interested in mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhist-inspired practices.
Anyone looking for practical ways to stay calm and grounded in a busy world will appreciate the gentle guidance offered here.
Being with Busyness explores how mindfulness can help people navigate the constant pressure and speed of modern life.
Drawing from the teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village tradition, the book shows how awareness, breathing, and presence can transform everyday busyness into moments of calm and clarity.
Rather than suggesting we escape responsibilities, the authors encourage readers to remain fully present within them.
This book is ideal for readers feeling overwhelmed by fast-paced schedules, digital overload, and constant demands.
It’s especially helpful for people interested in mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhist-inspired practices.
Anyone looking for practical ways to stay calm and grounded in a busy world will appreciate the gentle guidance offered here.
January 20, 2025
A great little book on the topic of overwhelm, busyness, and hurried through life. I'm gonna revisit it again and again, especially when I wait for the next episodes of the podcast, The Way Out Is In! The only gripe I have with the book is the separation between the texts from the two authors. I feel like it makes the reading experience a bit choppy, but come to think of it, I can't think of a better way to integrate their two stories together, so it is what it is.
July 7, 2025
A short and easy read filled with nuggets of wisdom about how to slow down and live more mindfully. It's not a book about how to manage your busyness or overwhelm in the practical sense. Not that type of "self-help" book. It draws from Buddhist wisdom and offers many ways to be kinder to oneself and try to live in the moment. I love Brother Phap Huu and Jo Confino's podcast The Way Out is In and recommend that as well.
September 25, 2025
A beautiful little book full of deep insights and practical wisdom grounded in real life experiences. Phap Huu and Jo Confino form an amazing duo on their podcast, and it is very nice to see some of their lessons here reflected in condensed form. Highly recommended reading for anyone who sometimes struggles to find peace and balance in the middle of a busy and chaotic world.
September 26, 2025
Seriously needed this book in my life and I have learnt so much from both this text and 'The Way Out is In' podcast by the authors. Realistic, mindful ways to make small changes to your life to reduce stress, overwhelm, burnout, and how to navigate relationships with compassion.
Highly recommend!
P.S. I am genuinely considering a Plum Village retreat in my future!
Highly recommend!
P.S. I am genuinely considering a Plum Village retreat in my future!
March 20, 2025
This book is beautifully written, with insightful messages and relatable stories from both Br. Phap Huu and Jo Confino, encouraging a healthy perspective on work and offering practices for a mindful approach to transform overwhelm during busy times.
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August 13, 2025If you appreciate Zen solutions, then this book is a must-read when you feel overwhelmed and burned out.
Being With Busyness https://loom.ly/FjEZ69A
Being With Busyness https://loom.ly/FjEZ69A
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews