Zen Stories with Master Seiji: Calm Your Anxious Mind, Find Inner Peace, and Live a Better Life Through Zen Shorts

by Daiki Shimada

Stressed by daily life?

Meet Zen Master Seiji.

A retired businessman overwhelmed by his past. A student who can't stop worrying. A young artist who lost her creativity. They all find their way to Master Seiji, a 73-year-old Zen master living in a small house in the city, where Buddhist wisdom meets everyday life.

Through conversations and everyday moments, Seiji shows a different way to live.

Over tea, cleaning gutters, flying kites with children, and tending his garden, Seiji guides visitors toward inner peace and clarity. A woman learns patience by planting a seed. A man finds sleep after days of restlessness through mindfulness. Each story offers wisdom about letting go, acceptance, and finding calm in ordinary moments.

What's inside:


30+ Zen and Buddhist tales from Master Seiji's daily life with visitors
Themes of mindfulness, inner peace, letting go, and acceptance in everyday moments
Real struggles: stress, anxiety, loss, creative blocks, and life transitions
Stories that speak for themselves with humor, humility, and heart

For readers seeking spiritual wisdom from Zen and Buddhism through stories, not abstract philosophy. Master Seiji's teachings come from life as it is, not as it should be.

Get your copy now and sit down with Master Seiji in his garden.

Genres: Zen

Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

Reviews

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and meaningful

I did not expect to like this book so much. But the short, meaningful stories are perfect to put my mind on the right track when I am a bit stressed. My favorite is the story in which Master Seji compares anger to the wind. We should not fight it; just acknowledge it, feel it, and let it pass.

[deepak choudhary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational

Thank you for introducing Seiji in such a simple way.
I profoundly felt the actions of the master are the greatest teachings.
This book is truly justifying the teaching of sage with his stories.
Thank you !

[Baltazar Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

ENLIGHTENING STORIES FOR ALL

This insightful book beautifully weaves multiple stories centered around Master Seiji, a wise and compassionate figure who gently invites readers to pause and deeply reflect on life and its profound meaning. Through the depiction of Master Seiji’s own personal struggles, readers witness how hardship can lead to extraordinary wisdom, transforming him into a mentor who skillfully guides those in search of purpose. His empathetic counsel touched my heart and left me inspired—I now aspire to embody Master Seiji’s patience, kindness, and depth of insight. A highly recommended read for anyone on their journey to a meaningful life.

[Angela Breemen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each Story, a Pearl of Wisdom

Every one of the Zen Stories with Master Seiji contain deep wisdom and insight on how to approach and navigate modern life in a more balanced and peaceful way. Each lesson teaches by example, on how to handle today's pressures and challenges.

[Tim Cann · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are other books that have Buddhist parables in the form of stories, but what I like about this book is that it provides some context for these stories. Master Seiji is a salaryman who became a monk after he wound up in the hospital because he worked too hard. After some time in the monastery, he entered society and his interactions with the community form the basis of the stories in this book.

Although his past profession doesn’t become more relevant until the latter few stories in the book, his background definitely makes these stories a little more relatable than those of other teachers who populate these types of books. Indeed, there are a few stories that end not with some cryptic wisdom from the Master, but with a question or statement or scene that reminds us of the normalcy of the situation in the story. There was definitely an effort from the author to ground the character and stories in everyday reality to make the wisdom contained within these stories a little more accessible.

Real or imagined, the character of Master Seiji dispenses wisdom to members of his community in 33 pithy chapters with stories that are given without comment or explanation. Most of the time, this explanation is not necessary, but there are a few stories for which a second reading would be well rewarded.

Some of the stories involve Master Seiji’s efforts to repair his old home. Those of you with experience in home improvement may appreciate these stories more because of this.

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

much better than I was expecting

This subject is near and dear to my heart. I wasn’t expecting much. There is so much of this out there that I figured it would be like all the others. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This author really practices what he preaches and has obviously lived this life. The stories are relatable and Well applied in the art of Zen.

I actually spent a lot of time thinking about each of them after reading them, the way I did when I read a few of these to my daughter when she was growing up. It even gave us conversation topics afterward

Also, this author is gorgeous. Just saying!

[Karen Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUM

I offer a deeply profound THANK YOU to author Daiki Shimada for sharing the teachings of Buddhist Master Seiji. As a member of SGI, this book reads to me like a modern version of the Gosho teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. I am sharing this book with my friends and students (of music and Yoga) because SO MANY questions are answered! My favorite discussion in "Zen Stories with Master Seiji" is the kite flying lesson about knowing the time for holding tight and letting go.

[Joshua Sink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about it is great

What a helpful book of wisdom! Every story helps the reader direct their focus to a calm state. I think it is the type of book you read several times, and gain new insight with every reading. Thank you for the nice book :)

[Jaylee Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy short reads perfect for a moment to escape

A delightful read, blending wisdom and simplicity. Each story brings gentle insights, making it perfect for both reflection and casual enjoyment. Highly recommend for all ages.

[rick mcgalliard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zen living...

I embrace Zen philosophy and it's reflective power to promote inner peace...a profound state of calm and sometimes ways to navigate life happenings.I
I have enjoyed both of his books and appreciated both methods.


Hope more will follow...my sincere best to you

[Moira L Pyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous read!

I enjoyed every story, and the wisdom within each one. This was one book I felt sad about coming to the end. This could make a really nice gift.

[Elizabeth's Besties · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, the simplest stories hold the deepest truths, and Daiki Shimada's Zen Stories with Master Seiji is a serene journey into the heart of such wisdom, perfect for anyone seeking tranquility and insight.

Zen Stories with Master Seiji is a collection of enlightening vignettes centered around the titular character, a humble and wise Zen master who has transformed his life through profound self-discovery. Each chapter presents a new scenario where Master Seiji imparts timeless wisdom to various visitors, all grappling with life's challenges—from stress and impatience to grief and self-doubt.

The narrative is structured around Master Seiji's interactions with different individuals, ranging from a young student anxious about exams to a retired man seeking purpose. Through simple yet powerful stories, Seiji offers lessons not through direct instruction, but by guiding his visitors to discover the answers within themselves. Whether it's through the act of carrying a stone, painting the wind, or observing the behavior of a cat, each story gently nudges the reader towards reflection and mindfulness.

Master Seiji is the embodiment of Zen calmness and wisdom. His character is fleshed out not just through his teachings, but also through his backstory—having left behind a high-pressure corporate life to pursue true freedom and inner peace. His interactions with the other characters are marked by empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of human nature, making him a figure of both authority and warmth.

Daiki Shimada's writing is refreshingly simple, mirroring the Zen philosophy it seeks to convey. The language is clear and unadorned, allowing the wisdom of the stories to shine through without distraction. The lack of overt commentary on the stories is a wise choice, as it allows readers to engage directly with the material and draw their own conclusions, much like the characters in the book.

The pacing of the book is leisurely, inviting the reader to take their time with each story, reflect on its message, and perhaps even apply it to their own life. This slow, deliberate pace is well-suited to the subject matter, encouraging mindfulness and contemplation rather than a rush to the conclusion.

At its core, Zen Stories with Master Seiji explores themes of mindfulness, acceptance, and the search for inner peace. Each story is a meditation on a different aspect of life—be it the importance of patience, the value of simplicity, or the power of letting go. The overarching message is one of self-discovery and the realization that peace and wisdom come from within.

Readers who enjoyed The Little Book of Zen by David Schiller or The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno will find Zen Stories with Master Seiji to be a kindred spirit. Like these works, Shimada's book uses short, accessible lessons to impart deep spiritual insights.

While the book's simplicity is its strength, some readers might find the lack of a continuous narrative or deeper exploration of Master Seiji's character development a bit unsatisfying. Additionally, those looking for more detailed explanations or commentary on Zen philosophy may find the book too sparse in its approach.

Zen Stories with Master Seiji is a gentle, calming read that offers both solace and inspiration. It's perfect for those who wish to explore Zen principles in a practical, relatable way, without needing a deep dive into complex doctrines.

Elizabeth’s Besties Rating: 5 out of 5

👭👭👭👭👭 (5 Besties): "Told all my besties—this book is an absolute must-read!"

[Paul Novakowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great book in short story form. Each story takes on a Zen journey through the eyes of a monk. It’s a great book to relax and think about the true meaning of life. I highly recommend this book to de-stress your life.