The Monkey and The Way of Zen

A Transformational Journey in 28 Short Stories—Embrace Mindfulness, Overcome Overthinking, Let Go, and Find Inner Peace and Happiness (Zen Philosophy Books)

By: Serena Choo

Narrated by: Kevin Harries

Let go of overthinking, make peace with uncertainty, and discover a calmer way of living—without needing to attend meditation retreats, follow rigid philosophies, or master complicated teachings. The Monkey and the Way of Zen is a lighthearted yet profound journey told through 28 short stories, following a restless Monkey and his encounters with a wise Master. As the Monkey stumbles through his questions, doubts, and frustrations, he begins to uncover a quieter truth beneath the noise of his thoughts.

In these gentle, engaging tales, you’ll find wisdom wrapped in humor and simplicity—unexpected lessons that don’t tell you how to fix yourself, but invite you to see life through a softer lens. You’ll hear about the Master’s unusual perspective on “good” and “bad,” and how it helped the Monkey stop trying to control everything. You’ll laugh as the Monkey wrestles with taking two steps forward and one step back—and learn what helped him finally feel unstuck. And you may find your own moment of ease in the Monkey’s quiet reflection as he watches a cherry blossom fall. These calming stories are easy to return to—perfect for listening over coffee, before bed, or any time you need a moment of peace. They don’t preach or overwhelm. Instead, they meet you where you are, gently shifting your perspective so that life feels lighter, less exhausting, and a little more magical.

Written for modern listeners by an author with ancestral roots in the Chinese scholar tradition, this book blends timeless Zen insights with everyday challenges we all face. Imagine feeling calm even when life doesn’t go your way. Imagine moving through your day with more mindfulness, more humor, and more ease. Come—your inner monkey is waiting.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Serena Choo (P)2025 Serena Choo

Relax and stay calm with this book

Sometimes life feels like a confluence of thoughts you can’t turn off, and that’s where this book helps. It is a collection of stories that we can all relate to. Lots of useful instruction regarding becoming or staying calm, thinking clearly, and making good decisions. . One of my favorite parts of the book is when the monkey tried to control everything and kept getting stuck, reminding me to take a deep breath and let things go. These stories make you smile and slow down without making you feel guilty or like you have to “fix” yourself. This book will help you to relieve the "pressure" of life.

Tranformative

This was the perfect way to experience this writing. Each of the stories is beautifully crafted, blending gentle humor with profound wisdom. Listening felt calming and reflective, as though I were being guided gently toward mindfulness. The narrator’s soothing voice made complex Zen ideas accessible and relatable. I appreciated how each story served as a simple yet powerful reminder to let go of unnecessary stress and embrace the present moment.

Boycott the ramblings of the ego

“If I don’t take it now, I may not get another chance” - it was so inspiring to hear that even students of zen will bump into these kinds of thoughts of lack and such, because it makes us feel more human and understand that everyone struggles with these kinds of thoughts. Serena Choo has done an excellent job of catches the spirit of zen in these short stories that remind us simply of truth and to boycott the ramblings of the ego.

Taming the Monkey Mind

My mind is always racing with a million thoughts and I have struggled to understand concepts like mindfulness. This was a wonderful and gentle guide. Using the story of a monkey to explain these profound ideas was brilliant. It made the teachings of Zen feel more approachable.

Zen UNLOCKED

This book is all about letting go and living a life of purpose and peace. It will give you the keys you need to succeed and find inner peace.