Book launch: 'Slow Down in a Hectic World'

"For those who are exhausted by the stresses of life, those who want to live a less anxious and troubled life but haven't found it, those who are suffering from resentment and hatred towards someone, those who long for a life full of love, I hope this book will become a source of strength, however small, for them." (Quote from the author) Venerable Hae Min.

Squeezing shoulder to shoulder for a spot on the bus during rush hour, inching along the road after work, juggling exams and work deadlines, entangled in complicated relationships both close and distant… do you always feel like the world around you is spinning too fast?

If so, pause for a moment.

To ask yourself, is it the world that's rushing by, or is it your own mind that's too busy?

Picking up this small, simple yet profound book, slowly turning each page, leisurely discovering things that can only be understood when one slows down: about relationships, about oneself, about the anxieties about life and humanity, about so many things that reason understands but the heart cannot yet accept…

Venerable Hae Min studied and earned a PhD in Religious Studies in the United States and currently teaches religion at Hampshire College in Massachusetts. This book is a collection of essays and prose by the monk, written after he became famous and highly influential among young Koreans through the social media platform Twitter. His writings express a desire to share and offer gentle, profound advice to those facing difficulties and anxieties about life's issues such as relationships, careers, and the future.

The book can be considered a tranquil haven amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. The author raises many fundamental questions about the individual, society, and relationships. And the answers he provides, whether specific or insightful, share a common spirit of "slowing down"—to gain a clearer understanding of oneself and learn to live more peacefully and serenely.

First published in 2012, *Slow Down in a Hectic World* by Venerable Hae Min has consistently topped the bestseller lists of many prestigious online bookstores in South Korea, becoming a healing book for millions of young people constantly busy with the fast-paced modern life.

The Thanh