When Things Don’t Go Your Way

Modern life doesn't always go our way. Loss, rejection, uncertainty and loneliness are unavoidable parts of the human experience -- but there is solace to be found.

In When Things Don't Go Your Way, Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim provides simple but powerful wisdom for navigating life's challenges. Through his trademark combination of beautiful illustrations, insightful stories, and contemplative aphorisms, Sunim helps us reframe our mindsets and develop emotional agility.

When Things Don't Go Your Way is a soothing balm that helps us all find courage and comfort when we need it most.


Haemin Sunim, Top 5 bestselling non-Christian religious author of all-time (UK), Nielsen, January 2025

Review

Imagine receiving a warm hug from a book - that's exactly what you'll experience with this one. Sunim skillfully offers comforting wisdom in an accessible and gentle manner, while also embracing profound vulnerability, just as he has done with his previous books. ― Vex King

In When Things Don’t Go Your Way, Haemin Sunim offers readers a warm and reassuring path through the most challenging moments of our lives. By sharing his hard-won wisdom, he guides us from hardship to self-discovery, helping us to stay centered and feel whole. ― Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Haemin Sunim is one of the wisest, most honest and authentic teachers I know. Drawn from his own lived experience, When Things Don’t Go Your Way offers the kind of guidance we most need when life doesn’t cooperate and we’re painfully, emotionally stuck. It shows us how our challenges themselves can become powerful fuel for spiritual awakening -- Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance

About the Author

Haemin Sunim is one of the most influential Zen Buddhist teachers and writers in the world. Born in South Korea and educated at Berkeley, Harvard and Princeton, he received formal monastic training in Korea and taught Buddhism at Hampshire College in Massachusetts. He has more than a million followers on Twitter (@haeminsunim) and Facebook and lives in Seoul when not traveling to share his teachings. In Korea, The Things You Can See sold more than three million copies and spent 41 weeks at Number One. Love For Imperfect Things was Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller.