This tiny little book should be praised. Wong, part Hawaiian/Kanaka Maoli, writes about Indigenous coping practices and spiritual She explains collective acceleration and how, under capitalism, we are bound by rapidly moving time's pressure. She mentions how time moves in cycles, how this is not the first time we've been stuck under a mass trauma event, or collective acceleration. Humans and technology are the ones who keep these things in place, and we need to return to nature in order to remind ourselves to move forward despite the polycrisis. This meditation of a book is a gem.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is very helpful for the increased stressors of the modern world while connecting us to older spiritual practices and communities. I found the bits of poetry beautiful and the illustrations were helpful additions to the text.

While this book definitely could work better as part of an in-person program (as the author acknowledges), there's still a banquet of food for thought throughout. It explores questions like
*As we stand at the threshold of collective change, what leaps must we make?
*How can we push through discord and polarization and meet these critical changepoints collectively?
*What stories do we need to tell ourselves to move into a more connected and sustainable future?
*How can we step out of urgency to tend to our crises with wisdom, intention, and care?
Zen master and Indigenous Hawaiian leader Roshi Norma Wong's meditations on these and other ideas widens the perspective about what is possible in this fraught moment of time and place. There are so many layers to this book that I feel the need to have my own copy so that I can dip into its wisdom as needed. Short, sweet, and highly recommended.

This tiny book packs a punch. It has already changed my perspective on life in a few significant ways. I wasn't sure how I would feel about it. It contains poetry and stories and visual aids. Parts of it are stream of conscious and others are well-ordered lists. But I am coming around to the idea that it is precisely the unconventional format which is allowing it to create shifts. Huge thanks to the author, North Atlantic Books, and NetGalley for the eARC.

When No Thing Works is part spiritual guide and part activist checklist. It uses odd sentence structures and interesting wordplays to slip between, under, and over the reader's defenses. If you, like me, read at the intersection of spirituality, self-help, community care, and politics, it is easy to eventually become numb, inured, to what should be life-giving ideas. This little book gave me back a sense of wonder and curiosity. It felt new. Not that the ideas themselves are new. But they are presented in a way which lets me see them with fresh eyes.

Ideas I want to take from this book and incorporate into my own narrative: 1. The importance of recognizing and naming one's own lens. 2. Moving my horizon "seven generations" out. 3. The value of stories. 4. Identifying values and responsibilities. 5. Identifying habits which might be detrimental to moving forward. 6. Adopting helpful practices. 7. Focus - this is the one which I find difficult. I tend to want to do all the things and save all the people (and puppies and whales and prairies).

I screenshot pages and sent them to friends. I talked to everyone about the book while I was reading it. I will obviously be buying When No Thing Works when it is published so I can highlight and annotate a paper copy. I have already reread many parts. This book slipped under my skin in the best way possible and I hope it encourages, inspires, and challenges you as well.

Wong writes an interesting book, interspersed with poetry, and thoughts on the current state of the world. Through pandemic, climate change, etc. resilience is key. The author provides a unique perspective as an indigenous person and with a background serving in state politics.

I genuinely apologise, but this was not for me at all. I had different expectations.
I wish the author and the book a great journey. Hope others find what they are looking for in it.

Norma is of mixed ancestry both Native Hawaiian and Chinese. She has been sharing her wisdom on applied Zen face to face for many years… some of those fortunate enough to hear what she has to say encouraged Norma to share this in a book, to be able to reach more people with her messages, At times poetic, at times speculative, it is an interesting read for the current times we find ourselves in.