Think like a monk is written by Jay Shetty, is a self-help book. The title itself suggests about how to train your mind for peace and purpose everyday.
This book covers Jay Shetty’s personal experiences when he was a monk. He has unfolded all of his experiences, learnings as a monk in this book, leaving the London where he has grown up, just to learn life lessons in an ashram in India. He has spent his summer breaks during college time and three years straight after that. This book is about how monk’s mind can be applied in practical, real world not just in an ashram. He describes the importance of meditation and three ways to meditate. It is important to meditate and to work within to face the outside world with grace.
This book is many ways inspired by the BHAGAVAD GEETA, THE HOLY SCRIPTURE FOR HINDUISM. He has stated many lessons from BHAGAVAD GEETA by giving simple examples and his personal experiences.
This book talks about identifying yourself first, not by the eyes of others like your family, society but what you think about yourself, not the definition given by any other. Be clear what you are, what you want, what is your purpose in life, what you really enjoy doing.
Not to avoid negativity but to identify it, pause and try not to avoid but take necessary actions to deal with this negative energy.
About Fear. To dig very deep into your soul until you find the reason behind your fear so you can know the root cause and face it, deal with it.
This book also talks about finding your purpose in life and how your purpose in life can be benefited to others. This book talks about setting a routine to fulfil your long term goals in life. And how not to let your ego and your minds playing tricks, come in your way but to focus what is important. Rather than doing multi-tasking, focus on one thing, give 100% to it and you will be surely succeed.
He has learnt from his guru (teacher) that you can only feel satisfied with your work, your purpose, only if it is benefited to others. he talks about the importance of relationships, giving back to the society in way of service makes you happy from within. He also talks about practicing gratitude and how it can change your life completely in good way.
This book provides many activities to put on practice in your daily life to know about you true self, your root for fear, how not to be ego centric, to find purpose in life, about tackling relationships, about serving others with your capabilities and listen to your monk mind rather than monkey mind who tricks us all the time!
When things around you are not going well, then you should pause for a moment and you need to go within to tackle what is out bothering you.
Some of my favorite lines from this book.
“When we tune out the opinions, expectations, and obligations of the world around us, we begin to hear ourselves.”
BUDDHA said, “Do not give attention to what others do or fail to do; give it to what you do or fail to do.”
“Some challenges we face only because we allow them to challenge us.”
“Forgiveness eases stress, because we no longer recycle the angry thoughts, both conscious and subconscious, that stressed us out in first place.”
In the words of Santideva, “It is not possible to control all external events; but if I simply control my mind, what need is there to control other things?”
“To live intentionally, we must dig to the deepest why behind the want.”
“Once you know the why behind the want, consider the work behind the want.”
“Letting go opened our minds.”
“Link the feeling of passion to the experience of learning and growth.”
“The ocean is full of treasures, but if you swim on surface, you won’t see them all.”
“Change happens with small steps and big priority, and see it through before you move on to the next.”
“Our thoughts are like clouds passing by. The self, like the sun, is always there. We are not our minds.”
“If you are satisfied with who you are, you don’t need to prove your worth to anyone else.”
There is danger in the words ” We’ve always done it this way,” or “I already know that.”
“When you start your day with gratitude, you’ll be open to opportunities, not obstacles.”
“If we think everyone is a reflection of ourselves, we fail to see things as they are. We see things as we are.”
“Mutual trust requires patience and commitment.”
“I know my life would have been difficult, full of pain, if i hadn’t taken the time to work on myself before diving into a serious relationship.”
“Plant tree under whose shade you do not plan to sit.”
No Comments