Think Like a Monk

 Author: Jay Shetty

ISBN: 9780008386429

Hi Everyone

I came across the author of 'Think Like a Monk' one afternoon while I binge watched Youtube rather than TV.  A book was waiting for me but it was one of those nights that if I had picked up my book I would have gone to sleep - Youtube was my next option.  Jay Shetty had a voice that grabbed my attention.  He spoke with joy and passion.  I was drawn to what he had to say.

It led me to the fact that he had book.

Light bulb moment ~ and I was listening to his audio book.

I will start by noting that I am pleased that I took the audio book option for this book because having Jay read it to me felt like it was a conversation.  I needed the conversation to come from someone and not myself.  I highly recommend listening to this one rather than reading it.  The benefit of obtaining a hard copy book of this title would be the ability to highlight content.  I have thought about that one... I think I would like to have the book and highlight in a different colour each time I re-read any chapter because each time I re-read I believe it would be for a different reason and outcome.

Okay, what did I take from this reading? 

Now that I go to write, I realize that there is so much!  The best idea is to take what Jay Shetty notes we will learn and make notes of my 'take homes' from each idea.

Train your mind for peace every day ~ This was a good one.  When I get up in the morning, I like to get up earlier than everyone else and get my breakfast. I did like to read the news headlines on my phone, check out any subscriptions to ensure I wasn't missing anything, and the other normal morning things that we all tend to do.  Now, I get up and have my breakfast (I love breakfast it is the best meal of the day), I take time to sit in the quiet, reflect what the day may hold and how I can present the best me to the world for the day. Then I read until it is time to face the day.

Learn to stop living based on people's opinions and start living on your terms ~ Okay, this is going to take a while to prefect but I am willing to start.  It is not something that I have major issues with but I know that I can do better.

Remove negativity and overcome toxic relationships and habits ~ This is a process that has been happening all by itself over the last couple of years.  I have to agree with Jay Shetty on this one. It is so easy to keep people in your life that are just... toxic. The thing that hit me most is that sometimes you don't even realize that the relationship is based on time rather than growth and encouragement, friendship and understanding. Not an easy thing and don't be ruthless but... worth thinking about, especially if the person has already distanced and you can't let go.

Heal your anxiety, fear and pain from the past ~ When I searched this one, I came back to the idea that there was a lot to be happy about with my past and I choose to continue to remember those times.  I am one of the lucky ones that had a Mum that talked to me; a lot.  I love her for that.  Maybe I have already dealt with more than I know or maybe I have faith that everything is for a reason.  Whatever my maybe's I am happy to remember the good, especially the talks with my mother (all you mum's out there, talk to your children they will remember).

Uncover your true passion and purpose ~ I believe I have, at least for this time of my life.  For any of you reading this, uncover your true passion and run with it... you owe it to the world.

Create effective morning and evening routines that transform your daily habits ~ I am a routine person and if you aren't then find a routine! It is much easier on your mind to have a few routines in your life, it is just one less thing to have to think about 😉

Stop overthinking and procrastinating and train your mind to focus ~ I am a work progress on this one.  I don't tend to procrastinate but I do think about everything and not only for myself but for everyone else as well.  I am a fixer! Well, at least I use to be - as my kids get older I am realizing that I don't have to think for them any more - phew!!

Put aside your ego to clear the path to success ~ Something we can all work on.

Develop an impactful gratitude practice that goes deeper than a list ~ The more that I think about what I have to be thankful for the less I think of anything as an issue.  There is something good in most things if we look.  Sometimes it is after the events that we can see what there is to be thankful for but there is more than we see when our mind is shut.

Find and develop true compatibility in relationships ~ When you delve into this idea remember that all relationships are about both people not just you 😀  

There we go! That was a lot.  As you can see there is plenty to sink your mind into with this book and I am sure you will find something worthy of putting this on your reading list.

Description:

Jay Shetty, social media superstar and host of the #1 podcast On Purpose, distills the timeless wisdom he learned as a monk into practical steps anyone can take every day to live a less anxious, more meaningful life.

When you think like a monk, you’ll understand:
- How to overcome negativity
- How to stop overthinking
- Why comparison kills love
- How to use your fear
- Why you can’t find happiness by looking for it
- How to learn from everyone you meet
- Why you are not your thoughts
- How to find your purpose
- Why kindness is crucial to success
- And much more...

Shetty grew up in a family where you could become one of three things—a doctor, a lawyer, or a failure. His family was convinced he had chosen option three: instead of attending his college graduation ceremony, he headed to India to become a monk, to meditate every day for four to eight hours, and devote his life to helping others. After three years, one of his teachers told him that he would have more impact on the world if he left the monk’s path to share his experience and wisdom with others. Heavily in debt, and with no recognizable skills on his résumé, he moved back home in north London with his parents.

Shetty reconnected with old school friends—many working for some of the world’s largest corporations—who were experiencing tremendous stress, pressure, and unhappiness, and they invited Shetty to coach them on well-being, purpose, and mindfulness. Since then, Shetty has become one of the world’s most popular influencers. In 2017, he was named in the Forbes magazine 30-under-30 for being a game-changer in the world of media. In 2018, he had the #1 video on Facebook with over 360 million views. His social media following totals over 38 million, he has produced over 400 viral videos which have amassed more than 8 billion views, and his podcast, On Purpose, is consistently ranked the world’s #1 Health and Wellness podcast.

In this inspiring, empowering book, Shetty draws on his time as a monk to show us how we can clear the roadblocks to our potential and power. Combining ancient wisdom and his own rich experiences in the ashram, Think Like a Monk reveals how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, and access the calm and purpose that lie within all of us. He transforms abstract lessons into advice and exercises we can all apply to reduce stress, improve relationships, and give the gifts we find in ourselves to the world. Shetty proves that everyone can—and should—think like a monk.

Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/

Happy reading

This was available from: Book depository and Whitcoulls