Books › Think Like a Monk
Think Like a Monk
444 pages
A soothing, practical toolkit for quieting the mind and finding purpose amidst the chaos of modern life.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down for tea with a wise, deeply empathetic friend who knows exactly how exhausted you are. The pace is steady and deliberate, encouraging you to pause, reflect, and actually absorb the lessons rather than rushing to the finish line. It wraps the reader in a calming, grounded atmosphere, offering a sanctuary from the relentless noise of modern expectations and digital burnout. The prose is conversational and highly accessible, translating ancient monastic principles into practical, everyday frameworks without ever feeling overly mystical or dense. It is a deeply uplifting experience, designed to delight overwhelmed professionals, anxious overthinkers, and anyone yearning to trade the exhausting pursuit of external validation for a quiet, unshakeable inner peace.
- Mood
- calming
- reflective
- uplifting
- grounded
- Tone
- earnest
- encouraging
- conversational
- empathetic
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- finding purpose · overcoming anxiety · intentional living · mindfulness in modern life · letting go of ego
- The writing
- Clear, accessible, and highly structured, blending personal anecdotes with easily digestible frameworks and metaphors.
- The arc
- Begins by acknowledging the overwhelming noise of modern life and gently guides the reader toward a state of grounded clarity and quiet confidence.
- Who it's for
- Overwhelmed professionals and seekers looking for practical, actionable ways to integrate ancient spiritual wisdom into their busy, modern lives.
Content notes
- discussions of anxiety and burnout
About the book
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
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.*
Description from Open Library.
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