Think Like a Monk Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day

What I like about this book its that it takes old wisdom and reminds you of them and shows you how to implement them. I think very often, the best advice you could get insnt something you have never heard before, but somethings you somehow already know but arent actually following trough with. For example, Jey talks about breathing exercises to calm oneselves down: most people know this would be good, but the fewest of them actually practise this. However, just know that if you have read a lot about self improvement or psychology, don’t expect to hear completely new and never heard ideas from this book. I spotted many similarities from this book with things I learned about at uni. For example, Jey explains how to overcome negative tought patterns by first identifying them, pausing for a moment and ovserving ones own reaction, and then replacing them with another tought. This is a technique that is also present in cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a form of psychotherapy. I think its important not to pathologize having a negative tought here and then, because this is completely normal. But for negative tought patterns that frequently reoccur in similar ways, this technique has been proven to be helpful. On the other hand, related to this, I wonder if there can be too much self awareness. A big part of this book is about self reflection, but Jay also empazises that we must observe ourselves with self compassion, which is very important not to forget. Otherwise we have too high expectations towards ourselfes about “thinking perfectly” and acting in harmony with your values all the time. Also, there are people with problems that cant be solved just by reading self help books and self refelction, and they should get professional psychological help. I also spotted some similarities to things I myself learned from real monks. A few months ago, I was travelling alone trough Thailand and spent a while at a place where you could live with monks and learn about meditation from them. In return, you would help with stuff like cleaning. This time was very valuable and I noticed some similarities to the book. For example, the monks there talked to me about the importance of beeing grateful for the most tiny daily pleasures, like hearing a bird, drinking water or feeling how soft and warm your bed is. Again, this is not something you have never heard before, but I myself noticed how much more conent I beacame when I acutally did it and started paying attention to things like that. The monks there also did vocal excercises (chants), and I didn’t really understand this, but after reading this book I can see how it can be a calming practice. Overall, this book mentions many diffent topics and exercises, from not trying to multitask to strengthening your self worth. You can pick and choose what resonates with you. Im sure most people will find not all but many topics helpful for them. This book can be very valuable, especially for people who notice that they constantly try to get approval and validation from others, feel overly dependant on others and/ or often feel stressed in daily life. This book can help you understand your ego, practise humility, and become more "grounded” and less reactive to everything that is happening around you.

"Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty is a transformative book that combines ancient wisdom of monks with a kind of modern philosophy. It’s a guide to living a more purposeful and mindful life. Drawing on Shetty's personal experiences as a former monk, his book is a journey into self-discovery, mindfulness, and meaningful living, filtering out the dust of society’s expectations. The book is divided into three main sections, each designed to help to cultivate a monk-like mindset. The first section, "Let Go," emphasizes the importance of releasing attachments and detaching from the distractions and negative influences that often hold us back. Shetty shares personal experiences and the wisdom he gained during his time as a monk, illustrating the power of letting go to achieve greater peace and focus in our lives. He encourages readers to clear up their minds and make space for what truly matters. The second section, "Grow," is about the cultivation of values, and self-awareness. Shetty discusses the significance of building a strong basis building on principles such as gratitude, compassion, and authenticity. There are also practical exercises and reflective prompts to help readers develop these qualities and increase their personal growth. The third section, "Give," focuses on the importance of contributing to the well-being of others and the world. Shetty discusses the concept of "servant leadership," which is central to the monk's way of life. He shares his experiences working with organizations and individuals committed to making a positive impact on society and emphasizes the satisfaction and fulfillment that come from serving others selflessly. One of the strengths of the book is that Shetty can break down complex spiritual and philosophical concepts into easily digestible, relatable, and actionable advice. He draws on a wide range of sources, from ancient scriptures to modern psychology. Shetty's personal experiences as a monk add a unique dimension to the book. He describes his struggles, triumphs, and moments of enlightenment during his time in the ashram, allowing readers to connect with his narrative on a deep level. His honesty and vulnerability in sharing these experiences make the book both relatable and inspiring. The book also contains practical exercises, journal prompts, and meditation techniques that help readers apply the book's teachings to their own lives. By encouraging active engagement, Shetty empowers readers to take ownership of their personal growth journey. In conclusion, "Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to lead more purposeful, mindful lives. Shetty's personal experiences, combined with his in-depth knowledge of spiritual and philosophical traditions, provide a guide to transformation and self-discovery. The book's practical exercises, relatable anecdotes, and accessible language make it a compelling read for a wide range of readers, from those new to self-improvement literature to those on a continuous journey of personal growth. "Think Like a Monk" is an invitation to embark on a transformative journey, helping readers let go of their past, grow into the best version of themselves, and give back to the world with a servant's heart. - Nina Schmidt

Jay Shetty’s Think like a Monk is, at first glance, a self-help book wrapped in spiritual language. But reading it with both genuine curiosity and some psychology background in mind reveals something more complex: an attempt to translate monastic principles into a lifestyle that fits contemporary overstimulation. Whether that translation succeeds is, in my view, the central question the book invites the reader to wrestle with and consider. I like that the book offers readers a slower, more intentional way of moving through the world. What stood out to me early on was how the book blends personal storytelling with practical advice, creating a tone that feels reassuring, even when the ideas themselves are not entirely new. I recognized that many of the principles Shetty shares eco well-known psychological concepts, even though he rarely names them directly. What kept me reading, though, wasn’t the concepts themselves but the atmosphere the book creates. One idea that stayed with me was Shetty’s focus on attention. He frames attention as something we leak constantly without noticing, and he links much of our daily stress to this steady drain. This fits surprisingly well with research done on cognitive load and attentional fatigue: when the mind is stretched across too many tasks, it doesn’t just get tired, it also becomes reactive. Shetty’s explanation is much simpler than what psychological research would normally offer, but it still points toward a useful reminder: our overall mental state is shaped by what we repeatedly allow to occupy our attention. I think that this simplicity is a relatively strong reason behind why the book actually lands better than expected: even without technical language, the main ideas come across very clearly. Shetty’s strongest chapters are the ones where he moves away from generic motivation and leans into introspection. His stories about doubt, comparison, and fear are relatable, even if the solutions he provides are sometimes idealized. The book manages well to create a space where readers can take a step back from their usual mental noise and look at themselves with more clarity. Additionally, the book makes a brave attempt to merge two worlds that don’t usually fit together: spiritual detachment and modern self-improvement. Monastic life is built on letting go of ego and ambition, while the self-help genre often depends on motivating and increasing both. Shetty’s version of a balance between these two worlds, namely pursuing goals but not stubbornly clinging to them, is very compelling, but also slightly too idealistic. This made me pause and question whether true detachment (as it is originally taught in monastic traditions) can realistically coexist with the constant pressure and stress of everyday life. Still, there were moments where Shetty oversimplifies the psychological mechanisms he gestures towards. Concepts like identity formation, emotional regulation or cognitive distortions are treated primarily through anecdotes. These make the book approachable on the one hand, but occasionally flatten phenomena thar are actually multi-layered on the other hand. Where the book is less convincing is in its tendency to present inner peace as a matter of simple choice. Human behavior rarely shifts that easily. Real change usually involves intense long-term effort, something psychology acknowledges but the book occasionally glosses over. In reality, habits form through repeated routines that gradually shape neural pathways over time. Psychology treats behavior change as a process of consistent repetition, where cues, actions, and rewards solidify into automatic patterns. This underestimation doesn’t undo the value of the message, but it does create a gap between the book’s tone and the reader’s real-world experience. Overall, I find Think Like a Monk to be gentle, motivating and sincere. It invites reflection more than it instructs, and is written in a way that reads easily and flows well. It may not satisfy a reader looking for rigorous explanation and structured guidance, but it offers a calm, accessible entry point into thinking about what genuinely matters in life, and that alone makes it worth the read. - M.E.Z.

Short Overview of the book: Jay Shetty has a normal upbringing with some troubles in the teenage years, normal goals but was looking for something deeper. Meeting a monk opened that door. He joined an ashram after college. Impressed that monk philosophy has as much relevance to challenges we face today as when they were written plus they are supported by science. Because of that, the author wanted to share this wisdom. After 3 years at the ashram he left. Today Jay still considers himself a monk and lives in Los Angeles. In this book he shares his takeaways form the live he lived and what he learned. He walks you through three stages of adapting the monk mindset. 1. Stripping of things that hold us back. 2. Reshape your life so that you can grow 3. Giving outward to the world beyond yourself. Additionally there is an intro to 3 meditation types. Here are some sections in the book I particularly liked: - In the chapter about letting go, cultural norms are not just bashed like in most self-help books I encountered. They are challenged without talking down on people who choose to go down that path. - Spot, Stop, Swap. A helpful way to identify feelings in the moment, address them and amend our behavior. I am of course still working on it but this tactic has proven itself rather useful. Practice makes perfect! Sometimes emotions get the best of us and we are not able to stop and reflect but the more you do it the more it becomes second nature truly. - Definitions of freedom in the book are different to what we mostly hear in today’s world, which I found very refreshing! I was able to relate to the definition in the book rather than what the outside world sometimes tells us. - The exercise about forgiveness. Often when reading self-help books the exercise and wisdoms are nothing revolutionary, but this exercise truly was new for me and helped. So if you try only one thing from this book I would definitely recommend this one. - I looked at the word “detachment” as being indifferent to the people and things in live but the books talks about it differently. Detachment is not the same as being indifferent! Look at your blessings, they are all temporary and we cannot truly control anything. So instead of fearing losing them we can enjoy and cherish them in the moment we have/ experience them. Certain parts I did not like: - There is a dig at Marie Kondos book in a very small mention. Even though this is a rather insignificant part I found it contradictory to what this specific chapter of the book talks about: Letting go and low values, ironic? - All the great teachings in the book rather fell flat when I read the last part “next steps” where the author sells his online course. Of course I understand the hustle but I in my own opinion found it not truly in line with the topics and contents of the book. All in all I would recommend this book even if the author has his haters online I do not find doing harm in any way, rather the contrary! If you have your reservations I would still encourage you to give it a try and keep an open mind while reading. A.P.

Das Buch «Think like a Monk” von Jay Shetty deckt ein grosses Spektrum an verschiedenen Themen und Gebiete ab. Einerseits erzählt er von vielen persönlichen positiven aber auch negativen Erfahrungen, andererseits nennt er einige Studien und Experimente sowie Übungen und Empfehlungen, welche man einfach und effizient in den Alltag integrieren kann. Diese Übungen geben dem Leser oder der Leserin die Gelegenheit das Geschriebene auf sich selbst anwenden zu können. Folglich ist das Buch eine Mischung aus schon bekannten Erlebnissen und Weisheiten und persönlichen Erkenntnissen von Jay Shetty. Durch die persönlichen, oft humorvollen Eindrücke von Shetty wird das Buch etwas aufgelockert, die Beispiele sind nachvollziehbarer und zusätzlich bringt er eine lebhafte Note ins Buch. Das Ziel dieses Buches ist es, den Menschen dabei zu helfen, die Denkweisen und Einstellungen eines Mönches auf ihr Leben anzuwenden. Das Buch zeigt auf, wie man eventuelle Barrieren im Leben aus dem Weg räumen kann, um dem eigenen Potenzial Platz zu machen. Dabei ist es wichtig, mit negativen Gedanken umgehen zu können beziehungsweise wie man diese am besten überwinden kann, wie man gezielt in sich selbst hineinhört und zuletzt seine wahre Bestimmung findet. Das ist oft nicht so leicht wie man vielleicht denken könnte und es kann viele Herausforderungen bei dem Versuch mit sich bringen, wenn man die Lehren und Erkenntnisse von Mönchen in den eigenen Alltag einzubauen versucht. Jay Shetty gelingt es jedoch meisterhaft genau hierbei Ratschläge, Tipps, Übungen und Ideen einzubringen, welche beispielsweise helfen, Stress zu reduzieren, Disziplin aufzubauen oder die eigene Konzentration zu verbessern. Shetty schafft es, sich selten zu wiederholen und konstant neue Ideen, Tipps und Ratschläge einzubringen. Das Buch fühlt sich wie eine Reise an, welche uns ein besseres Selbstverständnis und ein gelasseneres Leben näherbringen möchte. Versucht man alle Übungen durchzugehen kann dies durchaus mehrere Monate dauern, jedoch sollte am Ende dieses Leitfadens ein anderer sowie reflektierterer Mensch sein. Ich denke vor allem durch die gesellschaftlichen Entwicklungen in den letzten Jahren macht es besonders zur heutigen Zeit Sinn eine solche Reise zur Selbstfindung und Ruhe anzugehen. Wir leben in einer extrem schnelllebigen Zeit und wir spüren oft einen hohen Leistungsdruck sowie Stress. Das Buch ist meiner Meinung nach für jeden empfehlenswert, der sein Leben bewusster, erfüllter, weniger stressig leben möchte und animiert gewisse Dinge vermehrt zu hinterfragen. Es ist jedoch enorm wichtig, dass man für ein gutes Gelingen solchen Änderungen gegenüber stets offen und positiv ist. Das Buch ist gut strukturiert und folgt von Anfang an einem roten Faden. Es ist in drei Teile gegliedert, welche die Themen «Loslassen», «Wachsen», und «Geben» beinhalten. In den einzelnen Teilen werden äussere sowie innere Einflüsse sowie Ängste behandelt. Shetty geht darauf ein, wie wir Entscheidungen bewusster treffen können und wie wir Dankbarkeit sowie Freude an unser Umfeld weitergeben können. Das Buch ist folglich ein Ratgeber für ein sinnerfülltes Leben. Shetty versucht dem Leser verschiedene Wege aufzuzeigen, welche dem Leser oder der Leserin helfen kann, Erfüllung im Leben zu finden, zwingt dem Leser jedoch nichts auf, sondern beschreibt es äusserst leicht und einladend, was wie zu verändern ist. Es beinhaltet einerseits Kurzgeschichten, andererseits auch viele Zitate und wissenschaftliche Fakten. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm zu lesen, er formuliert seine Texte sehr flüssig und die Aussagen sind gut verständlich. Das Buch ist meiner Meinung nach sehr inspirierend und ich werde definitiv mehr Achtsamkeit in mein Leben integrieren. Man wird an viele Dinge erinnert, welche wir als selbstverständlich sehen und es ist wichtig, dass wir solchen Dingen mehr Wertschätzung schenken. Etwas mehr Demut, Achtsamkeit und Dankbarkeit sind Kernelemente dieses Buches und definitiv wichtige Eigenschaften im Leben.