Skip to content

Think Like a Monk

Opening : When I was eighteen years old, in my first year of college, at Cass Business School in London, one of my friends asked me to go with him to hear a monk give a talk.

Closing : And eventually, when you’ve uncovered your real self, you won’t even need to ask yourself what a monk would do. You can simply ask, “What will I do?”

Why I chose this : Think Like a Monk had been on my to-read-list for a while. But then I stopped reading self-help books primarily because the ideas become repetitive. While I was packing for my camping trip, I wanted something to listen to. Having a choice between music, clubhouse, news, or audiobook, I ended up with this. Jay Shetty talks about values in Chapter One which got me hooked so I decided to give it a go.

Review : Ughhh this is a prime example of why I avoid reading self-help. There’re lots of concepts I’ve already heard of. So I skimmed through many sections and skipped all meditation chapters (I tried it, It’s just not my thing). There’re heaps of quotes from other people, and some of them are pseudo-inspirational and vapid. Maybe it’s a good book, just that it’s not for me. Despite all that tho, there’re some good takeaways like

• Value-based decision making
Motivation framework (fear, desire, duty, love)
To-be list


Highlights

Charles Horton Cooley wrote : “I am not what I think I am, and I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.” Our identity is wrapped up in what others think of us — or, more accurately, what we think others think of us. Not only is our self-image tied up in how we think others see us, but most of our efforts at self-improvement are really just us trying to meet that imagined ideal.

Chapter 1 : Identity (Loc 198)

Your identity is a mirror covered with dust. When you first look in the mirror, the truth of who you are and what you value is obscured. Clearing it may not be pleasant, but only when that dust is gone can you see your true reflection.

Chapter 1 : Identity (Loc 264)

Guiding values are the principles that are most important to us and that we feel should guide us: who we want to be, how we treat ourselves and others. Values tend to be single-word concepts like freedom, equality, compassion, honesty. That might sound rather abstract and idealistic, but values are really practical. They’re a kind of ethical GPS we can use to navigate through life. If you know your values, you have directions that point you toward the people and actions and habits that are best for you.

Chapter 1 : Identity (Loc 273)

When people come to me seeking guidance, I constantly hear, “I wish… I wish… I wish…” We never say, “I wish I could be more organised and focused and could do the hard work to get that.” We don’t vocalize what it would actually take to get what we want.

“I wish” is code for “I don’t want to do anything differently.”

Chapter 4 : Intention (Loc 1301)

When asked who we are, we resort to stating what we do: “I’m an accountant.” “I’m a lawyer.” “I’m a teacher.” Sometimes this is just a useful way to jump-start a conversation with someone you’ve just met. But life is more meaningful when we define ourselves by our intentions rather than our achievements.

Chapter 4: Intention (Loc 1313)

Practice Humility : Be like salt

We only notice salt when there is too much of it in our food, or not enough. Nobody ever says, “Wow, this meal has the perfect amount of salt.” When salt is used in the best way possible, it goes unrecognized. Salt is so humble that when something goes wrong, it takes the blame, and when everything goes right, it doesn’t take credit.

Chapter 8 : Ego (Loc 2945)

Buy on Amazon | Book Depository

Back

87 thoughts on “Think Like a Monk”

  1. Good site! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!

  2. What Is FitSpresso? The effective weight management formula FitSpresso is designed to inherently support weight loss. It is made using a synergistic blend of ingredients chosen especially for their metabolism-boosting and fat-burning features.

  3. whoah this blog is fantastic i love studying your articles. Stay up the good paintings! You already know, a lot of persons are looking round for this info, you can help them greatly.

  4. Throughout this awesome scheme of things you receive a B+ for effort and hard work. Where you confused me ended up being in the specifics. You know, as the maxim goes, the devil is in the details… And it couldn’t be more correct right here. Having said that, allow me inform you just what did deliver the results. The article (parts of it) is definitely quite powerful which is probably why I am making the effort to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Secondly, although I can easily notice the jumps in logic you make, I am not confident of just how you appear to connect the ideas which produce the final result. For right now I will, no doubt yield to your position however hope in the near future you link your facts much better.

  5. Thanks for another great article. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.

  6. I definitely wanted to write a brief word so as to express gratitude to you for all of the remarkable concepts you are sharing on this website. My time consuming internet research has at the end of the day been recognized with reputable suggestions to go over with my two friends. I would say that many of us visitors actually are really lucky to exist in a useful website with very many brilliant individuals with very beneficial basics. I feel truly privileged to have encountered your entire webpage and look forward to many more exciting times reading here. Thanks a lot once again for a lot of things.

  7. Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task.

  8. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  9. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own website now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a good example of it.

  10. magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t realize this. You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

  11. Thanks for another informative blog. Where else could I get that type of info written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.

  12. Along with everything which seems to be building inside this particular area, many of your points of view are fairly refreshing. Even so, I beg your pardon, because I do not subscribe to your whole theory, all be it refreshing none the less. It appears to us that your comments are not completely justified and in simple fact you are yourself not really entirely confident of your argument. In any case I did enjoy examining it.

  13. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.

  14. Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What an ideal site.

  15. Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

  16. Hi I am so grateful I found your blog page,
    I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Nonetheless
    I am here now and would just like to say thank you for
    a tremendous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I
    don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I
    have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the awesome work.

  17. Hello there! Do you know if they make any
    plugins to help with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to
    rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Thanks!

  18. Hey there great blog! Does running a blog similar to this require a lot of work?
    I have virtually no knowledge of computer programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
    Anyways, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic but I just wanted to ask. Cheers!

  19. Excellent blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
    Any ideas? Thank you!

  20. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope
    you write again very soon!

  21. Hello! I understand this is somewhat off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does managing a well-established website such as yours take a lot of work?
    I am completely new to writing a blog but I do write in my diary
    every day. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my personal experience and feelings online.
    Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for new aspiring blog owners.

    Appreciate it!

  22. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  23. My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I may
    as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.

    Look forward to checking out your web page again.

  24. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
    You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off,
    I’d really like to write some articles for your blog in exchange for
    a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested.
    Thanks!

  25. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks!

  26. Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found
    a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell
    to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab
    inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  27. Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your website, how
    can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account helped me a appropriate deal.
    I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant
    transparent concept

  28. you’re actually a just right webmaster. The web site loading velocity
    is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique
    trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a
    wonderful process on this matter!

  29. hello!,I like your writing very so much! share we
    be in contact extra approximately your post on AOL?
    I require an expert on this space to resolve my problem.
    Maybe that’s you! Taking a look ahead to look you.

  30. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  31. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was conducting a little
    homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch
    due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the
    meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your web site.

  32. Nice blog here! Additionally your site quite a bit up very fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate hyperlink for your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  33. You could certainly see your expertise within the work you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart. “Billy Almon has all of his inlaw and outlaws here this afternoon.” by Jerry Coleman.

  34. I am no longer certain where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
    I must spend a while learning much more
    or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to
    be in search of this info for my mission.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *