Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty - A Detailed Review of the Bestseller

Introduction

Jay Shetty exploded onto the self-help scene in 2018 through viral videos and podcasts sharing wisdom gleaned from his years as a Vedic monk in India. After spending three intense years living a monastic lifestyle, his debut book “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” skillfully translates key attitudes and rituals from that intensive training to help overwhelmed urban professionals embrace more mindfulness, meaning, and purpose.

While few of us may become monks, elements of the contemplative monk perspective feel profoundly relevant amidst modern life’s perpetual rush and anxiety. By integrating Shetty’s insights across relationships, work-life balance, focus, technology, and spirituality, creating inner stillness and contentment indeed feels possible.

This comprehensive review offers an in-depth look at the author’s journey, key themes within the bestseller, and ultimately why “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” comes so strongly recommended.

 

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About the Author

Before hosting viral videos and chart-topping podcasts, Jay Shetty spent three transformative years living as a monk. After getting disillusioned climbing the corporate ladder in London finance, deep introspection led him to abruptly leave his prestigious job to apprentice under a guru in India. The intensive monastic training program he underwent proved profoundly life-changing. Strict discipline around waking before dawn for prayer ceremonies, studying ancient scriptures, meditating for hours, avoiding superficial distractions, and serving elderly monks dissolved Shetty’s former frustrations around work status and relationships.

By internalizing timeless teachings and rituals perfected through millennia, deeper insights emerged around life’s essence beyond appearances and his true calling began shining through. Now back living an urban life as a prominent podcaster and author based in New York, Shetty skilfully condenses the profound self-realizations gleaned from his improbable personal journey into accessible guidance anyone can integrate.

 

 

Jay Shetty's Background

• Graduated from university in the UK, and quickly grew disillusioned with his corporate job
• Traveled to India, became ordained as a Vedic monk under a guru
• Woke daily at 4am for prayer and meditation, studied ancient scriptures
• After 3 years, returned to the West to share pragmatic monk teachings
• Viral videos & podcasts share advice for overcoming struggles mindfully
• Draws on monastic training of stillness and sense of purpose to help others find meaning

 

About the Book

At its core, “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” explores how we can all tap into inner monk qualities to overcome negativity and obstacles to living fulfilling, values-driven lives. Regardless of faith or circumstances, integrating certain attitudes and practices from monastic training holds keys to improving focus, emotional intelligence, direction, and mindfulness.

Blending personal memoirs from his ashram learnings, pragmatic tips, and empirical research, the book guides reorienting one's mindset and habits across eight pillars essential for happiness. By journeying through the lessons, we dissolve unhelpful self-judgements, reframe daily frustrations, and awaken a greater appreciation for being alive.

 

 

The Book's Key Details

• Blends insights from Shetty's training with scientific explanations
• Outlines struggles of modern world + fixes using monk perspective
• Guidance is structured around 8 pillars for living better
• Offers actionable steps, stories, and prompts to integrate
• The goal is overcoming negativity to uncover lasting fulfillment

 

Chapter Summary

Structured around eight facets of life for upgrading your worldview, “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” explores themes using self-reflection prompts, rational arguments, and spiritual teachings.

 

Part 1 - Discovering Life's Purpose

• Reframes “living on purpose” through the monk's lens
• Outlines the step-by-step process for identifying your deeper calling
• Blends science around genes/neurochemistry determining passions with instructions for introspection and journaling

 

Part 2 - Nurturing Relationships

• Offers tactics/exercises for dissolving ego and boosting emotional intelligence with loved ones
• Discusses strategies like active listening, speaking mindfully, resolving conflicts and expressing gratitude

 

Part 3 - Training Attention Through Mindfulness

• Breaks down the science behind neuroplasticity and rewiring thinking through mindfulness habits
• Details practices like conscious breathing, labeling thoughts, and meditating to declutter consciousness

 

Part 4 - Achieving Focus and Flow

• Advises minimizing digital distractions and superficial busyness to enhance concentration
• Outlines tactics to enter heightened engagement states known as flow-through intrinsic motivation
• Suggests balancing intense focus periods with recovery via sleep, nature, and exercise

 

Part 5 - Stillness, Solitude and Self-Study

• Discusses benefits of cultivating stillness through extended meditation, contemplative walks, and yoga
• Explains how introspective solitude contrasts the perpetual noise of modern life
• Guides tuning inward to unlock wisdom, direction, and peace obscured by daily scatteredness

 

Part 6 - Embracing Generosity Through Giving

• Explores how dissolving ego by serving others connects us to our innate essence
• Outlines myriad benefits of increased generosity through volunteering, charity work, and teaching
• Suggests practically applying compassion through small daily actions

 

Part 7 - Practicing Empathy and Compassion

• Breaks down emotional and physical benefits increased empathy provides
• Offers guidance for speaking and listening compassionately even during conflicts
• Discusses dissolving perceived barriers between ourselves and others via interconnection

 

Part 8 – Living with Reverence and Joy

• Explores mindfully infusing daily actions with sacredness
• Discusses ways to rediscover childlike wonder and curiosity counteracting automatized routines
• Offers gratitude journaling prompts and suggestions for increased appreciation

 

The Author's Writing Style

• Honest: Blends personal memoir with pragmatic ancient teachings
• Humble: Avoids preaching, emphasizes shared struggles
• Hopeful: Focus on achievable tips for transformation
• Heartfelt: Mix of humor, pop culture, and emotional intelligence

 

Analysis and Review of "Think Like a Monk"

Unlike opaque religious texts or mystical self-help works, “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” succeeds through extreme relatability even when introducing more esoteric spiritual concepts. Shetty understands firsthand the anxiety and lack of meaning facing ambitious urban professionals, lending credibility as he guides viewing stresses through an alternative monk lens.

The brilliance lies in smoothly translating insights from his improbable personal journey into practical steps applicable regardless of one’s lifestyle or beliefs. Avoiding obscure terminology or preaching, the author blends humor, pop culture, science, and ancient teachings into an approachable formula. This style should resonate with followers of spiritual influencers and self-help podcasts.

While exploring topics like manifesting dreams or dissolving ego that frequently descends into pseudoscience, Shetty skilfully incorporates supporting studies lending empirical rigor often lacking in the genre. These data-driven interludes explaining concepts through facts and figures persuade even skeptical minds unaccustomed to Eastern spiritual frameworks.

“Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” ultimately pioneers an accessible middle way between ancient wisdom and contemporary neuroscience. While avoiding explicit preaching, the contrast Shetty draws implicitly calls us to question assumptions of materialism, individualism, and speed permeating society in favor of more conscious, compassionate living.

 

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Key Strengths Memoir blend makes content resonant for mainstream Smoothly introduces foreign spiritual concepts The author's improbable story inspires hope A light touch with preaching enhances relatability

Competing Titles Often too dense, mystical, or preachy Frequently struggle to blend secular vibe with profundity Lack of credentials and credibility Fail to stick landing between digestibility and substance

Within a crowded self-help space, “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” delivers a uniquely enjoyable experience full of hard-won wisdom. While themes of mindfulness and manifestation echo other nonfiction hits, Shetty’s unlikely personal story and skill blending ancient teachings stand apart making this a must-read.

 

Conclusion

Jay Shetty’s “Think Like a Monk” offers hard-won guidance for leading more mindful, purpose-driven lives by integrating monastic attitudes without changing faith or circumstance. His unlikely story arc and skill in blending ancient wisdom with charming humor ensures discussing esoteric spiritual topics resonates with mainstream audiences. While few may become monks themselves, elements of that worldview feel profoundly relevant amidst modern struggles. By training our attention, nurturing compassion daily, and directing focus towards selfless service, genuine happiness awaits.

Shetty makes a convincing case that living with the harmony, direction, and connection modeled by monks lies available simply by taking up practices outlined across his Eight Pillars framework regardless of our hectic lifestyles. For anyone seeking spiritual growth beyond platitudes, “Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty” delivers a uniquely motivating roadmap for self-improvement - and earns my enthusiastic recommendation.