[Book 26] Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty

Think Like a Monk provides valuable insights on how to stay focused and grounded on what truly matters. We are shaped by the people who surround us, so it’s important to find communities whose values align with who we want to become. Jay explains that ambition and passion can be interpreted as arrogant behavior, so the key is to use it in the service of others. Acts of service build connections that often blossom into mutual feelings of appreciation and gratitude, which is a major source of happiness. In a noisy world where how we interact with others is rapidly evolving, this book has helped me align what I’m passionate about with how I can best serve my coworkers, customers, family and community.

You should read this book if you…

• want to be less stressed
• think about how work aligns with your identity
• want to be more selfless and integrated in your chosen communities

Favorite Quote

“Plant trees under whose shade you do not plan to sit“

Additional Information

Year Published: 2020
Book Ranking (from 1-10): 9 – Excellent – Broad and very well articulated insights
Ease of Read (from 1-5): 2 – Quick read

Key Highlights

1. Happiness and success are not values, they are rewards
2. Find a community that reflects who you want to be. A community looks like the future you want, and the community will help you stick to your values to achieve your goals
3. There is no rule that says we have to be upset when someone treats us poorly. We could simply enjoy our freedom and refuse to be upset
4. The more we define ourselves in relation to the people around us, the more lost we are
5. Letting go doesn’t mean completely wiping away negative thoughts and feelings. It’s what we do with them that makes the difference. A screaming baby on a flight will always annoy you. The real freedom is your self awareness of how you choose to react
6. Judgement creates an illusion: that if you see well enough to judge, then you must be better, that if someone else is failing, then you must be moving forward. In fact, it is careful, thoughtful observations that move us forward
7. Panic makes you a fiction writer, anticipating outcomes that have not happened
8. “Good thing, bad thing, who knows?” Don’t judge the moment
9. Four fundamental motivations: 1. Fear – driven by avoidance of bad things,, 2. Desire – driven by achieving good things, Duty – driven by gratitude and responsibility, Love – care for others
10. Dharma is your calling, a combination of passion & skills and serving others. It’s passion in the service of others. Your passion is for you, your purpose is for others. Your passion becomes a purpose when you use it to serve others
11. We wear lack of sleep as a badge of honor that validates our work effort, when really it’s a failure of self respect and priorities
12. Attachment brings pain. If you think something is yours it hurts when it is taken away from you. Detachment is not that you own nothing, but that nothing should own you
13. The two things to remember are the bad we’ve done to others (reminders of our imperfections and regrets)  and the good others have done for us (gratitude for the help of others. 
14. The two things that we were told to forget are the good we’ve done for others (grows our ego)  and the bad others have done to us (harbors anger and grudges)
15. Visualization – anything made by man once originally existed in someone’s mind. We need to imagine something before we can build it
16. Plant trees under whose shade you do not plan to sit