Jeff Hirsh Read: September 2021
Inspiration: Why is this book so popular? What is the psychology of a monk?
Summary
Written with the help of ChatGPT, below is a brief summary to understand what is covered in the book.
“Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day”, published in 2020 by author and former monk Jay Shetty, draws on Shetty’s own experiences as a monk and his training in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy to offer practical guidance for living a more mindful, peaceful, and purposeful life. He discusses the importance of developing a strong mental foundation, maintaining a positive mindset, and finding meaning and purpose in life. Shetty also offers practical exercises and techniques for cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and resilience. The book offers a holistic and inspiring approach to personal growth and self-improvement.
Unedited Notes
Direct from my original book log, below are my unedited notes (abbreviations and misspellings included) to show how I take notes as I read.
Strip down to values (think about if what you do aligns with true values or is guided by others/media), think if dusted mirror or true self (don’t see self through thoughts of what others think), detach from emotions (not need to get angry or upset), schadenfreude=pleasure in suffering of others, forgive (sattva means wishing well to those who brought pain to you, ultimate forgiveness), revenge never works, accept and embrace fear (use it to be productive, don’t shy away/push it off), distinguish b/w branches of fear and true deep fear (question it til get to core), separate self from feelings to detach and see clearly (i feel not i am), maya=sanskrit for believing that which is not (illusion), don’t need to be good at everything—my limitations make way for strengths of others, 4 varnas: leader, creator, guide, maker (need to know which you are and complement with others), think about if enjoy process or not, know your strengths and embrace others’ strengths (not a competition if others success not take from you), don’t check phone when wake up, think calm and positive before sleep (set proper energy to wake up with), think about being healthy and energized and focused next morning (visualize it), talk out loud to yourself to encourage, reframe struggle as learning/improving, detach and be observer to your thoughts/stress, testing extremes reveals resolve and discipline, pride of knowledge destroys knowledge (acknowledge when don’t know), ego demands respect while humility inspires respect, people enter your life for “a reason, a season, or a lifetime”—recognize who is which and which you are/can be for other, gratitude and kindness cycle (give and receive), don’t confuse cool/likeable with trust on first meeting, time is not same as energy (quality over quantity, put phone down and focus)
