Welcome to the Everything with Val Podcast. Today is another episode of the Everything with Val Book Club. Today's episode is focusing on the book: Think like a Monk by Jay Shetty.
I will discuss in todays episode
- The biggest learnings
- My standout quotes
- How its impacted my life
- My overall rating
Biggest Learnings from the book
Monkey Mind
- Monkey mind versus Monk Mind
- Thinking like a monk will create a new way to approach everyday life and everything that you do
- Do everything you want to do with intention
“I like to draw a contrast between the monk mindset and what is often referred to as the monkey mind. Our minds can either elevate us or pull us down.”
Live your life for yourself, not for anyone else
Importance of reflection
- In order to be a better self one must have stillness and reflection
- Stillness allows you
- "In getting you where you want to be, meditation may show you what you don’t want to see"
“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.”
People around you do not form your identity, you form it through your own values
“The more we define ourselves in relation to the people around us, the more lost we are.”
Satisfaction comes from believing in the value of what you do.
"A lot of our attachment to the belief, opinion, etc of others drives sometimes a lot of our happiness"
The power of the breath and the journey of meditation
“Because the only thing that stays with you from the moment you’re born until the moment you die is your breath. All your friends, your family, the country you live in, all of that can change. The one thing that stays with you is your breath.”
Routines over monotony
Monks understand that routine frees your mind, but the biggest threat to that freedom is monotony. People complain about their poor memories, but I’ve heard it said that we don’t have a retention problem, we have an attention problem.”
“No matter what you think your values are, your actions tell the real story. What we do with our spare time shows what we value.”
You do not have to be the one that always saves people from themselves or situations
“The desire to save others is ego-driven. Don’t let your own needs shape your response.”
The less time you fixate on everyone else, the more time you have to focus on yourself.
Attachment and Detachment
- Accept the realities of life
"We try to live up to what we think others think of us, even at the expense of our values"
"Only by detaching can we truly gain control of the mind"
“Actually, the greatest detachment is being close to everything and not letting it consume and own you. That’s real strength.”
Joy of others
If I could chose one of the biggest learnings for me is that I have completely accepted that life: "The highest purpose is to live in service"
“Negativity is a trait, not someone’s identity. A person’s true nature can be obscured by clouds, but, like the sun, it is always there. And clouds can overcome any of us. We have to understand this when we deal with people who exude negative energy. Just like we wouldn’t want someone to judge us by our worst moments, we must be careful not to do that to others. When someone hurts you, it’s because they’re hurt. Their hurt is simply spilling over. They need help. And as the Dalai Lama says, “If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.”
How has this overall impacted my life ?
- My routines
- My outlook on relationships
- My growth
Conclusion
Thank you so much for listening to the podcast. Especially this bonus episode of the book club series. Please rate, review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
*Please note I do not own the quotes nor some of the substance mentioned it all belongs to their true owner
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Music: Epidemic Sound
Art: Emma Crimaldi