Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day

As leadership and life coaching books have proliferated over the years, I have read many of them, but have stopped reading most of them for two primary reasons: 1) many don’t cover much new ground, or they take a narrow angle from someone else’s original idea and beat it to death for 250 pages when a 5-page article would have sufficed, and 2) many aren’t very good at helping you put their ideas into practice. In Think Like a Monk, Jay Shetty cannot claim to be raising new ideas, as its ideas are based on a millennia-old spiritual faith system. Using precepts from Eastern spiritual systems in a leadership context is not new either: I read the Tao of Leadership years ago (skipped the Tao of Pooh though) and Brene Brown has successfully recommended thoughtful and vulnerable approaches in her leadership books. But Shetty takes on Buddhism and improving ones’ life are fresh in their enthusiasm and succinctness (Brown’s books can be lengthy and emotionally wringing); plus he provides guided meditations/tests that allow one to easily apply these precepts, if one chooses to do so. Anyone who has studied Buddhism in even a basic fashion will recognize much of this material, but Shetty’s life experiences (he’s lived both in an ashram and in the real business world) gives him a unique perspective and the authority to share how to apply these ancient and great ideas most effectively in our modern world. Think Like a Monk is not just one of the best leadership/life books I’ve read recently, but also one of the best books about Buddhism.

A must read for everyone

Reading Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty has truly been life-changing for me. This book didn’t just give me information—it gave me perspective, clarity, and practical tools that I could immediately apply to my own life. What stood out most was how Jay took deep, spiritual lessons and made them simple and relatable. As I turned the pages, I found myself reflecting on my own habits, relationships, and mindset. I realized how much of my daily stress comes from clinging to things I can’t control and how freeing it is to let go. His words reminded me that peace, purpose, and happiness are choices we cultivate within ourselves, not things we chase in the outside world. One of the most powerful lessons for me was learning how to respond instead of react. That shift alone has changed the way I handle challenges and how I interact with others. I also found myself journaling more, slowing down to practice gratitude, and making time for stillness instead of always rushing. This book has inspired me to live with more intention, to serve others from the heart, and to align my actions with my values. I feel lighter, more centered, and more focused on what truly matters. I’m grateful I picked up this book because it gave me exactly what I needed at this stage in my journey. I would encourage anyone searching for direction, healing, or inner peace to read it. You won’t be the same after.

Absolutely loved this book! So much I could say about it but let’s just say, get your highlighter ready, a notebook and pen and even tune into his podcast for an added challenge to self. There are soooo many gems in this book and it’s a lot to digest so plan for take your time and treat it as a journey! If you’re going through life with questions and feelings of unrest or entrapment, this book will free you in a way (even though you ultimately have to make the decision to free yourself). Personally, I would ignore the negative reviews about him recycling content because what does that have to do with anything? Isn’t everything basically recycled? Only thing you can’t recycle is your own personal experience—-those are facts and you own them. And for people to say there is no proof of him being a Monk is BS because what was he supposed to do?—-take a picture of himself being a Monk and post it for “proof”? That defeats the entire purpose of being a Monk. I swear people are so miserable and they use any and very chance to devalue others and their experiences—-henceforth their need to read this book and open their hearts while doing so. Anyway, this is a book you won’t regret buying and you can read it multiple times throughout life. Took my three months to read it because not only was I reading other books but I was also purposely taking my time to digest the material and complete the exercises, all of which I found very helpful! If you happen to start reading it and you don’t find it appealing, I recommend putting it down and trying again in 6months to a year. Sometimes we can’t read certain things if we aren’t in that season or head space to receive it. If after a year, you’re still not feeling it —-gift it to someone else. But this is definitely an awesome read and I can tell her put his heart into it!

Book arrived early and in excellent condition from Thrift Books (described as "like new*). The book has helpful "try this" exercises to help integrate useful info. And quicker than listening to podcasts or videos.

This is a valuable book for gaining personal insight and focus. Particularly in this challenging year (2020). Many people are adrift and questioning their values and their life. If you haven't done a self-examination before, then this book is a good place to start. The author is very revealing of his own life and challenges but in a modern and up to date way. I think milennials would particularly be drawn to this book. Good for older generations , too. Many exercises and suggestions for getting out of yourself and seeing the bigger pictures true through meditation gratitude and service. The thing that most annoys me is the continuous use of numbered steps. Four rules for this, three things to do here, etc. Very typical of many of the other meditation books I've read. I'm not sure the western mind really thinks like this. Anyway, plenty of value here and worth a read.

Excellent quality and packaging!!! five out of a five

Jay Shetty offered valuable lessons in life we all can learn from. Humility is a must to fully absorb its contents. Please don't be discouraged by the negative reviews stating plagiarizing quotes. Some critics are just mean spirited haters and downright nasty resorting to name calling and obviously jealous of his success and massive accomplishment in such a young age. I can appreciate fair and constructive criticism but just for the sake of being nasty doesn't have a place in a well written and important work and puts the critics legitimacy in question. Shetty's message obviously isn't mainly about those quotes. Obviously, we all learn from people before us. It's about making wisdom relevant by infusing everyday moments with meaning and grace and makes it accessible to all. He shows you step by step how to build your power, shifting your focus from self-image to self-esteem. It liberates you from the hypnosis of social conditioning and helps you become an effective master of your own life. This book will open your mind, lift your heart, redefine success, and connect your deeper purpose. He guides us with warmth and clarity on a path to greater and genuine happiness. He is loaded with wisdom and his eagerness to share it with clarity, sincerity and warmth is really admirable. Indeed, he's a quality human being with great wisdom and one can't help but become inspired and hopeful for the future.