From Monkey to Monk: The transformation of swinging thoughts

Yes, I know that this newsletter purpose is to share about inspiring people. And I genuinely think that a book is not less than an inspiring story. Today, i want to highlight a book called “Think Like a Monk” From the best selling author Jay Shetty .

I’m not trying to write a 270 page book in 270 lines. It’s beautifully written and explained in the book and I highly encourage you to read it. This is my attempt to share some key insights from the book that resonated with me.

THE MIND ??: The Dilemma

When the five senses and the mind are stilled, when the reasoning intellect rests in silence, then begins the highest path. - the Katha Upanishad

Most of the times, "Your brain is not reacting to events in the world, It's predicting and constantly guessing what's going to happen next like a monkey swing".

Buddha says, "As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds".

I like this Cherokee story, which I think everyone should understand and process it in their lives.

"An elder tells his grandson, 'Every choice in life is a battle between two wolves inside us. One represents anger, envy, greed, fear, lies, insecurity, and ego. The other represents peace, love, compassion, kindness, humility, and positivity. They are competing for supremacy.'"

"Which wolf wins? the grandson asks. The one you feed, the elder replies"

Talking to yourself, "helps you clarify your thoughts, tend to what's important and firm up any decisions you're contemplating".

When the monkey in your mind is not listening to you properly, ask your mind to

Make my mind my friend.

The monkey will be forced to stop and listen.

Nothing owns you.

Detachment is not that you own nothing, but nothing should own you.

The greatest detachment is being close to everything and not letting it consume and own you. That's real strength.

EGO ??: Catch Me If You Can

They are forever free who renounce all selfish desires and break away from ego cage of "I," "ME," and "MINE". - Bhagavad Gita

Dalai Lama says, "Under the bright sun, many of us are gathered together with different languages, different styles of dress, even different faiths. However, all of us are the same in being humans, and we all uniquely have the thought of 'I' and we're all the same in wanting happiness and in wanting to avoid suffering."

The arrogant ego desires respect, whereas the humble worker inspires respect.

The Double-Edged Ego

If you don't shatter your ego, life will break it for you.

Practice Humility

The two things to remember are the bad we've done to others, and the good others have done for us.

The two things to forget are the good we've done to others, and the bad others have done to us.

I like this analogy, "Salt is so humble that when something goes wrong, it takes the blame, and when everything goes right, it doesn't take credit."

Don't take everything personally. It is usually not about you.

Bhagavad Gita summarises this part, "What belongs to you today, belonged to someone yesterday and will be someone else's tomorrow."

Always keep your mind understand this,

You are not your success or your failure.

RELATIONSHIPS ????????: Every Person Is A World To Explore.

This is strange but true,

Too often we love people who don't love us, but we fail to return the love of others who do.

Most of the relationships fall into one of this,

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Dalai Lama says,

Love is the absence of Judgement.

Want to keep your love alive?

1. Find new in the old
2. Find new ways to spend time together
3. Serve together
4. Meditate together
5. Envision together what you both want from the relationship

In every relationship you have the opportunity to set the level of joy you expect and the level of pain you'll accept.

We often mistake attachment for love, "We imagine that the grasping and clinging that we have in our relationships shows that we love. Whereas actually, it is just attachment, which causes pain. Because the more we grasp, the more we are afraid to lose, then if we do lose, then of course we are going to suffer. Ultimately, holding on to the wrong person causes more pain than letting them go."

If you've lost yourself in the relationship, find yourself in the heartbreak.

Ultimately,

Spot It, Stop It, and Swap It

ROUTINE ??: Location Has Energy; Time Has Memory

If you do something (AT / IN) the same (TIME / SPACE) every day, it becomes easier and natural.

Having a routine helps a hectic day. We move from one place to other and one thought to another in daily work, business etc. But, do we have to choose what to wear daily ??? No. Steve Jobs wore black T-shirt ?? and blue Jeans?? everyday. Note down things you can remove from your day to day choice and stop worrying about it. Have a Routine, make your bed before you leave in the morning. Make time for yourself to rejuvenate for the day ahead.

To walk down the same old path and find a new stone is to open your mind.

Thanks for reading.

All credits goes to this book. The lines I have written triggered my brain and consciousness while reading the book. I thought of sharing it with you all.

Comment to share about your life, or things which can help others and me in living a better purposeful life.

Best regards,

Abhi ??