As someone who usually isn’t a huge fan of self-help books, I really enjoyed this one. It could be due to the fact that I found it to be equally part memoir and part self-help book. Nonetheless, it was wonderful to read about Jay Shetty’s experiences that brought him to become a monk, and many of the lessons he learnt and is still learning.

A lot of his story is culturally relatable for me, since Jay Shetty is Indian-British and I am Indian-American, but I don’t think you need to relate on that level to get some great takeaways. The book is separated out into sections titled: Let Go, Grow, and Give. I liked the structure of these sections and how they ended up building off of each other.

One quote from these pages that was was particularly relatable for me:
“I wanted to grow as a person. I didn’t want to know humility or compassion and empathy only as abstract concepts, I wanted to live them. I didn’t want discipline, character, and integrity to just be things I read about. I wanted to live them.”

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the gifted e-book in exchange for an honest review!

I love Jay Shetty!! I follow him and his messages on Facebook. The book was wonderfully written and full of messages everyone should hear and try to grow into. Needless to say, I read it on kindle but did buy the hardcover to revisit and share in the library. Thank you for your book, Jay Shetty. xxx

Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty is a book that explores the author's experience as a monk and how that translates into the current work he does, "making wisdom go viral". The author's story is unique and compelling and offers ways we can implement the simplicity of monk life to our busy daily lives. Each chapter includes a variety of exercises and reflection questions to push the reader to think deeply about their lives. The author is broken down into three sections: Let Go, Grow, and Give and I think that sums up well what the author is hoping the reader to do. Many of the things mentioned in the book such as meditation, daily routines, and gratitude are frequently mentioned in other places, but I think the anecdotes and questions help push this further than other books. I found the writing easy to read, but at times the graphics could be a bit distracting. Overall, I recommend this book and will be re-reading it as reference in the future!

Many thanks to the publisher Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Amazing read! Ever wonder what it’s like to think like a monk? Jay Shetty is a communicable voice of reason in an age where not much makes sense. So many people wandering the earth completely disconnected and full of selfishness with zero purpose. I enjoyed this book immensely and will probably read it a few more times. Jay Shetty reminds me of Osho, with tales of mindfulness and lessons in service.

What did I like? I’m familiar with Jay because of his podcasts and Facebook messages that always felt uplifting and positive. Most of us can see that Jay’s calling was not that of a monk but as a speaker and spiritual leader. His stories on Facebook always stirred something in me and this book was no different. From breathing and meditation to finding a purpose and acts of service leading us into the lives of how to think like a monk. I felt the message in the book was quite clear, and enlightening. As always with these books one read is not enough, repetition until we understand and can give as we receive.

Would I recommend or buy? I believe Jay is popular enough that his book will be a big seller. I think he is a positive example of what we strive to be and this book reflects that. The world needs all the good service it can take. I will get a paper copy when this book comes out.

Five stars for a great book! I received a ARC to read and voluntarily left an opinion.

This book has so much wisdom that needs to be read in leisure and there are so many little practices to inculcate in our lives to live in a better way. I chose to read this one as it contained some good old concepts from Hindu and Buddhist scriptures and they are definitely helpful in dealing with anxiety or negativity.

There are a lot of things that I definitely read in other places too, but in the current pandemic situations, it is so useful to just read some snippets from this book and simply think over them for some time. It will seem like there is not much new but we have to remember these are basically from various scriptures and they are definitely rehashed in so many books, podcasts, etc but still reading how the author found these learnings is still worthwhile. At least they will serve as useful reminders even if you don’t find them brand new.

There are many useful exercises that help you calm your mind or simply get better at various things in life. These learnings are the kind that should be incorporated in our lives forever. I would suggest reading a chapter for a week and trying to practice what you learn and so on. Especially these come from someone who goes to live as a monk with other real monks and has come back with so much newly gained knowledge.

A very interesting story of a man who becomes a monk in India. The lesson he teaches are life changing and put so many things in perspective. Highly suggest reading it!

First of all....this book quotes the film "Dan in Real Life". Already a win in my book. I had heard Jay Shetty speak on a podcast and so was interested in his book about his time as a monk. I really thought that's what this book would be about but it is so much more. Think Like a Monk does touch upon Shetty's experiences during his years of monk training at an ashram in India but what I really loved were all the real-life applications that he includes. Shetty reviews the history and the "why" behind various practices and techniques of what he calls the monk mind but then goes a step further with his "try this" tips which bring these practices into the reader's current setting and shows them how to apply them to their own lives. Think LIke a Monk is a book I would recommend to everyone...especially now when life is busier and more stressful than ever. This will be one to keep nearby as a re-read and refresher.

There's nothing new here, which is OK. It's well presented and readers may get some helpful reminders. The book may be best for younger folks for whom the suggestions may be new.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Jay Shetty has exploded in recent years with his popular podcast and appearances and "in" with the celebrity crowd. This book gives a bit of his backstory and thoughts about his rise to fame and sticking with his message. The book is encouraging and uplifting--prompting the reader to get a handle on their thoughts and giving tools to work through difficult situations. Great first book!

*Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Jay Shetty for an ARC of this book!*

Jay Shetty has found great exposure through the YouTube community and came highly recommended to me from professionals in the healthcare industry, so I was intrigued to pick this book up and learn more about Shetty's philosophies. Think Like A Monk explores some of the basic principles of his faith through examinations of negative thoughts and their impact on everyday life, the ego and its positive and negative implications, the benefits of service, the importance of gratitude, and the possibilities in life that can be explored through meditation.

While I found this book interesting, I can't say I read any advice that I haven't personally read or heard before. I think this is the sort of self-help book that would befit someone who is new to introspection or self-exploration more than someone who has already discussed or reflected on these topics at length (through faith, therapy, or other avenues) The handwritten charts in the book also disrupted the flow at times, in my opinion, and made the book feel less professional, detracting from the overall benefits of the messages being delivered.

Rather than a more traditional self-help book, I think I was anticipating more of a memoir feel to this book, and the anecdotes from Shetty's time as a monk are hands-down the most interesting and were my greatest takeaway. I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in an introduction to monks and their way of thinking or to anyone who has been impacted positively by Shetty's YouTube shorts, talks, or seminars. 3.5 stars.

This was my first major exposure to Jay Shetty, but I was excited about the release of his book. I wanted all of his teachings in one place and this book did not disappoint.

Although the concepts are not new to me (morning routines, breath work, meditation, detachment, etc.), I really enjoyed his take on them. From his time as a practicing monk came a fresh perspective coupled with a "civilian" relatability.

I will order this for my husband when the book comes out so we can share ideas about implementing the concepts.

I know it is probably too late, but the cover would have been a deterrent for me in the book store. It is too "self focused" for the content of this book.

#NetGalley #ThinkLikeaMonk