Think Like a Monk: Finding Peace and Purpose in Everyday Life

Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty is not just a bestselling book — for many, it has become a practical life guide, especially during uncertain and emotionally heavy times. In a world full of distractions, pressure, and constant comparison, Jay offers a quiet, compassionate voice that reminds us: peace is possible, meaning is within reach, and the answers we’re looking for are already inside us — we just haven’t learned how to listen.

What makes this book truly powerful, especially for readers in Asia where values like family honor, societal expectations, and external success often shape identity, is how it gently challenges those very structures — not by rebelling, but by encouraging self-inquiry. Jay Shetty, raised in a traditional Indian family in London, shares how he himself was expected to become a doctor or lawyer, and anything else was seen as failure. Instead, he chose the unexpected: to become a monk. And from that choice came deep lessons he now shares — not to convince others to live like monks, but to help us think like one, even in the middle of daily life.

The book is organized into three sections: Let Go, Grow, and Give. These aren’t just titles — they reflect a natural process we go through when we want to change our lives from the inside out.

In Let Go, Jay invites us to release what no longer serves us — fear, judgment, ego, and the voices in our head that aren’t really our own. For Asian readers, this can feel deeply familiar. Many of us grow up carrying expectations — from parents, teachers, and society — that we never chose. We’re told to be successful, to be obedient, to be strong. But very few of us are taught how to be peaceful. Jay asks questions like: “Are these values really mine?” or “Am I living for others or for myself?” and suggests simple exercises that anyone can do at home, like journaling or silent reflection, to begin reconnecting with their own inner voice.

One practical habit from this section is “The Spot, The Stop, The Silence.” Jay encourages readers to choose a daily spot where they can sit, even for five minutes, in quiet. No phone. No conversation. Just breathing. Then throughout the day, take small stops — moments where you pause your movement, take a deep breath, and become aware. And finally, allow time for silence — this could be a short walk without headphones, or a few minutes before sleep without screens, just listening to your breath. These are monk practices made modern. Simple, but powerful.

In Grow, the book moves into building inner strength — things like focus, routine, discipline, and gratitude. This is especially helpful for anyone juggling responsibilities, work, family, and emotional pressure. Jay gives tools for creating a daily routine that reflects your values, not just your deadlines. For example, he suggests beginning the day not with your phone, but with a few minutes of intentional activity: it could be reading a quote, offering incense at your home altar, listening to a soft mantra, or simply listing three things you’re thankful for. This sets the tone for a calmer mind.

One standout exercise is the “Time Audit” — a practice where you write down how you spend your day in blocks (morning, afternoon, evening), and then reflect: “How much of this is meaningful? How much is aligned with my purpose?” Many Asian readers may realize that though our days are full, they are not always fulfilling. Jay’s invitation is not to quit everything, but to slowly adjust. For instance, if you cook every day for your family, make it mindful — bless the food, chop slowly, breathe while stirring. The monk mindset isn’t about what you do, but how you do it.

The final section, Give, is about transforming personal growth into service. This resonates deeply with Asian spiritual traditions — the idea that once we become more peaceful inside, we naturally begin to support those around us. Jay reminds us that success isn’t just individual achievement; it’s how we use our gifts to help others. He encourages acts of kindness — not grand gestures, but small, sincere ones. This could be writing a note of appreciation, giving your full attention during a conversation, or helping a neighbor with groceries.

What makes this book truly unique is that it is filled with “Try It” exercises — small practices that don’t require special tools or long hours. Readers can apply the lessons immediately. For example:

• Write a forgiveness letter (even if you never send it)

• Design a simple morning ritual (no phones for 30 mins, light a candle, breathe)

• Try mantra meditation for 2 minutes daily

• Identify your “Dharma” — a Sanskrit word meaning purpose — by asking: “What am I good at? What do I love? What does the world need?”

Many readers, especially those new to mindfulness or without formal spiritual training, find Jay’s writing gentle, nonjudgmental, and encouraging. He shares stories — some humorous, some tender — from his time at the ashram, and from friends in the corporate world, showing how monk wisdom applies whether you're in a temple or in traffic.

For those navigating career changes, burnout, family conflict, or just a desire for more meaning, this book becomes a quiet friend. One reader said they kept it by their bedside, another kept it near their desk to revisit during study breaks. It’s the kind of book you don’t just read once — you grow with it, return to it, and let it walk beside you.

Think Like a Monk doesn’t ask you to change your life overnight. It simply asks: What would your day look like if peace, purpose, and presence were your guides? And then it shows you how to begin — one breath, one thought, one act at a time.