Think Like a Monk Book Review: Lessons That Changed My Mindset

There are some books you read… and then there are books that quietly start reading you. This one hit me exactly like that. I picked up Think Like a Monk thinking it would be another self-help book, but somewhere between the pages, it made me pause, reflect, and honestly ; question a lot of things I thought I had figured out.

At first, I thought the idea of “thinking like a monk” was a bit far-fetched. I mean, we’re living in a fast-paced world, not in an ashram. But as I kept reading, I realized Jay Shetty isn’t asking us to run away from life. He’s actually showing how to live better within it. That’s where the book really struck a chord with me.

One concept that stayed with me is the difference between the Monkey Mind and Monk Mind. It’s such a simple yet powerful framework. The monkey mind jumps from thought to thought; overthinking, comparing, complaining. And if I’m honest, I caught myself doing exactly that more often than I’d like to admit. On the other hand, the monk mind is calm, focused, and intentional. It doesn’t chase everything; it chooses carefully. That idea alone felt like a wake-up call.

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 Another thing that made me stop and think was the identity part. The book explains how we’re not really living as ourselves, but as what we think others think about us. That line, almost like a mental mirror; really stayed with me. It’s like we’re all acting in roles without even realizing it. Reading that, I felt like the book was holding up a mirror and asking, “Is this really you, or just the version you’re trying to show?”

There’s also a beautiful metaphor in the book about a dusty mirror. Our true self is like a mirror, but it’s covered with dust: society, expectations, social media, opinions. And instead of cleaning the mirror, we keep adjusting our reflection. That hit deep. It made me realize how much noise we carry without even noticing.

The section on negativity was another eye-opener. The book talks about three mental habits: comparing, complaining, and criticizing and honestly, they’re everywhere. Sometimes we don’t even notice when we’re doing it. It’s like second nature. But the author explains how this negativity doesn’t just affect others; it shapes our own mindset too. Reading that, I felt like I needed to face the music and acknowledge my own patterns.

One practical idea I really liked was the life audit, checking where your time, money, and attention go. Because at the end of the day, what you do daily shows what you truly value. Not what you say, not what you post but what you consistently do. That was a subtle but powerful reminder.

And then comes something so simple, yet so overlooked :breathing. The book says the first thing monks teach is how to breathe, because every emotion we feel changes our breath. If you can control your breath, you can control your response to life. Sounds basic, but when you think about it, it’s actually profound.

There’s also a quote that stayed with me:

 “We are not our thoughts; we are observers of our thoughts.”

That line alone changes how you look at your mind. Instead of being controlled by every thought, you step back and observe it. That shift from reacting to observing is probably where real growth begins.

By the time I finished the book, I realized it’s not about becoming perfect or becoming a monk. It’s about becoming aware. Slowing down. Choosing your values consciously instead of inheriting them blindly. In a way, the book doesn’t give you answers,it helps you ask better questions.

🔑 Key Notes from the Book

1.Monkey mind = distracted, reactive 

2. Monk mind = calm, intentional

3. Identity is often shaped by others’ expectations

4. Clear the “dust” (external noise) to find your true self

4. 3 mental traps: Comparing, Complaining, Criticizing

5. Your daily actions reveal your real values

6. Control breath → control emotions

7. You are not your thoughts; you can observe them

8. Surround yourself with positive influence (75% rule)

9. Letting go is the first step to growth

Last words...

In the end, this book didn’t feel like advice, it felt like a gentle push in the right direction. Not dramatic, not overwhelming… just enough to make you think, reflect, and maybe change one small habit at a time. And sometimes, that’s all you need to turn the tide.

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