In his forthcoming book, 'Think Like A Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day', author Jay Shetty aims to uplift the readers from the negativity, anxiety, and hopelessness prevalent in today's world. The book, which is set to be published by Simon and Schuster on April 14, distills monk wisdom into practical, everyday steps anyone can take to live a less anxious and more meaningful life.
The Inspiration Behind The Book
During his time as a monk in a Hindu ashram, Jay Shetty was able to remain centered and calm amid all the chaos that life throws at us. He wrote 'Think Like A Monk' to help everyone access the same mindset, the same thinking patterns, and the same processes that helped him find peace, balance, and purpose.
Wisdom From Ancient Texts
Just like his monk teachers, Jay draws inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Indian text based on the Upanishads, writings from around 800-400 BCE. Jay believes the wisdom for how to find peace and purpose has been here all along.
Early Life and Journey to Monkhood
Jay was born in north London in 1987 and was raised in a middle-class Indian family alongside his sister. However, Jay’s thrill-seeking ventures got him suspended from school more than once as he tried to find his identity. This changed in college when he heard a monk named Gauranga Das speak about the principle of self-sacrifice. This was a transformative moment for Jay. After he graduated from college, Jay moved to an ashram where he spent half the day on personal growth and the rest of the time was spent helping others. After three years as a monk, one of his teachers advised him to leave monkhood and share his wisdom with others.
Jay Shetty As An Influential Guide
After leaving the ashram, he moved back home to London where he reconnected with old school friends who were experiencing stress and unhappiness. They invited Shetty to coach them on well-being, purpose, and mindfulness. Jay says, "Very quickly I realized that a big part of my passion and purpose is to serve and give the wisdom I’ve learned with others." He eventually moved to New York and Los Angeles and began sharing wisdom and lessons online. Since launching his video channel in 2016, Jay has garnered over 6.5 billion views and gained over 34 million followers globally.
Recognition and Achievements
Jay has been recognized in Forbes magazine’s 30-under-30 list for being a game-changer in the world of media. He has one of the top podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and his guidance has been sought by companies like Google, L’Oreal, Facebook, Coca Cola, and Microsoft.
Upcoming Book: Think Like A Monk
The publication of 'Think Like A Monk' in 2020 will bring Jay’s message to a larger audience than ever. In the book, Jay draws deeply from ancient wisdom, modern social science, and his own rich experiences in the ashram to guide people through the process of adapting to the monk mindset. He believes that everyone can, and should, think like a monk.
Personal Life
Jay lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Radhi Devlukia Shetty, who is a plant-based dietitian and Ayurvedic medicine enthusiast. He enjoys listening to Drake at the gym and nature sounds while meditating. Jay is a Manchester United fan and admires Cristiano Ronaldo’s work ethic and determination.
Endorsements
Deepak Chopra said about 'Think Like A Monk', "This book could change your life and move you from the hypnosis of social conditioning to being the creative architect of your life journey.” Robert Waldinger, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, praised Jay’s ability to guide us with warmth and clarity on a path to greater joy and purpose.
