The Way of the Monk: How to Find Purpose, Balance, and Lasting Happiness

by Gaur Gopal Das

Overview

Take the wheel of your life with monastic wisdom teachings from a surprisingly modern source.
 
“There is a traffic jam within our minds. That traffic jam is stopping each one of us from reaching our true potential. Imagine if we knew how to clear this disruption. No fumes of insecurity causing us to cough, no one honking at us, distracting us from what’s important, and plenty of fuel to sustain us so that we can live a life worth living.” —Gaur Gopal Das
 
What can a member of a Mumbai ashram offer the modern world? As it turns out, quite a bit. In The Way of the Monk, Gaur Gopal Das reveals that contemporary monastic life is far from our dour, isolated conception of it—and still has keen insights to share.
 
Das presents a guide to navigating some of life’s most fundamental questions. How can we achieve peace when the world is so full of noise and conflict? How do we learn to let go of attachment when consumer culture constantly tells us that we are unfulfilled? How can we embody love when our interactions with others are so fraught with old wounds and misunderstanding?
 
Das writes from the perspective of a trusted friend, weaving tales he’s encountered over the years into a single, overarching teaching story. Here, you will learn:
  Why the keys to life’s central challenges have been known for thousands of yearsThe four “wheels” of behavior that support health, balance, and satisfactionHow to stop and appreciate life’s most beautiful aspectsThe value of surrendering to the form of the momentThe many ways of honoring and connecting with the divineWhy service and selflessness are at the heart of a fulfilled life  
The Way of the Monk is a both an ideal starting point and guide to the spiritual path, teaching fundamental skills of mindfulness, self-inquiry, positive communication, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683646631
Publisher:	Sounds True, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/04/2020
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Gaur Gopal Das
Gaur Gopal Das is a former Hewlett Packard engineer who joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as a monk in 1996. Since then, he has become a popular speaker and motivational coach both on YouTube and in public. For more, see gaurgopaldas.com.
 

Table of Contents

Preface ix

1 Forgetting the Keys 1

2 Seeing Beyond the Obvious 9

3 The Journey Begins 15

Wheel I Personal Life 21

4 Growing Through Gratitude 23

5 Press Pause 39

6 Why Worry 49

7 Spiritual Practice 57

Wheel 2 Relationships 63

8 Speaking Sensitively 65

9 A Virtuous Vision 71

10 Correcting Cautiously 79

11 Forgiveness 91

12 Association Matters 105

Wheel 3 Work Life 111

13 Competition Crossroads 113

14 Self-Discovery 123

15 Decoding Spirituality at Work 133

16 Integrity and Character 143

Wheel 4 Social Contribution 149

17 Selfless Sacrifice 151

18 Family First 159

19 Trie Nation Narrative 165

20 Service Brings Joy 173

Appendix 1 Forgiveness Worksheet 185

Appendix 2 Ikigai Worksheet 193

Acknowledgments 199

Author's Note 203

About the Author 207

Editorial Reviews

★ 06/29/2020

Hare Krishna monk Das follows up Life’s Amazing Secrets with this delightful collection of spiritual and life tools. Das recounts traveling though Mumbai with his friend, Harry, to Das’s ashram, a trip that frames the book and provides jumping off points for Das’s wise observations (“The paradox of our times is that those who have the most can often be the least satisfied”), personal anecdotes, and suggestions for achieving “a happy life with integrity and balance.” Das shares methods for determining one’s purpose (such as making a diagram of one’s passion, mission, profession, and vocation) and ways to incorporate moral “attitudes and values” into one’s life. Das stresses that “we are all stuck, we all have a journey to complete, and we all have a destination,” and offers strategies to get unstuck include pausing to savor beauty; developing a positive mindset by expressing appreciation and gratitude; establishing devotional practices such as forgiveness and a gratitude log; spiritual development through meditation or prayer; and facilitating sensitive and effective communication. Das’s sharp methods for discovering one’s purpose will be appreciated by readers who enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Hare Krishna monk Das follows up Life’s Amazing Secrets with this delightful collection of spiritual and life tools."
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

From the Publisher