"This SECRET Was Kept By Monks" - How To Achieve SELF MASTERY | Gauranga Das & Jay Shetty | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A monk shares his personal journey of choosing a spiritual path, overcoming societal perceptions, and finding purpose through selfless service.

Key Insights

• 🙈 Monks can be highly educated individuals who choose a path of spiritual dedication.
• 🛟 Life's purpose is not solely defined by achievements or material success.
• 😮 One's consciousness has the power to rise above problems and change perspectives.
• 🥰 Love is found in selfless service and the willingness to please and serve others.
• 🥺 Discipline and self-control lead to true freedom and inner harmony.
• 🍔 Tolerating urges and embracing duality are essential in remaining grounded and resilient.
• 🤯 The mind, like a hard disk, needs regular purification and nurturing for mental well-being.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's perception of monks change after meeting this particular monk?

The speaker was initially intrigued by the monk's education and background, realizing that monks can be highly educated individuals who choose a different path.

Q: What motivated the speaker to become a monk, despite societal expectations?

The speaker had a transformative experience after surviving a near-fatal accident, realizing the fragility of life and wanting to serve others with his second chance.

Q: How did the speaker's decision to become a monk impact those around him?

The speaker faced skepticism and concern from friends and family, but his determination to serve others and share his newfound wisdom helped him overcome any doubts.

Q: How does the speaker define love, and how does it relate to selfless service?

Love, according to the speaker, is selfless service without any selfish considerations. It involves serving others wholeheartedly and finding joy in pleasing and helping them.

Summary

This video features a conversation with a monk on various topics such as his decision to become a monk, the perception of monks in society, the importance of thinking like a monk in the modern world, and the significance of self-control and discipline in finding true freedom. The monk also shares insights on love, the value of hope, and the journey of personal growth.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the initial perceptions and misconceptions about monks?

People often think of monks as uneducated, lazy, or driven by religious factors. However, this monk's background and education were not what people expected from a monk.

Q: What incidents inspired the monk to embark on the path of monkhood?

The monk witnessed a friend's suicide attempt and encountered students who failed in exams but remained unaffected. These incidents made him realize that there is more to life than achievements and external systems.

Q: How did the monk's encounter with the Bhagavad Gita shape his perspective?

The Bhagavad Gita taught the monk that circumstances are beyond our control, but we possess unlimited control over our consciousness. By elevating our consciousness, we can change our entire perspective and rise above life's problems.

Q: How does choosing different lenses in life impact our experience?

The monk explains that different lenses can alter how we perceive objects or situations. By choosing the right lens, we can magnify or diminish the significance of something, ultimately affecting our perspective and emotional state.

Q: How did the monk handle societal pressure when he decided to become a monk?

Initially, the monk had doubts and concerns about society's response to his decision. However, a life-threatening accident reinforced his belief in using his second chance to serve others. He found conviction to sustain his determination.

Q: How does one find purpose and meaning in life when societal expectations create stress and anxiety?

The monk suggests focusing on self-discovery, self-growth, and removing negative tendencies. By cultivating self-awareness and aligning actions with deeper values, individuals can live a peaceful and purposeful life.

Q: What does it mean to think like a monk in the modern world?

Thinking like a monk implies adopting a mindset of service, self-growth, and removing unwanted negative tendencies. This mindset can be applied by anyone, regardless of their spiritual inclination, to live a peaceful and purposeful life.

Q: How do self-control and discipline lead to true freedom?

The monk explains that discipline is not limiting but enabling. When we exercise self-control and discipline, we experience freedom from base desires and find harmony. We gain freedom by aligning ourselves with our true nature.

Q: What is the beginning of the step-by-step process in creating self-control?

The monk emphasizes the importance of tolerating urges, dualities, the urge to convince others, and the urge to compete. By rising above these urges and elevating our consciousness, we can experience self-control, discipline, and ultimately, freedom.

Q: What is the greatest gift that meditation has given the monk personally?

The monk cites a proper understanding of love as the greatest gift from meditation. He explains that true love stems from selfless service and goes beyond seeking personal pleasure. Meditation has led him to explore a new paradigm of love centered around selfless pleasing and tireless serving.

Q: How can anything be truly selfless if it aligns with what is good for oneself?

The monk clarifies that the soul is naturally designed to serve. When we engage in serving and pleasing others without selfish considerations, we experience harmony and joy. Selfless actions inspired by love result in a state of trance and deeper connection with others.

Takeaways

The monk's journey as a monk highlights the importance of self-discovery, self-control, and discipline in finding true freedom and purpose. Thinking like a monk in the modern world entails adopting a mindset of service and self-growth. By rising above selfish urges, one can cultivate self-control and experience a new paradigm of love centered around selfless service. Meditation can provide a deeper understanding of love and help individuals navigate life's challenges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding monks, challenging the perception that they are uneducated or lazy.

• The journey towards monkhood started with a realization that life is more than achievements and material success.

• The study of ancient texts, such as the Bhagavad-Gita, helped the speaker understand the importance of controlling one's consciousness and finding purpose beyond external circumstances.