Peace to you!

After attending Oxford and Harvard and working in investment banking, I had a spiritual experience that led me to leave the path of success to live in monasteries for over 7 years.

Through this newsletter, I share practical wisdom from my experience in the monastery. I hope it’s fruitful for your journey!

Each week, the Monk Mindset newsletter comes with:

Monk Mindset for Living Well

Monk Mindset 4
Refresh without Indulging: Personal Wellness

Reflection on the Monk Mindset and Quote

I’ve had periods of my life in which I acted like what I did with my body – whether partying too hard or staying up way too late – had no bearing on my spiritual health. 

But that’s a lie. 

What we do with our body affects our spiritual well being. 

Conversely, spiritual health can also impact the body. 

Many of the monks and nuns I’ve come to know over the years look decades younger than they actually are. The ordered lifestyle and consistent spiritual practices are healthy for the body as well. 

Thomas Aquinas’ statement that “grace builds on nature” illustrates this point.

If we’re taking care of ourselves on the “natural” level – eating properly, not abusing our bodies in unhealthy ways, sleeping, exercising – there’s a stronger foundation for grace to amplify who we become. 

Taking proper care of yourself is like adding all the right ingredients to a recipe and then putting it in the oven – the properly assembled dish will be transformed through the baking process.

Put It Into Practice This Week

What’s one wellness area in your life that you know deep in your heart is off-kilter?

Right now, write one thing you can do or stop doing this week to refresh without indulging.

Wishing you abundant peace this week,

John