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 3
Work & Study: Be More Human at Work

Reflection on the Monk Mindset and Quote

In my early days in the monastery, we had classes on spirituality, during which we’d learn from the older brothers who'd been in the monastery for a while. I remember Fr. Robert, an energetic, younger friar sharing with us: 

“We all have this candle burning within us. It’s the light of hope, life, God’s presence within us. If you run around while carrying a candle, it will go out. 

Similarly, if we rush around, become frenetic, or allow too much stress to creep in, the candle of God will go out within us and it can be hard to re-light it.”

You can move quickly, but don’t move in haste and shield the candle within you just a little. Hold back ever so slightly in your work and duties during the day so that you preserve this peace, light, and radiance within yourself. 

It will shine to others, but the flame must be lit.

Put It Into Practice This Week

When and where do you tend to rush or hurry?  

Make an intention now that the next time you START to feel this hurry or haste, that you will literally STOP in that moment, close your eyes and ask for the grace to preserve the candle within.

Gradually, you can build a habit of protecting the candle all the time.

Wishing you abundant peace this week,

John