Peace to you!

Each week, the Monk Mindset newsletter comes with:

Monk Mindset for Living Well

Detachment: Seek Nothing to Find Everything

Reflection on the Monk Mindset and Quote

Often, the more we possess, the more we have to manage and the more things can preoccupy and worry us. 

I’ve been to Uganda twice. It’s one of the poorest countries in the world, but what struck me the most was how joyful people seemed. Some of the widest and kindest smiles I’ve ever seen were from children who huddled in tin shacks on the dusty streets of Uganda. While we can’t glamorize the immense struggles and pain of poverty, I’ve also witnessed the freedom of possessing very little.  

For six years in the monastery, I professed a vow to God to live a life of poverty. This meant that I would own nothing personally myself. My only income was $20 per month that could be used to buy things like socks, a book, or a gift. I had two habits (monastic clothing), had no phone, and would eat what was served in the monastery that day.

Through not owning anything and using very little, I came to see how little I actually needed. It freed up tremendous mental and emotional energy. Literally I had much less to worry about. 

Now, it’s not realistic for people with a family or mortgage to just leave it all. But I bet there’s some things you think you need, that you can let go of. 

Put It Into Practice This Week

What's one thing you possess that regularly preoccupies you?

What’s one thing you could do this week to either totally let go of this object or have it control you less?

Wishing you abundant peace this week,

John

Enjoying Monk Mindset newsletter?

Share this link with someone who can benefit!

monkmindset.com