Peace to you!

Each week, the Monk Mindset newsletter comes with:

Monk Mindset for Living Well

Monk Mindset 5
Choose Love: Love is Your Purpose

Reflection on the Monk Mindset and Quote

I moved to a new monastery for formal studies in my third year. And I noticed something peculiar. Every morning, no matter how early I woke up, the kitchen was already spotless – dishes that had been drying the night before were already put away in their proper place. 

One morning, I woke earlier than normal and saw into the kitchen window one of the brothers efficiently placing the dishes away with a serene look on his face. I decided not to go into the kitchen because I knew that brother didn’t want anyone to know that he was the one who put away the dishes each morning. 

It was his silent and secret service to the community. Relieving anyone else from doing the chore. Years later I asked about it. He smiled gently and nodded his head ever so slowly, saying:

“I did that so others didn’t have to. But even more importantly, I tried to say a prayer for the brothers who might use that dish during the day.”

St. Francis de Sales, who sought to adapt monastic spirituality to the masses in his own way in the 17th century, captured this sentiment when he said love is "the abridgment of all theology." 

All theological discussions, spiritual practices, religious devotions – can only lead us to one simple reality: love. Not the feeling of love, but love as a choice, a practice, a daily discipline.

This brother in the hidden, dark monastery understood that love isn't grand gestures or overwhelming emotions. It's waking up at an ungodly hour to spare someone else a chore. It's the small, hidden acts that no one applauds or even notices. It's choosing to serve even when – especially when – you're tired, grumpy, or would rather be doing literally anything else.

I noticed that in this monastery, other brothers started to emulate these hidden acts of service. Someone would refill the holy water fonts before anyone noticed they were empty. Another would leave an anonymous prayer card by someone else's door. It became an unspoken competition of love – who could serve others without being caught? 

This small act in the morning actually shifted the culture of the monastery even more toward love.

Put It Into Practice This Week

The "Kitchen Race" Challenge:

Identify one household or workplace chore that others typically do – taking out trash, making coffee, a task at work no one wants to do.

For one week, try to beat everyone to it – Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier if needed. Do it before anyone notices it needs doing.

Keep it secret – Don't mention it, don't seek recognition. 

Transform it into prayer – While doing the task, pray for the specific person who would normally do it or would benefit from it. Let each movement become an act of love for them.

Notice the internal shift – Pay attention to how choosing love (especially in hiddenness) actually generates the feeling of love, rather than waiting for the feeling to motivate the action.

Get Ready for Fall with Monk Mindset Courses!

It’s so hard building prayer and meditation routines into the day.

So I created a mini-course based on my 7+ years in the monastery and coaching hundreds of founders & CEOs to walk step-by-step through how monks and nuns go deep in prayer and meditation.

It also includes very practical guidance for how to implement these approaches in your life. Would be honored for you to check it out!

Do you feel like you lack the harmony and order in your life and yearn to find it?

This course organizes my 7 years in the monastery — and the entire monastic life — into 7 principles and 98 lessons so you can implement these practices into you day-to-day.

Perfect for grounding yourself this Fall!

Wishing you abundant peace this week,

John

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