UPBUILDING THE SELF

A Monk in NYC: Demystifying the Monastery

What does it take to make the decision to live in a monastery and dedicate your life to service? What happens inside a monastery? What is the daily schedule? In this episode, Rasanath shares the intimate details of what it was like during his years as a monk in NYC. He gives insight into the challenges that came with relinquishing his identities, why he chose to give up everything to be fully committed to a life of service, what his daily schedule looked like, the experience of living with 20 other monks, and much more.

Podcast Hosts: Rasanath & Vipin

Highlights

  • [2:50] The inspiration behind the article, “This is Your Damn Life”

  • [6:00] The importance of taking your life seriously

  • [10:10] The consequences of not taking your life seriously

  • [12:00] How thinking about death can help you have a better life

  • [15:00] Blockers to taking our lives seriously

  • [22:40] The ideal mindset

  • [26:00] “Expect miracles”

  • [31:00] How taking our lives more seriously can allow us to peel the layers of the ego to get closer to the real self

  • [33:10] Actionable steps to take

Quotes

  • “Taking your life seriously is about inner work.” -Vipin

  • “The idea that we have been given this life…and what are we going to do with it…is very provocative.” -Vipin

  • “Those who are wise always keep death close.” -Hari Prasada

  • “People who expect miracles invite those miracles into their lives.” -Vipin

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.