Shojai - The Urban Monk: Eastern Wisdom and Modern Hacks to Stop Time and Find Success, Happiness, and Peace

PRAISE FOR THE URBAN MONK

Written with page-turning verve, this book integrates ancient Taoist wisdom and modern brain science to offer hundreds of practical ways to feel better and do better right now. Funny, direct, and honest, Pedram Shojai feels like a trusted friend and teacher offering a full package of skillful means.

Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence

We know that the healthcare crisis in the West cant be fixed by pills. Lifestyle is the key. The Urban Monk elegantly lays out a balanced way of life that can not only bring us back to health, but help us relax and smile while we do it. I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to get healthy in our fast-paced world.

Mark Hyman, MD, director, Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Blood Sugar Solution

Knowing that meditation is good for us isnt enough. We need to practice it in our daily lives to actually benefit from it. The Urban Monk is a treasure, with many practical lifestyle hacks that can help you be happier and healthier.

Daniel G. Amen, MD, founder, Amen Clinics, and author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

Combining modern Western medicine and ancient Eastern wisdom, Dr. Pedram Shojais cutting-edge, easy-to-implement program helps you burn fat, boost energy, and optimize your life to become an urban monk even in the most stressed-out environment. Cant recommend this one enough!

JJ Virgin, New York Times bestselling author of The Virgin Diet and The Virgin Diet Cookbook

Pedram offers a fresh and unique perspective on life in the modern world. He truly is an Urban Monk and his friendly style takes us all along for the ride. If you deal with stress, time constraints, and the challenges of a busy life, this book is a must-read.

Sara Gottfried, MD, author of New York Times bestseller The Hormone Cure and The Hormone Reset Diet

Being an Urban Monk is about facing every day with a sense of peace, focus, and drive, no matter what is coming at you. Pedram Shojai will put you on the right path to experience a clear mind and a total rejuvenation of your life.

Mallika Chopra, author of Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace, and Joy

The Urban Monk gives you the physical and mental hacks to take your life to the next level and feel better than you ever have. Pedram Shojai will heal your soul and kick your ass all the way to enlightenment.

Dave Asprey, author of the New York Times bestseller The Bulletproof Diet

A fantastic book and an incredible resource for anyone looking to access the benefits of vibrant health and who lives a modern life where the conditions for that are less than ideal. The Urban Monk will be your guide into a new frontier of awakened living.

Tiffany Cruikshank, LAc, MAOM, founder of Yoga Medicine

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical help.

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher.

Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

2016 by Pedram Shojai, OMD

Simultaneously published as a trade hardcover and international paperback by Rodale Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Book design by Christina Gaugler

Chapter illustrations by Paige Vickers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781623366155 hardcover
ISBN-13: 9781623367343 paperback
ISBN-13: 9781623366162 ebook

We inspire and enable people to improve their lives and the world around them.

RodaleWellness.com

To the vision of a peaceful, sustainable, abundant future for our childrens children. May we step in, step up, and make it happen for the future of all life.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 2:
Drinking from Infinity: The Art of Mastering Time

CHAPTER 3: Energy:
Why Am I Always So Tired?

CHAPTER 4:
What Happened to Sleep?

CHAPTER 5:
Stagnant Lifestyle

CHAPTER 6:
Weight Gain and Negative Self-Image

CHAPTER 7:
No Connection with Nature or Things That Are Real

CHAPTER 8:
Lonely despite Being Surrounded by People

CHAPTER 9:
Enough Money

CHAPTER 10:
Living a Life with Purpose

INTRODUCTION

HAVE YOU EVER FELT guilty about missing a workout at the gym?

Ever felt guilty for missing yoga class?

Did you learn meditation at one point and then stop doing it?

Do you regret not spending enough quality time with your kids, spouse, friends, or aging parents?

Do you have a stack of books by your nightstand that you look at each night wondering when youll get to them?

Have you ever come back from a vacation feeling drained and less ready to take on your life than when you started?

Are you stressed, tired, or just downright bored of the rut that youre in?

Welcome to the modern world.

Things were not always like this. Our ancestors had more time in life. They had more space. They walked to places and took in fresh air. They spent time preparing meals and enjoying them with loved ones, and they got more exposure to nature and the elements. Life was less stressful, less full. We were surrounded by family and belonged to an extended tribe.

Today, weve got bills. Weve got millions of bits of information bombarding us every minute. News about militants trying to kill us is often served with reports about rising cancer rates and crashing economies. Our kids are being tugged on by commercial interests, and our ice caps are melting. Everything costs more money than wed like, and we find ourselves running around like crazy people trying to keep the whole shitshow going.

All for what?

The crisis of the modern urban or suburban person is that weve got bullets flying at us, and were ill equipped to deal with any of it. We are stressed out, tired, out of energy, and lost. Some of us unwittingly bought into a narrative that the ancient secrets of the East were the answer to our problems. As the Beatles brought back the Maharishi and gurus started to journey over from Asia, we thought that yoga, meditation, fasting, tai chi, and Zen practices were going to save us. Now, we stand in the middle of a storm forgetting to ever call on those practices in our time of need.