Shaolin Spirit: The Way to Self-Mastery

by Shi Heng Yi

Bring clarity, strength, and purpose to your modern life through the ancient wisdom of Shaolin.

What do you imagine when you think of Shaolin? Ferociously strong warriors flying through the air?

Shaolin is more than just a martial art—it is a way of life. Rooted in Zen and Taoist philosophy, its ancient wisdom teaches us how to unite mind and body, cultivate resilience, and develop an equanimous perspective amongst a chaotic world.

In the international bestseller Shaolin Spirit, renowned teacher and founder of the Shaolin Temple Europe Shi Heng Yi reveals profound insights to human development paired with twelve personal core practices to foster essential transformation of body and mind. From improving sleep and mental clarity to building strength, flexibility, and focus, these time-honored techniques offer a practical and personal way to self-mastery.

Blending profound philosophy with practical guidance, Shaolin Spirit is an invitation to step into the discipline, determination, and power of the Shaolin way—no matter where you are in life.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Self Help, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shaolin tradition originated more than 1,500 years ago in China. The Shaolin Master – Shi Heng Yi – brings the ancient wisdom and makes it accessible to people in the present day. The tradition encompasses numerous different practices but in this case, martial arts and meditation are at the forefront. It’s about reuniting body and mind, looking deep into ourselves and realizing who we truly are and what potential we hold.

“The master shows you the path, but you have to walk it yourself.”

The Shaolin teachings offer answers and guidance for people searching for self-discovery and questioning what life is about; and guidance for developing skill of the mind.

The Eightfold Path provides different rules for attaining wisdom.

For example, Rules for Right Speech – to speak in constructive and compassionate way, before asking - pause and ask yourself – will it benefit another person?

Right Conduct – always think carefully about the impact of your actions.

Cultivating awareness is very important, living in the present time, no dwelling on the past and no future anxiety. If you’re conscious of whatever you’re doing, then anything can be a form of meditation: going for a walk, ironing, cooking, weeding, tinkering.

The Eightfold Path asks you to examine parts of your life that need to be corrected. As you study yourself and the Eightfold rules you’ll understand that life doesn’t revolve around you and that we all human beings correlate in the universe. The rules are to give you the tools to live a good and peaceful life. It’s to learn to love life.

The Shaolin virtues push you to engage more deeply with yourself. The virtues are like the toolkit.

For example, if you feel reactive because someone doesn’t understand what you’re explaining, it means that you should think about it – why you feel impatient. It’s actually a lesson for you, to dig deep inside, to uncover what is buried inside you.

The Virtues to be learned relating to action: humility, respect, righteousness, trust, loyalty.

The Virtues to be learned relating to mind: willpower, perseverance, persistence, patience, courage.

If you embody the Shaolin virtues, they will make your life and you as a person calmer and better.

You should embrace challenges as they are part of your personal growth. Assess things you do and things that happen to you. Be mindful of the virtues every day, keep testing yourself and expanding your horizons.

You have to be willing to change. Without change there is no growth. You have to grow beyond your current limitations.

Self-observation is a fundamental aspect of the Shaolin spirit. You need to be able to look at your negative traits and transform them, and move outside your comfort zone. You don’t change for other people. You change for yourself.

The important part is to choose a path that will be realistic to you and will support your growth. You don’t want to pick something that will overwhelm you and discourage you.

Learn to surrender yourself to the universe and trust in life. Everything is energy, including your body. Thus, you want to go with the flow, not against it when you create blockages.

This book also provides body poses and breathing methods. For example, practice of zhan zhuang from martial arts refers to the ability to release tension and blockages in the body and mind.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, St Martin's Press for the Goodreads giveaway.

Shaolin Spirit might seem like it's going to be familiar territory for anyone used to similar books about Buddhism for Western laypeople, or (on the other hand) the series of martial arts books that are for some reason often presented as guides to get ahead in life and business (The Five Rings, for example), or even an array of other self-help books that are basically about self-control. Where Shaolin Spirit differs is its emphasis on bringing together both mental and physical training; both are necessary to succeed in the other. Emphasizing self-mastery also makes this more unique among other Buddhist books aimed at busy Westerners; bringing in Buddhist (and daoist) philosophy, and physical training, differentiates it from secular self-help books about self-control.

I like that Shi Heng Yi opens the book by saying he makes no promises about what it will achieve, because everyone is a different person, in different circumstances, and will approach the book in different ways.

This book emphasizes accepting yourself and your situation, and working in harmony with your body's nature - and it's also made clear that this is not a hindrance to changing yourself, but is instead a prerequisite for successful change (of course, the fact that you can change no matter your other characteristics and circumstances might be one of the truths you have to accept first). I'm not widely read in the self-help genre, but to me this felt very refreshing compared to the messaging in other popular books about self-mastery or similar (at least, those that aren't coming from a Buddhist viewpoint). The position that self-mastery is freeing yourself rather than restricting yourself is also an invigorating idea to me. Even though the training is hard, you are ultimately working with and for your self.

I feel like my review is incomplete, because while I've finished the book, all the physical and mental training in it is meant to be practiced for several months at least.

Shi Heng Yi says that you should pick one way (or path, or method, whatever language you prefer) and stick to it for a while before you make up your mind. This book is a very good starting point if you're considering whether something like Shaolin training is right for you. Even if you're pretty sure you'll take a different path, it has plenty of sound advice.

[CadmanReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaolin Spirit is one of those rare books that feels less like something you read and more like something you live with. I took my time moving through it, reading slowly and deliberately, but even now I feel as though I've only just scratched the surface of the wisdom it contains. Each page invites reflection rather than quick consumption, and it's clear this book is meant to be a lifelong practice rather than a one-time read.

Shi Heng Yi writes with a clarity that feels both grounded and profound. His lessons on awareness, discipline, and balance are rooted in Shaolin philosophy but offered in a way that feels deeply relevant to modern life. There's a calm strength to his words, a quiet authority that doesn't demand belief but instead encourages you to experience and explore for yourself.

The book's design is also worth mentioning. The artwork at the start of each chapter is beautiful, symbolic yet straightforward, perfectly capturing the spirit of what follows. The visual flow mirrors the teachings' rhythm: elegant, uncluttered, and mindful. It's the kind of book you pause to look at, not just read.

Even after finishing it, I don't feel like I'm done with Shaolin Spirit. Its lessons are the kind you revisit again and again, each time finding something new to learn or a deeper understanding of something you missed before. To continue my journey with it, I've also bought the audiobook so I can immerse myself more fully in its teachings and let the ideas settle in through repetition and reflection.

Shaolin Spirit isn't about quick inspiration or easy motivation. It's about patience, awareness, and the ongoing practice of living with intention. This book feels like a guide you'll return to throughout life, quietly powerful, endlessly rewarding, and full of depth waiting to be uncovered.

[Savannah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaolin Spirit is an inspiring and insightful exploration of the philosophy, discipline, and inner transformation at the heart of Shaolin tradition. Blending history, martial arts wisdom, and spiritual guidance, the book highlights how ancient Shaolin principles—mindfulness, balance, resilience, and compassionate strength—can be applied to modern life.

The author’s voice is calm and encouraging, making complex ideas feel accessible and deeply meaningful. Through stories, reflections, and practical teachings, readers are invited to cultivate clarity, self-discipline, and a grounded sense of purpose.

Short yet powerful, Shaolin Spirit is ideal for anyone interested in personal growth, Eastern philosophy, or a more mindful approach to everyday challenges.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a wealth of valuable information. the problem I had with it is that by covering so much information it is done so very superficially. An example of this is that the Four Noble Truths covers a page and a half and the Eight-fold Path in Life is explained in seven pages. If this book leads to additional exploration of these topics, great. The book also contains exercises for mind control as well as physical exercises as well as his autobiography, again superficially. I would have enjoyed this more if the topics were used as a series of books not a 266 page attempt to cover all its wisdom.

[Carl Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t get the fuzz about this book. I didn’t like it at all. Yes, it’s about the Shaolin Monks, which is all about good intentions and living from strong values and being kind ; reinforcing your body. Yet I found it a horrible read. Not fluent, a bit all over the place -no storyline. Not for me this one. 2 ⭐️ because of their good cause. Unless you want to train your body -complicated exercises explain- I would skip.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shi Heng Yi lifts the veil on the demanding ways of Shaolin monks, while providing important background on the development of the Shaolin way. It is full of practical advice as well as the history and philosophy. I recommend it and expect I will reread it in the very near future.

[I received an advanced e-galley from Netgalley.]

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaoling Spirit is inspiring.

It is filled with mental and physical exercises with the explanations of why and how they would help short and long term.

What I also enjoy about this book is that it also includes personal experiences, and kind of like a biography.

This book is a must for anyone to use as a daily guide for exercises but also for mental well-being- to become a well rounded human.

[Martijn Euyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is actually a great invitation to start practicing Kung fu. I read it as a supporting view for my weekly practice with my son at Kung fu school Golden Dragon. It motivated me to start training at a daily basis. There is still so much to unpack when it comes to this philosophy. I’ll get back to this book now and then to rethink the basics that are shared in it.

[Kathleen Starzenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I am going to read it again. There are great tips about meditation, martial arts but what I liked most was the questions to ask ourselves. Made me think of mind,mood,and body. I first heard of the author when I came across a YouTube video, “13 minutes of body activation/loosening exercises for the morning.” When I learned he had written a book, I had to read it.

[Farailde · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 eigenlijk

[Nathalie Bousquet · Rating 3 out of 5]

De bonnes pistes de réflexion pour quiconque désire s’aventurer à devenir un être plus spirituel et plus réfléchi. Le sujet n’est qu’effleuré et gagnerait à être approfondi afin d’éclairer un peu plus le lecteur. J’avais des attentes un peu plus grandes.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little repetitive and could use more pictures to go with the exercise explanations, otherwise very insightful

[Dave G · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 on content
2 on delivery

This was not a hard book to read, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t get into it. Thanks to the author for the giveaway.

[Linus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty bland, but some good stuff in there, though nothing that you cannot find elsewhere.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

*well-written, easy to read
*informative and very educational
*heavily researched with easy to follow guidance
*highly recommend