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Mind Your Mind: Three Principles for Happy Living
How do I stop myself from worrying all the time? Why do I overthink? Whom do I blame for my problems? Is my mind a friend or an enemy? My life seems so useless -what is the point of living? Is happiness achievable despite all my troubles?
If any of these questions resonate with you, corporate practitioner turned monk and teacher Venugopal Acharya has the answers you're looking for.
Beginning with the premise that the solution to an anxious or restless mind lies not in controlling the mind - an impossible task at the best of times - but in learning how to manage it, he recommends three powerful yet simple principles for mind management and happy living: Awareness, Acceptance and Aspiration.
Moving a step ahead of merely outlining these 'self-help methods', the Acharya explains - through anecdotes from history and contemporary events as well as nuggets from ancient Indian scriptures - how to integrate these distinct concepts into a three-step practice for daily living and achieve benefits that are simultaneously immediate and long-lasting.
An invaluable guide to self-transformation that is tailor-made for modern living, Mind Your Mind gently but powerfully reveals that you are much more than your mind - and you can, therefore, live a fulfilling, uncomplicated and contented life beyond it.
If any of these questions resonate with you, corporate practitioner turned monk and teacher Venugopal Acharya has the answers you're looking for.
Beginning with the premise that the solution to an anxious or restless mind lies not in controlling the mind - an impossible task at the best of times - but in learning how to manage it, he recommends three powerful yet simple principles for mind management and happy living: Awareness, Acceptance and Aspiration.
Moving a step ahead of merely outlining these 'self-help methods', the Acharya explains - through anecdotes from history and contemporary events as well as nuggets from ancient Indian scriptures - how to integrate these distinct concepts into a three-step practice for daily living and achieve benefits that are simultaneously immediate and long-lasting.
An invaluable guide to self-transformation that is tailor-made for modern living, Mind Your Mind gently but powerfully reveals that you are much more than your mind - and you can, therefore, live a fulfilling, uncomplicated and contented life beyond it.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2020
28 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Venugopal Acharya
6 books13 followersVraja Bihari Das, also known by his legal name Venugopal Acharya, is a highly respected spiritual teacher, author, and full-time monk at the Shri Shri Radha Gopinath Mandir, ISKCON Chowpatty, where he has been serving for the past two and a half decades. He holds a Masters's degree in Monetary Policy and International Finance, as well as a Majors degree in Economics.
He has a wealth of experience in the corporate world, having worked with multinational companies such as KPMG Pete Marwick and ICICI Bank after completing his MBA in Finance. He is also a member of the Temple Care Committee and Congregation Development at ISKCON Chowpatty, where he provides counselling to young men in the monastery and trains a satellite community of over 100+ families in various parts of Mumbai.
Vraja Bihari Das is well-known for his deep study of Vedic and Contemporary History, and for presenting this knowledge in a relevant and relatable way through life-enhancing seminars for corporates and students, both physically and online. He is particularly passionate about teaching Bhakti-Yoga, a form of yoga that involves investing emotions and prayers.
With over 1000+ articles on his website (www.yogaformodernage.com) and hundreds of talks on his YouTube channel, he continues to guide and inspire people across borders through his social media presence. He has authored 5 books including 'Cricket in a Monastery'. One of his books, "Mind Your Mind - Three Principles for Happy Living," is a culmination of his daily study, writing, contemplation, and prayers over the last twenty years. In this book, he shares different tools to help people feel loved and improve their relationships with themselves and with those who matter to them. Additionally, his recent release "Lessons from the Road" shares insights from his deep study of Vedic scriptures like The Srimad Bhagavatam & Bhagavad Gita.
He is also a seasoned international speaker, having travelled and spoken in the USA, Australia, UK, Germany, Russia, and other parts of Europe and the Middle East. His candid thoughts on mental hygiene, spiritual discipline, and finding deep emotional fulfilment resonate with people from all walks of life. His lucid and cheerful talks harmonize wisdom from the Vedic era to enhance modern lives.
He often says, “The principles of life are simple and same everywhere: just apply even a little, and see a big difference.”
He has a wealth of experience in the corporate world, having worked with multinational companies such as KPMG Pete Marwick and ICICI Bank after completing his MBA in Finance. He is also a member of the Temple Care Committee and Congregation Development at ISKCON Chowpatty, where he provides counselling to young men in the monastery and trains a satellite community of over 100+ families in various parts of Mumbai.
Vraja Bihari Das is well-known for his deep study of Vedic and Contemporary History, and for presenting this knowledge in a relevant and relatable way through life-enhancing seminars for corporates and students, both physically and online. He is particularly passionate about teaching Bhakti-Yoga, a form of yoga that involves investing emotions and prayers.
With over 1000+ articles on his website (www.yogaformodernage.com) and hundreds of talks on his YouTube channel, he continues to guide and inspire people across borders through his social media presence. He has authored 5 books including 'Cricket in a Monastery'. One of his books, "Mind Your Mind - Three Principles for Happy Living," is a culmination of his daily study, writing, contemplation, and prayers over the last twenty years. In this book, he shares different tools to help people feel loved and improve their relationships with themselves and with those who matter to them. Additionally, his recent release "Lessons from the Road" shares insights from his deep study of Vedic scriptures like The Srimad Bhagavatam & Bhagavad Gita.
He is also a seasoned international speaker, having travelled and spoken in the USA, Australia, UK, Germany, Russia, and other parts of Europe and the Middle East. His candid thoughts on mental hygiene, spiritual discipline, and finding deep emotional fulfilment resonate with people from all walks of life. His lucid and cheerful talks harmonize wisdom from the Vedic era to enhance modern lives.
He often says, “The principles of life are simple and same everywhere: just apply even a little, and see a big difference.”
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 27, 2021
I am not a self-help kind of person, not at all; but something is different about this book. It maybe marketed as self-help, but it's so much more than that.
Venugopal Acharya has a Master's degree in Economics along with one in Monetary Policy and International Finance. He is an MBA 🙂
Venugopal Acharya is a full time monk, counselor, self-help author, lifestyle coach, and teacher at the Shri Shri Radha Gopinath Mandir, ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai.
Yes, I'm talking about the same person.
Mind Your Mind is not a typical "Sit down and take notes", "You can do anything if you work hard enough" kind of book, it's more like you are conversing with an amiable professor, who is wise, knowledgeable, and doesn't judge you for your shortcomings.
He takes you through both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences and weaves a major lesson out of each.
At the beginning of each chapter , there are verses from the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. I used to make fun of my father when he said that the Gita holds all the answers to my questions, now I'm not so sure if I can continue to be skeptical.
You will not reach a zen like state after reading the book, but maybe a small percentage of the readers will learn about Awareness, Acceptance, Aspiration and know themselves a little more than they did before.
Venugopal Acharya has a Master's degree in Economics along with one in Monetary Policy and International Finance. He is an MBA 🙂
Venugopal Acharya is a full time monk, counselor, self-help author, lifestyle coach, and teacher at the Shri Shri Radha Gopinath Mandir, ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai.
Yes, I'm talking about the same person.
Mind Your Mind is not a typical "Sit down and take notes", "You can do anything if you work hard enough" kind of book, it's more like you are conversing with an amiable professor, who is wise, knowledgeable, and doesn't judge you for your shortcomings.
He takes you through both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences and weaves a major lesson out of each.
At the beginning of each chapter , there are verses from the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. I used to make fun of my father when he said that the Gita holds all the answers to my questions, now I'm not so sure if I can continue to be skeptical.
You will not reach a zen like state after reading the book, but maybe a small percentage of the readers will learn about Awareness, Acceptance, Aspiration and know themselves a little more than they did before.
December 3, 2024
A pleasant conversation with a non-judgemental and wise person is always nourishing. I liken the book to such a conversation.
⠀
Venugopal Acharya recommends three principles (divided into three sections) for happy living viz.
⠀
1. Awareness
2. Acceptance
3. Aspiration
⠀
He elaborates on these principles using personal life examples, stories from historical Indian epics and accounts of famous personalities.
⠀
I love how the author has shared his struggles with spiritual life despite being a monk. Most of us who are unaware of the personal life of the monks and spiritualist tend to think that either they are all frauds, lunatics, lazy or that they’ve attained some zen-like state. Both are untrue.
⠀
The book is non-preachy and divided into easily consumable small chapters that only help in easy absorption but also add to the ease of reading. I’d say it can be an ideal companion with your morning beverage to start the day with some positivity.
⠀
This was the last book I picked up from now closed Full Circle Bookstore of Khan Market. I do not think I would have gotten a whiff of this book had I not gone to a bookstore. In the times of book home deliveries, bookstores are still ever so essential.
⠀
Happy reading.
⠀
Venugopal Acharya recommends three principles (divided into three sections) for happy living viz.
⠀
1. Awareness
2. Acceptance
3. Aspiration
⠀
He elaborates on these principles using personal life examples, stories from historical Indian epics and accounts of famous personalities.
⠀
I love how the author has shared his struggles with spiritual life despite being a monk. Most of us who are unaware of the personal life of the monks and spiritualist tend to think that either they are all frauds, lunatics, lazy or that they’ve attained some zen-like state. Both are untrue.
⠀
The book is non-preachy and divided into easily consumable small chapters that only help in easy absorption but also add to the ease of reading. I’d say it can be an ideal companion with your morning beverage to start the day with some positivity.
⠀
This was the last book I picked up from now closed Full Circle Bookstore of Khan Market. I do not think I would have gotten a whiff of this book had I not gone to a bookstore. In the times of book home deliveries, bookstores are still ever so essential.
⠀
Happy reading.
October 7, 2023
I’ve been in a pickle for a few months now. Some might call it an awakening, but it’s felt anything other than “light”. I’ve been really needing some deep inner work and clarity on what I am doing with my life and which path to choose; career, PhD, family, self ….
So it was on a sunny day that I found myself, with my family, at Rahadesh, a Hare Krishna commune, in the Ardenne. I took the tour and was immediately filled with calm and interest and a strange sense of clarity.
As my son and I walked around the gift shop, my eyes fell onto this book. And for some reason I picked it up and my eyes fell onto the page where it is talking about social media stealing your attention and free writing. Now, these are not new concepts to me, but they hit me different this time.
This book is written in such an easy, modern, accessible, fun and understandable way. The author mixes the perfect bleach of Vedic wisdom with practical tips for a modern life. The spiritual aspects are universal enough to not be applicable solely for Hare Krishna devotees.
A treatment to how well it is written, the utility of the content (or my need for this insight right now), was that I finished it in one week, despite making one of the biggest decisions of my career and managing a young family.
My only point of suggestion is that as you progress with the book the suggestions get more and more abstract and spiritual (service, gratitude etc) … and more religious. But still …. There are a lot of very difficult concepts shared in a beautifully simple way that I have never seen before.
Thank you for this lovely book.
So it was on a sunny day that I found myself, with my family, at Rahadesh, a Hare Krishna commune, in the Ardenne. I took the tour and was immediately filled with calm and interest and a strange sense of clarity.
As my son and I walked around the gift shop, my eyes fell onto this book. And for some reason I picked it up and my eyes fell onto the page where it is talking about social media stealing your attention and free writing. Now, these are not new concepts to me, but they hit me different this time.
This book is written in such an easy, modern, accessible, fun and understandable way. The author mixes the perfect bleach of Vedic wisdom with practical tips for a modern life. The spiritual aspects are universal enough to not be applicable solely for Hare Krishna devotees.
A treatment to how well it is written, the utility of the content (or my need for this insight right now), was that I finished it in one week, despite making one of the biggest decisions of my career and managing a young family.
My only point of suggestion is that as you progress with the book the suggestions get more and more abstract and spiritual (service, gratitude etc) … and more religious. But still …. There are a lot of very difficult concepts shared in a beautifully simple way that I have never seen before.
Thank you for this lovely book.
May 30, 2021
A very nicely written book which talks about ego, mind and intelligence. Through various stories the author explains the myriad concepts that one needs to understand and implement to develop better awareness, acceptance and awareness for one's inner self to have a more contented life. The book is written in a sequence of short chapters which makes it easy to comprehend and grasp. A highly recommended read for anyone grappling with the questions that arise within one-self.
November 8, 2021
A book you can feel while reading, it sounds very practical and you will feel like retrospecting in yourself. The book is based on the three principles of happy living - awareness, acceptance and aspiration. Pretty much obvious. Isn't it? It is, but you will surely appreciate the time reading it and the depth of the principles. Happy Reading!
July 16, 2022
The name of the book itself says what actually this book is all about. It's about how your mind works during the different circumstances, and you would also get to learn few tactics about how you could take a control and drive your mind. So it's a self help book, good one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2021
Must read for everyone
July 22, 2021
Amazing book with brillant Lessons for Life. Must read for everyone who aspires to grow INTERNALLY.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews