What do you think?
Rate this book
Energize Your Mind
'A must-read' JAY SHETTY Take charge of your feelings by mastering the monk mindset. In this essential new book, internationally renowned motivational coach and modern monk Gaur Gopal Das decodes how the mind works and how we can train it in a way that improves our wellbeing. With his characteristic serenity, profound wisdom and anecdotal style, Das offers exercises, tips and tricks to help us make the changes that will put us in control of our thoughts and actions.
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2024
489 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Gaur Gopal Das
137 books329 followersGaur Gopal Das (IAST: Gaura-Gopāla dāsa) is an Indian lifestyle coach, motivational speaker and former HP engineer. He is a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
He was born in Pune, Maharashtra, India. He has a diploma in electrical engineering from Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune and a degree from College of Engineering, Pune. He worked as an electrical engineer at Hewlett Packard for a brief period, before leaving the company in 1996 to become a lifestyle coach.
In 2018, he published the book Life's Amazing Secrets, and received an honorary doctorate by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT). He was reported as having over 3.9 million YouTube followers with more than 177 million views.
He was born in Pune, Maharashtra, India. He has a diploma in electrical engineering from Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune and a degree from College of Engineering, Pune. He worked as an electrical engineer at Hewlett Packard for a brief period, before leaving the company in 1996 to become a lifestyle coach.
In 2018, he published the book Life's Amazing Secrets, and received an honorary doctorate by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT). He was reported as having over 3.9 million YouTube followers with more than 177 million views.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
February 25, 2023
if you've watched 10 self help videos and read 3 self help books, you don't need to read this
May 26, 2024
Read over February and March 2024.
The book considers a range of aspects that affect our mental health, whether internal, from outside sources (like a negative/'toxic' person) or our relationship with the world at large--covering things from grief, anxiety and depression to memories and criticism to developing empathy and selflessness. While it suggests that where necessary, professional help should be sought, it also makes various suggestions for self-help primarily revolving around meditation and journalling, gratitude practice but also smaller daily steps like showing kindness and doing good deeds. There is also need to understand ourselves and our emotions better for which steps like labelling them more precisely are suggested. There may not be very much that is 'new' here but adopting even some of these practices can certainly help better one's life!
The book considers a range of aspects that affect our mental health, whether internal, from outside sources (like a negative/'toxic' person) or our relationship with the world at large--covering things from grief, anxiety and depression to memories and criticism to developing empathy and selflessness. While it suggests that where necessary, professional help should be sought, it also makes various suggestions for self-help primarily revolving around meditation and journalling, gratitude practice but also smaller daily steps like showing kindness and doing good deeds. There is also need to understand ourselves and our emotions better for which steps like labelling them more precisely are suggested. There may not be very much that is 'new' here but adopting even some of these practices can certainly help better one's life!
February 3, 2023
What can I say about Gaur Gopal Das Ji... he is one of those few people who can explain complex things using simple daily life anecdotes. I thoughroughly enjoyed reading the book. It gives you abundant knowledge on how to manage the mind, emotions from ancient texts. There is a flow to the book, and daily life incidents that keep boom grounded yet profound. I definitely reccommend this not only to read, but to apply in your life. Cheers!
January 21, 2023
This is a book which will really energize your mind and will help you to know the reality of life and you will master your emotions, feelings and thoughts.
A great book!
A great book!
January 15, 2023
Completed reading the book,received as a token of love post my bday bash last month.
Few( takeaways ) reviews from this book by Gaur Gopal Das Energise your Mind :
1.We are not Sophia's ,self-emotional healing is advised.
2.We are also not robot's though surviving in the tech world.
3.FOMO-fear of missing out,spiritual retreats,techno-dextofication is the need of the hour.
4.We all are chatter boxes and have to deflush and declutter our minds.Mental chatter not recommended.
5.We all have Joshua's in us that slips away.To not allow our thoughts controlling us.
6.Not to jump at 18 k feet,panic and anxiety attacks are common,mindfully dealing with them to have a Sustainable life.Eco trips can complement our healing.
7.90 %ppl in Europe,USA,Middle East are depressed,sad,gloomy.Introspect your thoughts and make an action plan for The Bird's Nest.Reflect on mind's ,emotional capacity and abilities for 5 W,1H trigger points.
Exercise on recalling stressful events and to rethink 5 W,1 H,trigger points and the survival.
8.Readdress lower vibrational frequencies,not turning them into a Bird's Nest.
9.LIEA -listen,identify,empower ,address a must do exercise for dealing with low vibrational frequencies.
Listen and make person accept that there is an issue.
Identify by helping person to make them feel comfortable they have issues.
Empower by making the person help them that they are valuable and worthy.
Address that the emotional,mental health and we'll being,sanity is required.
Closure of case
Read more about your mental health condition and gauge how it can be addressed-SELF HELP.
Approach a professional and a Spiritual Coach for Counselling,therapies.
Go to a Doctor if above 2 things are of minimum help.
Dont's for trapping in a Bird's Nest
Sleep therapy.
Health check ups
Follow a diet
All required and must to break patterns.
10.We all carry a pen drive-dealing with guilt.
"Guilt is to the spirit what pain is to the body."
Developing an insight about reasonable and unreasonable guilt.Identify the variables and constants of Guilt.
11.Dealing with humiliation and toxicity by not renting space in our heads to these elements.Raise the rent and kick them out.
12 PTSD-post traumatic Stress disorder to take charge of emotions.You can save drowned people only if you know swimming.Priortise your life what and how to lead a successful life.
13.Nostalgia-Dealing and deleting old memories.Our past should not define our destiny it should strengthen our selves.
6 R'S
a.Repeat,Refine-Our past should not haunt us nor it should be a life sentence.Strengthening the neurons is must.
b.Rectify,reflect-To err is human.Rectify and learn from mistakes.Describe the experience,feelings about the experience,evaluate the experience,analyse,conclude and close,action plan-next course of action(have plans a,b,c...till the time the desired result is not achieved,negotiate mindfully.)
c.Recall,relive-Our mental space is the most expensive REAL ESTATE that we possess.
Exercise
How to deal with painful memories.
When I think of my ex-partner;
1.Practise Journaling to my emotions out.
2.Think of good memories spent with him/her.
and so on...
Prioritise and vice versa trustworthy,genuine,sincere opinions of peeps for advice.
14.A whisper in my ear-Crticism
Accept both compliments and criticism with grace.It helps sunlight and pouring to help sunflower grow.
Unless what is hitting us inside is not allowed to come out we cannot make an impact.
5 qualities of a student are explained
a.Effort of a crow-KAKACESTA-we are thirsty til our quench is not satisfied.
b.Focus of a crane-BAKODHYANAM-not to settle for small fishes.
c.Alertness of a Dog-Svananidra-To Practise alertness even if our focus is on 1 thing.
d.To eat less if one has to seek knowledge-Alpaahaar.
Varieties of ahaar
Tounge-we have food
Ear-we have sounds
Eyes-we have things to see.
These senses get inputs and create deep impressions on our minds-Samskaras.
Grahatyagi-Leaving our comfort zone-ex in ancient times students would go to gurukulus in search of knowledge.
Example of a Pencil
We can write,rewrite,erase what is written.We all make mistakes.Pencil cannot make a beautiful sketch unless not given in the hands of expert.For an architect and poet,artist it serves a different purpose.Similarly when we act as instruments in the hands of Divine,or for a purpose Greater than ourselves then our lives can become a masterpiece.If we don't sharpen a pencil it remains blunt and can't serve the purpose, what is within us cannot come out.To sharpen the pencil to clearly manifest on paper the ideas we have in our minds.Everymorning sharpening our mind is important to manifest what is the purpose of our life,to have a mental focus as everyday we face challenges, thorough meditation we can Practise the art of sharpening the mind and have mental focus.
15.Act but don't react-Apply the game of patience -Only on still water when the waves have subsided can there be steady reflection
Be open minded
In a sage explained in Srimadbhagvatam-any one can be our teacher regardless of age,gender,creed or caste.We should listen to what peeps say as it may be an impetus to grow.
Here Gaur Gopal Das has explained a very practical example of Ferrucio Lambhorghini though born in farmers family had interest in machinery.He served Airforce until World War -ii,where using the old machinery created and repurposed them as tractors.Italy was well known for Ferrari.Lambhorghini owned that,a mark of wealthies person.He had passion for racing cars and once driving Ferrari got to know it was noisy and not running smooth with less or no improvement in clutches. Ferrari was top of the line luxury cars,to improve Ferrari,Lamborghini approached them,to his surprise they were not accepting a farmer boy to reinvent and relaunch the racing car brand 'Ferrari' and Ferrari was not ready for a criticism from farmer boy'Lambhorghini'Though by 1960's Lamborghini was a shining star,unstoppable and unbeatable as Ferrari,if Ferrari could have taken ears for criticism with grace,it could have been avoided,and the rest is history.
16.Fast-track-check-Checking the authenticity in criticism.
Correct yourself-The hardest pill to swallow is accepting criticism,the element of truth to what the person behind the criticism is saying.Hence , take baby steps to make substantial and not an overnight change as Rome was not built in a day,but when it was built was worth it.
Exercise
Think of a situation when you were criticized.
How did you feel
How authentic was it
How well you dealt or not dealt with it and so on
17.There is a crowd dealing with a grief -Learn to Swim .
How to deal with a grief
The 4 stages
DABD-denial,anger,bargain,depression.
Denial-to avoid confusing situation
Anger-the demarcation btwn and transitional approach from who we can direct our rage towards to why it happened
Bargain-Logical Solutions
Depression-Sadness or manifest clinical depressions.
Exercise
Think of 2 peeps whom you could turn in moments of need.
People you can count upon in times of need
18.When sandals meet yeezys-Giving time a portion of your precious life is the greatest gift you can gift someone-Creating Empathy
3 different kinds of sufferings
Adhi atmik-related to actions
Adibautik-created by others
Adidaivik-created by Forces beyond us
Some dos to create empathy
U-Understand
F-Feel
A-Act and not react
19.Learning from Corona Virus-Building sensitivity and communication.
Take aways
Beware of casual fun in relationships-Create boundaries while communicating
Refer to UFA
20.Moving beyong oneself-The act of Selflessness
Self conceit-To not take undue pride in ourselves.
In the epic of Ramanaya we all talk about the ferocious Hanuman who helped save Sita Devi by jumping across the ocean the monkey armies leader but in Epic Mahabharata he becomes a cheer leader on the Flag of Arjuna In the battle field.
Take Away
A once sought after Personality is now a decoration on flag.to not taking centre stage any more.Although Hanuman had deep confidence in his ability to transcend these external superficialities and so was able to focus of servicing others regardless if his position.
Self conceit is thinking as I am the best and no one else is worthy of the same level as me.
We are a universe within a universe
Who am I?The senses,mind,body,intelligence or a spirit soul?Who ...
21.A holistic approach to Wellness
The Self is covered by 5 Koshas or Sheaths
1.Anamaya kosha-the sheath of pleasure of 6 senses.
2.Pranmaya Kosha-Sheath of energy or life Forces
3.Manomaya kosha-Sheath of mind or emotions
4.Vijnanamaya kosha or Sheath of intelligence
5.Anandmaya kosha -The sheath of bliss.
But for all 5 there is still a covering of a true Self.
6.Turiya and Turiya atita-Spiritual states beyond matter.
The state where true Self is realised.
Hence balancing the the sheaths and we should aim to discover the true Self
PS-How not to get in trapped in Bird's Nest by giving positive affirmations
You are loved
You are valuable etc
Take charge of your mind and be incharge of your life.
An essential read for everyone,highly recommended 💯
Self Help book to train your mind for having Sustainable Success.
Pl ignore any typo and or spell errors.Written however and whatever best I could,penned my reviews,to expain the key takeaways of this life changing book,encashing the abilty of this tech-9 " of screen until the capacity of my 2 palms.Both my palms are mesmerised though,🦋
All Rights Reserved
Book Reviews and Takeaways by Dr-Kirti Bhatia
Few( takeaways ) reviews from this book by Gaur Gopal Das Energise your Mind :
1.We are not Sophia's ,self-emotional healing is advised.
2.We are also not robot's though surviving in the tech world.
3.FOMO-fear of missing out,spiritual retreats,techno-dextofication is the need of the hour.
4.We all are chatter boxes and have to deflush and declutter our minds.Mental chatter not recommended.
5.We all have Joshua's in us that slips away.To not allow our thoughts controlling us.
6.Not to jump at 18 k feet,panic and anxiety attacks are common,mindfully dealing with them to have a Sustainable life.Eco trips can complement our healing.
7.90 %ppl in Europe,USA,Middle East are depressed,sad,gloomy.Introspect your thoughts and make an action plan for The Bird's Nest.Reflect on mind's ,emotional capacity and abilities for 5 W,1H trigger points.
Exercise on recalling stressful events and to rethink 5 W,1 H,trigger points and the survival.
8.Readdress lower vibrational frequencies,not turning them into a Bird's Nest.
9.LIEA -listen,identify,empower ,address a must do exercise for dealing with low vibrational frequencies.
Listen and make person accept that there is an issue.
Identify by helping person to make them feel comfortable they have issues.
Empower by making the person help them that they are valuable and worthy.
Address that the emotional,mental health and we'll being,sanity is required.
Closure of case
Read more about your mental health condition and gauge how it can be addressed-SELF HELP.
Approach a professional and a Spiritual Coach for Counselling,therapies.
Go to a Doctor if above 2 things are of minimum help.
Dont's for trapping in a Bird's Nest
Sleep therapy.
Health check ups
Follow a diet
All required and must to break patterns.
10.We all carry a pen drive-dealing with guilt.
"Guilt is to the spirit what pain is to the body."
Developing an insight about reasonable and unreasonable guilt.Identify the variables and constants of Guilt.
11.Dealing with humiliation and toxicity by not renting space in our heads to these elements.Raise the rent and kick them out.
12 PTSD-post traumatic Stress disorder to take charge of emotions.You can save drowned people only if you know swimming.Priortise your life what and how to lead a successful life.
13.Nostalgia-Dealing and deleting old memories.Our past should not define our destiny it should strengthen our selves.
6 R'S
a.Repeat,Refine-Our past should not haunt us nor it should be a life sentence.Strengthening the neurons is must.
b.Rectify,reflect-To err is human.Rectify and learn from mistakes.Describe the experience,feelings about the experience,evaluate the experience,analyse,conclude and close,action plan-next course of action(have plans a,b,c...till the time the desired result is not achieved,negotiate mindfully.)
c.Recall,relive-Our mental space is the most expensive REAL ESTATE that we possess.
Exercise
How to deal with painful memories.
When I think of my ex-partner;
1.Practise Journaling to my emotions out.
2.Think of good memories spent with him/her.
and so on...
Prioritise and vice versa trustworthy,genuine,sincere opinions of peeps for advice.
14.A whisper in my ear-Crticism
Accept both compliments and criticism with grace.It helps sunlight and pouring to help sunflower grow.
Unless what is hitting us inside is not allowed to come out we cannot make an impact.
5 qualities of a student are explained
a.Effort of a crow-KAKACESTA-we are thirsty til our quench is not satisfied.
b.Focus of a crane-BAKODHYANAM-not to settle for small fishes.
c.Alertness of a Dog-Svananidra-To Practise alertness even if our focus is on 1 thing.
d.To eat less if one has to seek knowledge-Alpaahaar.
Varieties of ahaar
Tounge-we have food
Ear-we have sounds
Eyes-we have things to see.
These senses get inputs and create deep impressions on our minds-Samskaras.
Grahatyagi-Leaving our comfort zone-ex in ancient times students would go to gurukulus in search of knowledge.
Example of a Pencil
We can write,rewrite,erase what is written.We all make mistakes.Pencil cannot make a beautiful sketch unless not given in the hands of expert.For an architect and poet,artist it serves a different purpose.Similarly when we act as instruments in the hands of Divine,or for a purpose Greater than ourselves then our lives can become a masterpiece.If we don't sharpen a pencil it remains blunt and can't serve the purpose, what is within us cannot come out.To sharpen the pencil to clearly manifest on paper the ideas we have in our minds.Everymorning sharpening our mind is important to manifest what is the purpose of our life,to have a mental focus as everyday we face challenges, thorough meditation we can Practise the art of sharpening the mind and have mental focus.
15.Act but don't react-Apply the game of patience -Only on still water when the waves have subsided can there be steady reflection
Be open minded
In a sage explained in Srimadbhagvatam-any one can be our teacher regardless of age,gender,creed or caste.We should listen to what peeps say as it may be an impetus to grow.
Here Gaur Gopal Das has explained a very practical example of Ferrucio Lambhorghini though born in farmers family had interest in machinery.He served Airforce until World War -ii,where using the old machinery created and repurposed them as tractors.Italy was well known for Ferrari.Lambhorghini owned that,a mark of wealthies person.He had passion for racing cars and once driving Ferrari got to know it was noisy and not running smooth with less or no improvement in clutches. Ferrari was top of the line luxury cars,to improve Ferrari,Lamborghini approached them,to his surprise they were not accepting a farmer boy to reinvent and relaunch the racing car brand 'Ferrari' and Ferrari was not ready for a criticism from farmer boy'Lambhorghini'Though by 1960's Lamborghini was a shining star,unstoppable and unbeatable as Ferrari,if Ferrari could have taken ears for criticism with grace,it could have been avoided,and the rest is history.
16.Fast-track-check-Checking the authenticity in criticism.
Correct yourself-The hardest pill to swallow is accepting criticism,the element of truth to what the person behind the criticism is saying.Hence , take baby steps to make substantial and not an overnight change as Rome was not built in a day,but when it was built was worth it.
Exercise
Think of a situation when you were criticized.
How did you feel
How authentic was it
How well you dealt or not dealt with it and so on
17.There is a crowd dealing with a grief -Learn to Swim .
How to deal with a grief
The 4 stages
DABD-denial,anger,bargain,depression.
Denial-to avoid confusing situation
Anger-the demarcation btwn and transitional approach from who we can direct our rage towards to why it happened
Bargain-Logical Solutions
Depression-Sadness or manifest clinical depressions.
Exercise
Think of 2 peeps whom you could turn in moments of need.
People you can count upon in times of need
18.When sandals meet yeezys-Giving time a portion of your precious life is the greatest gift you can gift someone-Creating Empathy
3 different kinds of sufferings
Adhi atmik-related to actions
Adibautik-created by others
Adidaivik-created by Forces beyond us
Some dos to create empathy
U-Understand
F-Feel
A-Act and not react
19.Learning from Corona Virus-Building sensitivity and communication.
Take aways
Beware of casual fun in relationships-Create boundaries while communicating
Refer to UFA
20.Moving beyong oneself-The act of Selflessness
Self conceit-To not take undue pride in ourselves.
In the epic of Ramanaya we all talk about the ferocious Hanuman who helped save Sita Devi by jumping across the ocean the monkey armies leader but in Epic Mahabharata he becomes a cheer leader on the Flag of Arjuna In the battle field.
Take Away
A once sought after Personality is now a decoration on flag.to not taking centre stage any more.Although Hanuman had deep confidence in his ability to transcend these external superficialities and so was able to focus of servicing others regardless if his position.
Self conceit is thinking as I am the best and no one else is worthy of the same level as me.
We are a universe within a universe
Who am I?The senses,mind,body,intelligence or a spirit soul?Who ...
21.A holistic approach to Wellness
The Self is covered by 5 Koshas or Sheaths
1.Anamaya kosha-the sheath of pleasure of 6 senses.
2.Pranmaya Kosha-Sheath of energy or life Forces
3.Manomaya kosha-Sheath of mind or emotions
4.Vijnanamaya kosha or Sheath of intelligence
5.Anandmaya kosha -The sheath of bliss.
But for all 5 there is still a covering of a true Self.
6.Turiya and Turiya atita-Spiritual states beyond matter.
The state where true Self is realised.
Hence balancing the the sheaths and we should aim to discover the true Self
PS-How not to get in trapped in Bird's Nest by giving positive affirmations
You are loved
You are valuable etc
Take charge of your mind and be incharge of your life.
An essential read for everyone,highly recommended 💯
Self Help book to train your mind for having Sustainable Success.
Pl ignore any typo and or spell errors.Written however and whatever best I could,penned my reviews,to expain the key takeaways of this life changing book,encashing the abilty of this tech-9 " of screen until the capacity of my 2 palms.Both my palms are mesmerised though,🦋
All Rights Reserved
Book Reviews and Takeaways by Dr-Kirti Bhatia
February 6, 2023
If I am asked about a self-help book which would cover all the elements of human life - emotions, thoughts, beliefs, just everything, I will now always recommend this book. It's a complete package in itself.
As the title is self explanatory, in this book Gaur Gopal Dasji is taking us thru the working/pattern/behaviour of the most mysterious organ of our body. It's the human mind. I think there has always been a perpetual question around us: whether it's us using our mind in a particular way or it's the mind which has its own way with us?. Of course, science can point out your physical brain and parts of it connected with your body movements, sentiments, thinking ability etc. But when asked from a human point of view, the answer would be that it is hard to understand/control what goes on in my mind! Isnt it? We all go thru this all the time! The brain made of nerve cells can be touched but the mind cannot be touched.
In this book Author, Monk and Life Coach- Gaur Gopal Dasji takes us thru some jumbles which our mind throws at us and ways to navigate them.
I will not claim that everything mentioned in this book would be full-proof as I am yet to try those things myself, but I would certainly attempt the exercises/ mediation or techniques mentioned as just reading about them has connected quite well with my own mind. However, to do anything for your mind, it's important to first understand it. As this book explains, there is a very intimate bond we all share with our respective minds, it's our mind with whom we are speaking all the time, so definitely it deserves more attention than everything else.
If you have been following Gaur Gopal Dasji on social media or attended his lectures, you must be aware of the most unique part of his lectures. His anecdotal style combined with a heart-warming and good-humoured way of learning. This feature is present in his writing also and, as usual, Gaur Gopal Dasji makes everything quite simple for us.
I know we all crave peace of mind, a calm and clearly thinking mind and am quite sure every one of us does something or the other for it, some trying to soothe it, some engaging it or some indulging it. But before we opt for anything, let's try to befriend this guy and this book - Energize your mind, can help to set up this path for you.
As the title is self explanatory, in this book Gaur Gopal Dasji is taking us thru the working/pattern/behaviour of the most mysterious organ of our body. It's the human mind. I think there has always been a perpetual question around us: whether it's us using our mind in a particular way or it's the mind which has its own way with us?. Of course, science can point out your physical brain and parts of it connected with your body movements, sentiments, thinking ability etc. But when asked from a human point of view, the answer would be that it is hard to understand/control what goes on in my mind! Isnt it? We all go thru this all the time! The brain made of nerve cells can be touched but the mind cannot be touched.
In this book Author, Monk and Life Coach- Gaur Gopal Dasji takes us thru some jumbles which our mind throws at us and ways to navigate them.
I will not claim that everything mentioned in this book would be full-proof as I am yet to try those things myself, but I would certainly attempt the exercises/ mediation or techniques mentioned as just reading about them has connected quite well with my own mind. However, to do anything for your mind, it's important to first understand it. As this book explains, there is a very intimate bond we all share with our respective minds, it's our mind with whom we are speaking all the time, so definitely it deserves more attention than everything else.
If you have been following Gaur Gopal Dasji on social media or attended his lectures, you must be aware of the most unique part of his lectures. His anecdotal style combined with a heart-warming and good-humoured way of learning. This feature is present in his writing also and, as usual, Gaur Gopal Dasji makes everything quite simple for us.
I know we all crave peace of mind, a calm and clearly thinking mind and am quite sure every one of us does something or the other for it, some trying to soothe it, some engaging it or some indulging it. But before we opt for anything, let's try to befriend this guy and this book - Energize your mind, can help to set up this path for you.
August 5, 2023
3.5/5
I know it's a very self help book, and most of the things which I had already heard or read but i loved how he explained things with such simple examples.
I know it's a very self help book, and most of the things which I had already heard or read but i loved how he explained things with such simple examples.
May 23, 2023
This book is actually an enlightening treat to those who are looking for positivity and mindfulness. While reading this book 📖 i came across several examples which suits on the life of every single person who is struggling to get peace. Also it depicts the source and ways to improve our thoughts and ideas. It talks about how to improvise our relationship with others and learn to respect people. Not all people around the world are same nor their lives, thoughts or perceptions. As a humble and genuine person what we can do to help in healing people who are suffering from low confidence and anxieties. We should follow our mind and act accordingly. Some of the people get so connected to us that we consider them our world. There's no harm in it believe me if you find anyone treating you as everything they are precious and try not to loose them even if they poke you or insult you. How much it matters. The only enlightenment that this book gives me is to value people and their emotions and connection with you not materialistic world. You never know what that person might be going through and really needs you. So don't loose such connections and relations as in this fast pace of life we may meet unlimited people but not limited soulful and loyal ones.
Happy reading 😊✌️
Happy reading 😊✌️
February 5, 2023
Very trite examples and philosophies which seem like whatsapp forwards.
October 17, 2023
Title - Energize Your Mind
Author - Gaur Gopal Das
Rating -5/5
Everyone checks their weight and appearance constantly, trying to maintain themselves physically fit. But is there anything which can measure mental health? Do we really think of keeping our mind healthy? In today's world, there are a lot of mental health issues caused due to different reasons and situations. In this book it shows how worsening of mental health can be seen in physical health? How is the mind connected to the body?
It has four different categories:-
1) How to deal with your own mind?
2) How to deal with others to keep our minds healthy?
3) How should we deal with the minds of others? (When we find someone dealing with mental health issues)
4) How is the universe and our mind is connected ?
In this book, there are tips, techniques, exercises and worksheets to deal with each problem of mental health. Hope you enjoy reading this book by unlocking the keys of mind by locking the door of an unhealthy lifestyle.
Author - Gaur Gopal Das
Rating -5/5
Everyone checks their weight and appearance constantly, trying to maintain themselves physically fit. But is there anything which can measure mental health? Do we really think of keeping our mind healthy? In today's world, there are a lot of mental health issues caused due to different reasons and situations. In this book it shows how worsening of mental health can be seen in physical health? How is the mind connected to the body?
It has four different categories:-
1) How to deal with your own mind?
2) How to deal with others to keep our minds healthy?
3) How should we deal with the minds of others? (When we find someone dealing with mental health issues)
4) How is the universe and our mind is connected ?
In this book, there are tips, techniques, exercises and worksheets to deal with each problem of mental health. Hope you enjoy reading this book by unlocking the keys of mind by locking the door of an unhealthy lifestyle.
February 26, 2023
I liked the quotes. I can see how it helps people starting their self-development journey but I’ll have to agree with some of the reviews: there is nothing new.
All the ideas are good but if you have read any books on the topic, you can only refresh your memory.
One moment that I dislike was when he speaks about the HR and the employee. If someone gathers the courage to come to the HR office and tells how the workplace is toxic and affecting his/her mind, I highly doubt walking around the office with a glass of water will help. I get the idea that you should focus on your tasks, your excellence but this was a very poor example.
Overall why not but not impressed.
All the ideas are good but if you have read any books on the topic, you can only refresh your memory.
One moment that I dislike was when he speaks about the HR and the employee. If someone gathers the courage to come to the HR office and tells how the workplace is toxic and affecting his/her mind, I highly doubt walking around the office with a glass of water will help. I get the idea that you should focus on your tasks, your excellence but this was a very poor example.
Overall why not but not impressed.
April 6, 2023
Excellent book.
October 6, 2024
I read Gaur ji Life's amazing secret, that was too good . This book is good but not up to the level of the previous ons.
June 4, 2024
Highlights:
- Healing doesn't mean damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.
- Those who wrote about their emotions over time began to have deeper insights into what those emotions meant, helping them gain a better perspective on their life events.
- Many people fail because they try to copy others, not realising that everyone has a different question paper.
- Do you have a problem in life? If not, then why worry? If yes, then can you do something about it? If yes, then why worry? Solve your issue. If the answer is no, then also why worry?
- A person who is sad has a specific reason for their sadness. A person who is depressed usually cant pinpoint the cause. Manic depressives - seem happy but deep down they are submerged in dissatisfaction for life. Many try mask their feelings rather than deal with it. Exhibit low self-esteem, shame and guilt. Aside from consulting a professional, sleep, health checks and diet can significantly help with depression.
- "Don't let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out" - Robert Tew
- For hundreds of years now, the world has been transitioning from 'survive to thrive', which means that for self-actualisation and spiritual growth, we need to learn how to refuse. We have to say no in order not to be treated like a doormat and thereby protect our mental health.
- How do we vibrate higher? Increase your association with positive people. Focus on your priorities. Increase your inner strength.
- The grass is not always greener on the other side, but where we water it.
- "My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me" - Steve Garbold
- John Milton said "the mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven"
- If we can revisit the past to remember the goods things, we can use it to empower the present.
- "Accept both compliments and criticisms with grace. It takes sunlight and rain to help a flower grow"
- Unless you go through the pain of being sharpened, what is within you will not come out.
- Jim Rohn says "either you run the day or the day runs you. To begin the day with meditation means to ready oneself for the day".
- Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering the quiet that's already there - buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks daily.
- We should never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.
- I realised the only way to make substantial change over time is by taking small steps, Small, daily implementation can help us build positive habits.
- "Grief is like the ocean; it comes on in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim" - Vicki Harrison
- We are sentient beings. We are meant to feel pain. We are not only meant to go through it, but we are also meant to grow through it.
- Simply ignoring the pain and distracting ourselves will only make things worse in the future.
- We can move on from a situation, but still cherish the person who was in our lives and the lessons they taught us. This memory can actually help us become stronger.
- Stages of grief: Denial > Anger > Bargaining > Depression > Acceptance. Grief can be cyclical.
- As summer turns to winter and winter turns to summer, our happiness and distress also change. If we want to heal, we must try and acknowledge pain (not supress it).
- Time does heal us, and though we may not believe it in the moment, it will get better. "This too shall pass"
- "The greatest gift you can give someone is your time because that is a portion of your life you will never get back"
- Suffering is unavoidable, but we can reduce its impact on people by our dealings and actions. Rather than leaving someone in pieces, we should try and bring them peace.
- A famous Japanese proverb - "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare"
- Communication is not only about what we say, but how we behave, which is portrayed through our body language.
- The pen is mightier than a sword. Words can make or break a person.
- Negative talk can have a huge impact on ourselves and others. If your friends keep saying harmful things to you, it is time to find new friends. If you keep saying harmful things to yourself, it is time to start valuing yourself.
- Research paper 'Do Words Hurt?' - neuroscientist Maria Richter and her colleagues tested how the brain responds to real and imaginary negative words in different subjects. They discovered that negative words increase Implicit Processing (IMP) within an area of the brain called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex.
- What this means is that negative words in real life or even negative words that we think of, can release stress and anxiety-inducing chemicals within us.
- 'Words can change your brain' - by Dr Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldam. Their book mentions 'A single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress'.
- The art of positive thinking can literally change the outlook of our lives. It stimulates frontal lobe activity including specific language centres that connect directly to the motor cortex responsible for moving us into action.
- Indian folk saying - "The world is like a tree full of bitterness. But it has two fruits that taste sweet like nectar: sweet, kind, encouraging words and the company of empathetic, kind, good individuals".
- Maya Angelou says 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel'.
- Casual teasing and mockery can lead to emotional harm if done repeatedly even if done among good friends, let alone those who are not. Such teasing could even turn into emotional abuse, whether done knowingly or unknowingly. We must know the boundaries and limits of our jokes. Crossing that line can tarnish our cherished relationships.
- Self-confidence means to be the best version of yourself; it means to strive for the best but keep your humility.
- 'Rivers do not drink their own water and trees do not eat their own fruits. Likewise, rain-bearing clouds do not eat the grains they help grow. Surely, the aim of great noble and righteous persons in their lifetime is to do selfless service to humanity'.
- Philosopher Rene Descartes said, "Cogito, ergo sum". This translates to "I think, therefore I am"
- Jules Renard says "Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties"
- Atma (Soul or Spirit) - If we decide to, and truly connect with the atma, moving beyond our external identify labels, not only do we have the ability to reach our aspirations, but also handle everything that comes our way by connecting to a spiritual energy that is not known by many.
- "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom" - Aristotle
Syncing with the Universe: Following our natural circadian rhythm (improve mental well-being)
1. Our Morning Charge - Start with gratitude. Focus on our blessings instead of our problems, write a list (pen and paper) and train our minds to remain in a state of gratitude. Remember, sometimes bad experiences can also teach us meaningful lessons.
2. Do small things right - US Navy Admiral William McRaven says, 'Making your bed in the morning will reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you cant do the little things right, you will never be able to do the big things right'.
3. Decide to help one person - be kind to yourself and every person you meet. Not only will this boost your endorphins in the morning, but it will also attract people into your life who will wish the best for you.
The Pyramid of needs:
- Our true self is covered by five Koshas ('Sheaths' in english). Ancient wisdom suggests that if we can understand these sheaths, we can find peace; if we can apply them, we can find fulfilment; and if we can transcend them, we can achieve self-realisation.
1. Annamaya Kosha (pleasure)
- our senses have their foundation in the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. \
- earth: present in the form of foods we eat and the things we see. A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found that by walking barefoot, we are drawing electrons from the earth that can help us with chronic pain. skin conductivity, improve glucose regulation and reduced stress, and support our immune system.
- water: essential to drink 2.5 to 3.5 litres a day
- fire: exposure to sun provides increased Vitamin D, improved mood and higher quality of sleep
- air
- space: how different sounds can heal us. Sound is one of the most powerful forces in the world. Scientists have found sound healing therapy can use music to improve our emotional and even physical well-being. Can involve from simply singing along to music, to guided meditations or neurological music therapy.
2. Pranamaya Kosha (energy)
- can be affected by many things. Not eating correctly, a lack of fresh drinking water and lack of sleep. Lack of loving relationships, social interaction and the right kind of mental activity can also affect our Prana.
- Tai Chi and Conscious breathing can help balance our energies and improve quality of life.
- life is not a race to win, but a journey to evolve and experience
- the more we surround ourselves with people who want us to grow and prosper, who support us and who are rooting for us, rather than those who are envious, insecure, trying to pull us down and always competing against us, the more our energy sheath will feel nourished and therefore our mind will feel peaceful.
3. Manomaya Kosha (emotions)
- our deep nature is to love and be loved. Negative childhood experiences can have long-term consequences on mental well-being.
- a stable, loving relationship can put our mind at ease. Pets, for example, is an attempt to experience the love that heals our Manomaya Kosha through their unconditional love.
- self-love is important. People who try to love others without loving themselves have an imbalanced Manomaya Kosha and are frequently disturbed as they lack self-worth and self-esteem.
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom)
- when information is distilled, it becomes knowledge; when knowledge is applied, it becomes experience; when experience becomes the guiding force behind our choices, it becomes maturity and when maturity ripens with years of practice, it becomes wisdom. This wisdom (ours or others) should be the basis of the choices we make in our life.
- this sheath can be weakened by inability to make proper decisions, speculations, laziness and a lack of either motivation or a proper value system.
5. Anandamaya Kosha (bliss)
- meditation can take us closest to ourselves where we feel as if we are in a state of nothingness. This is an extremely powerful experience of peace.
Being Human:
- the beauty of life is an the journey of discovery. It is discovering how to deal with our emotions and how to enrich our lives by helping others deal with their own. It is discovering and accepting that we have flaws, and we struggle with different things, but there is always hope. The hope to do better and the hope that there is always a way forward.
- Healing doesn't mean damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.
- Those who wrote about their emotions over time began to have deeper insights into what those emotions meant, helping them gain a better perspective on their life events.
- Many people fail because they try to copy others, not realising that everyone has a different question paper.
- Do you have a problem in life? If not, then why worry? If yes, then can you do something about it? If yes, then why worry? Solve your issue. If the answer is no, then also why worry?
- A person who is sad has a specific reason for their sadness. A person who is depressed usually cant pinpoint the cause. Manic depressives - seem happy but deep down they are submerged in dissatisfaction for life. Many try mask their feelings rather than deal with it. Exhibit low self-esteem, shame and guilt. Aside from consulting a professional, sleep, health checks and diet can significantly help with depression.
- "Don't let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out" - Robert Tew
- For hundreds of years now, the world has been transitioning from 'survive to thrive', which means that for self-actualisation and spiritual growth, we need to learn how to refuse. We have to say no in order not to be treated like a doormat and thereby protect our mental health.
- How do we vibrate higher? Increase your association with positive people. Focus on your priorities. Increase your inner strength.
- The grass is not always greener on the other side, but where we water it.
- "My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me" - Steve Garbold
- John Milton said "the mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven"
- If we can revisit the past to remember the goods things, we can use it to empower the present.
- "Accept both compliments and criticisms with grace. It takes sunlight and rain to help a flower grow"
- Unless you go through the pain of being sharpened, what is within you will not come out.
- Jim Rohn says "either you run the day or the day runs you. To begin the day with meditation means to ready oneself for the day".
- Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering the quiet that's already there - buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks daily.
- We should never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.
- I realised the only way to make substantial change over time is by taking small steps, Small, daily implementation can help us build positive habits.
- "Grief is like the ocean; it comes on in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim" - Vicki Harrison
- We are sentient beings. We are meant to feel pain. We are not only meant to go through it, but we are also meant to grow through it.
- Simply ignoring the pain and distracting ourselves will only make things worse in the future.
- We can move on from a situation, but still cherish the person who was in our lives and the lessons they taught us. This memory can actually help us become stronger.
- Stages of grief: Denial > Anger > Bargaining > Depression > Acceptance. Grief can be cyclical.
- As summer turns to winter and winter turns to summer, our happiness and distress also change. If we want to heal, we must try and acknowledge pain (not supress it).
- Time does heal us, and though we may not believe it in the moment, it will get better. "This too shall pass"
- "The greatest gift you can give someone is your time because that is a portion of your life you will never get back"
- Suffering is unavoidable, but we can reduce its impact on people by our dealings and actions. Rather than leaving someone in pieces, we should try and bring them peace.
- A famous Japanese proverb - "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare"
- Communication is not only about what we say, but how we behave, which is portrayed through our body language.
- The pen is mightier than a sword. Words can make or break a person.
- Negative talk can have a huge impact on ourselves and others. If your friends keep saying harmful things to you, it is time to find new friends. If you keep saying harmful things to yourself, it is time to start valuing yourself.
- Research paper 'Do Words Hurt?' - neuroscientist Maria Richter and her colleagues tested how the brain responds to real and imaginary negative words in different subjects. They discovered that negative words increase Implicit Processing (IMP) within an area of the brain called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex.
- What this means is that negative words in real life or even negative words that we think of, can release stress and anxiety-inducing chemicals within us.
- 'Words can change your brain' - by Dr Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldam. Their book mentions 'A single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress'.
- The art of positive thinking can literally change the outlook of our lives. It stimulates frontal lobe activity including specific language centres that connect directly to the motor cortex responsible for moving us into action.
- Indian folk saying - "The world is like a tree full of bitterness. But it has two fruits that taste sweet like nectar: sweet, kind, encouraging words and the company of empathetic, kind, good individuals".
- Maya Angelou says 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel'.
- Casual teasing and mockery can lead to emotional harm if done repeatedly even if done among good friends, let alone those who are not. Such teasing could even turn into emotional abuse, whether done knowingly or unknowingly. We must know the boundaries and limits of our jokes. Crossing that line can tarnish our cherished relationships.
- Self-confidence means to be the best version of yourself; it means to strive for the best but keep your humility.
- 'Rivers do not drink their own water and trees do not eat their own fruits. Likewise, rain-bearing clouds do not eat the grains they help grow. Surely, the aim of great noble and righteous persons in their lifetime is to do selfless service to humanity'.
- Philosopher Rene Descartes said, "Cogito, ergo sum". This translates to "I think, therefore I am"
- Jules Renard says "Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties"
- Atma (Soul or Spirit) - If we decide to, and truly connect with the atma, moving beyond our external identify labels, not only do we have the ability to reach our aspirations, but also handle everything that comes our way by connecting to a spiritual energy that is not known by many.
- "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom" - Aristotle
Syncing with the Universe: Following our natural circadian rhythm (improve mental well-being)
1. Our Morning Charge - Start with gratitude. Focus on our blessings instead of our problems, write a list (pen and paper) and train our minds to remain in a state of gratitude. Remember, sometimes bad experiences can also teach us meaningful lessons.
2. Do small things right - US Navy Admiral William McRaven says, 'Making your bed in the morning will reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you cant do the little things right, you will never be able to do the big things right'.
3. Decide to help one person - be kind to yourself and every person you meet. Not only will this boost your endorphins in the morning, but it will also attract people into your life who will wish the best for you.
The Pyramid of needs:
- Our true self is covered by five Koshas ('Sheaths' in english). Ancient wisdom suggests that if we can understand these sheaths, we can find peace; if we can apply them, we can find fulfilment; and if we can transcend them, we can achieve self-realisation.
1. Annamaya Kosha (pleasure)
- our senses have their foundation in the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. \
- earth: present in the form of foods we eat and the things we see. A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found that by walking barefoot, we are drawing electrons from the earth that can help us with chronic pain. skin conductivity, improve glucose regulation and reduced stress, and support our immune system.
- water: essential to drink 2.5 to 3.5 litres a day
- fire: exposure to sun provides increased Vitamin D, improved mood and higher quality of sleep
- air
- space: how different sounds can heal us. Sound is one of the most powerful forces in the world. Scientists have found sound healing therapy can use music to improve our emotional and even physical well-being. Can involve from simply singing along to music, to guided meditations or neurological music therapy.
2. Pranamaya Kosha (energy)
- can be affected by many things. Not eating correctly, a lack of fresh drinking water and lack of sleep. Lack of loving relationships, social interaction and the right kind of mental activity can also affect our Prana.
- Tai Chi and Conscious breathing can help balance our energies and improve quality of life.
- life is not a race to win, but a journey to evolve and experience
- the more we surround ourselves with people who want us to grow and prosper, who support us and who are rooting for us, rather than those who are envious, insecure, trying to pull us down and always competing against us, the more our energy sheath will feel nourished and therefore our mind will feel peaceful.
3. Manomaya Kosha (emotions)
- our deep nature is to love and be loved. Negative childhood experiences can have long-term consequences on mental well-being.
- a stable, loving relationship can put our mind at ease. Pets, for example, is an attempt to experience the love that heals our Manomaya Kosha through their unconditional love.
- self-love is important. People who try to love others without loving themselves have an imbalanced Manomaya Kosha and are frequently disturbed as they lack self-worth and self-esteem.
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom)
- when information is distilled, it becomes knowledge; when knowledge is applied, it becomes experience; when experience becomes the guiding force behind our choices, it becomes maturity and when maturity ripens with years of practice, it becomes wisdom. This wisdom (ours or others) should be the basis of the choices we make in our life.
- this sheath can be weakened by inability to make proper decisions, speculations, laziness and a lack of either motivation or a proper value system.
5. Anandamaya Kosha (bliss)
- meditation can take us closest to ourselves where we feel as if we are in a state of nothingness. This is an extremely powerful experience of peace.
Being Human:
- the beauty of life is an the journey of discovery. It is discovering how to deal with our emotions and how to enrich our lives by helping others deal with their own. It is discovering and accepting that we have flaws, and we struggle with different things, but there is always hope. The hope to do better and the hope that there is always a way forward.
December 23, 2023
What I liked about the book is that it's personal and shows the author as a vulnerable person himself. It is more like a memoir than a prescriptive self-help book.
July 1, 2023
Loved each and every section of this book. reading 'Atlas of the heart' this year helped in enjoying this book more. Gaur Gopal Das as usual rocks with his narration and story telling style. One of the section that really impressed me is where he explains how monk life takes them away from understanding the problems common people have. This is bigg issue with even Christian priests and monks. Their advices and demands are many times theoretical and out of context these days because of this.
June 7, 2023
This book to me has been a yet another self help book which focuses on distraction of our world, empathy, compassion, meditation, communication, Gulit, Regrets and so on. Explained with real life examples of Gaur Gopal Das, the explaination is simple and self relatable at times. I rnjoyed listening to the audible and would recommend everyone to listen once. A great spritual teacher or i should say Guru.
April 4, 2023
The second consecutive book of this author that I just completed in a short span of time. The essence of his books is that his stories make you feel relatable because a modified version of that story has happened to you as well. What is the difference then? Well unlike us, he is a monk who has the ability to sense life in all these small incidents and present it to us in a palatable form. His words make me realize how important introspection is and most of the answers that you are looking for in your everyday routine
In one chapter, he talks about human intelligence which really was very intriguing. Generally, people assume that we are sum total of our genes and since we inherit our DNA from our parents, intelligence is something that we will inherit, or not. However, he says that intelligence can be acquired, nurtured and most importantly, must be protected. Intelligence needs to be protected? When you hear this statement it feels like we are talking about some spy movie and the intelligence in question here is some country's secrets ;p. However, he is talking about human intelligence. He told that the content that our brain consumes influences our intelligence which in turn influences our decision making. When we are making a decision, we are evaluating and deciding amongst choices. What we choose, determines our experiences which determines our sense of maturity or immaturity which finally decides if our maturity turned into wisdom or it failed to. When I read this idea for the first time, as an argumentative Indian of course, I felt that as long as one's consciousness is actively involved in all decision making for the individual, things are hunky dory, however, the book goes on to explain how 90% of a human's personality is made up of his or her subconscious and it is the subconscious which is pulling the strings behind every move of yours while consciousness gets busy into finding evidence to rationalizing its desires
Anyone who loved inception and wants to keep digging inside their brain will find this very amazing. A must read
In one chapter, he talks about human intelligence which really was very intriguing. Generally, people assume that we are sum total of our genes and since we inherit our DNA from our parents, intelligence is something that we will inherit, or not. However, he says that intelligence can be acquired, nurtured and most importantly, must be protected. Intelligence needs to be protected? When you hear this statement it feels like we are talking about some spy movie and the intelligence in question here is some country's secrets ;p. However, he is talking about human intelligence. He told that the content that our brain consumes influences our intelligence which in turn influences our decision making. When we are making a decision, we are evaluating and deciding amongst choices. What we choose, determines our experiences which determines our sense of maturity or immaturity which finally decides if our maturity turned into wisdom or it failed to. When I read this idea for the first time, as an argumentative Indian of course, I felt that as long as one's consciousness is actively involved in all decision making for the individual, things are hunky dory, however, the book goes on to explain how 90% of a human's personality is made up of his or her subconscious and it is the subconscious which is pulling the strings behind every move of yours while consciousness gets busy into finding evidence to rationalizing its desires
Anyone who loved inception and wants to keep digging inside their brain will find this very amazing. A must read
January 27, 2023
It’s more of a summary of a lot of ideas out there with his quirky style.
March 1, 2025
I truly enjoyed reading this book—it was a refreshingly different take on a self-help book. Rather than offering conventional advice, it took a unique approach to awareness, focusing on enlightening the reader about various challenges one might face—whether on a personal level, through another’s perspective, or within one’s own spiritual journey.
There were several moments that felt like eye-openers for me, such as the difference between sadness and depression, the way we perceive ourselves, and the realization that while we may grow and evolve, our core personality rarely changes.
While the book doesn’t necessarily provide very clear solutions, it does offer valuable direction and insight. It’s not about giving all the answers—it’s about shifting your perspective. I’d highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, as it holds the potential for immense takeaways, no matter where you are in life.
There were several moments that felt like eye-openers for me, such as the difference between sadness and depression, the way we perceive ourselves, and the realization that while we may grow and evolve, our core personality rarely changes.
While the book doesn’t necessarily provide very clear solutions, it does offer valuable direction and insight. It’s not about giving all the answers—it’s about shifting your perspective. I’d highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, as it holds the potential for immense takeaways, no matter where you are in life.
February 4, 2023
'Back to the Basics' in the realms of mental and emotional well-being is the theme of this book. The author , as always, is impressive with his anecdotal style. One thing which really impressed me was the wisdom shared in simple language while being vulnerable himself. There's no air of superiority which makes the reading experience raw and real. Unlike books in this genre, this one successfully avoids being too preachy and is easy to relate. For me ,personally, Section 3 & 4 got too theoretical and mundane , but otherwise a fine read.
Read
April 2, 2023This is the second book I've read by Gaur Gopal Das. He shares much wisdom in a very approachable and almost light-hearted relatable manner. In this book, he gave many personal examples so that the reader can relate to him even more.
March 1, 2025
Take charge of your mind. Be in charge of your life. In this book gaur gopal das decodes how the mind works. One of the best self help books I have read..
Some actually (many) of the phrases that I like:
In starting, the author gave the example of the Titanic tragedy.
This book is about:
1. Identifying icebergs- what external influences in our lives could cause damage to our mental health?
2. Navigating the water- how we can sail through life, ensuring that our journey is safe and understanding how to control our emotions and mental well-being.
3. Building a strong ship- not only should we understand our mental well-being, but also how we can strengthen our state of mind so that external influences seem less devastating.
In all spheres of life, we have to understand how to control our emotions. If we can learn to master our emotions, not repress or succumb to them, we can achieve things we can only dream of individually and as a society.
Now that we have learned to fly in the air like birds, swim under water like fish, we lack one thing - to learn to live on earth as human beings.
Understanding to accept and deal with your emotions is important. If under the sway of those emotions, we hurt other people with our words or actions, it becomes very difficult to mend that situation. Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.
Life is a difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy others, not realising that everyone has a different question paper.
The need for comfort is dependent on our position, purpose and work.
However if the focus is on what we don't have, it takes away value from what we do have.
Happiness is not just about having more, but also about focusing more on what we do have.
To become satisfied, we don't have to increase the things we have; we need to increase the focus on the things we do have.
Our life is like coffee. Everything else our jobs our money and our position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. While you pursue the fine cups, be sure to keep your focus on enjoying the coffee!
Don't speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body doesn't know the difference.
Isn't it ironic, when we are born, people love us, and when we die, people love us, but in between we have to manage somehow.
When we focus on our priorities, we don't have the time to see all the drama around us. The fact is, anywhere we go, we're going to find toxic people. The grass is not always greener on the other side, but where we water it.
The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.
Life is like a book. The number of years we have in life are the number of chapters we are meant to live. Each chapter has 365 pages. Until now there are a certain number of chapters of our life that have already been written. The ink has dried regardless of what is written. Some are beautiful: great handwriting, clean ink, and the correct grammar. However in other parts of the chapter we have already lived, the quality of the ink is low, the handwriting is illegible, and the story is quite messy. The good news is that the pages from now on are empty. We can write the chapters to come as we wish. We can re- read the good chapters of our life and use the positivity to fuel the writing of the chapters to follow. On the flip side, we can also reflect on the poorly written chapters and see what lessons are needed to learn moving forward.
Unless you go through the pain of being sharpened, what is within you will not come out.
Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering the quiet that's already there- buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks daily.
Some actually (many) of the phrases that I like:
In starting, the author gave the example of the Titanic tragedy.
This book is about:
1. Identifying icebergs- what external influences in our lives could cause damage to our mental health?
2. Navigating the water- how we can sail through life, ensuring that our journey is safe and understanding how to control our emotions and mental well-being.
3. Building a strong ship- not only should we understand our mental well-being, but also how we can strengthen our state of mind so that external influences seem less devastating.
In all spheres of life, we have to understand how to control our emotions. If we can learn to master our emotions, not repress or succumb to them, we can achieve things we can only dream of individually and as a society.
Now that we have learned to fly in the air like birds, swim under water like fish, we lack one thing - to learn to live on earth as human beings.
Understanding to accept and deal with your emotions is important. If under the sway of those emotions, we hurt other people with our words or actions, it becomes very difficult to mend that situation. Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.
Life is a difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy others, not realising that everyone has a different question paper.
The need for comfort is dependent on our position, purpose and work.
However if the focus is on what we don't have, it takes away value from what we do have.
Happiness is not just about having more, but also about focusing more on what we do have.
To become satisfied, we don't have to increase the things we have; we need to increase the focus on the things we do have.
Our life is like coffee. Everything else our jobs our money and our position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. While you pursue the fine cups, be sure to keep your focus on enjoying the coffee!
Don't speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body doesn't know the difference.
Isn't it ironic, when we are born, people love us, and when we die, people love us, but in between we have to manage somehow.
When we focus on our priorities, we don't have the time to see all the drama around us. The fact is, anywhere we go, we're going to find toxic people. The grass is not always greener on the other side, but where we water it.
The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.
Life is like a book. The number of years we have in life are the number of chapters we are meant to live. Each chapter has 365 pages. Until now there are a certain number of chapters of our life that have already been written. The ink has dried regardless of what is written. Some are beautiful: great handwriting, clean ink, and the correct grammar. However in other parts of the chapter we have already lived, the quality of the ink is low, the handwriting is illegible, and the story is quite messy. The good news is that the pages from now on are empty. We can write the chapters to come as we wish. We can re- read the good chapters of our life and use the positivity to fuel the writing of the chapters to follow. On the flip side, we can also reflect on the poorly written chapters and see what lessons are needed to learn moving forward.
Unless you go through the pain of being sharpened, what is within you will not come out.
Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering the quiet that's already there- buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks daily.
July 18, 2023
Energize Your Mind: Learn the Art of Mastering Your Thoughts, Feelings and Emotions by Gaur Gopal Das is a self-help book that teaches readers how to take charge of their minds and achieve greater well-being. The book is divided into four sections:
The Mind: This section explores the nature of the mind and how it works. Das explains how our thoughts, feelings, and emotions are all shaped by our minds, and he provides insights into how we can control our minds for our own benefit.
The Heart: This section focuses on the importance of emotions in our lives. Das argues that emotions are not something to be suppressed, but rather something to be understood and embraced. He provides exercises and meditations to help readers connect with their emotions in a healthy way.
The Soul: This section explores the spiritual dimension of the mind. Das argues that our minds are connected to something greater than ourselves, and he provides guidance on how to connect with our souls and live a more meaningful life.
The Way: This section provides practical advice on how to apply the principles of the book to our everyday lives. Das offers tips on meditation, mindfulness, and other practices that can help us master our minds and live more fulfilling lives.
Energize Your Mind is a well-written and insightful book that offers a wealth of practical advice on how to improve our mental health and well-being. Das's writing is clear and engaging, and he uses personal stories and anecdotes to illustrate his points. The book is also full of exercises and meditations that can help readers put the principles of the book into practice.
I highly recommend Energize Your Mind to anyone who is interested in learning more about the mind and how to improve their mental health. The book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to live a more mindful, intentional, and fulfilling life.
Here are some of the things I found most insightful about the book:
The idea that our minds are not separate from us, but rather an integral part of who we are.
The importance of understanding our emotions and learning how to work with them, rather than against them.
The concept of the soul and how it is connected to our minds.
The practical advice on meditation, mindfulness, and other practices that can help us master our minds.
April 7, 2023
"Energize Your Mind: The Ultimate Mental Energy Boost That's More Addictive Than Caffeine
"Energize Your Mind" by Gaur Gopal Das is an excellent self-help book that provides practical strategies to improve mental health and achieve personal success. This book is filled with insightful wisdom that is sure to help readers overcome their daily struggles and develop a more positive outlook on life.
The book starts with a brief introduction to the concept of mental energy and its significance in our lives. Guruji then delves into various topics related to mental health, such as stress, anxiety, fear, and self-doubt. The author explains how these negative emotions can drain our mental energy and impede our progress towards our goals.
Throughout the book, Guruji provides a wealth of actionable advice on how to boost mental energy, overcome obstacles, and achieve success. He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, gratitude, and positive thinking in improving mental health. The author also shares several practical techniques for managing stress, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and visualization.
One of the standout features of this book is the Guruji's storytelling ability. He uses relatable anecdotes and personal experiences to illustrate his points, making the book engaging and enjoyable to read. The author also provides several practical exercises at the end of each chapter that readers can use to apply the concepts discussed in the book to their daily lives.
Overall, "Energize Your Mind" is an excellent book that provides a practical roadmap to achieving mental health and personal success. Whether you're struggling with stress, anxiety, or self-doubt, this book is sure to provide you with valuable insights and actionable advice to overcome your challenges and lead a happier, more fulfilling life. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their mental health and achieve their goals.
"Energize Your Mind" by Gaur Gopal Das is an excellent self-help book that provides practical strategies to improve mental health and achieve personal success. This book is filled with insightful wisdom that is sure to help readers overcome their daily struggles and develop a more positive outlook on life.
The book starts with a brief introduction to the concept of mental energy and its significance in our lives. Guruji then delves into various topics related to mental health, such as stress, anxiety, fear, and self-doubt. The author explains how these negative emotions can drain our mental energy and impede our progress towards our goals.
Throughout the book, Guruji provides a wealth of actionable advice on how to boost mental energy, overcome obstacles, and achieve success. He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, gratitude, and positive thinking in improving mental health. The author also shares several practical techniques for managing stress, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and visualization.
One of the standout features of this book is the Guruji's storytelling ability. He uses relatable anecdotes and personal experiences to illustrate his points, making the book engaging and enjoyable to read. The author also provides several practical exercises at the end of each chapter that readers can use to apply the concepts discussed in the book to their daily lives.
Overall, "Energize Your Mind" is an excellent book that provides a practical roadmap to achieving mental health and personal success. Whether you're struggling with stress, anxiety, or self-doubt, this book is sure to provide you with valuable insights and actionable advice to overcome your challenges and lead a happier, more fulfilling life. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their mental health and achieve their goals.
March 6, 2024
I recently completed "Energise Your Mind" by Gaur Gopal Das, and while I had high hopes for this book, I ultimately found it falling short of my expectations. I have rated it two stars primarily due to its overly preachy nature and its lack of applicability in real-life situations.
Gaur Gopal Das presents a series of insights and advice aimed at helping readers cultivate a positive mindset and lead a fulfilling life. While the intentions behind the book are commendable, I found the delivery to be somewhat heavy-handed and disconnected from the realities of everyday life.
One of the main issues I encountered with "Energise Your Mind" is its tendency to offer generic solutions to complex problems. While the author emphasizes the importance of positivity and resilience, I found many of the suggestions to be impractical and difficult to implement in real-world scenarios.
Additionally, the book often relies heavily on religious and philosophical teachings, which may not resonate with all readers. While I respect the author's spiritual beliefs, I feel that the book would have benefited from a more inclusive approach that appeals to a wider audience.
Furthermore, I found the writing style to be overly repetitive, with many concepts being reiterated multiple times throughout the book. This not only made the reading experience tedious but also detracted from the overall message of the book.
In conclusion, while "Energise Your Mind" offers some valuable insights into the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, I ultimately found it to be too preachy and disconnected from the realities of everyday life. Despite its shortcomings, I believe that some readers may still find value in the book, particularly those who resonate with the author's spiritual teachings. However, for those seeking practical advice and actionable strategies for personal growth, there may be better options available.
Gaur Gopal Das presents a series of insights and advice aimed at helping readers cultivate a positive mindset and lead a fulfilling life. While the intentions behind the book are commendable, I found the delivery to be somewhat heavy-handed and disconnected from the realities of everyday life.
One of the main issues I encountered with "Energise Your Mind" is its tendency to offer generic solutions to complex problems. While the author emphasizes the importance of positivity and resilience, I found many of the suggestions to be impractical and difficult to implement in real-world scenarios.
Additionally, the book often relies heavily on religious and philosophical teachings, which may not resonate with all readers. While I respect the author's spiritual beliefs, I feel that the book would have benefited from a more inclusive approach that appeals to a wider audience.
Furthermore, I found the writing style to be overly repetitive, with many concepts being reiterated multiple times throughout the book. This not only made the reading experience tedious but also detracted from the overall message of the book.
In conclusion, while "Energise Your Mind" offers some valuable insights into the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, I ultimately found it to be too preachy and disconnected from the realities of everyday life. Despite its shortcomings, I believe that some readers may still find value in the book, particularly those who resonate with the author's spiritual teachings. However, for those seeking practical advice and actionable strategies for personal growth, there may be better options available.
September 23, 2025
I loved the multicultural aspect to this book. I love learning from different perspectives. It felt on point throughout most of it, giving helpful advice with different concepts that I had never heard before. It lost me on the chapter about greif, however.
As someone who knows greif well and has felt it personally, I felt this chapter was lacking. It uses an example of greif as a high school style romance gone wrong (as in the people involved were immature, regardless of being adults.) The couple ended the engagement over a petty disagreement. Neither of them sounded like they were ready for marriage. Using that as an example of "greif" was a poor choice. That lacks the depth that the death of a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, causes. It's a different kind of greif and one that should be treated differently than grieving the loss of a loved one. It lacked understanding. He decribed the relationship problems like it was at the same level as losing a loved one. It's not. It's very different! The general advice for greif was also cookie cutter and outdated. The "stages of greif" has since been disproven. I've read other books about greif from professional psychologists. This book misses the mark on the topic. It's clear he didn't process his own greif from the death of his father (otherwise he would have used that as a better example.)
There are a few issues in this book grammatically speaking, but I assume that's just because English is not the author's first language. It would have been beneficial to have a native English speaker proofread, but that of course is a minor and opinionated suggestion.
In summary: Overall a great read and I leaned a lot, but my biggest problem with the book is the author was presumptuous on the topic of greif.
As someone who knows greif well and has felt it personally, I felt this chapter was lacking. It uses an example of greif as a high school style romance gone wrong (as in the people involved were immature, regardless of being adults.) The couple ended the engagement over a petty disagreement. Neither of them sounded like they were ready for marriage. Using that as an example of "greif" was a poor choice. That lacks the depth that the death of a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, causes. It's a different kind of greif and one that should be treated differently than grieving the loss of a loved one. It lacked understanding. He decribed the relationship problems like it was at the same level as losing a loved one. It's not. It's very different! The general advice for greif was also cookie cutter and outdated. The "stages of greif" has since been disproven. I've read other books about greif from professional psychologists. This book misses the mark on the topic. It's clear he didn't process his own greif from the death of his father (otherwise he would have used that as a better example.)
There are a few issues in this book grammatically speaking, but I assume that's just because English is not the author's first language. It would have been beneficial to have a native English speaker proofread, but that of course is a minor and opinionated suggestion.
In summary: Overall a great read and I leaned a lot, but my biggest problem with the book is the author was presumptuous on the topic of greif.
September 26, 2023
It is a transformative journey divided into four compelling sections, each offering unique insights into mental well-being.
In the opening section, "Me and My Mind," Das delves into the intricacies of our emotions, guiding readers to a deeper understanding of self-awareness. His relatable anecdotes and wisdom create an engaging and relatable start.
The second section, "Others and My Mind," showcases Das's vulnerability as he shares personal struggles, emphasizing the power of embracing one's vulnerabilities. This section fosters a genuine connection between author and reader, inspiring self-reflection.
Moving forward, "Me and the Mind of Others" explores the importance of protecting others' mental health through sensitive actions. Das's insights encourage readers to consider their impact on those around them, fostering empathy and compassion.
Finally, "The Universe and My Mind" offers a spiritual perspective, revealing how the laws of nature influence our mental states and how we can grow spiritually. Das's teachings here resonate deeply, offering profound guidance on the journey to personal enlightenment.
In this amazing book, Gaur Gopal Das masterfully combines personal anecdotes, scientific truths, and spiritual wisdom to create a book that energizes both the mind and the soul. Gaur Gopal Das ji's witty and humorous style is what makes this work stand out from others in this book just like his previous one. His ability to communicate serious life lessons in a lighter vein makes it is easy for the youth to connect with the author and understand the underlying messages. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in the author's own voice on Audible.
In the opening section, "Me and My Mind," Das delves into the intricacies of our emotions, guiding readers to a deeper understanding of self-awareness. His relatable anecdotes and wisdom create an engaging and relatable start.
The second section, "Others and My Mind," showcases Das's vulnerability as he shares personal struggles, emphasizing the power of embracing one's vulnerabilities. This section fosters a genuine connection between author and reader, inspiring self-reflection.
Moving forward, "Me and the Mind of Others" explores the importance of protecting others' mental health through sensitive actions. Das's insights encourage readers to consider their impact on those around them, fostering empathy and compassion.
Finally, "The Universe and My Mind" offers a spiritual perspective, revealing how the laws of nature influence our mental states and how we can grow spiritually. Das's teachings here resonate deeply, offering profound guidance on the journey to personal enlightenment.
In this amazing book, Gaur Gopal Das masterfully combines personal anecdotes, scientific truths, and spiritual wisdom to create a book that energizes both the mind and the soul. Gaur Gopal Das ji's witty and humorous style is what makes this work stand out from others in this book just like his previous one. His ability to communicate serious life lessons in a lighter vein makes it is easy for the youth to connect with the author and understand the underlying messages. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in the author's own voice on Audible.
January 20, 2024
"Monkify your life without having to be a monk."
Gaur Gopal Das presents a new perspective on life in this thought-provoking work, confronting obstacles head-on and utilising the tremendous power that resides within our brains.
He leads us on a transformative journey and gives us the resources we need to take more charge of our lives.
Gaur Gopal Das' talent for making a deep emotional connection with readers is what distinguishes this book from others.
He captivates his audience with his knowledge, humour, and contagious optimism while offering workable solutions to the problems we encounter every day. You'll discover that you not only comprehend your issues but are also equipped to address them and stop their recurrence.
🧡 Opening up about our problems can help us feel lighter and give us a sense relief
🧡 Just as the fielders must protect the boundary from the ball that the batsmen hit, similarly we must protect our boundaries with other people. This is the only way to win the game of mental well-being.
🧡 It is important that we start taking charge of our feelings. The more we depend on others for feeling good, the more the scope for disappointment.
🧡 The beauty of life is in the journey of discovery. It is discovering how to deal with our emotions and how to enrich our lives by helping others deal with their own. It is discovering and accepting that we have flaws, and we all struggle with different things, but there is always hope. The hope to do better and the hope that there is always a way forward.
Gaur Gopal Das presents a new perspective on life in this thought-provoking work, confronting obstacles head-on and utilising the tremendous power that resides within our brains.
He leads us on a transformative journey and gives us the resources we need to take more charge of our lives.
Gaur Gopal Das' talent for making a deep emotional connection with readers is what distinguishes this book from others.
He captivates his audience with his knowledge, humour, and contagious optimism while offering workable solutions to the problems we encounter every day. You'll discover that you not only comprehend your issues but are also equipped to address them and stop their recurrence.
🧡 Opening up about our problems can help us feel lighter and give us a sense relief
🧡 Just as the fielders must protect the boundary from the ball that the batsmen hit, similarly we must protect our boundaries with other people. This is the only way to win the game of mental well-being.
🧡 It is important that we start taking charge of our feelings. The more we depend on others for feeling good, the more the scope for disappointment.
🧡 The beauty of life is in the journey of discovery. It is discovering how to deal with our emotions and how to enrich our lives by helping others deal with their own. It is discovering and accepting that we have flaws, and we all struggle with different things, but there is always hope. The hope to do better and the hope that there is always a way forward.
April 28, 2025
I have read this book after following Gaur Gopal Das on social media for almost one year and enjoying its recorded sessions. The book might be used as a personal development resource but also as an opportunity to get acquainted to eastern philosophy and old texts. Cracking jokes and teaching through stories as a way to convey ancient wisdom still relevant today makes the text enjoyable and provides food for thoughts. The books tries to depict a challenging personal context in modern society, lands on stories and provide practical advices for those impacted by social media (fear of missing something!), sudden changes and an overcrowded cross cultural future. I have really appreciated delimitation of mediation and social engagement during minor psychological challenges advising readers to look for professional help if breathing and mediation exercises are not enough.
Couple of nuggets.... "Life is a difficult exam. Many people fail because they are trying to copy others, not realizing that everyone has a different question paper"......
Couple of nuggets.... "Life is a difficult exam. Many people fail because they are trying to copy others, not realizing that everyone has a different question paper"......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews