Dr. Pedram Shojai (IG: @official_urbanmonk) is former Taoist monk who is a physician of Chinese medicine and has lectured on wellness around the world.

His no-nonsense approach teaches esoteric concepts to Western readers in an easy to understand way.

Pedram is a New York Times bestselling author and producer of multiple films and series.

Today we're discussing his latest book Focus: Bringing Time, Energy, and Money into Flow.

In this episode, we discuss:

Pedram becoming a Taoist monk
The integration of Qigong and Kung Fu
Choosing to live as an urban monk
Don’t use spirituality to run from your past
Sex is a path to enlightenment
The hardest part about being a monk
Developing good work ethic early on
No one is perfect, we all have flaws
What Pedram learned after fasting for 5 days in Hawaii
You've got to do the work
The benefits of meditation
Basic meditation tips
Meditation is the ultimate drug
What if the answer to complexity was simplicity
Social media algorithms pull your attention away from your life
Focus on your own life
Developing the life garden framework
Learning how to say no
Understanding energy economics
Qigong is the secret to life
What is the difference between Qigong and Tai Chi?
If it’s not in your calendar, how important is it to you?
Practicing the art of disengaging from effort
Meditation is a muscle
Creating empty space in your life
Pedram's work/life balance in Utah
Hunting is a primal experience
How to identify the weeds in your life garden
Newsflash “you’re going to die”
Being present every day
Honouring commitments to yourself
Get to work on your life

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Related links:

Dr. Pedram Shojai - Focus (book)

Dr. Pedram Shojai's website (The Urban Monk)

Follow Dr. Pedram Shojai on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Dr. Pedram Shojai (books)

Watch Dr. Pedram Shojai's films on Whole.TV

Listen to Pedram Shojai previously on TUHP (episode #182)

Deng Ming-Dao - The Wandering Taoist (book)

Deng Ming-Dao - Chronicles of Tao (book)

Headspace (app)

The Social Dilemma (documentary)

Related episodes:

375: James Sebastiano – Chasing The Present

374: Dr. Jud Brewer – The Craving Mind, Finding Joy In Meditation, Overcoming Addictions

336: John Assaraf – Innercise, Goal Setting, Are You Committed?

332: Dr. David Perlmutter – Brain Wash, Prioritizing Meditation, The T.I.M.E. Tool

293: Mark Manson – We All Need Hope • Meditation Makes You Stronger • Happiness Is Overrated

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382: Dr. Pedram Shojai - Becoming A Taoist Monk, Meditation Is the Ultimate Drug, Managing Your Life Garden

The Jesse Chappus Show