Pedram Shojai, the author of the New York Times Best Seller, The Urban Monk, joins us to discuss the disconnect between eastern and western cultures. Pedram is the constant evolver, leaving college for the monkhood and leaving that to rejoin western culture to study the effects of mindfulness, start a successful business and become a dad. Pedram shows us the steps to start living a more mindful life in the modern world, how to overcome living a results based life and the benefits of running a conscious business in today’s world. 4:00- “Most people don’t understand that they are making 80 percent of their decisions under duress.” Pedram tells us how to set up mindfulness rituals to get around your own mind. 7:50- The mechanics of Qi Gong. How Pedram started quantifying what happens during Qi Gong meditation once he left the monkhood. 11:00- The benefits of bringing mindfulness into your life and how to integrate eastern practices into western life. 13:40- The story behind Pedram leaving college to join the monkhood. 18:15- Why Pedram is challenging western cultures attachment to the result. 20:05- The steps to take to develop a mindful, reflective life. 25:30- Pedram’s biggest takeaways from being a monk and his struggle to overcome searching for the result to enjoy the process. 30:00- Everyone has an ego. Here’s the importance of balancing that ego with humility. 32:00- Conscious Capitalism. How Pedram is running a successful, conscious business. 36:00- The myth of scarcity. The benefits of running your business based on value. 38:30- Constant Evolution. How to continue pushing the envelope and remove your ego from your relationships. 40:30- Get up and do it. How Pedram lives a life of purpose and adventure. 45:15- Avoiding the “Not Now” mentality in your relationships to be present for both others and yourself.