“Shaolin – How to Win Without Fighting” by Bernhard Moestl is the first book I read in 2025. Translated from German by Anya Malhotra, it offers insightful reflections to help readers absorb Bernhard’s key lessons.
I enjoy Kungfu movies and their philosophy. This book sparked this interest of mine, so I would have rated it highly anyways. However, this book will not disappoint anyone serious about self-improvement and negotiations.
Bernhard has spent considerable time with the monks and has compiled several of their teachings into a concise book. The reflective exercises included in the chapters have been highly beneficial for me. He presents 13 principles he has learned from the Shaolin monks and articulates why and how these could be exceptionally valuable for anyone. The principles are as follows:
- The Principle of the Present
- The Principle of Mindfulness
- The Principle of Resoluteness
- The Principle of Detachment
- The Principle of Calmness
- The Principle of Slowness
- The Principle of Imitation
- The Principle of Opportunity
- The Principle of Yielding
- The Principle of Superiority
- The Principle of Letting Go
- The Principle of Self-knowledge
- The Principle of Community
He articulates these 13 principles effectively, encouraging the reader to understand and appreciate their various facets.
My appreciation for this book may stem from my passion for strategy and my background as a student in the field. However, this book is also highly recommended for individuals looking to enhance their personal and professional lives. It should be noted that this work stands out in the genre of personal development literature.
