Build Overview
This will will be using 
Hollow Palm Technique allowing us to remove our weapons, but still gain benefits of having a weapon on. It's important to look for items like 
Hermit Garb which has both Energy Shield and Evasion Rating. You gain buffs based on how much of each you have on your Body Armor.
The build relies on Power Charges which are gained from 
Killing Palm, 
Siphoning Strike and 
Lochtonial Caress. See the variant tabs for break downs of each source by Act. Power Charges are used to enhance 
Falling Thunder, 
Charged Staff and 
Whirling Assault.
Key Campaign Notes
Act 1
Start with 
Glacial Cascade as your first ability, having a ranged option to start and get the hang of the flow of the Monk helps. Falling Thunder will be your next Skill gem.
The Act 1 boss can be very challenging. Even if you don't have a lot of damage, if you stack Cold Resistance it makes the fight very manageable to do. You goal will be to get as close to 75% as you can. It's ok to drop some damage gear just for this fight.
Make sure you follow the quest to Freythron to unlock your first Spirit Gem. This will give you 
Herald of Thunder and the 30 Spirit you need to activate it. Once you equip Herald of Thunder right click the icon to activate it.
Act 2
Transitioning to a full lightning damage build in this act gives you more synergy for all your abilities. At level 22 use your first VII Skill Gem to get 
Storm Wave. If you've saved two VII skill gems take Siphoning Strike next.
The Act 2 boss is very heavy into lightning damage, so stacking Lightning Resistance makes the fight a lot more manageable. You will want to start saving for this early on. You can check Una for 
Topaz Ring again sacrificing a little damage for survivability.
If you have experience doing the Trials of Sekhemas this build will fly through it as soon as you can unlock it. This will give you access to 
Hollow Focus which will add to your overall damage. If you want to add in Killing Palm to build charges using your Ghost Bells you can do that as well.
Act 3
You will add more damage this Act through Charged Staff and 
Hollow Resonance after you complete Trials of Chaos. Use your first IX Skill Gem on Charged Staff so you can take advantage of the extra damage.
Trials of Chaos can be very challenging. It has a lot of random challenges that make it harder that can be tough to predict. In order to prepare for this, wait several levels past when you first unlock it. Work on building up your Energy Shield and Evasion Rating before you head in. Once completed take Hollow Resonance.
The Act 3 boss uses several different types of attack. This fight may take a couple tries to learn the mechanics, but the combination of Siphoning Strike with Falling Thunder made the fight very fast and easy.
Don't miss The Azak Bog where you'll get your next Spirit Gem and 30 more Spirit. With this you'll take 
Wind Dancer to gain additional Evasion Rating.
Act 4
This Act we transitioned into Whirling Assault at level 41. In order to get this to work you'll need to find or purchase Lochtonial Caress. If you do not want to take this option, continue with your Act 3 loadout. You will also need to respect your Ascendancy skill points, removing Hollow Focus and Hollow Resonance. You will add in 
Hollow Form which you socket Whirling Assault into. You also need 
Way of the Stonefist to convert your Lochtonial Caress to better gloves. This will change your Lochtonial Caress to give you chance to gain Power Charges on hit.
Spend this act continuing to work on Energy Shield and Evasion Rating. The final boss fight can be a long one that will be repeated if you die. Make sure your defenses are set up for it.
Interlude
For these three Interludes nothing is going to change for your skills. This set up will carry you into Maps. Here is the Endgame Guide
Monk
Martial Artist
Martial Artist Monk through your campaign into Maps. The benefits of this Ascendancy is that you will not need to worry about finding a weapon, as it's not needed for the campaign. 
