>The other is by math. If you can't understand how "monads are monoids in the category of endofunctors"
I don't think you need to understand that in order to have a more abstract understanding of Monads.
Just go read the Monad typeclass definition (EDIT: and consequently the Applicative and Functor definitions). If you don't understand what it means, learn about higher kinded types and typeclasses until you do.
Once you understand what the definition means, that's it. No really, that's it. And now, since you're probably wondering what all the fuss is about, that's when you need to start learning by doing.
I don't think you need to understand that in order to have a more abstract understanding of Monads.
Just go read the Monad typeclass definition (EDIT: and consequently the Applicative and Functor definitions). If you don't understand what it means, learn about higher kinded types and typeclasses until you do.
Once you understand what the definition means, that's it. No really, that's it. And now, since you're probably wondering what all the fuss is about, that's when you need to start learning by doing.