Monk looking to move up in the world...

[Mehmet]

This is the build I have been using in Act 2 http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculato...Xgh!XUY!YZcbYa

I've tried switching out the mantra for healing with time of need, but can't really tell the difference. Overawe works fine in act1. I've also tried using deadly reach with keen eye, but I feel the spirit regen is too slow.

[kamap]

A faster weapon with some LOH might help, its expensive but really works well (if it has less dmg thats not to bad) you need around 15k and you are above that.
Am I wrong or isn't there a second weapon or shield in the picture, if so I advice to get a 2nd weapon or a shield.

The first items I would swap out are: a weapon + (a second weapon or shield)
the spirit stone, its nice but lacks a second resistance / vit / usefull stat like LpSS to be really good
the gloves are nice aswell, the crit on it is nice and the int will help with res, but its not really good
the bracers, if you can change the extra gold and the intelligence to more usefull stats that would be nice

Maybe use another passive then transcendence, it does help a tad but I have the feeling there are better ones.

Just my 2 cents, what I feel would help you the most.

[devnl]

Some time has passed, so I guess an update to this would be in order. I've scowered the AH for new gear for a while now and while I'm not completely done yet, I can say that some significant improvements have been made. I've stacked up on arcane res on all of my items (the res I had most of already) tried to get dex where I could and some other stuff. As you can see in the stats below I've increased my resistances with 250, increased my dodge and damage reduction, armor and damage. All of these stats are unbuffed by the way. I have yet to replace my weaponry, which was dual wielding indeed. Don't know why I forgot the other weapon but attached it to this post. Looking at some faster weaponry to increase the APS, while also hoping to find some nice LoH, Crit Damage and Crit Chance bonus on them. They're hard to find for a reasonable price

[Mr Man]

This is the build I have been using in Act 2 http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/monk#adiXgh!XUY!YZcbYa

I've tried switching out the mantra for healing with time of need, but can't really tell the difference. Overawe works fine in act1. I've also tried using deadly reach with keen eye, but I feel the spirit regen is too slow.

Well I cant say much, that build is pretty much exactly what i use at the moment. I use overawe though. Stay with quickening its a great skill with crit chance, maybe try and boost crit just a little more for more sustain. I cant see how you can have such a problem with act2 though, it may be a playstyle thing, i'm guessing your not trying to facetank through arcane sentries or anything? If you have been playing through act1 so much it may be that you need to take a little time to adjust to act2. You cant necessarily facetank elites. Patience and Ascension are your best friends, it might be that for some elites those 4 seconds are the only time you can get your dps in. Use the terrain, dont try and fight bosses with desecrator, arcane etc in tight places that makes it easier for them to trap you, and if you roll a really bad combo on a boss there is no harm in skipping it. Your armor and resists are about the same or actually a bit more than when i did act2 pre nerf. Anyways goodluck