The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari teaches some important life lessons by way of a fable. I guess this one is a modern day fable. Monks, Himalayas, longevity are themes that always remind me of Shangri-la, yes the Shangri-la of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon. But any comparisons end there.
Robin Sharma is a well known professional guru. In The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, he tells us the story of Julian Mantle, a highly successful litigation lawyer who has it all, fancy house, private island, and a Ferrari! He collapses of a heart attack and barely survives. He then disappears to take a break, until miraculously reappearing in the office of his protégé John three years later, looking younger and healthier. Julian Mantle is born again, and he has a story to tell. That is actually the condition of his nirvana.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Author: Robin Sharma
Paperback: 198 pages
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House; First edition (25 September 2003)
ISBN: 817992162X, 978-8179921623
As the book progresses, we learn about Julian’s journey. John asks questions and Julian explains how the principles he learned can be applied to John’s life, or in fact, to anyone’s life. Julian traveled far away to India and met many people, often poorer than him. The kindness of strangers gave him a different perspective. As he begins to find himself, he learns of a mythical place called Sivana, high up in the Himalayas. He somehow makes it there and meets Yogi Raman. Yogi Raman promises to help Julian find enlightenment, as long as he promises to spread the word.
The rest of the chapters are devoted to a specific message. There are different steps one needs to take to truly see the light. There is a story about a garden that has different elements in it. The significance of each object is gradually revealed. Step 1 is all about mastering your mind which begins with cultivating good thoughts. Step 2 is about having a purpose and following that purpose at all times. Personal, professional and spiritual goals are equally important. Self improvement and discipline is advocated. There is also a concept of living each moment to the fullest.
You can read about all the lessons in detail when you read the book. The good thing is that they are easier to remember since they are told in the form of a story. Each lesson has a ‘symbol’ or representative figure that will help you retain the concepts. For example, the garden, the lighthouse, the Sumo wrestler, the Rose etc.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari saw phenomenal success in India, perhaps because the author has an Indian name, and the book is set in India.
Since I am reviewing a lot of self help books at the same time, I feel that their message is essentially similar. Having a definite mission in life, being positive, letting go of the past, making the most of what you have etc. are some recurring themes. But every author has a unique way of handling the subject and illustrating it.
As in Who Moved My Cheese, the message is conveyed via a fable or story and this makes it interesting to read. Maybe it will also seem attractive to a younger crowd or to people who otherwise do not like the nonfiction genre.
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