Book Review: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.
                                                                                                                              ~James Bryce

Read this quote; think about ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ and you are sure that you have loads to carry away from it.

There are just a handful of authors who have the ability and the passion to write to change the lives or dreams of their readers. Book freaks should feel elated because there is a new author on the block who has joined this league along with eminent writers like Paulo Coelho, Ayn Rand, J D Salinger etc.

Robin S Sharma, the author of ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ beautifully captures the phenomenal transformation of a successful but stressed-out lawyer as he is brought face to face with a spiritual crisis following a near fatal heart attack in the packed court room, which used to be his second home. He gives us a book which not only has a well crafted tale of a powerful lawyer, Julian Mantle, but also a guiding wisdom to create a life of passion, purpose and peace.

The book, narrated in first person by John, Julian’s friend and co-worker, starts when Julian gets a heart attack and finds himself very weak and traumatized by the incident. His spark of life begins to flicker and he is forced to confront his lifestyle. John begins the story by describing Julian’s flamboyant lifestyle and his hard work or rather obsession of work which made him the best lawyer of the city whose courtroom theatrics made to the front pages of the newspapers. Julian had worked day and night without caring about his physical and mental health and even neglected his personal life.

His obsession for work made him a successful lawyer but took a major toll on his life as a whole. He looked pale and weak, had lost his sense of humor and one day, finally collapsed in the courtroom. He then quit his law firm and sold off all his property (including the red bright shining Ferrari) and this is when his search of spiritual solace paved his path to India and he embarked on an odyssey that changed his life. His quest for inner peace took him to the Himalayas in India where he met the Sages of Sivanas, particularly Yogi Raman, the head of the sages, who had a life changing impact on him, and where he drank from the fountain of higher knowledge and unlocked the secrets of youthful vitality.

After returning from the Himalayas, Julian, now a healthy and spiritually strong man, shares his experience of Indian odyssey with John, who is now a cynical old lawyer and asks him to promise that he would also share and spread these secrets and wisdom to his friends and others. Julian teaches John the ancient art of self-leadership and the value of self-discipline and respect for time. He also describes various techniques such as “do the things you fear”, “the 5 step method for attaining goals”, “the ancient rule of 20” and the “vow of silence” etc.

Some of the valuable teachings one gets from the book are:

• There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.

• Life pretty much gives you what you ask from it. It is always listening.

• Stop spending so much time chasing life’s big pleasures while you neglect the little ones.

• What lies behind you and what lies before you is nothing compared to what lies within you.

• The best time to plant a tree was 40 years ago. Second best time is today.

• Nourish your spirits, do the things you fear.

• The universe favors the brave. When you resolve, and for all, to live your life to its highest level, the strength of your soul will guide you.

• Follow life’s mission and calling and cultivate self-discipline.

• Value time as the most important commodity.

• Maintain a healthy diet.

If we see, all the teachings given by the book can be applied at our work place as well and hence, can make us better professionals. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that I have started applying on a number of suggestions this book gives and have been enormously benefited.

I wouldn’t say you wouldn’t get these teachings in any other book, we have many books giving such wisdom in different words, but the way this book has put all of them together in one bundle of pages is definitely marvelous. The book has used simple, easy to understand English and there is a seamless meticulous flow in the chapters.

In a nutshell, the book is definitely a must and stimulating read for everyone and also a wonderful gift to be given to others.

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