BOOK REVIEW:
The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari
by Robin Sharma
Almost fifteen years ago, my good friend Dr. Arnaldo recommended a book by Robin Sharma. He told me the story, written as a fable, was a fun, quick read. He said it was thought provoking and inspirational. And what really convinced me to pick up my own copy of The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari is that Dr. Arnaldo told me that the book changed the way he approached life.
More than a decade later, I’ve just finished reading Sharma’s fable for a second time and my friend’s recommendation rings as salient as it did back then. We so often ignore the messages around us, but thankfully I paid attention to what Dr. Arnaldo had to say about this book, and I took his advice in reading it.
Paulo Coelho, one of my favorite authors, wrote about this book: “A captivating story that teaches as it delights.¨ High praise from one of the world’s great literary figures, and well-deserved praise, I believe.
The plot begins with a successful attorney, Julian Mantle, as he journeys on a search for meaning after suffering a heart attack in the courtroom. Mantle sells his Ferrari and discovers a group of sages in the Himalayas. These sages, the Sages of Sivana, especially the Yogi Raman, adopt Julian as a student and entrust him with wisdom, which they insist he should pass on to others when he returns home. Julian’s experience with the Yogis revives a long-lost sense of purpose in him, and he finds himself reinvigorated after his time in the mountains. When he returns home he shares his wisdom, as the Sages had instructed, with his new protégé, John. This relationship develops into the main dialogue of the story.
The morality of the book, as exposed in this conversation between Julian and John, is rooted in the Seven Virtues of Enlightened Life. Julian reveals each of these one by one to his protégé. Overall, the gestalt of the message is that “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Sharma privileges moderation, simplicity, positivity and goal-setting. Through Julian, he proposes simple suggestions for personal improvement. Julian urges self-awareness, happiness over success, ritual and meditation. He emphasizes the power of passion and the potential of the mind to attract health and happiness.
In the book, Julian also introduces the notion of “blueprinting.” By drafting blueprints in our inner worlds, he explains, we create opportunities in the outer world. This is one of the driving metaphors of the fable, and it’s become of one of the driving metaphors of my life.
Sharma writes, “Understand once and for all that your mind has the magnetic power to attract all that you desire into your life. If there is lack in your life it is because there is lack in your thoughts.” This idea is earth-shattering if you accept it.
The novel is a love story to human potential. It flirts with the mystic in search of practical approaches to living. It challenges our notions of reality by exploring themes we often ignore in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
I encourage you strongly to take some time out of your day and pick up this book. You don’t have to sell your Ferrari and move to the Himalayas to reap the rewards of the main character’s words. It’s a fable the truest sense of that genre—entertaining and didactic. You’ll learn and you’ll enjoy learning.
With December upon us, the urge to make resolutions is strong. But resolutions are fleeting. This book explores real mission-building. Blueprinting, as Sharma puts it, is about more than the traditional external goal. It’s about a mindset. It’s about finding purpose within and channeling that purpose to achieve happiness out in the world. That message is especially important as awe all prepare for the new year.
Fifteen years later, I’m so glad Dr. Arnaldo first recommended this book, so now I’m recommending it to all of you. This was a message in my life and I hope it can be one in yours.
Last December, I met Robin Sharma. I took a chance and signed up for his Titan's Conference in Toronto. I didn't know what to expect, but I ended up getting so much out of the event. I’m excited to attend that conference again this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing Robin there. Maybe I’ll be able to share some added insights with you when I get back!
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Popular Highlights in this book
“Every event has a purpose and every setback its lesson. I have realized that failure, whether of the personal, professional or even spiritual kind, is essential to personal expansion. It brings inner growth and a whole host of psychic rewards. Never regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is.”Highlighted by 4,684 Kindle readers- ‘The only limits on your life are those that you set yourself.’Highlighted by 3,933 Kindle readers
- ‘I am more than I appear to be, all the world’s strength and power rests inside me.’Highlighted by 3,679 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
Good Read and leaving me in suspense..
Overall a good book, a modern times Alchemist read. Relatable for all professions. The only problem is my paperback only had 176 pages and it should be 198 pages.If you recently buy it make sure you check the page counts.
Top reviews from other countries
Marcelo Marques
Grandes e importantes ensinamentos
Reviewed in Brazil on May 5, 2022
Pratik
Inspirational with a deep meaning of life
Reviewed in India on April 5, 2024Amazon Customer
Ha pasado a convertirse en mi libro favorito
Reviewed in Spain on May 25, 2020