| Ms. Nidhi Goyal 07MCA16, TYMCA |
Someone has truly said that- "A good novel is hard to find". But if you are really fond of reading it is not that hard job. I had the same feeling before I could have approached to this book named "The monk who sold his Ferrari". It is one of the best books I could have ever read. This inspiring tale provides a step-by-step approach to living with greater courage, balance, abundance and joy.
"The monk who sold his Ferrari" is an extraordinary crafted story that revolves around a high flying US trial lawyer named Julian Mantle who distorts in a court room having a heart attack that nearly kills him. Following his heart attack Julian Mantle sells all his property (including his Ferrari) and then treks to India to learn how to live a more meaningful life by applying seven principles and practices. Months later, he returns to the West and recounts his story of transformation, his secrets of a happy and fulfilling life with his friend John.
Julian narrates John a fable that contained the seven virtues for a life abundant with inner peace and joy. The fable goes like…
Imagine yourself sitting in the middle of lush green garden filled with different color flowers where the environment is very silent and tranquil. As you look around you will see that in the centre of this garden stands a towering, red lighthouse, six stories high. Suddenly the silence at this peaceful place breaks as a loud creaking door at the base of the lighthouse opens. And there stumbles a 9 foot tall, nine-hundred-pound Japanese sumo wrestler who wanders into the centre of the garden. This Japanese sumo wrestler is almost totally naked but has a pink wire cable covering his private parts. As the sumo starts to move around, he finds a shiny stopwatch which someone had left behind many years ago. He slips it on, and falls to the ground with a huge sound and unconsciously lies there as if taking his last breath. But suddenly the wrestler awakens by the fragrance of some fresh yellow roses blooming nearby. With great energy the wrestler jumps swiftly to his feet and looks to his left. He gets startled bby what he sees. Through the bushes at the very end of the garden he observes a long winding path covered by millions of sparkling diamonds. Something instructs him to take the path, and to his credits he does. This path leads him down to road of everlasting joy and eternal bliss.
Julian describes all the seven virtues very beautifully to John by referring to some good quotes and examples of him that changed him internally, externally and eternally. At the end he asks John to spread these secrets for the benefit of other people. Embracing John like the brother he never had, Julian leaves.
For the reader who might be in the rat race for material success and money, this book might be food for thought. With each virtue lies some quality and understanding that I have listed below. The seven virtues are:
The Garden: Symbol for mind
Quality: Master your mind
Understanding: Cultivate your mind and it will blossom beyond your expectation.
The Lighthouse: Stimulate your inner power
Quality: Purpose of life is a life of purpose
Understanding: Discovering and then realizing your life work brings lasting fulfillment.
Sumo Wrestler: Continuous improvements
Quality: Practice of constant and never ending improvements
Understanding: Success on the outside begins within and enlightenment comes through the consistent cultivation of your mind, body and soul.
Pink wire cable: Wonders of will power (self-control)
Quality: Live with Discipline
Understanding: Discipline is built by consistently performing small acts of Courage. The more you nurture the embryo of self discipline, the more it will mature.
Stopwatch: Time
Quality: Respect your time
Understanding: Time is your most precious commodity and it is non-renewable so focus on your priorities and maintain balance.
Fresh Yellow Roses: Live to give
Quality: Selflessly serve others
Understanding: The quality of your life ultimately comes down to the quality of your contribution. By elevating the lives of others, your life reaches its highest dimensions.
Path of Diamonds: Never sacrifice happiness for achievements
Quality: Embrace the present
Understanding: Live in the here and now. Savor the gift of present, the journey of today and live each day as your last day.
The messages might seem to be little too corny and the lectures too pedantic for the reader who is more or less conversant with the principles and insights garnered by Julian Mantle from the sages of Sivana. The presentation in the form of a story redeems the book to some extent. The book might perhaps be more satisfactory for readers who are unfamiliar with and hungry for oriental wisdom. All in all, a book of wisdom. On concluding remark it is a great book for people looking for concrete tips on how to improve their lives.
After reading this book I would like to answer some of the very common questions:
Q: What is Luck?
A: It is nothing more than the marriage of preparation with opportunity.
Q: When does your vision become clear?
A: It will become clear only when you can look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.
Q: What happens when you find out what you love truly?
A: When you find out what you truly love to do and direct all of your energy towards doing it, all of your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations; your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Lastly you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be.