The Monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin

S. Sharma
My Personal review - Chapters 1 to 9
We must remember that this book is a story, a work of fiction. While it contains
messages similar to those put forward in other self help books this is a made up story
and not a testimony from an experienced practitioner or a well researched account of
observation.
First a quick synopsis of each chapter
Chapter One
The Wake Up Call
Our hero is a lawyer - successful, high earning, high playing, tough and determined.
He works 18hour days and is obsessed with work. He works harder and harder in his
hunger for more glory and money. He has all the possessions - houses, a jet, the red
Ferrari - but continues to push himself to the limit almost as if he has a death wish. He
has a failed marriage and has become old-looking and overweight during the strain of
his take-no-prisoners out-of-balance lifestyle with its smoking and drinking and over
indulgence. He has lost his purpose and focus in life, which has left him only
emptiness.
Our narrator is a junior lawyer - assistant and friend to the great man.
The first sentence tells of the collapse in court of our hero - a massive heart attack.
Chapter Two
The Mysterious Visitor
Three years have gone by and our hero has vanished apparently to India on an
expedition.
One evening the mysterious visitor of the chapter title arrives at the narrator's office.
He is a smiling young man full of vitality and energy who exudes peacefulness.
It is of course our returning hero much changed.
Chapter Three
The Miraculous Transformation
Our hero reminds the narrator that the legal world had ruined him physically,
emotionally and spiritually and he had gone to India to recuperate and find himself.
He sold everything and travelled from village to village, learning about the way of life
and seeing the wonderful sights in India. The people were very welcoming and he
slowly improved - his energy and enthusiasm returned and he began feeling more
joyful and peaceful. This was not just a long holiday but a spiritual mission to find the
ancient wisdom for a rewarding life. He heard about ageless monks who lived
contemplative lives and longed to meet them. In the mean time he learned from many
teachers and travelled to many temples.
He felt there was something missing but he finally met a yogi told him about a group
of Sages who had a holistic system to extend the potential of the mind, body, and soul.
This promotes health and happiness and fulfilment. Their whereabouts was unknown somewhere in the mountains. So our hero hiked alone high in the magnificent scenery
for seven days. He then spots a figure in a robe carrying flowers. Although he is old
this monk radiates youth and vitality, as well as serenity and peace.
He takes our hero to be a guest in the temple where he will learn the ancient principles

of enlightened living leading to inner harmony and lasting peace. In return he must
teach others the same to fulfil their dreams
Chapter Four
A Magical Meeting with the Sages
The temple is in a village in a beautiful valley. The buildings are made of roses. The
people are silent, deeply contented, and engaged in productive activity. They eat fresh
fruit and vegetables. This feels like a homecoming to our hero.
Chapter Five
A Spiritual Student of the Sages
His time in the village was spent watching, resting, and meditating. He heard about
the insights, principles, and techniques which give vitality, creativity, and fulfilment.
He learned about self mastery and self responsibility. His personal expansion was
indicated by the noticing of the beauty of ordinary things and he grew to feel peace
and serenity while being joyful and energetic.
Our narrator now wonders if these principles and so on could help him to improve his
own getting jaded life.
Our hero uses familiar phrases How can you care for others if you cannot care for yourself?
When the student is ready the teacher appears.
Chapter Six
The Wisdom of Personal Change
Our hero arrives at the home of the narrator clad in flowing robes highlighting his
personal transformation.
He promises to explain the techniques for controlling your mind and erasing worry.
Also the wisdom which will allow a purposeful rewarding life, and the methods which
give energy and youthfulness.
He suggests that the narrator tries them out for one month and then be amazed at the
changes.
The main message is contained in 7 virtues for self leadership and spiritual
enlightenment. These virtues are illustrated in a fable.
There is a beautiful garden with a lighthouse in it. A sumo wrestler comes out of the
lighthouse and picks up a watch from the ground and puts it on. He collapses into
unconsciousness and remains so for some time. Finally he awakes and follows a
diamond path out of the scene.
Chapter Seven
A Most Extraordinary Garden
Our hero explains the first symbol from the fable. The garden represents the mind.
This chapter is about the potential of thought.
To help your garden flourish, you nurture it. To promote a healthy mind, gain mastery
over it. We can control our attitude to events we cannot control - the old glass half full
or half empty. His advice is to always find the good in everything, there are no
mistakes only lessons. As concentration is the root of mental mastery he describes an
exercise to the narrator - The Heart of the Rose. This is to help focus the mind and
achieve stillness. The exercise involves looking at the rose and not letting your mind
stray. This is to be done every day - along with another 10minutes focussed reflection
on the purpose of the day.

The next piece of advice is Opposition Thinking - always think yourself out of a bad
mood by thinking the opposite. He says thoughts are things, energy, and must be
looked after. No negative thoughts allowed.
The final piece of advice in this chapter involves another exercise; this one is called
the Secret of the Lake. This involves visualising your dreams, imagining what you
want as though it is real. Our hero proclaims that this will invoke the power of
attraction which makes the dream into reality.
There is also a small aside in which our hero states that to find happiness you must
find out what you love to do and do it.
Follow your passion.
Chapter Eight
Kindling your Inner Fire
The Lighthouse represents purpose. This chapter is about goals and aims.
Our hero explains the next part of the fable thus: happiness comes with the
achievement of goals, advancing life's purpose. His advice is to find out what you are
good at and thus your heroic mission. Then have courage to act on it.
He outlines 5 steps to help you.
1. Envisage your goal and write it down. Have a dream book.
2. Apply pressure on yourself to get it done - have a penalty clause
3. Have a deadline
4. It takes 21 days to fix a new habit
5. Have fun
Chapter Nine
The Ancient Art of Self Leadership
Our hero explains the third symbol from the fable.
The Sumo wrestler represents life long learning.
This chapter is about constantly improving your mind, body and soul.
Our hero proclaims here that fear is holding you back; it is time to step out of your
comfort zone and explore the unknown to liberate your true potential. Conquer your
fears and conquer your life.
Doing what you truly love to do will bring deep contentment.
He recommends to our narrator that he should spend one hour a day for 30 days on
the Ten Rituals of Radiant Living
1. The Ritual of Solitude
Being still and quiet connects with the creative source. Make this a routine in a
Sanctuary of Self, perhaps communing with nature. Use the healing power of silence.
2. The Ritual of Physicality
Take some exercise such as walking or yoga. Caring for the body supports the mind.
Practise breathing.
3. The Ritual of Live Nourishment
Eat more live foods - that is fruit and vegetables.
4. The Ritual of Abundant Knowledge
Read for 30 minutes a day - choose nourishing books say the wisdom literature or
biographies of people you admire.
5. The Ritual of Personal Reflection
Cultivate the habit of thinking to thrive. This is silent contemplation on the day.
Perhaps write an inventory of all the day's events. Then plan action to improve

tomorrow.
6. The Ritual of Early Awakening
Rise with the sun as 6 hours sleep is enough. Think inspiring and serene thoughts 10
minutes before and after sleep, use the extra time well - develop a gratitude list or
listen to music or appreciate nature.
Start the day well, what if today is the last day? (more of this later)
7. The Ritual of Music
Use the power of music to dance and laugh and smile.
8. The Ritual of the Spoken Word
Daily mantras or affirmations will free the mind. Positive self-talk and self-image will
enhance life.
9. The Ritual of Congruent Character
Strength of character should be improved every day by practising virtuous living and
adhering to the principles of industry, compassion, humility, patience, honesty and
courage.
10. The Ritual of Simplicity
Focus on priorities, reduce needs and make activities meaningful.
These are the practical things and our hero now moves onto the spiritual stuff.
He explains that all things come from the same source, so that we are all one - the
Soul of the Universe.
He maintains that the universe favours the brave, so our narrator should embrace
failure and grow to follow his dreams to his destiny.
Summary phrase - constant improvement

The Monk who sold his Ferrari

Chapters 10 to 13
Chapter Ten
The Power of Discipline
Our hero explains the fourth symbol from the fable.
The pink wire cable represents self-control and discipline.
This chapter is about willpower and inner strength.
Our hero suggests that self-control gives freedom because we are no longer slaves to
impulses and the demands of the world. We can make our own decisions.
Master your mind, master your life. Control every thought and allow only positive
thinking.
There is more help for the narrator - a formula to develop willpower
1. Say this mantra 30 times a day
I am more than I appear to be, all of the worlds strength and power rests inside me.
2. Start doing the things you don't like
3. Don't speak for a day - curb impulses.
His advice is to be all you can be, start small and build momentum.
Summary phrase - the power of will
Chapter Eleven
Your Most Precious Commodity
Our hero explains the fifth symbol from the fable.

The gold watch represents time.

This chapter is about time management
Our hero goes on to explain that time mastery is life mastery. He says that effective
people set aims and live a life of achievement without sacrificing peace of mind. Our
narrator must plan his time and use it effectively. He must think about mortality and
the importance of living fully. Simplify life and do not put off living. Develop a
deathbed mentality - live every day as if it is the last. Act as if failure is impossible
and be the architect of your future.
Finally, he asserts that the ultimate purpose of life is to serve.
Summary phrase - respect time
Chapter Twelve
The Ultimate Purpose of Life
Our hero explains the sixth symbol from the fable.
The roses represent service to others.
This chapter is about your contribution
Our hero now takes the view that quality of life depends on the quality of
contribution. The old line that you can take nothing with you but you can leave
something. He advises using the special gifts of mental ability, energy, creativity,
discipline and peacefulness and applying them to a common good. Our narrator
should practice compassion and kindness to all and meditate every morning on the
good he will do today.
Summary phrase - selflessly serve others
Chapter Thirteen
The Timeless secret of Life Long Happiness
Our hero explains the final symbol from the fable.
The diamond path represents the jewels along the way
This chapter is about living in the present
Our hero now asserts the benefit of living in the now and not squandering life's gifts.
He has many phrases:Live today and savour it fully
Happiness is a journey not a destination
Enjoy the small wonders of every day
Never put off living, don't sacrifice the present for the future
Seize the moment and live a life that soars.
Have time for your family
Live with a sense of wonder and joy
Be grateful and grow your destiny
Follow your mission, follow the path of your dreams
Do what you truly love to do
Revive your spirit and tend your soul
Be all that you can be
With other repetitions of phrases from earlier - such as small victories, tiny changes,

personal development - the lawyer-turned-monk, our erstwhile hero, takes his leave of
his one time underling, our narrator.
Summary phrase - embrace the present