Mehraj-din Bhat
Be it the Pressure of meeting deadlines, having very tight schedules or cupidity to work more to earn more, ‘inner tranquility’ is something that is like gold dust in almost everyone’s life today.
To tackle this inevitable problem people usually either take a break from work and visit some health spa or seek information from a health guru to keep themselves in shipshape. If you happen to be one among them, there is no need to waste big bucks any more.
Simply because it doesn’t require being under the tutelage of an ardent apostle of mental mastery to seek enlightenment about living a long and contented life, provided you have access to Robin Sharma’s splendid book –‘The monk who sold his Ferrari.’
A book that unlike many other books is devoid of hyperbolic blurb and renowned writers’ praise to entice you to fetch it a place on the book-shelf of your cupboard. Yet the book has been the international best seller and has stirred the hearts of a 1.5 million people in fifteen different languages. A true testament to its superb style and spellbinding subject matter. Plus an epitome of that old and frequently repeated saying ‘never judge a book by its cover.’
Dealing with a wide spectrum of topics ranging from quality thinking and fear of failure down to setting clear goals and self control, the book also throws enough light on the simple, anachronistic ‘sage’ techniques still vital in today’s time for revitalization of one’s entire outlook. The journey of Julian Mantle- the protagonist-from bustling America to the least tread Himalayan ranges is a real eye-opener for those who firmly believe only money and other material possessions will extend their life expectancy.
Sacrificing his flourishing career as an outstanding lawyer and selling off everything from glorious mansion, private jet to his beloved red Ferrari- prized possessions of today- for pittance seems quite a startling decision in the beginning of the book.
The decision is made to get enlightened internally and get rid off Julian’s out-of-balance life from sages’ old but incomparable information.
Initially what appears a strange decision astonishes later with its highly stranger results. Julian who starts his Himalayan odyssey as a weak-kneed man bearing woebegone complexion and brooding eyes returns having a lineless radiant face, glowing eyes with unbridled energy and enthusiasm inside to live life to its fullest. A complete transformation that not only provides alacrity to his earlier weak legs and adds years to his life, but brings him all important inner tranquility too.
Robin Sharma’s craft of producing a fable that discloses some extraordinary secrets of changing one’s mediocre life into a meaningful one really does find relevance, one way or the other in today’s time. The book is an irreplaceable treasure trove to understand the miracle of how controlling-by embracing wisdom of the sages- your thoughts can make you master of your destiny. Also the use of remarkable analogies and demonstrations serve as a light house to those whose lives are caught in a sea of chaos and quagmire.
Besides giving and justifying bizarre, yet so true definitions of human mind as ‘largest filtering device’, fear as ‘a negative stream of consciousness’ or human beings as ‘having the power to think about anything in any given moment; the book also clears amply how bringing small changes in your lifestyle today can do wonders to you tomorrow. It tells you why is it indispensible to spend six hours sharpening your axe, if you have eight to cut a tree? It teaches you what by simply believing in yourself can do to your overall personality?
There is no denying the fact that every individual has some, if not abundant talent resting inside him. Some know it, use it and accomplish what they yearn in life to accomplish. Others despite knowing it fail to use it and hence do not succeed in accomplishing what is to be accomplished. A near thing on paper but a very far ‘division’ in reality.
Division of productive and unproductive people, division of successfuls and unsuccessfuls, and division of satisfied and unsatisfied. To erase this division between the two and inspire ‘uns’to use their infinite potential in the fortress’ of their minds, ‘inspiration’ is the first and most crucial thing that has to come from somewhere. And after reading the incredibly inspirational- The monk who sold his Ferrari; inspiration not only comes, but becomes your congenital quirk. Such intoxicating is its content.
Though one does learn many mantras one should chant daily to enlighten oneself in this book, but for those who are yet to read this soul-stirring book, the only mantra for them can be – read it, feed it and live it…
