Robin Sharma has written an exceptional book titled The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, this is a story about a high-flying lawyer called Julian Mantle, who has all the trappings of the material world but lacks a sense of fulfillment and meaning in his work and life, so he goes on a journey of self-discovery. It is a must read and should be added to your personal development library, it will help you to learn how to use your mind to its full capacity so that you can achieve greatness. Below are a few paragraphs which will give you a brief insight into what the book is about.
“I was tired of living my life like one long air-raid drill. I realized that my mission is to serve others and somehow to contribute to making this world a better place. I serve those in need. I am simply a man who has found his soul.”
“What is important is that you understand that mental mastery comes through conditioning, nothing more and nothing less. Most of us have the same raw materials from the moment we take our first breath of air; what separates those people who achieve more than others or those that are happier than others is the way they use and refine these raw materials. When you dedicate yourself to transforming your inner world your life quickly shifts from the ordinary into the realm of the extraordinary.”
“All success in life, whether material or spiritual, starts with that twelve-pound mass sitting between your shoulders. Or more specifically, with the thoughts that you put into your mind every second of every minute of every day. Your outer world reflects the state of your inner world. By controlling the thoughts that you think and the way you respond to the events of your life, you begin to control your destiny.”
“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, 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. Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
“Ironically, the less you focus on the end result, the quicker it will come. How so? It’s like the classic story of the young boy who traveled far from his home to study under a great teacher. When he met the wise old man, his first question was, how long will it take me before I am as wise as you? The response came swiftly, five years. This is a very long time, How about if I work twice as hard? Then it will take ten years, said the master. Ten! That’s far too long. How about if I studied all day and well into the night, every night? Fifteen years, said the sage. I don’t understand, replies the boy. Every time I promise to devote more energy to my goal, you tell me that it will take longer. Why? The answer is simple. With one eye fixed on the destination, there is only one left to guide you along the journey. Be patient and live with the knowledge that all you are searching for is certain to come if your prepare for it and expect it.”
“The secret of happiness is simple: find what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it. If you study the happiest, healthiest, most satisfied people of our world, you will see that each and every one of them has found their passion in life, and then spent their days pursuing it. This calling is almost always one that, in some way, serves others. Once you are concentrating your mental power and energy on a pursuit that you love, abundance flows into your life, and all your desires are fulfilled with ease and grace.
“So simply figure out what turns you on and do it? If it is a worthy pursuit, replied Julian. How do you define worthy? Your passion must, in some way, improve or serve the lives of others. Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued. It must ensue. And it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself. Once you find what your life’s work is, your world will come alive. You will wake up every morning with a limitless reservoir of energy and enthusiasm. All you thoughts will be focused on your definite objective. You won’t have time to waste. Valuable mental power will not, therefore, be wasted on trifling thoughts. You will automatically erase the worry habit and become far more effective and productive. Interestingly, you will also have a deep sense of inner harmony, as if you are somehow being guided to realize your mission.”
