The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma Book Summary & Analysis

Robin Sharma is one of the world’s top leadership coaches and an author widely recognized as one of North America’s most electrifying speakers. At 25, Sharma worked as a litigation lawyer, then later self-published his first book, MegaLiving (1994), on mastery of mind, body, and character. However, releasing his second book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, alongside The Leader Who Had No Title and the 5 am Club, subtitled, own your morning, elevate your life, made him a force to be reckoned with in the self-help industry. And an all-around awesome guy.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is a Fable about fulfilling your dreams and reaching your destiny, which he published in 1997. This book is based on the story of a hotshot attorney who becomes a yogi and then shares his wisdom with his former protégé.

In this summary, you’ll learn about the 7 Timeless Virtues of Enlightened Living and how to implement these virtues. You’ll also understand the importance of blueprinting your ideal life once you start expressing the greatness that is your birthright.

This book is based on a high-profile attorney named Julian Mantle, a lawyer who had tremendous success in his career. Although he’s admired by colleagues and close associates, Mantle was oddly depressed.

He felt unfulfilled in his work and lacked meaning.

Then one day, while at work, Mantle experienced a heart attack that shocked him to the core, and so Mantle felt propelled to reassess his lifestyle. 

From there, he quit the fancy job.

Sold all his possessions, then traveled to the high mountains of the Himalayas—in search of life’s meaning.

When he arrived, he met with a guru who then explains to Mantle the secret to a fulfilling life.

When all set and done, Mantle returned to his home city a changed man, went back to work, and all his colleagues were able the distinction a vibe in Mantle’s attitude and behaviors.

So much so, that one of his buddies was eager to learn everything the guru taught him in the high mountains. 

And so, he did.

Without reluctance, Mantle shared seven key principles that helped turn his life around and finding fulfilment. 

#1. Master your mind, 2) Follow your purpose, 3) Practice Kaizen, 4) Live with discipline, 5) Respect your time, 6) Selflessly serve others, 7) Live in the present moment.

The First Principle is to MASTER THE MIND

To live fully, first, you must stand guard at the gate of your mind (or, as I like to call it, your garden.) Let only the very best information enter your mind. If it doesn’t serve you, let it go.

The practice of meditation, gratitude, and good habit formation can ultimately change your brain’s neuropathway to become a better version of yourself. Sharma calls it the embodiment of the heart of the rose. Meaning converting a negative thought to a positive one the moment you’re aware of it.

Wage war against the weaker thoughts that have crept into the palace of your mind. They will see that they are unwanted and leave like unwelcome visitors. –The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari.

The Three Main Key Lessons I learned in a nutshell:

• If you cultivate your mind, it will blossom beyond your expectations.
• The quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your life. So, care for your thoughts as you would your most prized possessions.
• There are no mistakes — only lessons. See setbacks as opportunities for personal expansion and spiritual growth.

The Second Principle is to FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.

The only reason to do something is that you want to and know it to be right for you.

And so, to follow your passion, it’ll be best to experiment with many ideas until you find the ones that stick.

The Secret of happiness is simple: find out what you genuinely love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it. Once you do this, abundance flows into your life, and all your desires are filled with ease and grace. –The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

Here are Four Key Takeaways You Need to Know:

• The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
• As Sharma mentioned, Lasting fulfillment comes when you discover your lifework.
• Set clear—defined goals. (e.g., personal, professional, and spiritual goals) then have the courage to act on them.
• Ralph Waldo Emerson put it perfectly when he said, ‘What lies behind us, and what lies before we are, but tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

The Third Principle is SELF-LEADERSHIP: PRACTICING KAIZEN

Many centuries ago, great teachers developed and refined a philosophy called Kaizen in the ancient East. It’s a philosophy with the meaning of constant and never-ending improvement.

To have what you want, you must first empty your cups.

Become a life-long learner and keep your mind open to new concepts and ideas.

We are all here for some particular reason. So, stop being a prisoner of your past. Instead, become the architect of your future—the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

In a Nutshell:

• Through the consistent cultivation of your mind, body, and soul, enlightenment will emerge.
• Success on the outside is a byproduct of success on the inside. It always begins within.

The Fourth Principle is to LIVE WITH DISCIPLINE

The more you practice self-discipline, the better you’ll get at following through with your most important tasks.

Jordan B. Peterson vowed this idea in his bestselling book, 12 Rules for Life, confirming that it’s better to compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else Is today.

And when life gets tough, self-discipline will give you the mental fortitude and toughness to persevere.

Three Key takeaways to remember:

• First, discipline is built by consistently performing small acts of courage.
• The more you nurture self-discipline, the more it will mature.
• Never seek to be like others. Instead, seek to be superior to your former self.

Related post: 10 Ancient Rituals to the Path of Personal Mastery

The Fifth Principle is to RESPECT YOUR TIME

Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return. Writes Sharma. Those who use time wisely from an early age are rewarded with rich, productive, and satisfying lives.

The Takeaway:

• Time is the most precious commodity there is because it’s non-renewable.
• Focus on your priorities and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Time mastery leads to life mastery.
• And last but not least, dare to say no.

The Sixth Principle is to SERVE OTHERS SELFLESSLY

No matter what you achieve, the quality of your life will come down to the quality of your contribution. Practice daily acts of kindness. Give to those who ask and cultivate more prosperous relationships.

The noblest thing you can do is to give to others. Start focusing on your higher purpose. -The Monk who Sold his Ferrari.

The Three Key Lessons:

• The quality of your life ultimately comes down to your contribution.
• To cultivate the sacredness of each day, — live to give.
• By elevating the lives of others, your life reaches its highest dimensions.

The Seventh Principle is to LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT

“The mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.”
― Robin Sharma

Life is too short to be ruminating on past experiences. Robin Sharma explains it this way: “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.”

Live in the present moment. This is the timeless secret to lifelong happiness.

What you need to remember from this Lesson:

• Live in the “now.”
• Never sacrifice happiness for achievement.
• Live your children’s childhood. In other words, be there for them.
• Practice daily gratitude and grow to your destiny.

Remember: Compassion, Patience, and Forgiveness are significant components of peaceful living. Love even if it hurts. That is your way out.