Want to learn the ideas in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari better than ever? Read the world’s #1 book summary of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma here.
Read a brief 1-Page Summary or watch video summaries curated by our expert team. Note: this book guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher or author, and we always encourage you to purchase and read the full book.
Video Summaries of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
We’ve scoured the Internet for the very best videos on The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, from high-quality videos summaries to interviews or commentary by Robin Sharma.
1-Page Summary of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Overview
There’s a famous story about the tortoise and the hare. The hare is certain that he’ll win, but in the end it’s the tortoise who wins. This is a classic example of how fables can be used to deliver messages in an easy-to-remember way.
Imagine if you were told a fable that was so powerful, it made you sell your Ferrari and become a monk. What kind of fable could be that persuasive? This story involves the life of a lawyer who sold his Ferrari and became a monk. The author also explains how our minds are like gardens, why we should picture lighthouses to guide us in our lives, and what sumo wrestlers can teach us about success.
Big Idea #1: While working as a wealthy, high-power lawyer, Julian Mantle had a spiritual awakening.
Julian Mantle had it all. He was a successful lawyer, and he was making money doing something that he loved. However, his life wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. His work took up so much of his time that there were times when he didn’t have enough hours in the day to get everything done. Eventually, the stress became too much for him and one day, while at work, he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the floor of the courtroom. After that incident Julian quit practicing law altogether because working under those conditions would be too stressful for him to handle going forward; instead, Julian decided to sell his mansion and luxury car before moving with his wife to India where they could find some answers about how best to live their lives. After three years living in poverty-stricken conditions in India (which included sleeping on dirt floors), Julian returned home completely healthy—and even happier than ever before!
Mantle had been traveling from village to village in India. He learned about yogis who seemed to defy aging, and he heard that there were great sages in Kashmir. These new discoveries inspired him to go to the Himalayan Mountains, where he came across monks living there.
In the hospital, Mantle found his soul.
Big Idea #2: A mystical fable teaches the seven principles of the Sivana System.
In the mountains, Mantle found a group of monks known as Sages of Sivana. One monk named Yogi Raman taught him about ways to achieve greater vitality and creativity, and how to feel more fulfilled.
A man who was taught the Sivana system on one condition—to go back to where he came from and spread the word. He went back to his law practice, which is how he managed to teach it. The seven basic virtues of this system are underpinned by fables that have lessons in them. One such fable begins with a sumo wrestler nine feet tall and 900 pounds walking out of a lighthouse door into an enormous garden full of beautiful flowers blooming everywhere. But then he finds a golden stopwatch and puts it on, only for him to lose consciousness and crash down onto the ground.
A man falls asleep and dreams of a path that leads to everlasting happiness. He follows the path, and it is covered with diamonds. This may sound like a fairy tale, but each element represents an aspect of the Sivana System (whatever that is). In this key point, you’ll learn more about these principles.
Big Idea #3: Finding fulfillment is a matter of mastering your mind.
Yogi Raman’s fable of the garden represents our mind. Many people are afraid to think about what they’re thinking about, because it might be negative or fearful.
The first virtue of the Sivana System is to control your mind. You have to tend to your mental garden, and the best way to take care of it is by guarding its gates. Only let in positive thoughts and ban detrimental ones. At the end of the day, our thoughts shape our lives. We’ll live better if we fill our heads with worthwhile thoughts. Want a peaceful life? Then let peaceful thoughts in!
