The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

The monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma is the story of Julian Mantle, a superstar lawyer whose fast and out-of-balance lifestyle leads him to an almost fatal heart attack in the middle of a courtroom. His physical collapse leaves him with two choices:

1. Recover and continue to live a fast and unhealthy life, fueled by material desires or

2. Confront his spiritual crisis and seek answers to life's most important questions.

Julian chooses the latter and his quest for finding happiness and fulfilment leads him to an extraordinary odyssey to an ancient culture, deep in the mountains of the Himalayas. Here he discovers a powerful system to release the potential of the mind, body and soul and learns how to live with greater passion, purpose and peace.

The book gives timeless methods in which we can all find peace, happiness and fulfillment. Many of our lives mirror that of the main character in the book, Julian. We lead such 'fast' lives and have no time to savour the important things in life - family, friends, our hobbies, dreams and just as importantly, ourselves.

How many of us are consumed with hunger? Hunger for more prestige, more glory and more money? We live in a work centred world where material gains are an illusory version of success. Our desires will never be satisfied but instead will blaze like adding fuel to a fire.

The book vividly describes the lack of fulfillment that Julian goes through despite his abundant wealth and beautifully explains the solution to his predicament, his 'personal odyssey of the self.' To aid him in his quest for fulfilment, Julian was taught by the ancient great Sages of Sivana. They taught him many techniques which if applied on a daily basis will bring great joy to our lives.

The Sages taught him countless methods, I will not discuss them all but if we try to implement the following in our lives then we will be able to lead a more fulfilling life and find our purpose in and really appreciate the smaller things in life:

1. Try doing yogasanas, pranayama and meditation every morning

2. Ensure you carry out one of your hobbies on a daily basis. E.g. drawing, painting, play football etc...

3. Read for at least 30 minutes everyday but not just any book; read one which will add value to your life and challenges you intellectually

4. Take daily walks

5. Spend time with nature, even if it's just sitting in the garden or gazing at the stars

6. Use mantras, meaning 'freeing the mind' and positive thinking to your advantage - if you're ever feeling low, constantly repeat to yourself, 'I am strong, I am confident, I am able.' Never under estimate the power of words and positive thoughts

7. Reflection - spend 10 minutes analysing your day. Note down all the good things you did in the day and all the bad things in the day. Also write down any negative thoughts you had during this time also. By doing this, we are aware of our actions and thoughts and can actively go out to improve ourselves.

The monk who sold his Ferrari is a beautifully written book which gives us countless guidance on how to improve ourselves, advance spiritually and live a life of purpose and happiness.

Duty...

The inactive man does not do his duty to his Creator or to the society that maintains him. The recluse who devotes his entire life to improving himself fulfills part of man's duty because he helps society by leading by example and by making at least one of its members good.

The world is full of people that keep themselves to themselves and concentrate on purifying their own mind, body and soul by praying in solitude, reading holy books in solitude, meditating in solitude, living in solitude trying to escape the distractions of the outside world. Is this enough? They refuse to see the vast humanity around them living a life of deprivation, hunger and suffering. If you bring these facts of life, that people do not have bread to eat, clothing to wear, Hindus will misguidedly say that their suffering is a result of their past Karma (action). As Hindu’s do we not have a duty to them? They may well be suffering their fate, but is it not a negative Karma on our part if we allow this suffering to continue? If a person is born with a treatable illness, should his Medical Doctor say, “this illness is the result of your past Karma, so I must leave you untreated and let you suffer.” Would we even call such a man a Doctor?

God is not some Father Christmas type figure whose lap we can sit on and ask for miracles. He doesn't sit observing all from a high perch in the clouds. God is a state of mind. All man can attain this state of mind. The man who does his duty as a son, a father, a brother, a husband, a friend, a neighbour, his duty as a human being with no thought to earn wealth, respect, applause or self-esteem through his actions, this man has reached the state of mind that is God. This man's sole thought is his duty, this man is a divine soul. Swami Vivekananda said - "If you wish to serve God, serve human beings."

When we say that God is in everything and everything is God, it does not mean we must worship trees and rocks. What it means is that we regard everything as sacred. We respect trees and rocks and therefore must not abuse the resources that have been provided in this world. This video narrated by a Native American describes it perfectly - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61BCB2-OmRY

The Importance of Yogasanas & Pranayama

The book I'm currently reading is Yogasana & Pranayam For Health by Dr P.D. Sharma. Here is a brief summary of what yogasana is and the benefits of it.

Yogasanas are simple actions for keeping the internal & external parts of the body in good health. The body & mind are closely interrelated so both should be taken care of. There are 7 ways in which daily waste produced by the body through physical activity & functioning of the digestive system can be eliminated through: both nostrils; eyes; ears; mouth; anus & genitals and the skin. Many diseases are the result of the absence of sufficient and regular elimination of waste matter such as urine and stool from the body. Yogic exercises help the process of elimination of waste matter from the body and keep the body in perfectly sound health.

Yogasanas have a preference over other systems of physical exercises due to the following reasons:

1. In other physical exercises, the internal organs of the body do not get proper exercise, while yogasanas give sufficient exercise to the internal organs of the body.

2. Yogasanas have a greater impact on the mind & senses than other physical exercise, with the result that yogasans help to develop one's physical & mental powers to calm the mind & control the senses.

3. It eliminates waste toxins from the body. As a result, it has more resistance power to keep disease away.

4. The body becomes flexible by yogasanas which makes one more active.

5. Blood in different blood vessels is purified through different yogasanas.

6. The power of contraction & expansion of lungs is increased by practicing yogasanas & pranayama. This leads in the purification of blood to a great extent.

7. Life span, youth & health depend upon the flexibility of the spinal cord. Yogasanas keep the spinal cord flexible.

8. Yogasanas help the mind to experience tranquillity. There is a progressive intellectual development because of the calm mind.

9. They stimulate different glands of the body. These stimulated glands produce secretions in proper proportion, which having mixed with the blood helps the body to acquire a well balanced growth.

10. Diseases such as constipation, gas trouble, diabetes, blood pressure, hernia, headache etc...can be cured by practicing yogasanas & pranayam.

11. Yogasanas make possible not only physical & mental development but also intellectual & spiritual development.