I just finished reading ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ … a really inspiring book !!! Reading the book forced me to race my brain to match it with all the daily crisis that I face, personally and professionally – I found instances in the book that I could relate to and the following corrective measures offered by the enlightened teacher: It sure seemed to show the way. But it also got me thinking a different path: The book takes the example of Julian Mantle, a very successful lawyer who had everything one could ask for.
However, a vision of his life and his work pattern reflected a very different image. It showed Julian as a man who went to extremes in his life – he was passionate about his job and he excelled at it … the point to be made is that we can only be successful when we are passionate about that particular thing. .like Julian. By succeeding, he had his share of material possessions, a mansion, a Ferrari, a rich lifestyle, and of course friends in good weather … but who cares if you’re having the best of life. Taking Julian’s example, he worked hard and partied harder … not caring about his personal life, his spiritual needs, his health … until God sent him a reminder in the form of a health breakdown in the courtroom. .
What happened after that is obvious … while recovering, Julian thought about the kind of life he had lived to date and decided to sell all his material possessions: his car, mansion and all the other things and set out in search of inner peace and happiness, which he achieved and became spiritually enlightened, which is transmitted through a series of rituals and fables in the book. What stuck with me the most here are the extreme approaches taken by Julian: when he was on the materialistic side, he had it all and enjoyed it to the hilt; When he wanted inner peace, he gave up all his worldly possessions. The most striking point for me is the extreme focus, be it all or nothing. I am of the nature that extremes never work … being a person who likes to walk a path that does not go to extremes; I would like to specify that I do not call this as a middle way because I lean towards either. the extremes, but yeah, I stay away from the extremes.
I want to ask why I cannot have inner peace in my usual life, with all my material possessions … why do I have to give up all my material possessions to achieve inner peace? “The monk who has a Ferrari”. I found this title more appropriate because in today’s world, I would consider it more appropriate if I can achieve a balance between my personal and professional life. I also think that it is the extremes that are really harmful … Julian, when he was on the materialistic side, took everything to the extreme: drunkenness, night parties, expensive suits and all the concomitants of the rich and famous; and when he gave up all this, he gave up EVERYTHING and deprived society of a good lawyer.
If Julian had adopted a moderate lifestyle, would he really have to give up everything? Personally, I always avoid extremes and try to walk a path where I try to meet all my needs … yes, I need a car, good clothes, and money in my bank account, but I also try to accumulate spiritual wealth; I pray daily as it gives me peace and strength, I can’t control everything, so I let God solve it for me … I trust Him.