A fable by Robin Sharma on building a life of discipline and success….
Check out more on Robin Sharma and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari below:
https://robinsharma.com/ Robin Sharma’s personal website
Buy the book via Amazon or Audible at: https://www.amazon.com.au/Monk-Who-Sold-his-Ferrari-ebook/dp/B00ALKPTFA
FABLE:
“You are sitting in the most magnificent garden you have ever seen. The garden is filled with flowers. Feel you have all the time in the world to indulge in the beauty of the garden.
there is a towering light house. 9 ft tall sumo wrestler comes out of a red door. He has a pink cable protecting his private parts. He finds a shiny gold stop watch which someone had left behind years earlier.
Slips on it and falls to the ground unconscious. He is stirred by fragrance of beautiful roses.
He looks to the left and sees a long winding path covered in diamonds. He is compelled to take the path and this path leads him to everlasting joy and eternal happiness”
“Timeless principle for radiant living”
SYMBOLS for the 7 timeless virtues for radiant living:
Garden
Lighthouse
Pink Wireless Cable
The Stopwatch
The roses
The long winding path
The diamonds.
Apply these on a daily basis, you will change mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually:
- THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GARDEN
The garden represents your MIND. If you care for your mind. If you nurture it and cultivate it, it will blossom far beyond your expectations. If you, however let the weeds take plant.
To live life to the fullest, you must stand guard at the gate of your mind. You must not allow a single negative thought in, not even one.
Adopt a positive paradigm for the world. The way you think is a product of habit. Simple.
Condition your mind.
See your mind for what it is, natures greatest gift. There is no such thing as objective reality, or absolute truths.
All success in life – whether material or spiritual starts in your mind. By controlling the way you think you will own your life.
“There are no mistakes in life, only lessons” “From struggle comes strength” “To transcend pain you must have first experienced it”
Stop judging events as positive or negative. Rather, simply1ust experience them, see what they teach you.
Begin to live out of the glory of your imagination not your memory.
Things are always created twice – first in your mind, then in reality. “Blue printing” – anything you create in your outer world you created as a lush blue print.
Unlock the true potential of your mind to create the kind of magical life. Expect the best, you will be astonished at the results.
Sports hero/Business tycoon. It is a freedom and joy.
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.
Connection between physical vitality & mental agility. By changing your thoughts, you can change your life.
Diligently apply strategies daily for 1 month you will be astonished at the results. Enjoy the process of personal expansion and growth.
Key principles
First, concentration is at the root of desire. The fact that you have a desire or dream means you have the corresponding capacity to realise it. To liberate the power of the mind you must be able to harness it and direct its focus on what is at hand.
“Find out what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it”.
If it is a worthy pursuit. Your passion must in some way improve or serve the lives of others.
Deep sense of inner harmony.
Those who rise with the sun have one thing in common, they have purpose. Not in an obsessive way. They live in the moment, their attention is completely on the task at hand.
Needless and endless worry. Once you find your purpose – life becomes easier and far more rewarding. Your life will be play.
You will have to start taking risks. Your mind your body and your soul.
Stop being so practical. Start doing the things you always wanted to do. Find the things you love.
Daily incremental improvements. 10 minutes of focused reflection per day will have profound impact on your life.
“The Heart of the Rose” – ingredients fresh rose and silent place
Look at the rose, savour its flavour, its look, return your attention to the object of your focus. Soon your mind will grow strong and focused. Persist. Spend longer each day focusing longer on the heart of the rose.
It is your island of peace. There is power in silence and peace.
“Opposition Thinking”. The mind can only hold ONE THOUGHT at ANY ONE TIME.
CCreate a positive, creative mindset. When a negative thought comes in mind, replace it with a positive thought. They are reminders that I still have a distance to travel on the road to mental mastery.
Step 1 become aware you are thinking uninspiring thoughts
Step 2, think of positive thoughts, breath deeply, train the power of your mind on positive thoughts.
You cannot afford the luxury of even 1 negative thought.
Manifest your desires into reality. “The SECRET OF THE LAKE”
The early morning …. The sages would look into the lake and envision their dreams becoming a reality. If it was the virtue of discipline they wished to cultivate within theirlives they would picture themselves getting up at dawn and performing their rigorous physical regimen without fail and spending days in silence to enhance their will power.
If itwas courage they desired tehy would picture themselves with strength in the moment of crisis and challenge.
The mind works through pictures. Pictures effect your self image and effect the way you feel, act and achieve.
See yourself as you want to be. Shut the door, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, visualise mental pictures of all you want to be, to have, and attain in your life.
Picture yourself acting gracefully, lovingly. The magic of visualisationj can be applied to many situations. The power of your mind has potential to attract all into your life.
- A MAGNIFICENT LIGHTHOUSE
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose”
Those who are truly enlightened know what they want out of life, emotionally, materially, physically, spiritually. Clearly defined priorities and goals for every aspecto f yoru life will serve a role similar to that played by a lighthouse offering you guidance and refuge when the seas become rough.
Achievement. Comes through consistent application.
Dharma is based on the ancient principle that we each have a heroic journey while we walk on this earth. Find your heroic life. Make sure it serves others.
Goal setting is just the beginning. People spend their whole lives dreaming of becoming happier, living with more vitality and having abundance of passion” Take 10 minutes to write out your goals. Think deeply about the meaning of your life. Goal setting will make your life magnificent.
Set clearly defined objectives in the mental, physical and spiritual world. Write down your dreams. Know what you want from every game. Develop a game plan for your own life.
What is so special about writing your goals?
By writing down your goals you send a RED FLAG to your subconscious mind about what is important.
LIFE AIMS.
You change your life once you set your goals. It tells your message what to focus on. Concentrate every ounce of your mind on self-discovery. The
CONCENTRATE YOUR MIND ON A PURSUIT THAT YOU LOVE.
5 step method to reach purpose of life
Step 1 – form a clear mental image of the outcome
Step 2 – get positive pressure on yourself. How can i create positive pressure? – public pledge – tell everyone you know about what you are doing – associate pleasure with good habits and punishment with bad habits
Step 3 – never set a goal without a timeline – you must have a precise timeframe/date. Get to know yourself. Buy a dream book and write all of your dreams.
Divide your dream book into the different areas of your life Physical Fitness Goals Financial Goals, Personal Empowerment Goals, your relationship, social goals, and Spiritual Goals
Fill your dream book with the pictures of the things you desire and images of people who cultivate the abilities, talents and qualities you hope to emulate. If you want to lose weight and be in outstanding physical shape paste a picture of a marathon runner or elite athlete in your dream book. Review it daily. Passion a burning sense of passion must be at the forefront of your mind. Reclaim the morning. Be the master of your fate.
What lies behind you and what lies in front of you is nothing compared to what lies within you.
THE ART OF SELF-LEADERSHIP
Symbol – 9ft tall, 900 pound Japanese Sumo Wrestler.
The Sumo wrestler represents Kaizen meaning “constant and never ending improvement”. If you really want to improve your outer world (such as your finances) you must first improve your inner world. You can do this through the practice of continuous self-improvement.
Self improvement – personal exploration. TAking the time to nurture your mind, care for your body and nourish your soul.
Building strength of character, developing mental toughness and building courage.
The degree of courage you live with is the degree of self-fulfilment you experience. Mind body soul.
Ancient powerful techniques – do as many pushups as you can possibly do. Don’t stop until you can do no more.Then do ten more.
You had more inside you. When you reached for your resources you received more. When you push beyond your limits you develop mental and physical gifts …
Do the things you fear.
Identify your weaknesses and attack them head on. When you conquer your fears, you conquer your life.
FEAR is a conditioned response. When you erase fear from your life you become younger and your life more vibrant.
Once you get yourself in order your life will fall into place.
ART OF KAIZEN
Ageless principle of self-mastery
10 ageless principles and rituals
Practice for 1 hour per day for 30 days
Keep practicing every day to keep seeing the results.
The 10 Rituals of Radiant Living
- Ritual of Solitude – healing power of silence at least 15 minutes per day. Spend some time alone. Find a place of true quiet and beauty to practice… “the sanctuary of yourself” – a peaceful corner at your home. It works best if you practice it at the same time every day. In nature is ideal. Result – deep sense of inner harmony and abundance of energy.
- Ritual of physicality – “as you care for the body, so you care for the mind” – nourish the temple of your body daily through the practice of daily vigorous exercise. Yoga, vigorous walking in nature. Learn the art of effective breathing will increase your natural state of vitality. 2 or 3 times per day take a minute or two to think about breathing deeply from the belly.
- The Ritual of Live Nourishment – “as you nourish your body as you nourish your mind” – LIVE FOODS – sun, earth, air and water. Eat live foods. Eat as many vegetarian foods as possible (RAW??) At least add salad and fruit to every meal.
- Ritual of Abundant Knowledge – notion of life long learning. Read regularly – at least 30 minutes per day. Dont read anything, read something that will improve you and the quality fo your life. Read it 10 or 15 times – as scriptures. 30 minutes a day will make a delightful difference in your life. Read the RIGHT books and learn how the people who have proceeded you…. Think Great Americdan, Benjamin Franklin, Mahatma Ghandi “ the story of my experiments with truth”, Siddharta by Hermann Hesse, “the highly practical philosophy” byMarcus Aurelius, some of the work of Seneca and “think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. Think and grow rich is about abundance. Read and keep reading…. “Books simply help you to see what is already in yourself”
- The Ritual of Personal Reflection – every night sit in deep contemplation and take inventory of their day. First list all of your activities, then write down the thoughts that had run down during the day in one column, then do an assessment in another column. Were they positive in nature? If they were he would keep them, if they weren’t helpful he would eliminate that thought/activity.
- Ritual of Early Awakening. Rise with the sun. Most of us sleep far more than we should. First never forget quality over quantity of sleep … never eat after 8pm. Meditate to soft sound of harp before sleeping up. 10 minute period before you sleep and when you wake up relax, have some herbal tea, listen to soft classical music. The better the sleep – the less you will need. If you do anythign for 21 days in a row, it will become a habit. If you wake up early – think positive thoughts, give prayer of thanks for all that you have… the average 4 year old laughs 300 times per day, laughter is medicine for the soul. Laugh for 15 minutes to start off the day. Heart of rose, drink fresh juice/water, go into your sanctuary of silence and ask yourself this question “what would I do today if this day was my last??” if you live every day as though it were your last you will savour it.
- Ritual of MUSIC – never forget the power of music.
- Ritual of the Spoken Word. A mantra is a collection of words together – ma means mind and tra means freeing… so they are words that free the mind. “I am inspired, disciplined and energised” Repeat a mantra “I am strong, able and calm”
- Ritual of Congruent Character – take daily action to build your character. “You sow a thought, you reap an action. Reap an action, you sow a habit. Sow a habit, you reap a character. Sow a character, you reap your destiny.”
Life’s calling/principles: industry, compassion, humility, patience, honesty and courage.
- Ritual of Simplicity – focus only on your priorities. Your life will be uncluttered, simple. The key is … don’t focus on the goal, enjoy the process.
THE POWER OF DISCIPLINE
The sumo wrestler was start naked except for the pink cable. The pink cable will serve to remind you of the power of self-control and discipline in building a virtuous disciplined life.
Self control and willpower are similar to a cable. A cable consists of many thin wires, each alone flimsy and weak… yet together their sum is much greater than their constituent parts adn the cable becomes tougher than iron.
To build a will of iron, it is essential to take small tiny acts … the lack of willpower is a mental disease.
It is willpower that allows you to keep your commitments to other people, and more importantly to yourself.
Through the steel of discipline you will forge a character rich with courage and peace. Through the virtue of will.
Self-control and discipline will bring you a tremendous sense of freedom. Ths alone is amazing. When you master your mind, you master your life. When you have managed to discard all weak thoughts and only maintain those taht are positive.
“I am more than i appear to be, all the world’s strength and power rests inside me” repeat this 30 times per day
YOUR MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY
The shiny gold stopwatch is a symbol of our most precious commodity – TIME.
Time is the greatest leveler. Time mastery leads to life mastery – remember it is a non-renewable resource.
Plan your week and manage your time carefully/creatively. Have the discipline to focus your time around your priorities. The most meaningful things in your life should never be sacrificed.
80% of the results you achieve in your life come from 20% of your effort.
Only 20% of what you do will have an impact on the quality of your life. Watching telly & gossiping …
“Enlightened people are priority driven”
Direct all of your attention to the things that count. Time mastery. Say no to the little things so you have time to do the big things.
Do the things that less productive people do not like doing. Those who are masters of their lives live SIMPLE lives.
Develop a deathbed mentality. Act as though failure is impossible. Be brave. Become the architect of your future and your life will never be the same.
THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF LIFE
When all is said and done, what matters in life is that the quality of your life comes down to the quality of your contribution.
Symbol – the Fresh Yellow Roses – Chinese proverb “a little bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses” meaning when you improve the lives of others you indirectly elevate your own life in the process. When you take care to practice random acts of kindness daily, your own life becomes far richer and more meaningful. To cultivate the sacredness and sanctity of each day, serve others in some way.
The only one real reason you are here on earth is to give yourself to others. Measure people by the size of their hearts. People are realising they are here for a purpose. We each have a gift – unlock your treasures and apply them for common good.
See yourself as part of the community, rather than an individual. Start striving towards making the world a better place. Compassion and daily acts of kindness will improve your life.
A person with 3 solid friends is wealthy indeed. Mend and cultivate your friendships.
THE TIMELESS SECRET TO LIFELONG HAPPINESS
Final Element of the fable…
A long windy path studded with millions of tiny diamonds.
It is there to remind you of the virtue of enlightened living.
“Living in the now”. The most important moment is now. Learn to live in it and savour it accordingly.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Live for today. There will never be another one quite like it.
You can start to have the life you deserve the very moment you start to understand that the path you are currently walking on is one rich with diamonds and other priceless treasures. Enjoy the beauty and sacredness of all that is around you. You owe this to yourself”
Never put off happiness for the sake of achievement. Never forget the gift of family.
Few things are as meaningful as your children’s childhood.
Happiness is a journey. Enjoy the special moments that every day offers because today this day is all that you have.
You can train yourself to enjoy the gift of living and fill yourself with the existence of jewels of life.
When you savour the now, you kindle the fire of life that fuels your destiny.
Discover your higher purpose and follow the path of your dreams. Grow your destiny by putting all of your focus and attention on this.
