The Secret Letters of the Monk who sold his ferrari by Robin Sharma
About the author
Robin Sharma is a best selling author, leadership expert and speaker. His work is focused on motivating people and groups to become the best version of themselves. His client list includes famous names like ‘NASA’, ‘Starbucks’ and ‘Yale University’. His books are popular all over the world and till now several million copies have been sold. Also, his books have been translated into more than 90 languages.
Introduction
After reading this summary, you may be able to relate to Johnathan, the character of this book to a great extent. Jonathan is mostly busy with his work. Although he claims that he is doing all this for his family, he hardly gets time to spend with his family. It is possible that you too have a habit of wasting your time on unnecessary and useless things like Johnathan. We do not say that work should not be done because work is very important, but your life is much more than work. In this summary, you will learn about Johnathan’s world trip and understand what he learned from this trip. His experience can help us learn a lot.
Chapter One
The day had just begun that Johnathan understood that today was going to be a bad day. First of all, it was too late for him to get up today. If Jonathan woke up late, it meant that his 6-year-old son Adam would also reach school late. Both were getting ready quickly but now it was of no use because Adam was about to reach late anyway. He didn’t even eat the sandwich that his father made for him. The sandwich contained peanut butter which was not allowed in the school.
With a heavy heart, Johnathan watched his son get out of the car and walk towards the school. He could spend only two days with his son every week and even in these two days something or the other went wrong. Initially everything was going well. The two enjoyed eating pizza together, then watched Adam’s favorite movie together.But then Johnathan’s calls started coming. At first he tried to avoid but his phone kept ringing repeatedly so Johnathan had to receive the call. Johnathan kept receiving calls one after the other and Adam’s mood started to deteriorate. He felt that his father was far away from him even though he was with him. In whatever little quality time they got, Johnathan’s calls used to come and Adam did not like this thing at all.
Johnathan tried his best to show himself as a good father and husband, but his work was so hectic that he did not get any free time. He was not able to give full time to his family. Of course, he felt that he was doing all this for his family. He is working so hard for their future but his wife Anisha said that Jonathan does not care about her and Adam at all, so he does not give them time.
Jonathan said that he is so busy that even if he wanted to, he could not find time. There had been a fight between him and Anisha many times over this matter and now the matter had escalated so much that Anisha had decided to get a divorce. She was not ready to live with Johnathan any more and neither did she want to listen to his excuses. Johnathan tried a lot to convince Anisha but she was not ready to listen anything and finally they got divorced.
Jonathan’s marriage breaks up. His wife had left him forever and now his son was also going away from him. Jonathan was so engrossed in his work that he never noticed this.
One night Jonathan’s mother calls him and says that his cousin Julian wants to meet him. Not only does he want to meet, but he also had very important work to do with Johnathan.
Hearing this, Jonathan became more upset. He didn’t have enough time to go and meet Julian and do some work for him. Yes, it is another matter that many years ago he used to like Julian a lot. Julien was a lawyer and a very rich man who had a red Ferrari. Then one day he left everything and went on a journey to the Himalayas. He was looking for peace and tranquility. He went to the Himalayas and started living a simple life with monks.
Jonathan thought that Julian was too stupid to leave all the luxuries and live such a life in the mountains. So from that day onwards he did not keep any contact with Julian. He didn’t want to be associated with a loser like Julian. But now that her mother has bought a plane ticket to Argentina, she is forced to visit Julian.
Chapter Two
Johnathan’s last meeting with his cousin was when Johnathan was very young. Jonathan still remembers Julian’s tired face. Julian was always under stress. He was a tall man with a big belly. Jonathan knew that Julian had some bad habits.
Julian used to be very busy in his work and due to this his marriage was also broken. One day he had a heart attack during the ongoing case in the court. This was a big blow for Julian. After this accident, his whole life changed. He left everything and went to the Himalayas.
After so many years, when Johnathan met Julian in Argentina, Johnathan was stunned to see him. Julian’s health was looking much better than before and the wrinkles on his face had also disappeared. Earlier he used to wear only expensive tuxedo and now he was wearing a simple red robe. The most important thing that Jonathan noticed was that his cousin Julian seemed much happier and calmer. Younger than his age and his face was looking very fresh and young.
Both went and sat in Julian’s living room. Julian reveals that he needs Johnathan’s help to retrieve the talisman. When Julian mentioned the talisman, Jonathan looked at him confusedly.
Julian explained to him in detail about the talisman and its powers. Talismans are small idols or talismans. There is immense power inside every talisman and the secret of living a good life is hidden in it. If all these talismans get together then they can save a person’s life.
Jonathan felt very strange after listening to Julian’s words. He was finding all these baseless things. It was clear from his face that he doubted Julian’s words, but Julian went on telling about the talisman with full confidence. Julian told him that the monks he had met on the Himalayas had told him the secret of the talisman and handed over the talisman to him. But Julian, who was traveling all over the world, was afraid that all these talismans might be stolen, so he wanted to give these talismans to different people who live in different countries.
Now Jonathan’s work used to start from here. He had to collect these talismans from different parts of the world and hand them over to Julian.
But Johnathan’s man had some questions. When shipping service can come in handy in such a situation, then why did Julian need his help? Julian told him that only Jonathan could do this. Johnathan himself could not understand how he said yes to this work but still he got ready to go on this mission.
Julian told him that when he gets the talisman one by one, he should keep writing his thoughts and feelings in a diary. Johnathan frowned and promised him that he would definitely do the same.
Jonathan took a month off from work. His boss was very angry but agreed on Johnathan’s insistence. For the next few days, he was busy preparing for the journey and then set out on his first mission, which was to get the first talisman. For this he had to go to Turkey.
Chapter Three
Jonathan reached Istanbul Turkey in the morning. Julian had said that his friend who has a talisman will reach the airport to receive it. Ahmet was waiting for Julian’s friend Jonathan at the airport entrance. Both of them greeted each other and from there went straight to Ahmet’s house.
Turkey was a very beautiful city. The people there were also very friendly and kind. There were breathtaking views all around, but Johnathan did not have enough time to enjoy these beautiful views. He was busy answering calls and messages one after the other. For him, his work was first and other things later.
Ahmet took him with him to the ‘Spice Bazaar’ where there were different types of markets and many spice shops. There were colorful scenes all around. Jonathan had never seen such a sight before. His mouth remained open. For some time he even forgot his work. He suddenly remembered his ex-wife who liked such colorful shops. Johnathan also remembered his parents who loved such a rich culture.
Johnathan wanted to see and visit that place more but he did not have time. He came in a very strict schedule. Jonathan had to catch a flight to Paris the next day in search of another talisman. He left with Ahmet towards his village where Ahmet’s childhood was spent. It was here that Ahmet was about to give him the first talisman. The first talisman was a coin with a folded piece of paper attached to it.
These words were written on the paper: ‘The power of authenticity’ means the power of truth. Who says that the most powerful gift you can give yourself is living a life of integrity. There is no need to live according to the society’s definition of a good life. Instead live to fulfill your dreams and goals.
How much do you know about yourself? Your goal is to try to know more about yourself. What are your dreams that you want to fulfill? What is that thing that makes you happy? Think what is your dream? You have to fulfill your dreams and not the dreams that your parents or society have imposed on you? To live an honest life, you have to know your original identity.
Chapter Four
When Jonathan took the flight to Paris, he kept thinking about his real identity all the way. He thought it would be easier to write about it in a diary. He wrote that he used to be an engineer, a father and once upon a time someone’s husband.
But he felt that the things he had written were too general. Engineer, father and husband can be anyone, so she started writing the memories related to those relationships. He thought about the special moments that could make him feel proud of those relationships. These memories were only of Johnathan, his own, very personal so it was authentic.
It was evening when he reached Paris. When he reached his hotel, there was a letter for him. It was written in the letter that the person who has the second talisman will meet Johnathan the next day.
Johnathan was already in a bad mood as he was very tired due to the traffic. Above all, the problem was that the hotel room was on the 11th floor. Johnathan used to suffocate from closed places, due to which he was afraid of going in the lift, so he never used the lift. When he spoke to the hotel staff to change the room, he had a heated argument with the receptionist.
He was exhausted and his mood was very upset, but then he thought that he would not come to Paris every day, so why not take a tour of the city. With this thought, his mood became fresh.
In the morning Jonathan left for Paris. He replied to some emails and messages, but only those that were very important. He didn’t want to waste time on the phone all day.
Jonathan visited the famous tourist attractions of Paris. This was a completely new experience for a person like him because he could never find time for himself. But now he was feeling very good doing all this. He wanted to fully enjoy this experience. He now had free time, so he observed the first talisman very carefully. For him, authenticity meant a satisfied life full of peace and tranquility that his cousin Julian was living but he was not.
The man who had the second talisman worked in the basement of the tomb. He was busy so he asked Johnathan to come to his work place in the evening. In the olden days, the people of Paris used to bury the dead underground.
Jonathan smelled like a snake. He was afraid of the name of closed places. He was afraid to use even the lift, then going underground was a very dangerous thing. When he stepped there, he felt as if his breath had stopped. His heart beat fast. It became heavy for him to breathe and his palms were drenched in sweat. He felt as if he would suffocate, but then he saw Ontwan who had another talisman. He was working in a section there.
He apologized for not being able to meet Johnathan at another location as he only worked at night.
Ontwan felt pity on seeing him. He gave Jonathan a chair to sit. He also praised Jonathan for coming to the underground to meet him despite his fear. Ontwan said that facing the thing that scares us makes our fear go away. Johnathan got courage after listening to her words.
Ontwan was a busy man. Without delay, he handed over a pouch to Jonathan. Thank goodness it didn’t take long, thought Jonathan. He thanked Ontwan and quickly got out of there.
As soon as he came out, he took a deep breath of fresh air. The tension and fear he was feeling some time ago, seemed to have disappeared. He sat comfortably in one place and took out the contents of the pouch. A small metal skull and a piece of paper wrapped around it came out from inside.
The second talisman was to remove your fear, or rather to say, to embrace your fear. Comfort zone is safe and familiar, but it also makes you vulnerable. Taking risk makes you strong. Fear gives you a chance to grow and learn. The more you overcome your fear, the stronger and more powerful you will become and the more fearless you become, the closer you will be to living your dreams.
Chapter Five
Japan was the next destination for Jonathan. Although he was going to a new country and convocontinent, he was a bit lethargic and sad. Firstly, the flight was going to be very long, it was a journey of six hours. Above all, the trouble was that the talismans were getting heavy one after the other. Jonathan decided that he would put them in a pouch and wear them around his neck. He was surprised that how can something that looks so light weigh so much.
This journey was very tiring for him. The flight was not comfortable at all. He was now getting angry at Julian for what he had trapped him in. Was Jonathan the only one left for the job? He could have given this work to someone else. Did Jonathan have any spare time?
When he reached the airport, he found that his luggage was missing. He got very angry with the airport employees. He was crying. His mood had gone from bad to worse. Luckily, while Johnathan was having a heated argument with the airport staff, the man who had the third talisman arrived. Ayame helped explain the disappearance of Johnathan’s luggage to the airport staff.
The airport staff told that Johnathan’s luggage would arrive shortly and would be handed over to him.
Hearing this, Johnathan’s anger calmed down a bit, but his mood was not right yet. After leaving the airport, both the dimensions left for the family hotel. Jonathan kept complaining all the way. Ayame did not interrupt him but silently kept listening to him. He very calmly told her about Japanese culture.
Both were about to reach near the family hotel of Ayame. Respect is given a very high status in Japanese culture, so Aayme wanted to teach him some manners. He also told her about the proper way of eating dinner and many other customs. After getting fresh, Johnathan rested for some time. He started talking about other dimensions and traditions. All this was very strange for Johnathan because the culture of different people is also different. What is considered wrong in one culture or country may be considered normal in another culture.
Ayame completely agreed with his words, but if you know about the etiquette of other culture then it will be easier for you to interact with them. Our actions or the way we behave is a mirror of our thinking and belief system.
Jonathan felt a little embarrassed after listening to the dimension. He realized that his behavior had not been good during the entire journey. He apologized to Ayame for his behavior and bad mood. Ayame said that she could understand what he was feeling. Traveling from one continent to continent is not easy. Johnathan had come a long way indeed and had a long way to go after that.
After this Aayme left from there and gave that talisman to Johnathan. Inside the pouch was a small figurine of a golden crane and a piece of paper.
The third talisman was to live life with kindness and goodness. Any work done by you shows the kind of person you are. When you insult someone, you are also insulting yourself. If you are doing bad to someone then you are also doing bad to yourself.
You have to learn to treat others with more kindness and compassion. When you are kind to others, you also become kind to yourself. This is the only way this world can become better.
Johnathan realized that taking out his frustrations on others does not help nor does it make us feel better, but Johnathan felt better when Aammee dealt with him with great love and patience.
Chapter Six
Jonathan’s next destination was Mexico, where he was to visit Chava, who had the fourth Talisman. In the same way, Johnathan had experienced a different peace while living with the dimension. Ayeme spoke very thoughtfully or used to do any work, because of which Johnathan was very good.
Jonathan’s mind remained quite calm during the journey. He was thinking of dimensions again and again. Along with this, whatever the third talisman had told about kindness, the same things were revolving in his mind. When he reached Mexico, Jonathan was completely calm. Yes, it was definitely that he was getting very tired due to the long flight. There was a lot of heat and humidity in Mexico, but for the first time in life, these things did not affect Johnathan. He was excited to meet Chava.
Jonathan wanted to get to the Talisman as soon as possible before he met the dimension, but now Jonathan wanted to see if he could guess what the next Talisman’s note would contain. Although he had learned a lot from the people he met earlier, but now he had a desire to know more.
Chava was an archaeologist. He shook Jonathan’s hand warmly. Chava told him the history of the site he was working on. Chava enthusiastically kept giving him all the details. Johnathan realized that the way Chava was telling all this proved that this work is not just a duty for him but his passion. That is, he was not doing a job just for money, but he was very happy to be an archaeologist.
Johnathan found out that this work takes a lot of time, everything moves slowly. Even after digging the whole day, many times the archaeologist could not get much success. Sometimes even after digging for the whole day, Chava could not find anything. The digging work was tiring, but Chava told Jonathan that progress is progress, whether big or small. It takes some time and patience to find valuable things from inside the ground and after many hours of hard work, when a treasure is in hand, its happiness is something else.
Those people kept exploring the site of Chava’s work for the whole day. Johnathan was very surprised when he came to know that many things have been found from that particular location. Now it was clear why Chava was so proud of his work.
When dusk fell, Chava opened his backpack. He gave Jonathan a pouch containing the fourth talisman. Inside the pouch he found a small pyramid and a piece of paper.
The fourth talisman was to progress a little bit everyday. People want to get instant success. They want results and rewards as soon as possible, but this approach is wrong. You have to do daily efforts. You will be able to move forward only by taking small steps because small tasks give big results and wise people knew this. Improving a little everyday can change your life.
Chapter Seven
Jonathan did not stay at any one place for more than two days. He was following the guidelines of the tour given by Julian. Initially, Johnathan was relieved to think that the trip was of short duration, meaning that the sooner the trip was over, the sooner he would be able to return to work.
But now his perspective had changed. Jonathan wanted to spend some more time with them. He wanted to know and understand them more closely. Every one of them had become a friend of Julian. Suddenly Jonathan felt that he should get to know his cousin more closely.
All this was going on in Johnathan’s mind even while returning to Barcelona. Lewis came to receive him at the airport. He was a young boy and used to drive a taxi for a living. He met Jonathan with the same warmth as everyone else.
He reached the hotel with Johnathan so that Johnathan could freshen up. Later, both of them had dinner together at a local restaurant. When they were waiting for their orders, Lewis gave them the talisman. Lewis was afraid that he might lose this talisman, so he wanted to give it to Johnathan as soon as possible.
Johnathan found a small paintbrush and a piece of paper inside the pouch.
The fifth talisman was, do your work in the best way. Doing your work in the best way will give you the best life. Every small or big work that you do has its own value. Your work and the effort you put in never goes waste. We should learn the way of working from Picasso who used to execute his work with full passion and devotion.
Picasso not only made amazing paintings, but seeing his dedication towards art, millions of people were also inspired by him. Like Picasso, he also chose what he loved to do, only then he could enjoy his best life.
Your best life may not be the best in the eyes of people or according to them. Lewis is the perfect example of this. His father wanted him to do a good job and earn a lot of money like a businessman or a doctor. Lewis had to accept this because he was under pressure from his father.
Lewis was very hard working. A few years back, he had applied for a job at the same hotel where Johnathan was staying. He also got the job and was soon promoted, but Lewis was still not happy. He felt as if there was something missing in life.
Because of that work, he did not get any time. Due to his work, he did not even get time for roaming or outdoor activities. So one day he got fed up and left the job. He always wanted to drive a taxi so that he could meet new people and tell them what a beautiful and interesting city Barcelona is. The biggest thing was that he loved this city and wanted to share this love with others.
To the world, he was just a taxi driver, but to Lewis, it was the best time of his life because he was doing what he loved the most.
Conclusion
So in this summary, first of all you got acquainted with Johnathan, you got to know about his story. He was a very busy man and could hardly find time for his family. He didn’t care about anything other than his work.
He was told to go to meet his cousin Julian because Julian wanted to meet him in connection with some important work.
Second thing, you learned that Julian was just like Johnathan until a few years ago. Means he was also obsessed with earning money and could not see anything in front of his work. But later Julian left everything and started living a simple life. Julian assigns Jonathan a task to collect talismans from different cities of the world.
The first talisman emphasizes the power of authenticity. Accepting your true identity makes you powerful, so try to know yourself deeply. Find out what are your dreams and goals that you really want to achieve.
The second talisman is to accept your fear. Fear stops you from growing, but you have to take risks so that you can grow as a person. That life which is full of fear and doubt that “what if..” then that is not a good life. You will always feel incomplete with such a life.
The third talisman is to live life with kindness and compassion, that is, to have kindness and love towards everyone. Today there is hatred and hatred all around the world, so what can you do to reduce this hatred? You can try to be a kind person. How you treat others is a mirror of your character.
The fourth talisman is to give importance to small progress in your daily life. The small efforts you do daily take you towards the big destination.
The fifth talisman is to do everything in the best way, which leads you to live the best life. Best life means doing what makes you the most happy. It doesn’t matter what people think, it matters what you feel.
All these talismans will help you like a guide. But, they will not be able to do magic until you bring them into your life. So follow them daily and then see how these talismans change your life.