Happy Friday! Today we’ll be studying The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.
About a year ago, Robin Sharma actually flew down to Kuala Lumpur to visit me and MindValley! Great guy and great book.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
“From tonight onwards, take complete control of your life. Decide, once and for all, to be the master of your fate. Run your own race. Discover your calling and you will start to experience the ecstasy of an inspired life.”
~ Robin Sharma from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Some words from Brian:
Robin Sharma is one of the world’s top leadership experts—right up there with Jack Welch and Tom Peters. In fact, he was recently recognized as the #2 leadership guru in the world. He also happens to be a great author and a super cool guy.
In this Note we’re gonna take a quick look at another one of his great books: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. (Might just be the best title ever.
It’s a great, quick-reading fable that lives up to its subtitle of being about “Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny.” (Think: The Alchemist with yogi-attorneys rather than a shepherd. In fact, Paulo Coelho, another one of my absolute favorite authors, said this about the book: “A captivating story that teaches as it delights.”)
The book is PACKED with Big Ideas and in this Note I’ll only be able to profile a handful of my favorites, so, if it’s resonating with you, I highly recommend you pick it up and enjoy it as an inspiring, life-changing, weekend read. (And while you’re at it, get The Greatness Guide. Trust me.
And as always, what’s your BIGGEST Aha! moment from this Note and how are you going to implement the wisdom from today into your life? Drop a comment and let the discussions roll!And twitter users, don’t forget the #50days 
Also, because lots of people are joining in on the Challenge a few days late and in case you miss a day or two, check out this page » We’ve listed every Note that will be discussed (on which day) along with links to the discussion posts.Can’t wait to get the discussion going on today’s Note.
Talk to you guys tomorrow and if you haven’t got your 100 PhilosophersNotes yet, you can grab them here »
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Hi Team,
“From tonight onwards, take complete control of your life. Decide, once and for all, to be the master of your fate. Run your own race. Discover your calling and you will start to experience the ecstasy of an inspired life.“
Oh how I wish it were that simple !!!
In a sense it is, and that sense does not guarantee any results in reality.
The “7 Timeless Virtues of Enlightened Living” are indeed that — from any of the perspectives I value and find powerful:
1 Master Your Mind
2 Follow Your Purpose
3 Practice Kaizen
4 Live with Discipline
5 Respect your time
6 Selflessly serve others
7 Embrace the present.
All work — all great.
“Invest in yourself” works for me — we’re here doing it in a sense.
“Blueprinting” yeah. Created twice — yes. Just reading “Guns Germs and Steel” and it is interesting to see how many great ideas never made it, and were lost so many times in history.
http://www.solnx.org is my current blueprint. All suggestions on getting it past blueprint and into being gratefully accepted.
This is the odd thing: “find out what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it”.
I love to explore ideas, to learn about apparently unrelated things, and find relationships that test out in reality.
So many things. The power of our minds to create health or illness. The ability of deeply buried belief structures to limit or extend our potential.
Our bodies are such complex structures.
Evolution is a process that works on many levels simultaneously, and uses whatever is available to produce differential survival and change in frequency of expressed characteristics in populations.
In the realm of the evolution of ideas and beliefs (which is part mimetics, and part intuition driven by “holographic” processes) it is possible to create transformations.
“Rise with the Sun” is a great idea in the tropics. In higher latitudes it gets a bit interesting. Would make for a very late start in winter, and a very early one in summer.
And yes — I love doing it. It is great to watch the sunrise from the boat with my line on the bottom 400 ft below.
“Strengthen Your Mind”, “A strong, disciplined mind, which anyone can cultivate though daily practice, can achieve miracles.” Yes — this is true — the big question then becomes — disciplined to what?
Discipline derives from the practices of those who follow a teaching. It has that notion of putting practices into action.
At what level does one do this?
At what level is the teaching to be a source of ones own actions to be taken?
If one takes that idea to the limiting case then one would follow no one, and always choose ones own path. The whole notion of discipline breaks down.
Does one internalise the idea?
Is it a discipline of the highest egoic mind?
Is it a discipline of the deepest holographic intuitive mind?
Or is it something beyond discipline?
Is it an integration?
Is it the setting of a context, and then an ongoing recursive process of intuition generating new levels of context, for evaluation and eventual expansion/replacement of the original context?
Ted, based on your request for ideas about how to get Solnx.org past the blueprint stage, the one concept that comes to mind is “pictorial story telling” to help spread your important and complex story in a simple and compelling way.
Two topical examples of this:
Dr. Richard Smalley’s “Our Energy Challenge”: http://www.agci.org/library/presentations/about/p...
Got to see Dr. Smalley give this talk live in 2003, a year before he passed away. He’s not a real charismatic speaker and the visuals are crude, but he tells an engaging story that explains the magnitude of and misunderstandings surrounding the energy crisis, lays out a “doable” vision, and makes a compelling call to action.
Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” is, in my opinion, a presentation masterpiece — especially his use of visuals! His 2nd presentation at TED: http://www.ted.com/talks/al_gore_on_averting_clim... is a great example of one way to spread the meme.
Design resources (a couple favorites) to help you create these types of presentations:
Beyond Bullet Points by Cliff Atkinson: http://www.beyondbulletpoints.com/ — all about telling a thoughtful and moving story with PowerPoint.
Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds: http://www.presentationzen.com It’s just a rich learning resource.
Ted, thanks for sharing your vision, and for allowing me to share these resources. I’m going to go through my next presentation today and make sure I’m taking my own medicine
Cheers! ~ Tom
Thanks Tom
Very interesting watching Smalley’s presentation. Good to see others independently verifying large aspects of the problem.
Yes Al’s presentation is great — I’m guessing that the investment in that presentation would be 6 or 7 figures. I don’t currently have those sort of resources, and I can possible get 80% of that effectiveness just on my own.
Followed the other links, but haven’t purchased the books as yet — interesting though.
Part 2
I have many times taken my body beyond what anyone expected it’s limits to be. Held my breath for 7 minutes, free dived to 100ft depth and back, slept without blankets in winter, climbed mountains, taken cars, bike, planes and boats to their mechanical limits; and yet somehow something is intuitively uneasy.
I can do discipline, I can (and do) also do lazy and overwhelm.
There is something tugging at my awareness, but not quite getting through to words.
I have an intense unease and distrust of any “form”, as a form sets up a pattern that another more deeply versed in that pattern can use against the less experienced. The truly novel, the truly unpredictable, is extremely rare.
Perhaps it is that alone that needs to become more common.
There is certainly a sense where we see what we look for. Our subconscious will direct us towards that which is in the context of thought — some call it the law of attraction, but it not that, it is a set of mechanisms within the human brain.
Can we create and maintain the context of searching for and seeing that which of greatest value, of greatest service to life itself?
I know “Every single person on the planet is a genius” to be true beyond all reasonable doubt. Anyone who can language is potentially infinitely creative. That is a logical necessity.
“Greatness: It’s Your Birthright” doesn’t do it for me. For me rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. Greatness is certainly a potential available to all — “right” is a term I would sooner discard from the vocabulary.
My “Blip on the Canvas” — who can say?
Service certainly.
Question is, will enough people recognise it for it to achieve it’s potential?
What can I do to catalyze that recognition process?
Another great note — Thanks Brian and Vishen — apologies for the “stream of consciousness” nature of this writing — just how I’m operating at present. Review later!
Hi! I found these quotes in the “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” PhilosophersNote to be of great value! Power in silence and stillness! Meditation .… Thoughtful reflection … Quieting the mind .…. I can relate .….
“Never forget that there is power in silence and stillness. Stillness is the stepping stone to connecting with the universal source of intelligence that throbs through every living thing.”
Directing the mind to live in the present … Working on this … one moment at a time …
“When you consistently direct your mind to live in the present you will always have boundless energy, no matter what time the clock reflects.”
Thanks for another great PhilosophersNote Brian! Have a great weekend Everyone!
I count myself as very blessed, that I have been able to take the last 6 months off working, and spend the time investing in me. Meditation, exercise, journalling, seeing friends, reading. I have become a better person as a result. I’m having such a ball, I ‘m just not sure I’ll ever want to fit working into my life again
A couple of quotes I loved
“Alright, the secret of happiness is simple, find out what you truly love to do and then direct all your energy toward doing it”
“Act as if failure is impossible, and your success will be assured. Wipe out every thought of not achieving your objectives, whether they are material or spiritual. Be brave, set no limits on the workings of your imagination. Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future. You will never be the same”.
At this moment, I feel like I could do anything
“We all have something that we are meant to do. Your genius will shine through, and happiness will fill your life, the instant you discover your higher purpose, and then direct all your energies towards it.”
At the moment I feel that my purpose is to be the best parent I can be. I’m still discovering if there is something else for me in the future.
Have a great weekend everyone
I do find myself too busy to add anymore to my time table, and then reading the note this morning I got thinking what can I remove from my busy schedule and replace it with something more productive, more in line with my purpose. That’s when the light went in. I used to get up at 7:00 get coffee ready and wake my wife up. Since I started the PN I get up earlier so I can read the notes, then make coffee and wake up my wife. I changed some of my routine and do certain things the night before so that the morning is free for personal development. For a while now I am thinking on finding time to go back to the gym and it doesn’t open early enough. How can I re-arrange my world to go to the gym? And this morning the light went on and I can go in the evening. We usually have supper around 6 I can get things cleaned up and go to the gym at 7:30 8:00, its open ‘till 10:00pm plenty of time to do my work out. Cool got it.
Blueprinting. Love the way it sound don’t you? Being an engineer by trade ( please don’t hold it against me) I love blueprinting, I found out that in my trade mapping a blue print is 75% of the work, by creating a blue print we can detect those things that won’t work even before starting the project, so it does make sense to activate the imaginative process and construct from there thus avoiding costly or discouraging errors. Years ago when we sold the farm, yeah did that too, we were looking to purchase a motor home. So I started dreaming about it and creating a life style around the motor home, than we went and look at one, seat in it for 2 hours and my wife made a comment, “ that look like shores on wheels” so we ended buying a house instead with garage, garden and a lot more room. Lately we were discussing the possibilities of acquiring a large yacht where we could live on and travel. Again the visualization and planning before taking the action. I love boat and I love navigation, I am a water baby, I have the skipper training and experience so no problem that way. Guess what we are going to do? Right buy a bigger house that’s what. Doing the research I found out that living on a yacht no matter how big is very limiting. We still need a place to park things. So instead we are looking at leasing whenever we want to take a trip. Use it give it back no hassle with keeping a berth and maintenance. Do you know that the cost of maintaining a yacht is around 10 to 15% of the cost of the yacht per year? Nuts. Blueprinting is really worth it and extremely entertaining.
I a getting the meaning of “focused energy”, the more I focus on what me purpose is and the more I direct my energy toward it the better I feel , took me a while and I am getting there. “if you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being. Then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life”.
Powerful, powerful quote. Energizing to say the list and a wakeup call. I have been looking for happiness in all the wrong places, I found it here when I purposely discover my purpose and do it on purpose. Another quote that keeps me awakes, from Esther Hicks “It is easy to create a castle as a button. It’s just a matter of whether you’re focused on a castle or a button”.
Isn’t it grant that all greatness all purpose is to serve one way or the other, when looking at it this way half of the work is done. Serving purpose number one, accepting that fact allow me to discover and decide how I am going to fulfill my purpose. And same applies when we have found what we love to do we need to just applying it in service to others, and the magic happens. For me I needed to learn the difference between being a servant and being of service. Now that I have all is well and on its way.
I really love the ideas shared in this book. I share a lighter side to this with a recent personal experience. The Universe does have a lovely sense of humor I must admit, and the packaging may not always be like we expected.
I made a list few days ago of the things I was committing/recommitting to for my personal growth — following the principles of Enlightened living…I wrote of my engaging in daily meditation and exercise, mastering my mind, serving others in work, respecting my time… a good list to start I thought.
So what happens? I get a call close to sunrise around 6 am from my dad while I am preparing to begin part of my morning ritual of meditation. He says his house is flooded from a busted pipe. He needs help.
What happens ? Well I manage to kill a few birds with one stone.
Three inches of water to scoop and bail with buckets got me lots of exercise. The repetitive action and sound of water helped me silence my mind in a peaceful meditative state and my work for the next two hours until the job was done got me a chance to serve selflessly. Talk about asking for what you want and getting it!
On a more serious note, I found the journey shared in this book was really inspiring. It is interesting when and how that doorway appears how truly liberating it is to pass through and follow the enlightened path. It is not always easy, but it seems that if we can remain open and flexible, we are allowed to do so with a sense of grace that is very empowering.
Thanks Brian for another great book.
great story about getting what you asked for Brava for your version of help.. you used it all for the positive..
love it!
Hi Shivana– I love the way you turned lemons into lemonade. Instead of holding your dad’s call for help as an intrusion you held it as just another way to meditate and exercise, all the while serving someone you love. Not bad. I love your optimism and your clarity. Your dad’s a lucky guy.
Re: The Universe does have a lovely sense of humor I must admit, and the packaging may not always be like we expected.… Well said! .…. Kind of sums things up .….
I like the way you made the absolute best out of your “situation” .…. “a chance to serve selflessly.” Cool!
Have a great day!
This book is in my top 2 of all-time books and I love Robin Sharma. He’s such a genuinely nice guy and his ABS weekend was a life transforming experience for me. So I was thrilled to get to today’s note!
This book is brmming with pearls of wisdom and it summarises all the key principles of success from the last 34 days. The 7 timeless virtues of enlightened living represent the top 7 strategies for living a happy, fulfilled and successful life. “EVERYTHING is created twice: FIRST in your mind, then in your reality” — I really get this now at a deep level and I’ve spent a long time reflecting on my life and probing into my mind to see how my life was created in my mind before in reality. It’s actually quite scary in a way to realise the enormous truth in this. I’m convinced that this realisation is the turning point for me and I now guard my brain with my mind warriors!
Thanks to Robin for being such an inspiring author and person and please keep the books coming!
Have a great weekend folks
Day 35 The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari 26 February 2010
Ah, shucks. I’ve been waiting for this. Robin Sharma is PRIMERO in soul-jogging. He sets a pace that fires up the creative juices and makes you want to torch your unfinished canv
Day 35 The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari 26 February 2010
Ah, shucks. I’ve been waiting for this. Robin Sharma is PRIMERO in soul-jogging. He sets a pace that fires up the creative juices and makes you want to torch your unfinished canvas and start over. I know this (Pnotes) was timely because I revised an email from Brian Tracy (The Golden Hour) this morning and the discipline Robin lays out is identical to the one I just printed. “Fasten your seatbelt” Tracy advises. Damned sure I will, and I’m gonna want a Ferrari to get there. Rise with the sun. Be still, be silent and plan the day. Refine purpose. Tweak it. Visualize the day, the “Purpose” and ACT on it. Deep-six negative thoughts in mid-syllable. I am a Lamborghini. I am a Bentley. I am a Viper. The exhilaration I feel from reviewing these notes this morning is refreshing, a sure tonic for mediocrity. Add a wedge of lemon to that because I want all the zest I can get. Thank you, Robin, Brian and Vishen. Maybe I should add an “–en” to my name too. Marken. Maybe a last name of…Thyme? Marken Thyme. I like. Heh…I’m on a roll. I am a Rolls Royce! I am a Bentley. I am a Cobra. Vrooom.
hey mark meet u tomorrow at 6:30 am ny time…
You go, Marken Thyme!
dear friends…
after reading these notes i realize how very much I already do and own, yet, how little I have committed to my daily practice at the mercy of those I love…(they need my time)
I know to be the most me it is necessary to take action…to meditate each and every morning..
i was on such a routine and was gaining wonderful peace and then boom! It didn’t feel as deep or my meds didnt last as long and I wanted them too and that took me away from my practice…
Well, now that I have admitted my fault (there are others I need not bother you with) I shall take that step to re-adjust my life no matter who or what! I am resigned to spending one month of getting up with the sun and meditating first …even before I read my notes and write with you…(sorry)
I am both excited and delighted and ever so grateful for these notes and all of you…
happy weekend…. puresue
I went through a similar phase with meditation, and came back to it…happy practice, happy week!
Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. It will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you.”
‘blueprinting’ because anything you create in your outer world began as a simple blueprint in your inner world.”
Find out what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it.
You will see your life for what it really is: a small blip on the canvas of eternity. And you will come to see clearly who you are and the ultimate purpose of your life – Serve!!
Wonderful Note, Brian, you have taken my soul to a new destination!!
I used to think that living a “life of purpose” meant doing something bigger than me for humanity. Robin gives me another way to hold that phrase. It’s simply, “Do what you love to do.“
You know that expression, “Do what you love, the money will follow”? Now I’m twisting it to, “Do what you love, the purpose will follow.” I’m a teacher and I love it. I’m also a writer. And I love writing. Two loves. Two purposes.
I don’t have to think about a grandiose purpose like, “I’m going to reform education” or “I’m going to write the great American play.” I can be in the moment, love what I’m teaching and who I am teaching to as well as love looking at that blank computer screen and writing with all I’ve got.
Thanks, Brian, for making Robin Sharma so crystal clear. And for helping me take some of the self-imposed burden I’ve been carrying around regarding my old definition of “my purpose.”
Hi Misterzee, caring teachers have made a huge difference in my life and the lives of our children. In fact, for me, it was an an accelerated reading teacher who shared exciting tales and challenges with us and encouraged us to find topics that spoke directly to our hearts and to read for joy and deep lifelong learning.
There were a handful of us who could hardly wait to get to class each day to find out what that day’s adventure would be. Our reading teacher, Legrand Weaver, (great name for a teacher) would end each class with question that raised our response potential through the roof. One particular class he ended by saying, “Would you all like to know a way to make enough money over this summer vacation to fund over half of your college career? [we were mostly freshmen in high school] I’m going to tell you how over the next three days. What I’m wondering most is who’s going to actually go for it. ” This challenge involved lots of reading and learning about business, local laws, ranching, sheet metal fabrication, etc. Let me assure you, that little challenge went a long way in helping to discover the practicality and joy of lifelong learning!
It’s fascinating how sharing what you love and a little passionate instruction can exponentially improve a child’s life! Thanks for being a teacher, Misterzee. You’re making a difference every day! ~ Tom
Hi Tom–
Well, you just made me smile ear to ear. You know, when I’m in the classroom, I’m sharing myself and my outlook on life while I teach my children the items in my lesson plan. Like your Mr. Weaver, I really think it’s the “How” we we are rather than the “What” we teach that makes the lasting differences. If Mr. Weaver had offered the money-making opportunity without enthusiasm, for instance, I wonder how many would have taken him up on this challenge.
Thanks for you kind note and for all the extra-curricular work you’re doing to support us NoteTakers. I read the Einstein-Tagore article and thought about an interesting opinion that both great minds held: “It is the constant harmony of CHANCE and DETERMINATION which makes it eternally new and living.” They both agree in that duality as the essence of what makes life…truly alive.
Misterzee, your students are lucky to have you as their teacher, and we all get to benefit from what you’ve shared with them. Thanks! Tom
misterzee…
i am also a teacher and a writer and i just loved how you expressed just how I feel as well..
how blessed we are to be living our purposes and passions eh?
Hi– I think all teachers are blessed because our hours are spent in the service of others. You know the parable of the three brick layers? (I’m gonna do this from memory, so don’t quote me.) When each was asked what they were doing, the first said he was laying down a brick with mortar, the second said he was building a wall and the third said he was building a giant cathedral that would be an inspiration for many.
As a teacher, we’re not just teaching how to read or write or add or subtract. We’re teaching the joy of learning…we’re modeling how to live with a purpose, how to work with others, how to be kind…and who knows how many other people our students touch!
Yes, puresue, we’re blessed. Thanks for your comment.
I found this note, especially the 7 timeless virtues of enlightened living, to be a great recap of the best ideas from the whole 35 days of the challenge; mastering your mind, creating things in mind first, living on purpose, being in the moment, investing in yourself, serving others. Good stuff to say the least.
I’ve become a big fan of mantras in last couple years and have a few that are now on auto play all the time.
“I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy.”
“I am always truthful, positive, and helping others.”
“Life is joyful and abundant.”
Love Brian’s closing to this note: “So, here’s to creating a gorgeous little blip on the canvas of eternity glowing with the radiance of honoring our ultimate purpose in life.” Prost!
Hi AF, thanks for sharing your mantras. Beautiful! Tom
nice guys!
Very nice…love the mantras!
LEARNINGS
Good morning, all. What a fascinating cat, Robin Sharma! Had not read any of his books, which appear to be oozing with timeless wisdom.
To me, the book and notes shared a gentle reminder of the importance of tuning in and heeding “the call.” Very inspiring! Here are a couple of quotes from the notes that set things going for me.
“Most people live—whether physically, intellectually or morally—in a very restricted circle of their potential being. We all have reservoirs of life to draw upon which we do not dream.” ~ William James
“When you run inspiring, imaginative pictures through the movie screen of your mind, wonderful things start to happen in your life. Einstein said that ‘imagination is more important than knowledge.’ You must spend some time every day, even if it is just a few minutes, in the practice of creative envisioning. See yourself as you want to be, whether this means serving as a great judge, a great father or a great citizen of your community.”
After reading and listening to Brian’s summary, I was curious to learn more and went to the Web to see some of Robin Sharma’s videos. The first video I watched (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x1ddBJ3kiY — 10 min) started by Robin telling a story of a wise and beautiful poem that his father had translated and posted on the refrigerator. He read the poem each day before school. What a cool childhood memory! I decided to research the origin of the poem this morning. It turns out to be a verse from Rabindranath Tagore’s “Gitanjali” (song offerings), which won a Nobel Prize for literature in 1931. Following is a translation of that verse from Tagore.
The song that I came to sing remains unsung to this day.
I have spent my days in stringing and in unstringing my instrument.
The time has not come true, the words have not been rightly set; only there is the agony of wishing in my heart.
The blossom has not opened; only the wind is sighing by.
I have not seen his face, nor have I listened to his voice; only I have heard his gentle footsteps from the road before my house.
The livelong day has passed in spreading his seat on the floor; but the lamp has not been lit and I cannot ask him into my house.
I live in the hope of meeting with him; but this meeting is not yet.
Interestingly, in my investigation of Tagore, Einstein popped up again. I wasn’t aware of it before the research for this note, but Einstein and Tagore met at Einstein’s place in Germany in 1930 and had a fascinating conversation about science and spirituality using music as a metaphor — a passion they both shared. Here’s the dialogue: http://www.intentblog.com/archives/2007/02/tagore...
EXPERIMENT
Like Robin’s father, this morning I made a copy of the verse and posted it on the refrigerator. Really excited to have some discussions with the hungry teens about the verse
It’s so exciting for me to realize and understand that I might never have had this experience without the challenge, Brian’s creation of the notes, Robin’s writing of the book, Robin’s father sharing Tagore’s verse with his children, and Tagore writing the verse in the first place …
Happy weekend! ~ Tom
mmmm.
thanks for doing all that research and for sharing tom…
let us know how the teens nibble on your food for thought!
remember expect wonder.…but it may not come in ways you think or wish for…
im copying it and adding to my fridge as well.
THANKS
You’re welcome, puresue! It was really fun research.
The teens are coming out of hibernation now … shuffling down the stairs to kitchen … I’m listening … will share the results tomorrow
Best to you! Tom
I was catching up on what I missed from Friday, and checking out your links (I love how you share all these videos and more!)…so, do tell, do tell, if there is anything to share, about the teens and the poem. Also, in the Sharma link he says, “…reading books isn’t going to do anything unless you are willing to take some chances…” so true, like working with PNotes isn’t going to do anything unless we face fears and take chances, right?
Hi Stephanie, the response was underwhelming and funny. Our youngest teen (13) looked at the poem and said, “Mom’s not going to like that you used masking tape to stick that to the fridge.” The two older ones stared momentarily at the verse before they dove into the food. Our younger daughter is the only one who asked about the content. She shared her frustrations about having to re-string her guitar after breaking high E strings.
Next time I’ll post a very short verse with beautiful picture — maybe something from the food network!
Take care, Stephanie! ~ Tom
and thanks for the clip on youtube…
and i agree…
thanks brian..i pray you realize just what you have done by offering these authors, teachers and books in such a way that we can taste the sweetness of them all!
Thanks again, Tom, for the link to Robin’s video.
I sent it to my children. It also provided my text-message of the day, a message I’m happy to say, both my children (in their early 20’s) have already learned: “The greatest risk you’ll ever face is riskless living.“
Thank you for your continual commitment to the enlightenment of us NoteTakers.
You’re welcome, Misterzee, and I’m glad you found it valuable! If you haven’t already seen it, the Benjamin Zander video (my response to Ted above) is a delightful one, especially for teachers!
Best to you! ~ Tom
Hi Tom,
Loved the conversation between Einstein and Tagore.
It was very interesting to let my intuitive side interpret the paradigms that Einstein and Tagore were using, and to try on some different ones for a good fit. Have read quite a bit of Einstein, and many of his mentors and friends — so have a bit to work with there. Tagore was new to me.
I find Tagore’s final comment very interesting: “And yet there is always going on the process of reconciliation between them, the individual taste conforming to the universal standard” in pointing to a paradigm of absolutes in “universal standard”.
In my schema, the idea of “universal standard” is a myth; a powerful myth in the mimetic sense, and also a very limiting one in the sense of the potentially infinite creativity available to the human mind.
Having spent many hundreds of hours working through arguments on Quantum mechanics between Einstein and others, I tend towards Einsteins schema in many significant aspects. I think there is mostly order, and there is also limited freedom, and the fact that those limited degrees of freedom multiply out, can actually deliver infinite freedom at a high enough level of abstraction.
And yes — interesting use of music as a metaphor, particularly being married to a top class classical pianist — and being aware of the many levels of interpretive freedom she has available and uses.
Thank you for the links
Ted, I’ve been contemplating for days your statement “… those limited degrees of freedom multiply out, can actually deliver infinite freedom at a high enough level of abstraction.” Beautiful! It’s also fascinating that your wife’s an accomplished classical pianist and that you have an insider’s view of how she uses her interpretive freedom in her music, which would be counterintuitive to many who believe that the firm structure and tradition of classical music function as straight jackets to creative freedom.
All of this reminds me of Benjamin and Rosamund Zander’s metaphorical mapping between conducting an orchestra/performing and inspired leadership. Here’s a video (about 1 hour) of him presenting “The Art of Possibility.” [youtube –EYm1yoOhbQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EYm1yoOhbQ youtube] The Zanders have created a “training” video of this presentation for organizations. Love it and find it very inspiring!
Best to you, Ted, and wishes for success with Solnx! ~ Tom
Hi Tom
Great video — he is speaking my language.
I wonder if we are related — one set of my great grandparents were called Zander, and emigrated from just South of Berlin to NZ in the 1880s. Their daughter Nellie married a Cockney sea captain and my mother was one of their kids.
Thanks for the link, and the support.
Ted
Hi Ted,
Wouldn’t that be fascinating if you were related. There’s a small-world story. He’d be a fine fellow to be related to — as would you!
Tom
Your worst enemy can not harm you so much as your own thoughts unguarded.
But once mastered, noone can help you as much, not even your father or mother.
from the Dhammapada.
Speaks to mastering your own mind, and thus mastering your own life.
Well, I’m definitely learning on this course. I think I must be ‘facing those demons’ that apparently come up. Last week was rough, but I came to an epiphany — I made a deal with my self that I would 1. Be Open with Happiness, and 2. Be Vegetarian. I think it’s one of the first really radical steps I’ve made to claim myself. I AM VEGETARIAN. That means I choose what I eat — not anyone else. That power, to choose what I put into me allows me to see myself as separate and distinct from those around me. For example, I was getting really annoyed with my partner for drinking during the day. But now, I can step back and think — “I am Vegetarian — this is My Choice for Myself. He also has the right to Be Whatever he wants to Be! He respects me and I respect him.” Peace Reigns! What a relief. so empowering. And I’m happy I’m not eating my animal friends anymore.
So with this note — I’ve copied almost all the quotes to my desktop — I can understand where I actually am, for the first time. I understand that my mind is very weak, and that it truly needs to be strengthened. I understand that I am beginning to take control of myself but I’ve got a way to go.
As I gain more and more clarity about my mental drift; that spontaneous non-directed, unproductive thinking, I see it everywhere. It’s fascinating actually but it’s also a sign of an underdeveloped mind. I have several tools I am developing as a way to cultivate that stronger mind but I’m not using mantras. “Aha!” I said out loud this morning. “Of course, use mantras! Use them to replace the drift!” So, my experiment is this: I am taking two into my life. One to use at home said out loud as I wake in the morning (I’ve recently reclaimed those first moments of consciousness as a time to practice) and in the quiet spaces between activities. I’ve already written that one on my mirror. The second one I will take with me into my city. I’ve been targeting the time I walk as another time to reclaim from the mental drift. There‘s already a post it note on my door that says: “John, take your manta.” I am so excited! I’ve selected two that are simple and deepen things I am already working on. “Treat your thoughts as you would your most treasured possessions.” Are you kidding me? Wow. Yippee! I’m also taking “rise with the sun.” I’m already close to that but I’ve been hungry to do this and this was the nudge I needed. Cool. I’m going to write a post o Blue Printing for my blog as I think that’s an idea to flesh out a bit so I am excited about that. I have some ideas to add to Sharma’s beautiful container. And the last thing I am hanging out with is: the thing I love to do the most is read, study and write and I’m turning up the volume on the time I spend doing that.
post 1 of 3
Hi All!
I’m a big fan of Sharma although I have never read one of his books! I stumbled upon his website about a year ago and just from browsing through I got all tingely with inspiration and motivation. I love what he stands for…inspired leadership…and it is a concept that needs to embraced in all of Corp America. I am currently experiencing first hand how detrimental a lack of leadership can be on a company. Thank goodness I have my PN’s to keep my mental self positive and get myself through. It is a valuable learning experience and something that is currently shaping my ideal way to run a business so for that I am grateful.
Ok on to the note. I think the quotes on the sidebar do an excellent job of capturing the overall ideas presented in the note…living a life of purpose. Actually the opening quote does it for me “…discover your calling and you’ll start to experience the ecstasy of an inspired life.” That line really gets my juices flowing
yeah!
Loving the 7 timeless virtues of enlightened living. I love anything that is organized in some sort of list
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I’ve mentioned it before but through out this challenge I’ve been developing my own checklist, something to serve as a reminder to practice the key ideas that really get me hyped up. Many of the virtues on Sharma’s list are on mine so nice to know that I’m on the heels of a great master
Invest in Yourself: I’ve been spending many years investing in myself and I really like Sharma’s idea of taking it up a notch by living a month fully living your principles. This is a must for me!! I have a tendency to live my princples but then things start to get a busy (like me traveling these last two weeks) and we’ll many of those principles go out the window. I think it was in the PN of Canfield’s The Success Principles that Bri brought up the idea of making your haibts non negotiable. I admit that in an effort to not stress myself out, to not be too much of a perfectionitst and to not take the joy out of this journey many of the good habits I have incorporated have been negotiable.
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This is mostly why many times I have moments where I feel on shaky ground and kinda lose my mojo a bit. I’ve been saying for a very long time that I need a month off to catch up on my life…maybe what I really need is a month to fully live these incredible ideas! And the excuse of not having time…I totally do that! However recently I’ve been very careful with my thoughts/words on time. I always say things like “I’m too busy” and “i don’t have enough time” and well my life unfolds to prove those statements to me. I am now saying “I have plenty time” and things are flowing differently and I am finding that I actually have time! Funny how that works!
Blueprinting…I love blueprints
Just the concept is so cool to me! Anyway, after my incredible weekend in Sedona my mind expanded to include ideas that I thought were not possible. Now that these ideas are part of my blueprint I feel so much more aligned with the direction I am headed. And I am excited to really feel that it is going to happen!
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Rise with the Sun-I love this! I am a BIG morning person so I have no issues waking up early. I actually enjoy the stillness of the morning and I find that I am most intune with Source first thing in the a.m. When I meditate/visualize/journal I feel this incredible energy flowing through my body that it’s almost as if I am floating. This is a kind of energy that is very hard for me to come across throughout other parts of the day.
Super great note! 4 of 4
The Monk who sold his ferrari
Robin Sharma
7 Timeless Virtues of Enlightened Living
1. “Master Your Mind
2. Follow Your Purpose
3. Practice Kaizen (constant and never-ending improvement)
4. Live with Discipline
5. Respect Your Time
6. Selflessly Serve Others
7. Embrace the Present”
Invest in yourself. If you say you dont’ have time it’s like saying you cant stop driving to fill up on gas.
Blueprinting — things are created twice. First in the mind then in your outer world.
Secret of Happiness — find out what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it.
Know thyslef! What do you truly love? Meditate on your true calling.
Rise with the sun — know your purpose and you will most likely spring out of bed in the morning.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ALL DAY LONG.
Strengthen your mind — Buddha — an undisciplined mind is the worst enemy.
Dr. Wayne Dyer — Never let a negative sentence complete itself in your head.
Care for your thoughts as you would your most prized possessions.
Either you control your mind or your mind controls you.
Use your mantra for rewiring your mind.
I have several “gateway mantras” I use as tools depending on what is needed at the time.
We are all the manifestation of the divinity of God.
Greatness is your birthright.
Be brave and set no limitations on the workings of your imagination.
Create your gorgeous blip!
Great note — one that I will re-read,
Christina