In The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma’s sage Yogi Raman explains the Seven Virtues of Life through a short mystical fable. Each symbol in the fable stands for one virtue. In this article, we explore those seven virtues and what they mean for everyday life.
The Mystical Fable
Imagine you are sitting in a magnificent, lush green garden filled with silence. At its heart stands a tall red lighthouse. Suddenly its door opens, and out steps a huge Japanese sumo wrestler wearing nothing but a pink wire cable. As he walks through the garden, he finds a shiny gold stopwatch, puts it on, and falls to the ground unconscious. He is awakened by the scent of fresh, fragrant roses. Rising to his feet, he notices a long, winding path of diamonds and follows it toward everlasting joy and bliss.
The Seven Virtues at a Glance
| Symbol | Virtue |
| Garden | Master your mind |
| Red lighthouse | Follow your purpose |
| Sumo wrestler | Practice kaizen (continuous self-improvement) |
| Pink wire cable | Live with discipline |
| Gold stopwatch | Respect your time |
| Fragrant roses | Selflessly serve others |
| Path of diamonds | Embrace the present |
The Seven Virtues of Life Explained
1. The Lush Green Garden: Master Your Mind
In the fable, the garden is a symbol of the mind. It represents the first virtue: “Master Your Mind.” When you care for your mind, nurture it, and cultivate it like a fertile, rich garden, it will blossom beyond your expectations. The quality of your life is directly proportional to the quality of your thoughts. Do not regret or worry; there are no mistakes, only lessons. View setbacks as opportunities. You can practise mastering your mind through the technique known as the Heart of the Rose. The secret of happiness is simple: find out what you truly love to do, and then direct all of your energy towards doing it.
2. The Red Lighthouse: Follow Your Purpose
The second virtue is symbolized by the red lighthouse, which represents “Follow Your Purpose.” The purpose of life is to live with purpose. Discover your true calling, set personal, professional, and spiritual goals, and then have the courage to act on them. Today, this very moment, is a gift. Stay focused on your purpose, and the Universe will take care of everything else.
3. The Sumo Wrestler: Practice Kaizen
The Japanese sumo wrestler represents self-mastery. The virtue we learn from him is to practice kaizen: continuous self-improvement. By consistently cultivating your mind, body, and soul, enlightenment will naturally follow. Face the things you fear, and embrace The 10 Ancient Rituals of Radiant Living. The Universe favors the brave.
4. The Pink Wire Cable: Live with Discipline
The pink wire cable represents the fourth virtue, “Live with Discipline.” Through the steel of discipline, you forge a character rich in courage and peace. With the virtue of will, you can rise to life’s highest ideals and live a life filled with all that is good, joyful, and vital. Without discipline and will, you are like a mariner without a compass, one who eventually sinks with his ship.
5. The Gold Stopwatch: Respect Your Time
The gold stopwatch represents the virtue “Respect Your Time.” Time is your most precious commodity, and it is non-renewable. Value it deeply: avoid procrastination, focus on your priorities, and keep balance by simplifying your life. Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return.
6. The Fragrant Roses: Selflessly Serve Others
Flowers spread their fragrance without discrimination. The fragrant roses represent the virtue “Selflessly Serve Others.” By uplifting the lives of others, your own life reaches its highest dimensions. Live to give, because the quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your contributions.
7. The Path of Diamonds: Embrace the Present
The path of diamonds represents the virtue “Embrace the Present.” Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Live fully today, for there will never be another day quite like it. Never sacrifice happiness for achievement, and begin each day as if it were your last.
Related Reads
- BookSum: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
- The 10 Ancient Rituals of Radiant Living
- Heart of the Rose: A Technique to Master Your Mind
You can buy The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari on Amazon.
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