Synopsis and Discussion on ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’
I am excited to share some highlights from the recent Myofocus Symposium where I had the privilege of presenting my hypothesis on Oral Airway Functional Maldevelopment Syndrome (OAFMS). It was a major milestone for me personally, connecting with so many professionals and discussing the potential link between OAFMS and various diseases including autism and ADHD.
One of the other presenters at the symposium recommended the book “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin Sharma as a valuable read. I found the fictional story incredibly insightful and thought it would be beneficial to share some of its key lessons with you. The book tells the story of Julian Mantle, a high-powered lawyer who seems to have it all – wealth, success, and prestige. Having a crisis of heart and health propels Julian to travel to the Himalayas, where he learns the Seven Virtues of Enlightened Living from the Sages of Sivana.
1. Master Your Mind
My Thoughts: I feel this is an essential action, especially silencing the inner critic, which call a bullshit filter. It is a mechanism that stops other non us thoughts from taking root. To over come it we must talk in possibilities. It is possible I am worthwhile, it is possible that good things can come to me. This action requires constant, application, and self kindness.
2. Follow Your Purpose
Lesson: Discover your life’s calling and align your actions with it.
My Thoughts: This concept is a little more intriguing, as people will knee jerk to saying but I don’t know my purpose. I respond that’s ok, in some way we are all here to connect with others, to help, to heal to serve. Making community is the most important human concept, thus start their until you figure it out.
3. Practice Kaizen
My Thoughts: This is a Japanese concept, that matches with the other lessons. It speaks to small bite sized chunks of action, add up to big things, it requires constant application of mind and deed. It means practice makes better, there is no perfect. The mind learns through movement, and this means repeated action to connect neurons to body parts. We have been gifted neuroplasticity for our best good please use it for your betterment.
4. Live with Discipline
My Thoughts: This is particularly pertinent in our social media, screen driven , gamified modern western society. Where algorithms, are compiled to drive your doom scrolling, bots compete for your attention, and nothing gets done. One of the things I use is a simple check list. It has daily tasks that I have added to it, and it pops up at 9 am every day to keep me attending and checking things off. I may not get them all done, as some are long term, and I have to prioritise, but its there to keep my goals in site. Habits form, start with 21 days, then 60 then 180 days. Once you’ve managed that they are likely to be permanent. But turn off the phone/social media and video game, take up Buteyko, or read a book. Find a human and talk, and repeat.
5. Respect Your Time
Lesson: Time is your most valuable resource. Manage it wisely.
My Thoughts: As I’ve gotten older the only asset we all have is time. It is your most important thing apart from connection to others. As I mentioned above, capitalism in our current worst form will try to steal your time, as will people. Guard your time , by putting it into growth areas for you and your family. Learn that its ok to say no!
6. Selflessly Serve Others
Lesson: True happiness comes from helping others.
My Thoughts: I globally agree with this statement, but its written fatalistically. It important to remember your own parachute, put your own gas mask on first. Meaning look after you and your own health first, then connect and serve others. I have spent 30 years of my life as a health practitioner serving on a daily basis, so this resonates strongly. But you are no use to anyone in your community if you are burn out, or with ill health because you denied yourself love, time and nourishment. So do you first then reach out, find a cause, a group , volunteer, join connect, thrive.
7. Embrace the Present
Lesson: Find joy and fulfilment in the here and now.
My Thoughts: This is a concept I try to teach my practice members, there is only this moment, be present in it. Enjoy the moment and do not wish your time away worrying about the future which is not written yet. I also suggest not dwelling on the past, moments that have gone, that cannot be changed. Drink in the now. As I keep mentioning connection to those around us only occurs in this moment, so be present in the now and enjoy the ride.
Life is what is happening to you each and every moment, don’t wait for it, grab it now. As an aside I also use timeline therapy concepts with people suffering panic attacks, allowing them to wish the moment away for a future moment when they know they are past the threat, which helps connect that sensation into the now. This is the only safe wishing away I’d recommend.
Overall, I found it a useful book reminder of lessons that I had picked up from other books I’ve read and courses I’ve been to.
There are valuable lessons from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. While the story is fictional, the principles are practical and can be applied to create a more meaningful and fulfilling life. It’s important to value yourself, to connect with others and to participate in the here and now. The point of practicing the lessons is to help you become the best version of yourself.
As always don’t take life too seriously as you’re never getting out alive, but remember to make decisions to become a more Opti-Human!