The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1996

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Chapter 10Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 10 Summary: “The Power of Discipline”

The pink wire serving as the sumo’s only clothing symbolizes “self-control and discipline in building a richer, happier and more enlightened life” (145). Julian explains that wire cables are composed of lots of smaller wires layered together to make one strong wire. Similarly, strengthening one’s willpower requires many small actions that train discipline. When one acquires discipline, one can better persevere through life’s challenges. Discipline also strengthens willpower, which leads to accomplishing one’s goals. Willpower can be trained just like muscles on the body.

Julian stresses that we are in control of our own thoughts and urges John to “wage war against the weaker thoughts that might have silently crept into the palace of your mind over the years” (151). Controlling one’s thoughts leads to control over one’s own mind, and therefore one’s life. John reflects upon this message and experiences an instant awakening, or satori, resolving to realize his dreams.

Julian offers John a mantra learned from Yogi Raman to build willpower: “I am more than I appear to be, all the world’s strength and power rests in me” (153). Julian also encourages John to begin doing the hard things he doesn’t feel like doing, and to try going a whole day without talking to enhance discipline.

Chapter 10 Analysis

Sharma uses three words in this chapter, sometimes interchangeably, which have slightly different meanings and constitute the mechanism by which it is possible to achieve one’s wildest dreams: willpower, discipline, and self-control.

Julian explains to John that “…the lack of willpower is a mental disease” before defining it as the thing that “allows you to do what you said you would do, when you said you would do it” (146). Willpower, then, is a quality of mind that grants its owner the strength to commit to obligations, however inconvenient or uncomfortable. This is distinguished from discipline, which is forged over time through committing to healthy habits and “[provides] you with the mental reserves required to persevere when life throws one of its little curves” (145). Discipline is an autopilot of the mind that makes deviating from a hard-won course of healthy habits as unthinkable as choosing not to breathe or forgetting to eat all day. Finally, self-control is an umbrella term that refers to one’s overall mastery of their mind and body. A person with self-control knows what they want, how to get it, and what pitfalls to avoid. This chapter involves committing to persevering through the most uncomfortable daily actions, such as refusing to snooze the alarm and performing regular exercises no matter how tired one feels.