The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - by Robin Sharma

Okay...so this book has been in my to-read list for quite a long time until i decided to strike it out recently. To write a fair review , i felt like drinking the old wine from yet another bottle. Well the bottle was not probably that new. This could even be the original bottle of the wine i have had from many other newer bottles. The story remains the same, the power of universe to be channeled by positive thinking, Learning to control mind and thereby the whole universe. But if you are totally new to this concept, the book is worth a read. It gives you clear instructions , enough motivation and good reasoning. The monk, once a well-established lawyer, financially very sound, with a unbeatable reputation suffers from a massive heart-attack.  This makes him rethink about his life after which he decides to go to Himalayas in India. There he meets a group of saints, from whom he learns the "secret". The story begins when this "monk" teaches this secret to his favorite junior advocate (the narrator).
 Well, the most poorly kept secret it should be. Being born and bought up in India, in a Hindu community, let me tell you, this is not a secret at all among Hindus. Everyone knows this, but no one really cares to follow. It is not about knowing, it is all about seeking. To begin with, one really need to have a deep desire to "seek this knowledge" . I agree a heart-attack and broken marriage would have been enough to fuel that desire in the monk. But will his students benefit from it if he comes knocking at their door and offering it to them over a cup of tea. And what about the readers. I sincerely have my doubts.
To harness the universal potential, one has to be truly convinced that he and the universe are one and the same (I think that is what Hindutva is all about, pardon me if i'm wrong). But once this happens you no longer would want to possess those earthly wealth. Spiritually you would have over-come all those desires of mind. So it is like you need the power to gain something, but once you have the power you no longer have the desire to gain that "something". I hope the readers don't get a wrong message that this is an easy way to make some money or a dream career or love. Well, I'm not a religious person to say these with certainty. But if anyone out there succeeds, you would let me know, wont you?

A Rich Man's Secret - a novel by Ken Roberts

If you are that sort of person with the ever lasting quest for that "secret" hidden in the Universe...if you cannot just convince yourself everything as "God's doing" and sit back to wait for the fate...this book is a good read. Unlike the name, it does not have anything to do with riches. I would say the book's title is very misleading.
     The books helps you in realizing that it is very much normal to be abnormal. There is nothing wrong with you, if you are not able to fit yourself into the society's so called normal life of having a highly paid job, luxurious home and forgotten dreams. You need not be guilty for being a seeker.
    The book not just highlights the need to live in the present but also on how to do so. Probably after reading this book, you too will realize 99% of the people around you are time-traveling without even they knowing that they are. The center character Victor in the novel is in search of something not knowing what it is. In a deeper sense, it symbolizes the search within each of us. In this search, he comes across some interesting characters who has one or two lessons for him. Finally he finds the hidden treasure, which is a letter written by a very rich man on secret of success. The real message is not in the letter, but in the plight to find it. Yes, this storyline is quiet similar to many other inspirational books like "The Alchemist". But unlike the shepherd searching for gold, Victor is more real and you will find it easier to relate to his search.
    There are some good takeaway messages like "Coincidence is not very coincident" , " Your thoughts are not really yours and they are not you", " No one can put you down unless you allow them to" , " Success does not need to be appreciated by others, there is more joy in silently enjoying it yourself" , "When someone says impossible, it just means they don't know how to do it" and many more.
 The book can leave you smiling at yourself when you recognize the universe's signal. It might make you wonder, why you never noticed it before. If you are reading this blog, just go and get a copy and read it. Who knows, this blog might be signal!!!