Date:11/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/11/stories/2006051124370200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Is Robin Sharma's book a repackaging of ancient wisdom?

Staff Reporter

Interactive session on `The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari' held

BANGALORE: "He collapsed right in the middle of a packed courtroom. He was one of the country's most distinguished trial lawyers." These lines are sure to ring a bell in the minds of people who have read the book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

Robin Sharma has created an enchanting tale that incorporates the classic tools of transformation into a simple philosophy of living in his best-selling book. This book provides a step-by-step approach to living with greater courage, balance and joy. It tells the extraordinary story of Julian Mantle, a lawyer forced to confront the spiritual crises of his out-of-balance life.

On a life-changing odyssey to an ancient culture, he discovers powerful, wise and practical lessons that teach us to follow our life's mission and calling.

An interactive session on Robin Sharma's The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari was held at Leela, Oxford Booklovers Club. The panellists consisted of Raj Ayyar, Professor, World Religion, Centre for American Education, Bangalore; Stephen David, journalist; and Vasanthi Hariprakash, RJ, Radio City.

The discussion began with Prof. Ayyar and his fellow panellists saying: "Is Robin Sharma's book a repackaging of ancient wisdom?" To this there was a positive response by two of the panellists and the audience. But Ms. Vasanthi seemed to have a rather negative opinion about the book. "It is more like a self-help book and there nothing in these books that is not already known to us." Prof. Ayyar had mixed views as he felt that this book did have originality and few original metaphors. But he felt that in real life, one does not need to go to the Himalayas to find peace and success, one can achieve this by meditation and being true to oneself.

Mr. David said: "The book is also a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu philosophies. And such self-help books have created a big industry for themselves."

This book is mainly targeted at an American audience. There is not one ounce of debate and there is a very feeble attempt at humour. The book frankly did not influence me, said Ms. Vasanthi.

This shows that Indians are more intoxicated by the idea of being westernised and are "westoxicated," she added.