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Rating: 
Summary: old wine in a new bottle
Review: Author has tried to use a different approach of presenting India's age old principles of happy living. He has constructed a Fable to say the same often repeated principles of Himalayan sages. The "Fable" aproach may appear fabulous. But the principles are the same old ones which many of us have heard umpteem number of times. However, no new method or technique is given for weaving these principles into the fabric of our fast paced life.I am an Indian and I know from my experience that even people in India where the life has a little less speed than in the West, find it very difficult to implement these principles in their lives. A direct communion with an enlightend sage is the best way to really learn these principles.
All said, one can not deny the fact that the book could be inspiring to many readers who can not immediately leave their earthly lives to go to Himalaya. In a way the book is a first step towards higher learnings. With the limited intention of getting some inspiration for understanding of higher principles of life, one can surely read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Many others have made it much easier..
Review: I thought that the anonymous review dated March 18 was most accurate. This book is a trite recitation of recycled wisdom. Sharma's verve and syntax is not compelling, and serves only to string together these old ideas. His attempt to mix a modern context to timeless truths went amiss. In the end we learn that most of us have denied ourselves our true calling, and long for a way to get paid to do what we cherish the most. We are spiritually lazy and are responsible for our destiny. I ask when will someone tell the story of a frustrated middleclass artist that always dreamed of becoming an accountant.Notwithstanding my tentative reading, something happened half way through the book, as I was diligently trying to push back the reviewer's goading perspicacious comments. I realized that that is all there is. That there will not be any book that proffers the ultimate panacea, the answer to life's riddles and the chart to bliss. We will have to write our own. And that the unintended consequence of my frustration with Sharma's prose was to force me to find value in his words. And I did. And in the end that is all what this good prophet set out to do. It was a good exercise. Many others have made it much easier..
Rating:
Summary: Many others have made it much easier..
Review: I thought that the anonymous review dated March 18 was most accurate. This book is a trite recitation of recycled wisdom. Sharma's verve and syntax is not compelling, and serves only to string together these old ideas. His attempt to mix a modern context to timeless truths went amiss. In the end we learn that most of us have denied ourselves our true calling, and long for a way to get paid to do what we cherish the most. We are spiritually lazy and are responsible for our destiny. I ask when will someone tell the story of a frustrated middleclass artist that always dreamed of becoming an accountant. Notwithstanding my tentative reading, something happened half way through the book, as I was diligently trying to push back the reviewer's goading perspicacious comments. I realized that that is all there is. That there will not be any book that proffers the ultimate panacea, the answer to life's riddles and the chart to bliss. We will have to write our own. And that the unintended consequence of my frustration with Sharma's prose was to force me to find value in his words. And I did. And in the end that is all what this good prophet set out to do. It was a good exercise. Many others have made it much easier..
Rating: 
Summary: Nelis
Review: If you are angry at the world, this book is not meant for you. Don't read it. If you believe that your life is well organised and running smoothly, you don't need this book.
If you are at a point in your life where you are looking for alternative views, Monk provides a good read. The approach could well be based on buddist philosophy, but the practical tips are not really buddist, but rather good common sense. Considering the breadth of life-organising tips presented in the book, the story line actually brings it all together in a fun read. Sure, some of the lines are rather trite, but the energy of the book carries one through the weak spots. If all these practical tips and techniques were presented in a factual format, the book would be much harder, and boring to read.
If you want a text book, go buy a text book. If you have a few hours and are willing to play along with the story, expect to be surprised how the blatantly trite story line can actually lead to a strange sense of well being and satisfaction. Don't discard the contents for its presentation, you might miss the essential message!
If you are arrogantly ignorant, don't bother.
If you have a gentle and exploring nature, try Monk, and enjoy it for what it is: an inspiring fun read!
Rating:
Summary: Some good advice, but much too mystical
Review: Some of the advice he gives is sound, but he makes it all sound so mystical. For example, the "Heart of the Rose" exercise is meditation. There, simple and precise; no need to get a rose and stare at it, learn about meditation instead, not some mystical, over-specific prescription. Other concepts, like kaizen, were interesting, but didn't talk enough about the philosophy of the idea. All in all, the concepts expressed in the book seem to all come from some non-existant religious sect, rather than from the author's life. I know that the ideas are expressed in a story to make them more easily absorbed, but the effect seems to obscure the real potential of some of the concepts in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Peaceful book!
Review: This book is for those who dont have time to read real philosophy. Its like those stories that contain a real message to the reader in the end. Told so because the message as such does not make sense, if told directly.
The book superficially takes you through the basics of Buddhist and Hindu philosophies. Read this book together with 'Who will Cry when you die'.
If you have liked Deepak Chopra's "Seven Spiritual Laws of Sucess' or 'How to Know God', you would like this one too.
Lastly, dont get carried away with that 'stressful' life scenario played again and again in the book. At times, sounds as if these quotes dont apply to a 'normal' working professional.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing Story
Review: This is a great book if you are feeling "stuck" in life, and want some pointers on how fulfill your dreams. Its advice is very basic, but told in the form of a story which makes the points brought out easy to remember. Also helping to make the points easier to remember are great one-liners like "The purpose of life is to have a lifes purpose" or "We are spiritual people having an earthly experience". The simplicity with which the story is told, will help keep the lessons fresh in your mind. I listened to the audiocassette. I took off one star from my rating, because I did not think the production was perfect. I noticed some background noise here and there. Maybe this was taped during a live talk, I don't know. The noise was noticeable but not distracting. Also, I did not feel the reading was very professionaly done. However, it is still a worthwhile tape to listen to and learn from.
Rating: 
Summary: Chicken Soup for the Millionaire Soul
Review: Unfortunately, I WASTED my hard earned money on this one. I expected a story in the same realm as Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, because that was the way it was marketed in my bookstore. However, what I found was a trite and shallow narrative about how a multi-millionaire found peace and harmony in India. Throughout the entire book I kept laughing to myself, shaking my head and thinking, "of course this guy found inner-peace, I would too if I had a few million dollars in the bank back home and went on a extended holiday to India." Nice try Robin S. Sharma, I didn't buy into your make-believe world. My recommendation: For all you billionaires out there, you might find a small bit of inspiration in this book. For the rest of us save, your money or better yet, buy another up-lifting book that will actually move you to reach for your dreams. I highly recommend The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Find
Review: With clients like Minolta, Oracle, Microsoft, Kraft, Hershey's, Orange, FedEx, Panasonic to name a few, Robin Sharma has entered into the hearts of Indians with his latest speeches in Delhi and Bangalore and # 1 selling Book 'The Monk who sold his Ferrari' has created waves to spell genuine passion for reading esp. among Business class. The book reveals wisdom to know the real inner spiritual self rathar than the one inundated with materialistic possessions. The Himalyan guru's wis' advice on way, to Julian Mantle, a high-profile attorney in this fable story, preaches to dig spirituality within self and conveys the message to think that what lies behind you or before you is nothing compared to what is withing your own good inner self. There is the sane advice to create a live of passion, live it purposefully and peacefully. Julian's life was out of balance and his spiritual self is nourished with wise advice on joyful living by developing joyful thoughts, follow life's mission to reach goals, develop relationships fruitfully and live to satisfaction with courage and discipline, come what may! The book has most inspirational values and is a captivating story even Ricky Martin and Jon Bon Jovi seems to be a fan of Robin Sharma. A lawyer himself, Robin's book is a gem to touch and change lives to live in spirituality. However, it is never so important like the fable to travel delights through Himalayas for the sage advice. The main concept is to look within and live peacefully with spirituality within and take time out from the drowsy, monotonous life of materialistic world. Make life more meaningful and take a pause - a break (An Osho discourse!) A good Pick for a Read to Digest.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent approach to the path to enlightment
Review: Yes, of course reluctant at first...like with many help-self like books...but this had a trick.. a challenge in the first chapter or so. Whas I going to take the mistic challange or just throw the book away like many it seems (too bad for them). Sometimes a man neads corage..."Great dreamers don't only achieve their dreams, they trancend them"... the book it's so on it. In Fiction the book presents seven techniques.. one divided in 10 using a monk who sold his ferrari to travel to the Himalayas for an enlighted life and specially mind-control
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