Book - Three Great Teachers

Three Great Teachers (Reprint)

Thai Ha Publishing Company
Author Robin Sharma
Published on 01-2018
Size 14.5 x 20.5 cm
Translator Nguyen Xuan Hong
Cover type: Softcover
Page number 330
Publisher: Lao Dong Publishing House

[ThaiHaBooks] In the fast-paced flow of modern life, people are immersed in overwhelming work, neglecting themselves, and then at some point in their lives, they realize they have lived a wasteful life with a superficial soul. However, everyone wants to live a meaningful life, live for themselves, live and not just exist. Three great teachers, a gentle, slow, and meaningful story, help us mature into our best selves, thus achieving success in our own lives. Although it's a fictional story with three non-existent teachers, each teacher teaches Jack – the main character and us – different lessons about life, love, and dedication through answering three questions: "Have I lived wisely?", "Have I loved?", and "Have I given my best?"

So, what are the answers to those questions?

Have we lived wisely?

The first teacher Jack met was Father Mike, a Roman Catholic priest, a religious man but willing to share valuable Buddhist insights. He helped Jack learn the first lessons on his journey.

It's a lesson about human imperfection, meaning that no one is perfect. Because if everyone were perfect, what would they still strive for, and what would life still mean? Our mission when we are born is to find our true value.

It's a lesson about how the world works. Everything that happens is simply an opportunity for growth and overcoming what needs to be overcome. Wise people understand this and seize those opportunities for growth. That's why it's said that life is a school for growing up.

It's a lesson about how to interact with others, to abandon reason and live more with the heart – to live by feeling rather than simply thinking. We shouldn't always focus on others' weaknesses while ignoring their strengths. Because only by correctly recognizing the value of others can we truly understand ourselves.

Have we loved each other yet?

The second great teacher who helped Jack answer the question "Have I loved enough?" was Moe – a surfer living in a remote part of Hawaii, a true master of the heart with a fulfilling and happy life. Living rationally and disconnected from one's heart is extremely stressful. Therefore, be more open-hearted, live with curiosity, awe, and wonder. One of the best ways to live by the heart is to shift from blame to love, because becoming a compassionate person greatly expands the heart. And loving oneself is the driving force to become a more compassionate person. In short, the more we love others, the more we love ourselves, the more we expand our hearts and live a more beautiful life.

Have I contributed enough?

The final mentor to conclude the three-month experience was Tess, a female CEO of a brokerage firm. She taught Jack how to live a meaningful life, how to shift from pursuing success to creating lasting significance, and how to manifest his inner aspirations materially while cultivating spiritual fulfillment. After taking full responsibility for his own life, he learned the importance of genuine care for others; that genuine concern and kindness hold exceptional power in the business world, because love is a business tool. The first step in pursuing one's aspirations is to clearly articulate one's vision, to name the desires one wants to achieve. The second step is to develop a strategy, because strategy is the action plan that bridges the gap between vision and results. The third step is to form a contract with oneself, creating a plan of what needs to be done and when. The final step is evaluation; continuous monitoring and assessment of progress are essential for each day to be better than the last and for life to be more successful.

The journey concludes with unique courses from three different teachers, leading us to the threshold of a beautiful life. Each person has their own unique experiences, but ultimately, they all realize the immense meaning and valuable spiritual values. The culmination of the entire process is faith, which permeates everything. Trust in the intricate structure of the world and in the intelligent plan for our lives.