A CEO, an Entrepreneur, a Tourist and the Monk
Finding the success and happiness
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Chapter 1
Autumn, Prague
God has no religion. - Mahatma Gandhi - |
Kampa Park, Prague
August. If the seasons represented the personality types of a person, then Autumn would be the Introvert. With the ending of the extroverted personality of an exciting Summer, Autumn opened the inner reflective and introspective personality. Autumn in Prague unfolded the deeper meaning of life against the golden colours of the foliage. Just like Truffle’s deep and musky flavour bring distinction to a dish, Autumn unfurled the magic .....
August. If the seasons represented the personality types of a person, then Autumn would be the Introvert. With the ending of the extroverted personality of an exciting Summer, Autumn opened the inner reflective and introspective personality. Autumn in Prague unfolded the deeper meaning of life against the golden colours of the foliage. Just like Truffle’s deep and musky flavour bring distinction to a dish, Autumn unfurled the magic .....
Chapter 2
Kung Fu, Mortality and Sex
We seek happiness our whole life...everywhere .. only to realised that happiness is inside.
In our search for happiness, most people cannot escape the three poisons that defile our minds. They are Greed, Anger, and Delusion. The successes or failures of CEOs and entrepreneurs have been read by many, yet, their inner thoughts, worries, temptations, and insecurities remain privy only to those who have lived it.
Many people have aspired to be CEOs or to be Entrepreneurs, while struggling to attain the purity of a spiritual mind. Is it possible to balance success, wealth with happiness? That’s what this book will uncover through the parables of the characters, asking questions and discovering the wisdom from each other. All of them walk different paths seeking success and hoping to find happiness at the end
Many people have aspired to be CEOs or to be Entrepreneurs, while struggling to attain the purity of a spiritual mind. Is it possible to balance success, wealth with happiness? That’s what this book will uncover through the parables of the characters, asking questions and discovering the wisdom from each other. All of them walk different paths seeking success and hoping to find happiness at the end
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What happens after death?
All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson - |
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“Happiness for me is going home and being able to stay home and relax on the couch with my kids, watching a family movie. at’s what makes me happy. However, that never happened. Why? Because I had been travelling so much, the family had gotten into a rhythm of life without me. So, whenever I was home, I felt like a misfit in the family. Of course, they all tried to fit me into their activities, and accommodated me on my choice of movie, but I felt it was not natural.
- The CEO, Charles Takashi Wantanabe - |
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THE BALANCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS
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What is contentment?
“Yes, a monk’s life is simple,” explained Monk Matt, “but it is not achieved by doing nothing. The philosophy of Contentment is for one to put one’s best effort towards any task or job assigned to them...... Contentment is to set goals and stretch ourselves to achieve what we believe we can and we want to do. We don’t use external factors to measure ourselves..."
- A CEO, an Entrepreneur, a Tourist and the Monk, page 116 |
Chapter 3
Happiness and Contentment
Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have. - Buddha - Drunk but Happy
Toby was the first to speak while others struggled to answer Monk’s simple question. “I have always been happy and content with myself when I was very young. But as I grew older, everyone around me never seemed to be satisfied with me. I started to meet everyone’s wishes and became increasingly unhappy. My mum expected me to finish college. I was already struggling to complete high school. I wanted to be a dancer just like my dad. I learnt dancing every day at his studio and competed at every local event available. Eventually I became the youth champion of ballroom dancing. Mum wanted me to be a doctor, Dad wanted me to be a dancer. When I completed high school, I started teaching at Dad’s studio. I married my dance partner ...... |
What does a CEO think of this book.
Rick Wong, CEO and Author of "The Five Abilities" 
A fun, engaging parable set at the intersection of big professional dreams and belief in something even bigger. It's brought to life by a man who lives firmly at the center of these crossroads. Alex combines his experiences as a Fortune 100 executive with wisdom learned as a "short-term" monk. The blend of business and believing in a picturesque story that imparts helpful wisdom for anyone searching for more meaning and joy in both work and personal lives. A very thoughtful and thought-provoking read. |
What does a Monk say about this book.
Venerable Narongchai Thanajayo 
In my more than ten years of being a monk, this is one of the most ‘painless to read’ books I have ever experienced, with a clear chronological written structure and vivid explanations of the Buddha’s teachings which everyone can easily relate to. I truly believe that this book will help all readers who are in search of success and happiness and their way to enjoy living lives powerfully, passionately, and purposefully. |
Chapter 4
How To Be Happy
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. -Dalai Lama XiV - Love, Metta
Monk listened to all their stories sincerely but dispassionately. “In Buddhism, the ultimate state of happiness is Nirvana. It is not easy to use earthly languages to describe Nirvana because it is a celestial experience. Hence, no human language would perfectly do justice to describe it. However, we could describe the stages before we reach Nirvana as the paths that lead us to happiness. The paths consist of prescribed behaviours that we could practise. We need to continue these practices till they become habits. These should not be just one-off exercises but a habitual lifestyle and it will bring perpetual happiness in whatever we do, in this lifetime and beyond other lifetimes through countless rebirths.” They were all listening intently by now. The phrase ‘countless rebirths’, in particular, captured everyone’s interest. Antonio was brought up in the Christian faith. He was taught not believe in reincarnation or rebirth; but being a businessman, he was open to any theories that would help him be a better person. He considered himself a convenient Christian in a business world. What was there to lose by believing? Charles shifted uncomfortably in his cross-legged position then leaned forward. “Tell us more, please. I think we all need this. How do we practise the path to happiness?” The rest nodded in agreement. |
WHAT IS LOVE?“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
-THE BIBLE: I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 |
“Firstly, we need to learn to Love,” began Monk. “In the Pāli language, Love is called Mettā. Love every living being. Love without desire to possess. No possession and no possessor. Love generously. Love without selection. Love impartially. Love unbiasedly.”
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An easy-to-read book that flows well with the characters. Not heavy reading; yet one would not dismiss it as light either, especially upon reflection on some of the stories, approaches, and sayings. There are many diverse parallels to life’s experiences, beliefs, and paths. Keep an open mind and there’s lots to learn, understand, and appreciate from this reading. Definitely a push to introspection, or going deeper if one has already started. |
Who should read this book
Often we found someone who is lost, confused, or just being angry all the time. Or some friends who were successful but had no time to enjoy life. They were always stressed out or used languages that expressed their discontent and frustration with life and people around them. Others felt they were stuck and were unhappy with their situations, yet they did not know why and how to get out. Usually they resigned to "just live with it" approaches.
How can one be successful and happy?
Can one be wealthy with material assets as well as having a balanced mental health and a spiritual life?
These are questions the CEO, Entrepreneur and the Tourist asked the Monk in this story.
How can one be successful and happy?
Can one be wealthy with material assets as well as having a balanced mental health and a spiritual life?
These are questions the CEO, Entrepreneur and the Tourist asked the Monk in this story.
Truth about lifeWhy read this book?
This book aims to provide insights to these questions:
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"How to" lessonsHow will it help?
This book shares invaluable "how to" lessons and techniques that the characters used to escape the delusion that trapped them in a life of material excessiveness and desires. There are practical tips to help one get rid of ego with the concept of non-self in the Buddha's teaching. Reader would also learn a method to prioritise one's Life Inventory which set the purpose of one's journey. Charles, the CEO, shares a methodology to align individual's passion to organisation strategies - called The Results Pathway to success. |
For those searchingWho should read it?
For those who are searching for the balance between material Success and inner Happiness. For the trailblazing executive. For the Adventurous gunslinging entrepreneur? For the Dreamy-eyed traveller? For those stressed, overworked, and wondering ‘What the heck am I doing this for? For the career-minded employees and hard-driving executives ... For the Entrepreneurs with unquenchable thirst.. For the regular person who just wanted to enjoy a simple life, achieve Success and Happiness |
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Our encounters in this life are not coincidences. the people who appear in our lives are the result of our wishes and Kammic actions from our previous existence. Meeting them here is our Reunion with them. so, make the best of this life, build good merits, and perform good deeds. Be generous, sympathetic, compassionate, and share loving kindness to all. Have the courage to make good positive wishes for yourselves and for others, daily. May you discover success on this journey, find your Triple Gems to attain inner peace, and experience the blissful joy of ... happiness. Alex Butt, Author |