Robin S. Sharma -The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

8/11/2019 Robin S. Sharma -The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

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"A captivating story that teaches as it d elights.n

- PAULO C oELHO, author of TheAlchemist

R 0 B I N S. S H A R M A

THEMONKA FABLE ABOU

HOSOLDFULF!LL!N" #OU$ %$EAM&

HISFERRARI

AN% $EA'(!N #OU$ %E&!N#


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PRAISE FOR THE MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI

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oe ye/ author ofNever Fear, Never Quit

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ivin(

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he Mon0

2ho &old(is Ferrari

A Fa,le A,out Fulfilling

#our %rea*s and $eaching

#our %estiny

$o,in &. &har*a

(arper&anFranciscoA Division of HarperCollins Publishers


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o *y son/ 'ol,y/

)ho is *y daily re*inder of all that

is good in this )orld. Bless #ou.


8/213


A'KNO2LE%MEN&

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari has ,een a very special proJect/ ,rought

to fruition through the efforts of so*e very special people. ! a* deeply

grateful to *y super, production tea* and to all those )hose enthusias*

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fa*ily at &har*a Leadership !nternational. #our co**it*ent and sense of

*ission *oves *e.

! e1press special than0s;

: o the thousands of readers of *y first ,oo0/ Me(aivin(/, )ho

graciously too0 the ti*e to )rite to *e and share ho) it changed their

lives. ! also than0 all those )ho have attended *y pu,lic se*inars across

North A*erica as )ell as &har*a Leadership !nternational-s *any

corporate clients/ )ho have ,een such )onderful sponsors of *y spea0ing

progra*s for their e*ployees.

: o *y editor/ ohn Loudon/ for your ,elief in this ,oo0 and for your

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rest of the super, tea* at (arper&anFranciseo for investing your energies

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self3leadership field for your 0indness.

: o Kathi %unn for your ,rilliant cover design. ! thought nothing

could top the Ti#eless Wisdo#for Self7Master) cover you did for us. ! )as

)rong.

: o &atya 7aul/ Krishna/ and &andeep &har*a for your constant

encourage*ent.

: And *ost of all/ to *y )onderful parents/ &hiv and &hashi &har*a/

)ho have guided and helped *e fro* day one to *y loyal and )ise

,rother &anJay &har*a/ M.%./ and his good )ife/ &usan to *y daughter/

Bianca/ for your presence to *y son/ 'ol,y/ for your spirit/ and to *y

)ife and ,est friend/ Al0a. #ou are all the light that sho)s *e the )ay.


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he Mon0

2ho &old (isFerrari


12/213

'(A7E$ ONE

he 2a0e3Up 'all

(e collapsed right in the *iddle of a pac0ed courtroo*. (e )as

one of this country-s *ost distinguished trial la)yers. (e )as

also a *an )ho )as as )ell 0no)n for the three3thousand3dollar

!talian suits )hich draped his )ell3fed fra*e as for his

re*ar0a,le string of legal victories. ! si*ply stood there/

paraly6ed ,y the shoc0 of )hat ! had Just )itnessed. he great

ulian Mantle had ,een reduced to a victi* and )as no)

s@uir*ing on the ground li0e a helpless infant/ sha0ing and

shivering and s)eating li0e a *aniac.

Everything see*ed to *ove in slo) *otion fro* that point

on. "My od/ ulian-s in trou,le5" his paralegal screa*ed/

e*otionally offering us a ,linding gli*pse of the o,vious. he

Judge loo0ed panic3stric0en and @uic0ly *uttered so*ething

into the private phone she had had installed in the event of an

e*ergency. As for *e/ ! could only stand there/ da6ed and

confused. $lease don4t die, )ou old fool8 +ts too earl) for )ou to

check out8 *ou don4t deserve to die like this8

he ,ailiff/ )ho earlier had loo0ed as if he had ,een

e*,al*ed in his standing position/ leapt into action and started

to perfor* '7$ on the fallen legal hero. he paralegal )as at

his side/ her


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long ,lond curls dangling over ulian-s ru,y3red face/ offering

hi* soft )ords of co*fort/ )ords )hich he o,viously could not

hear.

! had 0no)n ulian for seventeen years. 2e had first *et

)hen ! )as a young la) student hired ,y one of his partners as a

su**er research intern. Bac0 then/ he-d had it all8 (e )as a

,rilliant/ hand: so*e and fearless trial attorney )ith drea*s of

greatness. ulian )as the fir*-s young star/ the rain3*a0er in

)aiting. ! can still re*e*,er )al0ing ,y his regal corner office

)hile ! )as )or0ing late one night and stealing a gli*pse of

the fra*ed @uotation perched on his *assive oa0 des0. !t )as ,y

2inston 'hurchill and it spo0e volu*es a,out the *an that

ulian )as;

Sure + a# that this da) we are #asters of our fate, that

the task which has !een set !efore us is not a!ove our

stren(th9 that its pan(s and toils are not !e)ond #)

endurance8 -s lon( as we have faith in our own cause

and an uncon: ;uera!le will to win, victor) will not !e

denied us8

ulian also )al0ed his tal0. (e )as tough/ hard3driving and

)illing to )or0 eighteen3hour days for the success he ,elieved

)as his destiny. ! heard through the grapevine that his

grandfather had ,een a pro*inent senator and his father a highly

respected Judge of the Federal 'ourt. !t )as o,vious that he

ca*e fro* *oney and that there )ere enor*ous e1pectations

)eighing on his Ar*ani3clad shoulders. !-ll ad*it one thing

though; he ran his o)n race. (e )as deter*ined to do things his

o)n )ay + and he loved to put on a sho).

ulian-s outrageous courtroo* theatrics regularly *ade the

front pages of the ne)spapers. he rich and fa*ous floc0ed to

his side )henever they needed a super, legal tactician )ith an


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aggressive


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edge. (is e1tra3curricular activities )ere pro,a,ly as )ell 0no)n.

Late3night visits to the city-s finest restaurants )ith se1y young

fash: ion *odels/ or rec0less drin0ing escapades )ith the ro)dy

,and of ,ro0ers he called his "de*olition tea*" ,eca*e the stuff of

legend at the fir*.

! still can-t figure out )hy he pic0ed *e to )or0 )ith hi* on

that sensational *urder case he )as to argue that first su**er.

hough ! had graduated fro* (arvard La) &chool/ his al*a

*ater/ ! certainly )asn-t the ,rightest intern at the fir*/ and *y

fa*ily pedigree reflected no ,lue ,lood. My father spent his

)hole life as a security guard )ith a local ,an0 after a stint in

the Marines. My *other gre) up uncere*oniously in the Bron1.

#et he did pic0 *e over all the others )ho had ,een @uietly

lo,,ying hi* for the privilege of ,eing his legal gofer on )hat

,eca*e 0no)n as "the Mother of All Murder rials"; he said he

li0ed *y "hunger." 2e )on/ of course/ and the ,usiness

e1ecutive )ho had ,een charged )ith ,rutally 0illing his )ife

)as no) a free *an + or as free as his cluttered conscience

)ould let hi* ,e.

My o)n education that su**er )as a rich one. !t )as far

*ore than a lesson on ho) to raise a reasona,le dou,t )here

none e1isted + any la)yer )orth his salt could do that. his

)as a lesson in the psychology of )inning and a rare

opportunity to )atch a *aster in action. ! soa0ed it up li0e a

sponge.

At ulian-s invitation/ ! stayed on at the fir* as an associate/

and a lasting friendship @uic0ly developed ,et)een us. ! )ill

ad*it that he )asn-t the easiest la)yer to )or0 )ith. &erving as

his Junior )as often an e1ercise in frustration/ leading to *ore

than a fe) late3night shouting *atches. !t )as truly his )ay or

the high)ay. his *an could never ,e )rong. (o)ever/ ,eneath

his crusty e1terior )as a person )ho clearly cared a,out people.


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No *atter ho) ,usy he )as/ he )ould al)ays as0 a,out

enny/ the )o*an ! still call "*y ,ride" even though )e )ere

*arried ,efore ! )ent to la) school. On finding out fro* another

su**er intern that ! )as in a financial s@uee6e/ ulian arranged

for *e to receive a generous scholarship. &ure/ he could play

hard,all )ith the ,est of the*/ and sure/ he loved to have a

)ild ti*e/ ,ut he never neglected his friends. he real pro,le*

)as that ulian )as o,sessed )ith )or0.

For the first fe) years he Justified his long hours ,y saying

that he )as "doing it for the good of the fir*"/ and that he

planned to ta0e a *onth off and go to the 'ay*ans "net )inter

for sure." As ti*e passed/ ho)ever/ ulian-s reputation for

,rilliance spread and his )or0load continued to increase. he

cases Just 0ept on getting ,igger and ,etter/ and ulian/ never one

to ,ac0 do)n fro* a good challenge/ continued to push hi*self

harder and harder. !n his rare *o*ents of @uiet/ he confided that

he could no longer sleep for *ore than a couple of hours

)ithout )a0ing up feeling guilty that he )as not )or0ing on a

file. !t soon ,eca*e clear to *e that he )as ,eing consu*ed ,y

the hunger for *ore; *ore prestige/ *ore glory and *ore *oney.

As e1pected/ ulian ,eca*e enor*ously successful. (e

achieved everything *ost people could ever )ant; a stellar

profes: sional reputation )ith an inco*e in seven figures/ a

spectacular *ansion in a neigh,orhood favored ,y cele,rities/ a

private Jet/ a su**er ho*e on a tropical island and his pri6ed

possession + a shiny red Ferrari par0ed in the center of his

drive)ay.

#et ! 0ne) that things )ere not as idyllic as they appeared on

the surface. ! o,served the signs of i*pending doo* not ,ecause

! )as so *uch *ore perceptive than the others at the fir*/

,ut si*ply ,ecause ! spent the *ost ti*e )ith the *an. 2e

)ere


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al)ays together ,ecause )e )ere al)ays at )or0. hings never

see*ed to slo) do)n. here )as al)ays another ,loc0,uster

case on the hori6on that )as ,igger than the last. No a*ount of

prepa: ration )as ever enough for ulian. 2hat )ould happen

if the Judge ,rought up this @uestion or that @uestion/ od

for,id 2hat )ould happen if our research )as less than

perfect 2hat )ould happen if he )as surprised in the *iddle of

a pac0ed courtroo*/ loo0ing li0e a deer caught in the glare of an

intruding pair of head: lights &o )e pushed ourselves to the

li*it and ! got suc0ed into his little )or03centered )orld as )ell.

here )e )ere/ t)o slaves to the cloc0/ toiling a)ay on the si1ty3

fourth floor of so*e steel and glass *onolith )hile *ost sane

people )ere at ho*e )ith their fa*ilies/ thin0ing )e had the

)orld ,y the tail/ ,linded ,y an illu: sory version of success.

he *ore ti*e ! spent )ith ulian/ the *ore ! could see that

he )as driving hi*self deeper into the ground. !t )as as if he

had so*e 0ind of a death )ish. Nothing ever satisfied hi*.

Eventually/ his *arriage failed/ he no longer spo0e )ith his

father/ and though he had every *aterial possession anyone

could )ant/ he still had not found )hatever it )as that he

)as loo0ing for. !t sho)ed/ e*otionally/ physically + and

spiritually.

At fifty3three years of age/ ulian loo0ed as if he )as in his

late seventies. (is face )as a *ass of )rin0les/ a less than glori:

ous tri,ute to his "ta0e no prisoners" approach to life in general

and the tre*endous stress of his out3of3,alance lifestyle in

partic: ular. he late3night dinners in e1pensive French

restaurants/ s*o0ing thic0 'u,an cigars and drin0ing cognac

after cognac/ had left hi* e*,arrassingly over)eight. (e

constantly co*plained that he )as sic0 and tired of ,eing sic0

and tired. (e had lost his sense of hu*or and never see*ed to

laugh any*ore.


18/213

ulian-s once enthusiastic nature had ,een replaced ,y a deathly

so*,erness. 7ersonally/ ! thin0 that his life had lost all sense of

purpose.

7erhaps the saddest thing )as that he had also lost his focus

in the courtroo*. 2here he )ould once da66le all those present

)ith an elo@uent and airtight closing argu*ent/ he no) droned

on for hours/ ra*,ling a,out o,scure cases that had little or no

,earing on the *atter ,efore the 'ourt. 2here once he )ould

react grace: fully to the o,Jections of opposing counsel/ he no)

displayed a ,iting sarcas* that severely tested the patience of

Judges )ho had earlier vie)ed hi* as a legal genius. &i*ply put/

ulian-s spar0 of life had ,egun to flic0er.

!t )asn-tJust the strain of his frenetic pace that )as *ar0ing

hi* for an early grave. ! sensed it )ent far deeper. !t see*ed to

,e a spiritual thing. Al*ost every day he )ould tell *e that he

felt no passion for )hat he )as doing and )as enveloped ,y

e*ptiness. ulian said that as a young la)yer/ he really loved the

La)/ even though he )as initially pushed into it ,y the social

agenda of his fa*ily. he La)-s co*ple1ities and intellectual

challenges had 0ept hi* spell,ound and full of energy. !ts

po)er to effect social change had inspired and *otivated hi*.

Bac0 then/ he )as *ore than Just so*e rich 0id fro*

'onnecticut. (e really sa) hi*self as a force for good/ an

instru*ent for social i*prove*ent )ho could use his o,vious

gifts to help others. hat vision gave his life *eaning. !t gave

hi* a purpose and it fuelled his hopes.

here )as even *ore to ulian-s undoing than a rusty

connection to )hat he did for a living. (e had suffered so*e

great tragedy ,efore ! had Joined the fir*. &o*ething truly

unspea0a,le had happened to hi*/ according to one of the

senior partners/ ,ut ! couldn-t get anyone to open up a,out it.

Even old


19/213

*an (arding/ the notoriously loose3lipped *anaging partner

)ho spent *ore ti*e in the ,ar of the $it63'arlton than in his

e*,arrassingly large office/ said that he )as s)orn to secrecy.

2hatever this deep/ dar0 secret )as/ ! had a suspicion that it/ in

so*e )ay/ )as contri,uting to ulian-s do)n)ard spiral. &ure !

)as curious/ ,ut *ost of all/ ! )anted to help hi*. (e )as not

only *y *entor he )as *y ,est friend.

And then it happened. his *assive heart attac0 that

,rought the ,rilliant ulian Mantle ,ac0 do)n to earth and

reconnected hi* to his *ortality. $ight in the *iddle of

courtroo* nu*,er seven on a Monday *orning/ the sa*e

courtroo* )here )e had )on the Mother of All Murder rials.


20/213

'(A7E$ 2O

he Mysterious 4isitor

!t )as an e*ergency *eeting of all of the fir*-s *e*,ers. As

)e s@uee6ed into the *ain ,oardroo*/ ! could tell that there )as

a serious pro,le*. Old *an (arding )as the first to spea0 to

the asse*,led *ass.

"!-* afraid ! have so*e very ,ad ne)s. ulian Mantle

suffered a severe heart attac0 in court yesterday )hile he )as

arguing the Air Atlantic case. (e is currently in the intensive

care unit/ ,ut his physicians have infor*ed *e that his condition

has no) sta,ili6ed and he )ill recover. (o)ever/ ulian has *ade

a decision/ one that ! thin0 you all *ust 0no). (e has decided to

leave our fa*ily and to give up his la) practice. (e )ill not ,e

returning to the fir*."

! )as shoc0ed. ! 0ne) he )as having his share of trou,les/

,ut ! never thought he )ould @uit As )ell/ after all that )e had

,een through/ ! thought he should have had the courtesy to tell

*e this personally. (e )ouldn-t even let *e see hi* at the

hospital. Every ti*e ! dropped ,y/ the nurses had ,een

instructed to tell *e that he )as sleeping and could not ,e

distur,ed. (e even refused to ta0e *y telephone calls. May,e !

re*inded hi* of the life he )anted to forget 2ho 0no)s !-ll tell

you one thing though. !t hurt.


21/213

hat )hole episode )as Just over three years ago. Last !

heard/ ulian had headed off to !ndia on so*e 0ind of an e1pedi:

tion. (e told one of the partners that he )anted to si*plify hislife and that he "needed so*e ans)ers"/ and hoped he )ould find

the* in that *ystical land. (e had sold his *ansion/ his plane

and his private island. (e had even sold his Ferrari. "ulian

Mantle as an !ndian yogi/" ! thought. "he La) )or0s in the

*ost *ysterious of )ays."

As those three years passed/ ! changed fro* an over)or0ed

young la)yer to a Jaded/ so*e)hat cynical older la)yer. My

)ife enny and ! had a fa*ily. Eventually/ ! ,egan *y o)n

search for *eaning. ! thin0 it )as having 0ids that did it. hey

funda*entally changed the )ay ! sa) the )orld and *y role in it.

My dad said it ,est )hen he said/ "ohn/ on your death,ed you

)ill never )ish you spent *ore ti*e at the office." &o ! startedspending a little *ore ti*e at ho*e. ! settled into a pretty good/

if ordinary/ e1is: tence. ! Joined the $otary 'lu, and played golf

on &aturdays to 0eep *y partners and clients happy. But ! *ust

tell you/ in *y @uiet *o*ents ! often thought of ulian and

)ondered )hat had ,eco*e of hi* in the years since )e had

une1pectedly parted co*pany.

7erhaps he had settled do)n in !ndia/ a place so diverse that

even a restless soul li0e his could have *ade it his ho*e. Or

*ay,e he )as tre00ing through Nepal &cu,a diving off the

'ay*ans One thing )as certain; he had not returned to the

legal profession. No one had received even a postcard fro* hi*

since he left for his self3i*posed e1ile fro* the La).

A 0noc0 on *y door a,out t)o *onths ago offered the first

ans)ers to so*e of *y @uestions. ! had Just *et )ith *y last

client of a gruelling day )hen enevieve/ *y ,rainy legal


22/213

assistant/ popped her head into *y s*all/ elegantly furnished

office.

"here-s so*eone here to see you/ ohn. (e says it-s urgent

and that he )ill not leave until he spea0s )ith you."

"!-* on *y )ay out the door/ enevieve/" ! replied

i*patiently. "!-* going to gra, a ,ite to eat ,efore finishing off

the (a*ilton ,rief. ! don-t have ti*e to see anyone right no).

ell hi* to *a0e an appoint*ent li0e everyone else/ and call

security if he gives you any *ore trou,le."

"But he says he really needs to see you. (e refuses to ta0e

no for an ans)er5"

For an instant ! considered calling security *yself/ ,ut/

reali6ing that this *ight ,e so*eone in need/ ! assu*ed a *ore

forgiving posture.

"O0ay/ send hi* in" ! retreated. "!pro,a,ly could use the ,usi:

ness any)ay."

he door to *y office opened slo)ly. At last it s)ung fully

open/ revealing a s*iling *an in his *id3thirties. (e )as tall/

lean and *uscular/ radiating an a,undance of vitality and

energy. (e re*inded *e of those perfect 0ids ! )ent to la)

school )ith/ fro* perfect fa*ilies/ )ith perfect houses/ perfectcars and perfect s0in. But there )as *ore to *y visitor than his

youthful good loo0s. An underlying peacefulness gave hi* an

al*ost divine presence. And his eyes. 7iercing ,lue eyes that

sliced clear through *e li0e a ra6or *eeting the supple flesh of

a fresh3faced adolescent an1ious a,out his first shave.

-Another hotshot la)yer gunning for *y Jo,/- ! thought to*yself.

-ood grief/ )hy is he Just standing there loo0ing at *e ! hope

that )asn-t his )ife ! represented on that ,ig divorce case ! )on

last )ee0. May,e calling security )asn-t such a silly idea after all.-


23/213

he young *an continued to loo0 at *e/ *uch as the s*iling

Buddha *ight have loo0ed upon a favored pupil. After a long

*o*ent of unco*forta,le silence he spo0e in a surprisinglyco**anding tone.

"!s this ho) you treat all of your visitors/ ohn/ even those

)ho taught you everything you 0no) a,out the science of

success in a courtroo* ! should have 0ept *y trade secrets to

*yself/" he said/ his full lips curving into a *ighty grin.

A strange sensation tic0led the pit of *y sto*ach. ! i**edi:

ately recogni6ed that raspy/ honey3s*ooth voice. My heart

started to pound.

"ulian !s that you ! can-t ,elieve it5 !s that really you"

he loud laugh of the visitor confir*ed *y suspicions. he

young *an standing ,efore *e )as none other than that long3

lost yogi of !ndia; ulian Mantle. ! )as da66led ,y his incredi,le

trans: for*ation. one )as the ghost3li0e co*ple1ion/ the sic0ly

cough and the lifeless eyes of *y for*er colleague. one )as the

elderly appearance and the *or,id e1pression that had ,eco*e

his personal trade*ar0. !nstead/ the *an in front of *e

appeared to ,e in pea0 health/ his lineless face glo)ing radiantly.

(is eyes )ere ,right/ offering a )indo) into his e1traordinary

vitality. 7erhaps even *ore astounding )as the serenity that

ulian e1uded. ! felt entirely peaceful Just sitting there/ staring

at hi*. (e )as no longer an an1ious/ "type3A" senior partner

of a leading la) fir*. !nstead/ the *an ,efore *e )as a youthful/

vital + and s*iling+ *odel of change.


24/213

'(A7E$ ($EE

he Miraculous

ransfor*ation of .ulian Mantle

! )as astonished ,y the ne) and i*proved ulian Mantle.

-(o) could so*eone )ho loo0ed li0e a tired old *an only a

fe) short years ago no) loo0 so vi,rant and alive- ! )ondered

in silent dis,elief. -2as it so*e *agical drug that had allo)ed

hi* to drin0 fro* the fountain of youth 2hat )as the cause

of this e1traordinary reversal-

ulian )as the first to spea0. (e told *e that the hyper3

co*petitive legal )orld had ta0en its toll on hi*/ not only physi:

cally and e*otionally ,ut spiritually. he fast pace and endless

de*ands had )orn hi* out and run hi* do)n. (e ad*itted that

his ,ody had fallen apart and that his *ind had lost its lustre.

(is heart attac0 )as only one sy*pto* of a deeper pro,le*.

he constant pressure and e1hausting schedule of a )orld3class

trial la)yer had also ,ro0en his *ost i*portant+and perhaps

*ost hu*an+endo)*ent; his spirit. 2hen given the ulti*atu*

,y his doctor either to give up the La) or give up his life/ he said

he sa) a golden opportunity to re0indle the inner fire he had

0no)n )hen he )as younger/ a fire that had ,een e1tinguished

as the La) ,eca*e less a pleasure and *ore a ,usiness.


25/213

ulian gre) visi,ly e1cited as he recounted ho) he sold all

his *aterial possessions and headed for !ndia/ a land )hose

ancient culture and *ystical traditions had al)ays fascinated

hi*. (e travelled fro* tiny village to tiny village/ so*eti*es ,y

foot/ so*e: ti*es ,y train/ learning ne) custo*s/ seeing the

ti*eless sights and gro)ing to love the !ndian people )ho

radiated )ar*th/ 0ind: ness and a refreshing perspective on

the true *eaning of life. Even those )ho had very little opened

their ho*es + and their hearts + to this )eary visitor fro* the2est. As the days *elted into )ee0s )ithin this enchanting

environ*ent/ ulian slo)ly ,egan to feel alive and )hole again/

perhaps for the first ti*e since he )as a child. (is natural

curiosity and creative spar0 steadily returned/ along )ith his

enthusias* and his energy for living. (e started to feel *ore

Joyful and peaceful. And he ,egan to laugh again.Although he e*,raced every *o*ent of his ti*e in this

e1otic land/ ulian told *e that his Journey to !ndia )as *ore

than a si*ple vacation to ease an over)or0ed *ind. (e

descri,ed his ti*e in this far3a)ay land as a "personal odyssey

of the self". (e confided that he )as deter*ined to find out )ho

he really )as and )hat his life )as all a,out ,efore it )as toolate. o do this/ his first priority )as to connect to that culture-s

vast pool of ancient )isdo* on living a *ore re)arding/

fulfilling and enlightened life.

"! don-t *ean to sound too off3the3)all/ ohn/ ,ut it )as li0e

! had received a co**and fro* )ithin/ an inner instruction

telling *e that ! )as to ,egin a spiritual voyage to re0indle thespar0 that ! had lost/" said ulian. "!t )as a tre*endously

li,erating ti*e for *e."

he *ore he e1plored/ the *ore he heard of !ndian *on0s

)ho had lived ,eyond the age of a hundred/ *on0s )ho despite


26/213

their advanced years *aintained youthful/ energetic and vital

lives. he *ore he travelled/ the *ore he learned of ageless

yogis )ho had *astered the art of *ind3control and spirituala)a0ening. And the *ore he sa)/ the *ore he longed to

understand the dyna*ics ,ehind these *iracles of hu*an nature/

hoping to apply their philosophies to his o)n life.

%uring the early stages of his Journey/ ulian sought out

*any )ell30no)n and highly respected teachers. (e told *e

that each one of the* )elco*ed hi* )ith open ar*s and open

hearts/ sharing )hatever ge*s of 0no)ledge they had

a,sor,ed over lifeti*es spent in @uiet conte*plation on the

loftier issues surrounding their e1istence. ulian also

atte*pted to descri,e the ,eauty of the ancient te*ples )hich

)ere stre)n across the *ystical landscape of !ndia/ edifices

)hich stood as loyal gate: 0eepers to the )isdo* of the ages.(e said he )as *oved ,y the sacredness of these surroundings.

"!t )as a very *agical ti*e of *y life/ ohn. (ere ! )as/ a

tired old litigator )ho had sold everything fro* *y racehorse

to *y $ole1/ and had pac0ed all that re*ained into a large

ruc0sac0 that )ould ,e *y constant co*panion as ! ventured

into the ti*eless traditions of the East."

"2as it hard to leave" ! )ondered aloud/ una,le to contain

*y curiosity.

"Actually/ it )as the easiest thing ! have ever done. he

decision to give up *y practice and all *y )orldly possessions

felt natural. Al,ert 'a*us once said that -$eal generosity

to)ard the future consists in giving all to )hat is present.- 2ell/that-s e1actly )hat ! did. ! 0ne) ! had to change+so ! decided to

listen to *y heart and do it in a very dra*atic )ay. My life

,eca*e so *uch si*pler and *eaningful )hen ! left the

,aggage of *y past ,ehind. he


27/213

*o*ent ! stopped spending so *uch ti*e chasing the ,ig

pleasures of life/ ! ,egan to enJoy the little ones/ li0e )atching the

stars danc: ing in a *oonlit s0y or soa0ing in the the sun,ea*sof a glorious su**er *orning. And !ndia is such an

intellectually sti*ulating place that ! rarely thought of all ! had

left."

hose initial *eetings )ith the learned and the scholarly of

that e1otic culture/ though intriguing/ did not yield the

0no)ledge for )hich ulian hungered. he )isdo* that hedesired and the practical techni@ues that he hoped )ould change

the @uality of his life continued to elude hi* in those early days

of his odyssey. !t )as not until ulian had ,een in !ndia for a,out

seven *onths that he had his first real ,rea0.

!t )as )hile he )as in Kash*ir/ an ancient and *ystical state

that sits sleepily at the foot of the (i*alayas/ that he had thegood fortune to *eet a gentle*an na*ed #ogi Krishnan. his

slight *an )ith a clean3shaven head had also ,een a la)yer in his

"previ: ous incarnation/" as he often Jo0ed )ith a toothy grin. Fed

up )ith )ith the hectic pace that personifies *odern Ne) %elhi/

he too gave up his *aterial possessions and retreated to a )orld

of greater si*plicity. Beco*ing a careta0er of the villagete*ple/ Krishnan said he had co*e to 0no) hi*self and his

purpose in the larger sche*e of life.

"! )as tired of living *y life li0e one long air raid drill. !

reali6ed that *y *ission is to serve others and so*eho) to

contri,ute to *a0ing this )orld a ,etter place. No) ! live to

give/" he told ulian. "! spend *y days and nights at thiste*ple/ living an austere ,ut fulfilling life. ! share *y

reali6ations )ith all those )ho co*e here to pray. ! serve those

in need. ! a* not a priest. ! a* si*ply a *an )ho has found his

soul."

ulian infor*ed this la)yer turned yogi of his o)n story. (e


28/213

spo0e of his for*er life of pro*inence and privilege. (e told

#ogi Krishnan of his hunger for )ealth and his o,session )ith

)or0. (e revealed/ )ith great e*otion/ his inner tur*oil and thecrisis of spirit he had e1perienced )hen the once ,right light

of his life ,egan to flic0er in the )inds of an out3of3,alance

lifestyle.

"! too have )al0ed this path/ *y friend. ! too have felt the

pain you have felt. #et ! have learned that everything happens

for a reason/" offered #ogi Krishnan sy*pathetically. "Everyevent has a purpose and every set,ac0 its lesson. ! have reali6ed

that failure/ )hether of the personal/ professional or even

spiritual 0ind/ is essential to personal e1pansion. !t ,rings inner

gro)th and a )hole host of psychic re)ards. Never regret your

past. $ather/ e*,race it as the teacher that it is."

After hearing these )ords/ ulian told *e that he felt greate1ultation. 7erhaps/ in #ogi Krishnan/ he had found the *entor

he )as searching for. 2ho ,etter than another for*er

hotshot la)yer )ho/ through his o)n spiritual odyssey/ had

found a ,etter )ay of living to teach hi* the secrets of creating

a life of *ore ,alance/ enchant*ent and delight

"! need your help/ Krishnan. ! need to learn ho) to ,uild aricher/ fuller life."

"! )ould ,e honored to assist you in any )ay that ! can/"

offered the yogi. "But *ay ! give you one suggestion"

"&ure."

"For as long as ! have ,een caring for this te*ple in this

little village/ ! have heard )hisperings of a *ystical ,and ofsages living high in the (i*alayas. Legend has it that they have

discov: ered so*e sort of syste* that )ill profoundly i*prove

the @uality of anyone-s life + and ! don-t Just *ean physically. !t

is supposed to ,e a holistic/ integrated set of ageless principles

and ti*eless


29/213

techni@ues to li,erate the potential of the *ind/ ,ody and soul."

ulian )as fascinated. his see*ed perfect.

"ust e1actly )here do these *on0s live""No one 0no)s/ and ! regret that !-* too old to start search:

ing. But ! )ill tell you one thing/ *y friend *any have tried to

find the* and *any have failed + )ith tragic conse@uences.

he higher reaches of the (i*alayas are treacherous ,eyond

co*pare. Even the *ost s0illed cli*,er is rendered helpless

against their natural ravages. But if it is the golden 0eys toradiant health/ last: ing happiness and inner fulfill*ent that you

are searching for/ ! do not have the )isdo* you see0 + they do."

ulian/ never one to give up easily/ pressed #ogi Krishnan

again. "Are you certain that you have no idea )here they live"

"All ! can tell you is that the locals in this village 0no) the*

as the reat &ages of &ivana. !n their *ythology/ &ivana *eans-oasis of enlighten*ent-. hese *on0s are revered as if they are

divine in their constitution and influence. !f ! 0ne) )here they

could ,e found/ ! )ould ,e duty3,ound to tell you. But honestly/

! do not 0no) + no one does/ for that *atter."

he ne1t *orning/ as the first rays of the !ndian sun danced

along the colorful hori6on/ ulian set out on his tre0 to the lostland of &ivana. At first he thought a,out hiring a &herpa guide

to aid hi* in his cli*, through the *ountains/ ,ut/ for so*e

strange reason/ his instincts told hi* that this )as one Journey

he )ould have to *a0e alone. &o instead/ for perhaps the first

ti*e in his life/ he shed the shac0les of reason and placed his

trust in his intuition. (e felt he )ould ,e safe. (e so*eho)0ne) he )ould find )hat he )as loo0ing for. &o/ )ith

*issionary 6eal/ he started to cli*,.

he first fe) days )ere easy. &o*eti*es he )ould catch up to


30/213

one of the cheerful citi6ens of the village ,elo) )ho happened to

,e )al0ing on one of the footpaths/ perhaps searching for Just

the right piece of )ood for a carving or see0ing the sanctuarythat this surreal place offered to all those )ho dared to venture

this high into the (eavens. At other ti*es he hi0ed alone/ using

this ti*e to silently reflect on )here he had ,een in his life +

and )here he )as no) headed.

!t didn-t ta0e long ,efore the village ,elo) )as nothing *ore

than a tiny spec0 on this *arvellous canvas of natural splendor.he *aJesty of the sno)3capped pea0s of the (i*alayas *ade

his heart ,eat faster and/ for one long *o*ent/ too0 his ,reath

a)ay. (e felt a oneness )ith his surroundings/ a 0ind of 0inship

that t)o old friends *ight enJoy after *any years spent listening

to each other-s inner*ost thoughts and laughing at each

other-s Jo0es. he fresh *ountain air cleared his *ind andenergi6ed his spirit. (aving travelled the )orld *any ti*es over/

ulian had thought he had seen it all. But he had never seen

,eauty li0e this. he )onders of )hich he dran0 at that *agical

ti*e )ere an e1@uisite tri,ute to the sy*phony of nature. At

once he felt Joyous/ e1hila: rated and carefree. !t )as here/ high

a,ove the hu*anity ,elo)/ that ulian slo)ly ventured out of thecocoon of the ordinary and ,egan to e1plore the real* of the

e1traordinary.

"! still re*e*,er the )ords that )ere going through *y

*ind up there/" said ulian. "! thought that/ ulti*ately/ life is all

a,out choices. One-s destiny unfolds according to the choices one

*a0es/ and ! felt certain that the choice ! had *ade )as theright one. ! 0ne) *y life )ould never ,e the sa*e and that

so*ething *arvel: lous/ *ay,e even *iraculous/ )as a,out to

happen to *e. !t )as an a*a6ing a)a0ening."

As ulian cli*,ed into the rarified regions of the (i*alayas/


31/213

he told *e that he gre) an1ious. "But it )as those good 0ind of

Jitters/ li0e the ones ! had on pro* night or right ,efore an

e1cit: ing case ,egan and the *edia )as chasing *e up thecourtroo* steps. And even though ! didn-t have the ,enefit of a

guide or a *ap/ the )ay )as clear and a thin/ lightly travelled

path led *e higher into the deepest reaches of those *ountains.

!t )as li0e ! had so*e sort of inner co*pass/ nudging *e gently

to)ards *y destination. ! don-t thin0 ! could have stopped

cli*,ing even if ! had )anted to/" ulian )as e1cited/ his )ords

spilling out li0e a gushing *ountain strea* after the rains.

As he travelled for t)o *ore days along the route that he

prayed )ould ta0e hi* to &ivana/ ulian-s thoughts )andered

,ac0 to his for*er life. hough he felt entirely li,erated fro* the

stress and strain that personified his for*er )orld/ he did )onder

)hether he could really spend the rest of his days )ithout the

intellectual challenge that the legal profession had offered hi*

since he left (arvard La) &chool. (is thoughts then )andered

,ac0 to his oa03paneled office in a glittering do)nto)n

s0yscraper and the idyllic su**er ho*e he had sold for a

pittance. (e thought a,out his old friends )ith )ho* he )ould

fre@uent the finest of restaurants in the *ost gla*orous locales.

(e also thought a,out his pri6ed Ferrari and ho) his heart

)ould soar )hen he gunned the engine and all its ferocity

sprang to life )ith a roar.

As he ventured deeper into the depths of this *ystical place/

his reflections of the past )ere @uic0ly interrupted ,y the stun:

ning *arvels of the *o*ent. !t )as )hile he )as soa0ing in the

gifts of nature-s intelligence that so*ething startling happened.

Fro* the corner of his eye he sa) another figure/ dressed

strangely in a long/ flo)ing red ro,e topped ,y a dar0 ,lue hood/


32/213

slightly ahead of hi* on the path. ulian )as astonished to see

anyone at this isolated spot that had ta0en hi* seven

treacherous days to reach. As he )as *any *iles a)ay fro* anyreal civili6a: tion and still uncertain as to )here his ulti*ate

destination of &ivana could ,e found/ he yelled out to his fello)

traveller.

he figure refused to respond and accelerated his pace along

the path they )ere ,oth cli*,ing/ not even giving ulian the

cour: tesy of a ,ac0)ard glance of ac0no)ledge*ent. &oon the*ysteri: ous traveller )as running/ his red ro,e dancing

gracefully ,ehind hi* li0e crisp cotton sheets hanging fro* a

clothesline on a )indy autu*n day.

"7lease friend/ ! need your help to find &ivana/" yelled ulian/

"!-ve ,een travelling for seven days )ith little food and )ater. !

thin0 !-* lost5"

he figure ca*e to an a,rupt stop. ulian approached

cautiously )hile the traveller stood re*ar0a,ly still and silent.

(is head did not *ove/ his hands did not *ove and his feet 0ept

their place. ulian could see nothing of the face ,eneath the

hood ,ut )as struc0 ,y the contents of the s*all ,as0et in the

hands of the traveller. 2ithin the ,as0et )as a collection of the

*ost delicate and ,eautiful flo)ers ulian had ever seen. he

figure clutched the ,as0et tighter as ulian dre) nearer/ as if to

display ,oth a love of these pri6ed possessions and a distrust

of this tall 2esterner/ a,out as co**on to these parts as de) in

the desert.

ulian ga6ed at the traveller )ith an intense curiosity. A @uic0

,urst of a sun,ea* revealed that it )as a *an-s face under the

loosely3fitting hood. But ulian had never seen a *an @uite li0e

this one. hough he )as at least his o)n age/ there )ere very

stri0: ing features of this person )hich left ulian *es*eri6ed

and caused hi* to si*ply stop and stare for )hat see*ed li0e an

eternity. (is


33/213

eyes )ere catli0e and so penetrating that ulian )as forced to

loo0 a)ay. (is olive3co*ple1ioned s0in )as supple and

s*ooth. (is ,ody loo0ed strong and po)erful. And though the*an-s hands gave a)ay the fact that he )as not young/ he

radiated such an a,undance of youthfulness and vitality that

ulian felt hypnoti6ed ,y )hat appeared ,efore hi*/ *uch li0e

a child )atching the *agician at his first *agic sho).

-his *ust ,e one of the reat &ages of &ivana/- ulian

thought to hi*self/ scarcely a,le to contain his delight at his

discovery.

"! a* ulian Mantle. !-ve co*e to learn fro* the &ages of

&ivana. %o you 0no) )here ! *ight find the*" he

as0ed.

he *an loo0ed thoughtfully at this )eary visitor fro* the

2est. (is serenity and peace *ade hi* appear angelic in nature/enlightened in su,stance.

he *an spo0e softly/ al*ost in a )hisper/ "2hy is it that

you see0 these sages/ friend"

&ensing that he had indeed found one of the *ystical *on0s

)ho had eluded so *any ,efore hi*/ ulian opened his heart and

poured out his odyssey to the traveller. (e spo0e of his for*er

life and of the crisis of spirit he had struggled )ith/ ho) he had

traded his health and his energy for the fleeting re)ards that

his la) practice ,rought hi*. (e spo0e of ho) he had traded the

riches of his soul for a fat ,an0 account and the illusory

gratification of his

-live fast/ die young- lifestyle. And he told hi* of his travels in

*ystical !ndia and of his *eeting )ith #ogi Krishnan/ the

for*er trial la)yer fro* Ne) %elhi )ho had also given up his

for*er life in the hope of finding inner har*ony and lasting

peace.

he traveller re*ained silent and still. !t )as not until ulian

spo0e of his ,urning/ al*ost o,sessive desire to ac@uire the


34/213

ancient principles of enlightened living that the *an spo0e again.


35/213

7lacing an ar* on ulian-s shoulder/ the *an said gently; "if you

truly have a heartfelt desire to learn the )isdo* of a ,etter )ay/

then it is *y duty to help you. ! a* indeed one of those sages

that you have co*e so far in search of. #ou are the first person

to find us in *any years. 'ongratulations. ! ad*ire your

tenacity. #ou *ust have ,een @uite a la)yer/" he offered.

(e paused/ as if he )as a little uncertain of )hat to do ne1t/

and then )ent on. "!f you li0e/ you *ay co*e )ith *e/ as *y

guest/ to our te*ple. !t rests in a hidden part of this *ountain

region/ still *any hours a)ay fro* here. My ,rothers and sisters

)ill )elco*e you )ith open ar*s. 2e )ill )or0 together to

teach you the ancient principles and strategies that our ancestors

have passed do)n through the ages.

"Before ! ta0e you into our private )orld and share our

collected 0no)ledge for filling your life )ith *ore Joy/ strength

and purpose/ ! *ust re@uest one pro*ise fro* you/" re@uested

the sage. "Upon learning these ti*eless truths you *ust

return to your ho*eland in the 2est and share this )isdo* )ith

all those )ho need to hear it. hough )e are isolated here in

these *agical *ountains/ )e are a)are of the tur*oil your

)orld is in. ood people are losing their )ay. #ou *ust give

the* the hope that they deserve. More i*portantly/ you *ust

give the* the tools to fulfill their drea*s. his is all ! as0."

ulian instantly accepted the sage-s ter*s and pro*ised that

he )ould carry their precious *essage to the 2est. As the t)o

*en *oved still higher up the *ountainpath to the lost village of

&ivana/ the !ndian sun started to set/ a fiery red circle slipping

into a soft/ *agical slu*,er after a long and )eary day. ulian

told *e he has never forgotten the *aJesty of that *o*ent/

)al0ing )ith an ageless !ndian *on0 for )ho* he so*eho) felt

a ,rotherly love/


36/213

travelling to a place he had longed to find/ )ith all its )onders

and *any *ysteries.

"his )as definitely the *ost *e*ora,le *o*ent of *y life/"

he confided in *e. ulian had al)ays ,elieved that life ca*e do)n

to a fe) 0ey *o*ents. his )as one of the*. %eep inside his

soul/ he so*eho) sensed that this )as the first *o*ent of the

rest of his life/ a life soon to ,e *uch *ore than it had ever ,een.


37/213

'(A7E$ FOU$

A Magical Meeting )ith

he &ages of &ivana

After )al0ing for *any hours along an intricate series of paths

and grassy trails/ the t)o travellers ca*e upon a lusty green

valley. On one side of the valley/ the sno)3capped (i*alayas

offered their protection/ li0e )eather3,eaten soldiers guarding

the place )here their generals rested. On the other/ a thic0 forest

of pine trees sprouted/ a perfectly natural tri,ute to this

enchanting fantasyland.

he sage loo0ed at ulian and s*iled gently/ "2elco*e to the

Nirvana of &ivana."

he t)o then descended along another less3travelled )ay and

into the thic0 forest )hich for*ed the floor of the valley. he

s*ell of pine and sandal)ood )afted through the cool/ crisp

*ountain air. ulian/ no) ,arefoot to ease his aching feet/ felt the

da*p *oss under his toes. (e )as surprised to see richly colored

orchids and a host of other lovely flo)ers dancing a*ong the

trees/ as if reJoicing in the ,eauty and splendor of this tiny slice

of (eaven.

!n the distance/ ulian could hear gentle voices/ soft and

soothing to the ear. (e continued to follo) the sage )ithout

*a0ing a sound. After )al0ing for a,out fifteen *ore *inutes/

the


38/213

t)o *en reached a clearing. Before hi* )as a sight that even the

)orldly )ise and rarely surprised ulian Mantle could never have

i*agined+a s*all village *ade solely out of )hat appeared to

,e roses. At the center of the village )as a tiny te*ple/ the

0ind ulian had seen on his trips to hailand and Nepal/ ,ut this

te*ple )as *ade of red/ )hite and pin0 flo)ers/ held together

)ith long strands of *ulti3colored string and t)igs. he little

huts )hich dotted the re*aining space appeared to ,e the

austere ho*es of the sages. hese )ere also *ade of roses.

ulian )as speechless.

As for the *on0s )ho inha,ited the village/ those he could

see loo0ed li0e ulian-s travelling co*panion/ )ho no) revealed

that his na*e )as #ogi $a*an. (e e1plained that he )as the

eldest sage of &ivana and the leader of this group. he citi6ens

of this drea*li0e colony loo0ed astonishingly youthful and

*oved )ith poise and purpose. None of the* spo0e/ choosing

instead to respect the tran@uility of this place ,y perfor*ing

their tas0s in silence.

he *en/ )ho appeared to nu*,er only a,out ten/ )ore the

sa*e red3ro,ed unifor* as #ogi $a*an and s*iled serenely at

ulian as he entered their village. Each of the* loo0ed cal*/

healthy and deeply contented. !t )as as if the tensions )hich

plague so *any of us in our *odern )orld had sensed that they

)ere not )elco*e at this su**it of serenity and *oved on to

*ore inviting prospects. hough it had ,een *any years since

there had ,een a ne) face a*ongst the*/ these *en )ere

controlled in their reception/ offering a si*ple ,o) as their

greeting to this visitor )ho had travelled so far to find the*.

he )o*en )ere e@ually i*pressive. !n their flo)ing pin0

sil0 saris and )ith )hite lotuses adorning their Jet ,lac0 hair/

they *oved ,usily through the village )ith e1ceptional

agility.


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(o)ever/ this )as not the frantic ,usyness that pervades the

lives of people in our society. !nstead/ theirs )as of the easy/

graceful 0ind. 2ith en3li0e focus/ so*e )or0ed inside the

te*ple/ preparing for )hat appeared to ,e a festival. Others

carried fire)ood and richly e*,roidered tapestries. All )ere

engaged in productive activity. All appeared to ,e happy.

Ulti*ately/ the faces of the &ages of &ivana revealed the

po)er of their )ay of life. Even though they )ere clearly *ature

adults/ each one of the* radiated a child3li0e @uality/ their eyes

t)in0ling )ith the vitality of youth. None of the* had

)rin0les. None of the* had gray hair. None of the* loo0ed old.

ulian/ )ho could scarcely ,elieve )hat he )as e1periencing/

)as offered a feast of fresh fruits and e1otic vegeta,les/ a diet that

he )ould later learn )as one of the 0eys to the treasure trove of

ideal health enJoyed ,y the sages. After the *eal/ #ogi $a*an

escorted ulian to his living @uarters; a flo)er3filled hut

containing a s*all ,ed )ith an e*pty Journal pad on it. his

)ould ,e his ho*e for the foreseea,le future.

hough ulian had never seen anything li0e this *agical

)orld of &ivana/ he so*eho) felt that this had ,een a

ho*eco*ing of sorts/ a return to a paradise that he had 0no)n

long ago. &o*eho) this village of roses )as not so foreign to

hi*. (is intuition told hi* that he ,elonged here/ if only for a

short period. his )ould ,e the place )here he )ould re0indle

the fire for living that he had 0no)n ,efore the legal profession

stole his soul/ a sanctuary )here his ,ro0en spirit )ould slo)ly

start to heal. And so ,egan ulian-s life a*ong the &ages of&ivana/ a life of si*plicity/ serenity and har*ony. he ,est )as

soon to co*e.


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'(A7E$ F!4E

A &piritual &tudent

of the &ages

Great drea#ers4 drea#s are never fulfilled, the)

are alwa)s transcended8

Alfred Lord 2hitehead

!t )as no) I;99 p.*. and ! still had to prepare for *y court

appearance the ne1t day. #et ! )as fascinated ,y the e1perience

of this for*er legal )arrior )ho had dra*atically transfor*ed

his life after *eeting and studying under these *arvellous

sages fro* !ndia. (o) a*a6ing/ ! thought/ and )hat an

e1traordinary transfor*ation5 ! secretly )ondered )hether the

secrets ulian had learned in that far off *ountain hidea)ay

could also elevate the @uality of *y life and replenish *y o)n

sense of )onder for the )orld )e live in. he longer ! listened to

ulian/ the *ore ! ca*e to reali6e that *y o)n spirit had ,eco*e

rusty. 2hat had happened to the unco**on passion ! ,rought to

everything ! did )hen ! )as younger Bac0 then/ even the

si*plest of things filled *e )ith a sense of Joy. May,e it )as

ti*e for *e to reinvent *y destiny.


41/213

&ensing *y fascination )ith his odyssey and *y eagerness to

learn the syste* of enlightened living that the sages had passed

on to hi*/ ulian @uic0ened the pace as he continued )ith his

tale. (e told *e ho) his desire for 0no)ledge/ coupled )ith

his sharp intellect+refined through *any years of ,attles in the

courtroo* had *ade hi* a )ell3loved *e*,er of the &ivana

co**unity. As a *ar0 of their affection for ulian/ the *on0s

eventually *ade hi* an honorary *e*,er of their ,and and

treated hi* li0e an integral part of their e1tended fa*ily.

Eager to e1pand his 0no)ledge of the )or0ings of the *ind/

,ody and soul/ and to attain self3*astery/ ulian spent literally

every )a0ing *o*ent under the tutelage of #ogi $a*an. he

sage ,eca*e *ore li0e a father to ulian than a teacher/ though

they )ere separated in age ,y only a fe) years. !t )as clear

that this *an had the accu*ulated )isdo* of *any lifeti*es

and/ *ost happily/ he )as )illing to share it )ith ulian.

Beginning ,efore da)n/ #ogi $a*an )ould sit )ith his

enthusiastic student and fill his *ind )ith insights on the

*eaning of life and little30no)n techni@ues that he had *astered

for living )ith greater vitality/ creativity and fulfill*ent. (e

taught ulian ancient principles )hich he said anyone could use

to live longer/ stay younger and gro) far happier. ulian also

learned ho) the t)in disciplines of personal *astery and self3

responsi,ility )ould 0eep hi* fro* returning to the chaos

of crisis that had characteri6ed his life in the 2est. As the

)ee0s slipped into *onths/ he ca*e to understand the

treasure3trove of potential sleeping )ithin his o)n *ind/ )aiting

to ,e a)a0ened and used for higher purposes. &o*eti*es the

teacher and his student )ould si*ply sit and )atch the ,la6ing

!ndian sun rising fro* the deep green *eado)s far ,elo).

&o*eti*es they )ould rest in @uiet


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*editation/ savoring the gifts that silence ,rings. &o*eti*es

they )ould )al0 through the pine forest/ discussing points of

philosophy and enJoying the pleasures of each other-s co*pany.

ulian said that the first indications of his personal e1pansion

ca*e after only three )ee0s in &ivana. (e started noticing the

,eauty in the *ost ordinary of things. 2hether it )as the

*arvel of a starry night or the enchant*ent of a spider-s )e,

after it had rained/ ulian a,sor,ed it all. (e also said that his

ne) lifestyle and the ne) ha,its associated )ith it started to

have a profound effect on his inner )orld. 2ithin a *onth of

applying the principles and techni@ues of the sages/ he told *e

that he had ,egun to cultivate the deep sense of peace and

inner serenity that had eluded hi* in all the years he had lived

in the 2est. (e ,eca*e *ore Joyful and spontaneous/ gro)ing

*ore energetic and creative )ith each passing day.

7hysical vitality and spiritual strength follo)ed the changes

in ulian-s attitude. (is once over)eight fra*e gre) strong and

lean )hile the sic0ly pallor )hich had characteri6ed his face

)as replaced ,y a splendid shi**er of health. (e actually felt as

if he could do anything/ ,e anything and unloc0 the infinite

potential that he learned )as inside every one of us. (e started

to cherish life and to see the divinity in every aspect of it. he

ancient syste* of this *ystical ,and of *on0s had started to

)or0 its *iracles.

After pausing as if to e1press dis,elief at his o)n tale/ ulian

gre) philosophical. "!-ve reali6ed so*ething very i*portant/

ohn. he )orld/ and that includes *y inner )orld/ is a very

special place. !-ve also co*e to see that success on the outside

*eans nothing unless you also have success )ithin. here is

a huge difference ,et)een )ell3,eing and ,eing )ell3off 2hen

! )as a hotshot la)yer/ ! used to snic0er at all those people )ho

)or0ed at


43/213

i*proving their inner and outer lives. -et a life5- ! thought. But !

have learned that self3*astery and the consistent care of one-s

*ind/ ,ody and soul are essential to finding one-s highest self and

living the life of one-s drea*s. (o) can you care for others if

you cannot even care for yourself (o) can you do good if you

don-t even feel good ! can-t love you if ! cannot love *yself/" he

offered.

&uddenly ulian gre) flustered and slightly uneasy. "!-ve

never opened *y heart to anyone li0e this ,efore. ! apologi6e for

this/ ohn. !t is Just that ! e1perienced such a catharsis up in

those *ountains/ such a spiritual a)a0ening to the po)ers of

the universe/ that ! feel others need to 0no) )hat ! 0no)."

Noticing that it )as getting late/ ulian @uic0ly told *e he

)ould ta0e his leave and ,id *e adieu.

"#ou can-t leave no)/ ulian. !-* really pu*ped to hear the

)isdo* you learned in the (i*alayas and the *essage you

pro*ised your teachers you )ould ,ring ,ac0 to the 2est. #ou

can-t leave *e in suspense + you 0no) ! can-t stand it."

"!-ll ,e ,ac0/ rest assured/ *y friend. #ou 0no) *e/ once !

start telling a good story ! Just can-t stop. But you have your

)or0 to do/ and ! have so*e private *atters that need to ,e

ta0en care

of."

"ust tell *e one thing then. 2ill the *ethods you learned in

&ivana )or0 for *e"

"2hen the student is ready/ the teacher appears/" ca*e the

s)ift reply. "#ou/ along )ith so *any others in our society/ are

ready for the )isdo* ! no) have the privilege of holding. Every

one of us should 0no) the philosophy of the sages. Every one of

us can ,enefit ,y it. Every one of us *ust 0no) of the perfection

that is their natural state. ! pro*ise ! )ill share their ancient

0no)ledge )ith you. (ave patience. ! )ill *eet you again


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to*orro) night/ this ti*e at your house. hen !-ll tell you all that

you need to 0no) to put far *ore living into your life. !s that

fair" "#eah/ ! guess if !-ve done )ithout it all these years/

)aiting another t)enty3four hours )on-t 0ill *e/" !

responded )ith

disappoint*ent.

And )ith that/ the *aster litigator turned enlightened yogi of

the East )as gone/ leaving *e )ith a *ind full of unans)ered

@uestions and unfinished thoughts.

As ! sat in *y office @uietly/ ! reali6ed ho) s*all our )orld

really )as. ! thought a,out the vast pool of 0no)ledge that ! had

not even ,egun to dip *y fingers into. ! thought a,out ho) it

*ight feel to regain *y o)n 6est for living/ and a,out the

curiosity ! had had )hen ! )as younger. ! )ould love to feel *ore

alive and to ,ring un,ridled energy to *y days. May,e ! too

)ould leave the legal profession. May,e there )as a higher

calling for *e as )ell 2ith these )eighty considerations on *y

*ind/ ! turned out the lights/ loc0ed the door to *y office and

)al0ed out into the thic0 heat of another su**er-s night.


45/213

'(A7E$ &!

he 2isdo* of

7ersonal 'hange

+ a# an artist at livin( + #) work of art is #) life8

&u6u0i

rue to his )ord/ ulian sho)ed up at *y ho*e the ne1t evening.

At a,out ?;= p.*./ ! heard four @uic0 0noc0s on the front door of

*y house/ a 'ape 'od design )ith a)ful pin0 shutters that *y

)ife ,elieved *ade our house loo0 li0e so*ething out of

-rchitectural &i(est8 ulian hi*self loo0ed stri0ingly different

than he had the day ,efore. (e still e*,odied radiant health and

e1uded a )onderful sense of cal*. !t )as )hat he )as )earing

that *ade *e a little unco*forta,le.

Adorning his o,viously supple ,ody )as a long red ro,e

topped ,y an ornately e*,roidered ,lue hood. And though it )as

another stic0y night in uly/ the hood covered his head.

"reetings *y friend/" ulian offered enthusiastically.

"reetings."

"%on-t loo0 so alar*ed/ )hat did you e1pect *e to )ear+

Ar*ani"


46/213

2e ,oth started to laugh/ softly at first. &oon our giggles had

turned to guffa)s. ulian certainly had not lost that )ic0ed sense

of hu*or that had 0ept *e entertained so long ago.

As )e rela1ed in *y cluttered ,ut co*forta,le living roo*/ !

couldn-t help ,ut notice the ornate nec0lace of )ooden prayer

,eads dangling fro* his nec0.

"2hat are those hey-re really ,eautiful."

"More a,out these later/" he said/ ru,,ing so*e of the ,eads

)ith his thu*, and inde1 finger. "2e have *uch to tal0 a,out

tonight."

"Let-s get started. ! could hardly get anything done at )or0

today ! )as so e1cited a,out our *eeting."

(earing his cue/ ulian i**ediately started to reveal *ore

a,out his personal transfor*ation and the ease )ith )hich it

)as effected. (e told *e of the ancient techni@ues he had

learned for *ind control and for erasing the ha,it of )orry

that )as consu*ing so *any in our co*ple1 society. (e spo0e

of the )isdo* that #ogi $a*an and the other *on0s had

shared for living a *ore purposeful and re)arding life. And he

spo0e of a series of *ethods to unleash the )ellspring of

youthfulness and energy he said every one of us has

slu*,ering deep inside of us.

hough the conviction )ith )hich he spo0e )as clear/ !

,egan to gro) s0eptical. 2as ! the victi* of so*e pran0 After

all/ this (arvard3trained la)yer )as once )idely 0no)n )ithin

the fir* for his practical Jo0es. As )ell/ his story )as nothing

less than fantastic. hin0 a,out it; one of this country-s ,est

0no)n trial la)yers thro)s in the to)el/ sells all his )orldly

goods and tre0s off to !ndia on a spiritual odyssey/ only to

return as a )ise prophet fro* the (i*alayas. his could not ,e

real.


47/213

"'-*on ulian. &top pulling *y leg. his )hole story is

starting to s*ac0 of one of your gags. !-ll ,et you rented that

ro,e fro* the costu*e shop across the street fro* *y office/" !

suggested/ ,rea0ing into *y ,est fear grin.

ulian )as @uic0 to respond/ as if *y dis,elief )as so*ething

he had e1pected. "!n court/ ho) do you prove your case"

"! offer persuasive evidence."

"$ight. Loo0 at the evidence that ! have offered you. Loo0 at

*y s*ooth/ lineless face. Loo0 at *y physi@ue. 'an-t you sense

the a,undance of energy ! have Loo0 at *y peacefulness. &urely

you can see that ! have changed"

(e had a point. his )as a *an )ho/ only a fe) years ago/

had loo0ed decades older.

"#ou didn-t go to a plastic surgeon did you"

"No/" he s*iled. "hey only focus on the outer person. !

needed to ,e healed fro* )ithin. My un,alanced/ chaotic lifestyle

left *e in great distress. !t )as *uch *ore than a heart attac0

that ! suffered. !t )as a rupture of *y inner core."

"But your story/ it-s so . . . *ysterious and unusual."

ulian re*ained cal* and patient in the face of *y

persistence. &potting the pot of tea ! had left on the ta,le ne1t

to hi*/ he started to pour into *y )aiting cup. (e poured until

the cup )as full+,ut then he 0ept on pouring5 ea started to

tric0le do)n the sides of the cup and into the saucer/ then onto

*y )ife-s pri6ed 7ersian rug. At first ! )atched silently. hen !

couldn-t ta0e it any *ore.

"ulian/ )hat are you doing My cup is overflo)ing. No

*atter ho) hard you try/ no *ore )ill go in5" ! yelled

i*patiently.

(e loo0ed at *e for a long *o*ent. "7lease don-t ta0e this

the )rong )ay. ! really respect you/ ohn. ! al)ays have.

(o)ever/


48/213

Just li0e this cup/ you see* to ,e full of your o)n ideas. And

ho) can any *ore go in. . . until )ou first e#pt) )our cup


49/213

"(o)-s that"

"!t is only )hen you have *astered the art of loving yourself

that you can truly love others. !t-s only )hen you have opened

your o)n heart that you can touch the hearts of others. 2hen

you feel centered and alive/ you are in a *uch ,etter position to

,e a ,etter person."

"2hat can ! e1pect to happen in those si1 hundred and

seventy3t)o hours that co*prise one *onth" ! as0ed earnestly.

"#ou )ill e1perience changes )ithin the )or0ings of your

*ind/ ,ody and even your soul that )ill astonish you. #ou )ill

have *ore energy/ enthusias* and inner har*ony than you have

had in/ perhaps/ your entire life. 7eople )ill actually,egin telling

you that you loo0 younger and happier. A lasting sense of )ell3

,eing and ,alance )ill s)iftly return to your life. hese are Just

so*e of the ,enefits of the &ivanan &yste*."

"2o)."

"All of )hat you )ill hear tonight is designed to i*prove

your life/ not Just personally and professionally ,ut spiritually as

)ell. he advice of the sages is Just as current today as it )as

five thousand years ago. !t )ill not only enrich your inner )orld/

it )ill enhance your outer )orld and *a0e you far *ore effective

in all that you do. his )isdo* is truly the *ost potent force !

have ever encountered. !t is straightfor)ard/ practical and has

,een tested in the la,oratory of life for centuries. Most

i*portantly/ it )ill )or0 for anyone. But ,efore ! share this

0no)ledge )ith you/ ! *ust as0 you for a pro*ise."! 0ne) there )ould ,e strings attached. "here are no free

lunches/" *y loving *other used to say.

"Once you see the po)er of the strategies and s0ills sho)n to

*e ,y the &ages of &ivana and o,serve the dra*atic results they


50/213

)ill ,ring to your life/ you *ust *a0e it your *ission to pass this

)isdo* on to others )ho )ill ,enefit fro* this 0no)ledge. his

is all that ! as0 of you. By agreeing to this/ you )ill help *e

fulfill *y o)n pact )ith #ogi $a*an."

! agreed )ithout reservation/ ulian ,egan to teach *e the

syste* he had co*e to consider as sacred. 2hile the techni@ues

that ulian had *astered during his stay )ere varied/ at the

heart of the &ivanan &yste* )ere seven ,asic virtues/ seven

funda*ental principles )hich e*,odied the 0eys to self3

leadership/ personal responsi,ility and spiritual enlighten*ent.

ulian told *e that #ogi $a*an )as the first to share the

seven virtues )ith hi* after a fe) *onths in &ivana. On a clear

night/ )hen all the others had drifted off into deep slu*,er/

$a*an 0noc0ed softly on the door of ulian-s hut. !n the voice of

a gentle guide/ he spo0e his *ind; "! have o,served you closely

for *any days no) ulian. ! ,elieve that you are a decent *an

)ho deeply desires to fill his life )ith all that is good. &ince you

have arrived you have opened yourself up to our traditions and

e*,raced the* as your o)n. #ou have learned a nu*,er of our

daily ha,its/ and have seen their *any salutary effects. #ou have

,een respectful of our )ays. Our people have lived this si*ple/

peaceful life through countless ages and our *ethods are

0no)n to ,ut a fe). he )orld needs to hear our philosophy on

enlightened living. onight/ on the eve of your third *onth in

&ivana/ ! )ill ,egin to share the inner )or0ings of our syste*

)ith you/ not only for your,enefit,ut for the ,enefit of all those

in your part of the )orld. ! )ill sit )ith you daily as ! sat )ith

*y son )hen he )as a child. &adly/ hepassed on a fe) years

ago. (is ti*e had co*e and ! do not @uestion his e1it. ! enJoyed

our ti*e together and cherish the *e*ories. ! no) see you as

*y son and ! feel grateful that all ! have learned


51/213

over *any years of silent conte*plation )ill live on )ithinyou."

! loo0ed at ulian and noticed that his eyes )ere no) shut/ as

if he )ere transporting hi*self ,ac0 to this fairy3tale land that

had sho)ered the ,lessing of 0no)ledge on hi*.

"#ogi $a*an told *e that the seven virtues for a life

overflo)ing )ith inner peace/ Joy and a )ealth of spiritual gifts

)ere contained )ithin a *ystical fa,le/ th i s fa,le )as the

essence of it all. (e as0ed *e to shut *y eyes as ! have no)done/ here on the floor of your living roo*. (e then told *e

to picture the follo)ing scene in *y *ind-s eye;

*ou are sittin( in the #iddle of a #a(nificent, lush, (reen

(arden8 This (arden is filled with the #ost spectacular

flowers )ou have ever seen8 The environ#ent is supre#el)tran;uil and silent8 Savor the sensual deli(hts of this

(arden and feel as if )ou have all the ti#e in the world to

en=o) this natural oasis8 -s )ou look around )ou see that

in the center of this #a(ical (arden stands a towerin(,

red li(hthouse, si stories hi(h8 Suddenl), the silence of

the (arden is distur!ed !) a loud creakin( as the door atthe !ase of the li(hthouse opens8 >utstu#!les a nine7foot7

tall, nine7hundred7pound 1apanese su#o wrestler who

casuall) wanders into the center of the (arden8

"!t gets ,etter/" chuc0led ulian. "he apanese su*o

)restler is na0ed5 2ell/ actually he is not totally na0ed. (e has apin0 )ire ca,le covering his private parts."

-s this su#o wrestler starts to #ove around the (arden,

he finds a shin) (old stopwatch which so#eone had left


52/213

!ehind #an) )ears earlier8 He slips it on, and falls to the

(round with an enor#ous thud8 The su#o wrestler is

rendered unconscious and lies there, silent and still8 1ust

when )ou think he has taken his last !reath, the wrestler

awakens, perhaps stirred !) the fra(rance of so#e fresh

)ellow roses !loo#in( near!)8 'ner(i?ed, the wrestler

=u#ps swiftl) to his feet and intuitivel) looks to his left8

He is startled at what he sees8 Throu(h the !ushes at the

ver) ed(e of the (arden he o!serves a lon( windin( path

covered !) #illions of sparklin( dia#onds8 So#ethin(

see#s to instruct the wrestler to take the path, and to his

credit, he does8 This path leads hi# down the road of

everlastin( =o) and eternal !liss8

After hearing this strange tale high atop the (i*alayas/

seated ne1t to a *on0 )ho had seen the torchlight of

enlighten*ent first3hand/ ulian told *e that he )as

disappointed. uite si*ply/ he said that he thought he )as

going to hear so*ething earth3shattering/ 0no)ledge that )ould

stir hi* to action/ perhaps even *ove hi* to tears. !nstead/ all

he heard )as a silly story a,out a su*o )restler and a

lighthouse.

#ogi $a*an detected his dis*ay. "Never overloo0 the po)er

of si*plicity/" ulian )as told.

"his story *ay not ,e the sophisticated discourse that you

e1pected/" said the sage/ ",ut there is a universe of sensi,ility inits *essage and a purity in its purpose. Fro* the day you

arrived/ ! have thought long and hard as to ho) ! )ould share

our 0no)ledge )ith you. At first ! considered giving you a

series of lectures over a period of *onths ,ut reali6ed that this

traditional approach )as ill3suited to the *agical nature of the

)isdo* you


53/213

are a,out to receive. ! then thought of as0ing all of *y ,rothers

and sisters to spend a little ti*e )ith you every day tutoring you

in our philosophy. (o)ever/ this too )as not the *ost effective

)ay for you to learn )hat it is )e have to tell. After great

deli,eration/ ! finally arrived at )hat ! thought )as a very

creative yet highly effective )ay to share the entire syste* of

&ivana )ith its seven virtues. . . and that is this *ystical fa,le."

he sage added; "At first it *ight see* to ,e frivolous and

perhaps even childish. But ! assure you that every ele*ent of the

fa,le e*,odies a ti*eless principle for radiant living and has

great depth of *eaning. he garden/ the lighthouse/ the su*o

)restler/ the pin0 )ire ca,le/ the stop)atch/ the roses and the

)inding path of dia*onds are sy*,ols of the seven ti*eless

virtues for an enlightened life. ! can also assure you that if you

re*e*,er this little story and the funda*ental truths that itrepresents/ you )ill carry )ithin you all that you need to 0no) to

raise your life to its highest level. #ou )ill have all the

infor*ation and strategies you )ill need to profoundly influence

the @uality of your life and the lives of all those you touch. And

)hen you apply this )isdo* on a daily ,asis/ you )ill change+

*entally/ e*otionally/ physically and spiritually. 7lease )rite thisstory deep into your *ind and carry it )ithin your heart !t )ill

only *a0e a dra*atic difference if you e*,race it )ithout

reservation."

"Luc0ily ohn/" said ulian/ "! did e*,race it. 'arl ung once

said that -your vision )ill ,eco*e clear only )hen you can loo0

into your heart. 2ho loo0s outside/ drea*s )ho loo0s inside/a)a0ens.- On that very special night/ ! loo0ed deep into *y heart

and a)a0ened to the secrets of the ages for enriching the *ind/

cultivating the ,ody and nourishing the soul. !t is no) *y turn

to share the* )ith you."


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'(A7E$ &E4EN

A Most E1traordinary arden

Most people live+whether ph)sicall), intellectuall)

or #orall)+in a ver) restricted circle of their potential

!ein(8 We all have reservoirs of life to draw upon of

which we do not drea#8

2illia* a*es

"!n the fa,le/ the garden is a sy*,ol for the *ind/" said ulian.

"!f you care for your *ind/ if you nurture it and if you cultivate it

Just li0e a fertile/ rich garden/ it )ill ,losso* far ,eyond your

e1pectations. But if you let the )eeds ta0e root/ lasting peace of

*ind and deep inner har*ony )ill al)ays elude you.

"ohn/ let *e as0 you a si*ple @uestion. !f ! )ent into your

,ac0yard )here you have that garden you used to tell *e so

*uch a,out and thre) to1ic )aste over all your pri6ed petunias/

you )ouldn-t ,e thrilled/ )ould you"

"Agreed."

"As a *atter of fact/ *ost good gardeners guard their

gardens li0e proud soldiers and *a0e certain that no

conta*ination ever


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enters. #et loo0 at the to1ic )aste that *ost people put into the

fertile garden of their *inds every single day; the )orries and

an1ieties/ the fretting a,out the past/ the ,rooding over the future

and those self3created fears that )rea0 havoc )ithin your inner

)orld. !n the native language of the &ages of &ivana/ )hich has

e1isted for thousands of years/ the )ritten character for )orry is

stri0ingly si*ilar to the character sy*,oli6ing a funeral pyre.

#ogi $a*an told *e that this )as no *ere coincidence. 2orry

drains the *ind of *uch of its po)er and/ sooner or later/ it

inJures the soul."

"o live life to the fullest/ you *ust stand guard at the gate of

your garden and let only the very ,est infor*ation enter. #ou

truly cannot afford the lu1ury of a negative thought+not even

one. he *ost Joyful/ dyna*ic and contented people of this

)orld are no different fro* you or *e in ter*s of their *a0eup.

2e are all flesh and ,ones. 2e all co*e fro* the sa*e universal

source. (o)ever/ the ones )ho do *ore than Just e1ist/ the ones

)ho fan the fla*es of their hu*an potential and truly savor the

*agical dance of life do different things than those )hose lives

are ordinary. Fore*ost a*ongst the things that they do is adopt

a positive paradig* a,out their )orld and all that is in it."

ulian added; "he sages taught *e that on an average day

the average person runs a,out si1ty thousand thoughts through

his *ind. 2hat really a*a6ed *e though/ )as that ninety3five

percent of those thoughts )ere the sa*e as the ones you thought

the day ,efore5"

"Are you serious" ! as0ed.

"4ery. his is the tyranny of i*poverished thin0ing. hose

people )ho thin0 the sa*e thoughts every day/ *ost of the*

negative/ have fallen into ,ad *ental ha,its. $ather than focusing


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on all the good in their lives and thin0ing of )ays to *a0e things

even ,etter/ they are captives of their pasts. &o*e of the* )orry

a,out failed relationships or financial pro,le*s. Others fret over

their less3than3perfect childhoods. &till others ,rood over *ore

trifling *atters; the )ay a store cler0 *ight have treated the*

or the co**ent of a co3)or0er that s*ac0ed of ill3)ill. hose

)ho run their *inds in this fashion are allo)ing )orry to ro,

the* of their life force. hey are ,loc0ing the enor*ous

potential of their *inds to )or0 *agic and deliver into their lives

all that they )ant/ e*otionally/ physically and/ yes/ even

spiritually. hese people never reali6e that *ind *anage*ent is

the essence of life *anage*ent.

"he )ay you thin0 ste*s fro* ha,it/ pure and si*ple/"

ulian continued )ith conviction. "Most people Just don-t reali6e

the enor*ous po)er of their *inds. ! have learned that even the

,est3conditioned thin0ers are using only =C=99th of a percent of

their *ental reserves. !n &ivana/ the sages dared to e1plore the

untapped potential of their *ental capacity on a regular ,asis.

And the results )ere astounding. #ogi $a*an/ through regular

and disciplined practice/ had conditioned his *ind so that he )as

a,le to slo) do)n his heart,eat at )ill. (e had even trained

hi*self to go for )ee0s )ithout sleep. 2hile ! )ould never

suggest that these should ,e goals for you to aspire to/ ! do

suggest that you start to see your *ind for )hat it is + nature-s

greatest gift."

"Are there so*e e1ercises ! can do to unloc0 this *ind

po)er Being a,le to slo) do)n *y heart,eat )ould definitely

*a0e *e a hit on the coc0tail3party circuit/" ! suggested chee0ily.

"%on-t )orry a,out that no)/ ohn. !-ll give you so*e

practical techni@ues that you can try later that )ill sho) you the

po)er of


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this ancient technology. For no)/ )hat is i*portant is that you

understand that *ental *astery co*es through conditioning/

nothing *ore and nothing less. Most of us have the sa*e ra)

*aterials fro* the *o*ent )e ta0e our first ,reath of air )hat

separates those people )ho achieve *ore than others or those

that are happier than others is the )ay that they use and refine

these ra) *aterials. 2hen you dedicate yourself to

transfor*ing your inner )orld your life @uic0ly shifts fro* the

ordinary into the real* of the e1traordinary."

My teacher )as gro)ing *ore e1cited ,y the *o*ent. (is

eyes see*ed to t)in0le as he spo0e of the *agic of the *ind and

the )ealth of goodness it )ould surely ,ring.

"#ou 0no) ohn/ )hen all is said and done/ there is only one

thing that )e have a,solute do*inion over."

"Our 0ids" ! said/ s*iling good3naturedly.

"No/ *y friend + our *inds. 2e *ight not ,e a,le to

control the )eather or the traffic or the *oods of all those

around us. But/ )e *ost certainly can control our attitude

to)ards these events. 2e all have the po)er to deter*ine )hat

)e )ill thin0 a,out in any given *o*ent. his a,ility is part of

)hat *a0es us hu*an. #ou see/ one of the funda*ental ge*s

of )orldly )isdo* ! have learned in *y travels to the East is

also one of the *ost si*ple."

ulian then paused as if to su**on up a priceless gift.

"And )hat *ight that ,e"

"here is no such thing as o,Jective reality or -the real

)orld.- here are no a,solutes. he face of your greatest

ene*y *ight ,e the face of *y finest friend. An event that

appears to ,e a tragedy to one *ight reveal the seeds of

unli*ited opportunity to another. 2hat really separates people

)ho are ha,itually up,eat and opti*istic fro* those )ho are

consistently *isera,le is ho)


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"&o it-s li0e that old adage a,out seeing the cup as half full

rather than half e*pty"

"hat-s a fair )ay to loo0 at it. No *atter )hat happens toyou in your life/ you alone have the capacity to choose your

response to it. 2hen you for* the ha,it of searching for the

positive in every circu*stance/ your life )ill *ove into its

highest di*ensions. his is one of the greatest of all the natural

la)s."

"And it all starts )ith using your *ind *ore effectively""E1actly/ ohn. All success in life/ )hether *aterial or

spiritual/ starts )ith that t)elve3pound *ass sitting ,et)een

your shoulders. Or *ore specifically/ )ith the thoughts that you

put into your *ind every second of every *inute of every day.

#our outer )orld reflects the state of your inn

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