"A captivating story that teaches as it d elights.

n
- PAULO C oELHO , author of The
Alchemist
R 0 B I N S. S H A R M A
THE MONK
A FABLE ABOU
HOSOLD
FULF!LL!N" #OU$ %$EAM&
HIS FERRARI
AN% $EA'(!N" #OU$ %E&!N#
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he Mon0
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A'KNO2LE%"MEN&
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari has ,een a very special proJect/ ,rought
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ife is no !rief candle for #e8 +t is a sort of splendid
torch which + have (ot hold of for the #o#ent, and +
want to #ake it !urn as !ri(htl) as possi!le !efore
handin( it on to future (enerations8
"eorge Bernard &ha)
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he Mon0
2ho &old (is
Ferrari
'(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
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
aggressive
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 thatK 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.
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 "ne,t )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
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,idM 2hat )ould happen if our research )as less than
perfectM 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: lightsM &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.
.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-t Just 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
*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 *entorK 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. $ight in the *iddle of
courtroo* nu*,er seven on a Monday *orning/ the sa*e
courtroo* )here )e had )on the Mother of All Murder rials.
'(A7E$ 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)sM !-ll tell
you one thing though. !t hurt.
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 his
life 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 ! started
spending 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 NepalM &cu,a diving off the
'ay*ansM 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
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/ perfect
cars 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 *eM ! 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.-
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 surprisingly
co**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*M ! 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.
".ulianM !s that youM ! can-t ,elieve it5 !s that really youM"
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.
'(A7E$ ($E E
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 aliveM- ! )ondered
in silent dis,elief. -2as it so*e *agical drug that had allo)ed
hi* to drin0 fro* the fountain of youthM 2hat )as the cause
of this e1traordinary reversalM-
.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.
.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* the
2est. 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 too
late. 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 the
spar0 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
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 spiritual
a)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 $ole1/ and had pac0ed all that re*ained into a large
ruc0sac0 that )ould ,e *y constant co*panion as ! ventured
into the ti*eless traditions of the East."
"2as it hard to leaveM" ! )ondered aloud/ una,le to contain
*y curiosity.
"Actually/ it )as the easiest thing ! have ever done. he
decision to give up *y practice and all *y )orldly possessions
felt natural. Al,ert 'a*us once said that -$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
*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*s
of 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 he
desired 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 the
good 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 village
te*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 this
te*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
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 the
crisis 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. "Every
event 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 great
e1ultation. 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 delightM
"! need your help/ Krishnan. ! need to learn ho) to ,uild a
richer/ fuller life."
"! )ould ,e honored to assist you in any )ay that ! can/"
offered the yogi. "But *ay ! give you one suggestionM"
"&ure."
"For as long as ! have ,een caring for this te*ple in this
little village/ ! have heard )hisperings of a *ystical ,and of
sages 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
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 liveM"
"No one 0no)s/ and ! regret that !-* too old to start search:
ing. But ! )ill tell you one thing/ *y friendK *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 to
radiant 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 liveM"
"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 lost
land 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
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 sanctuary
that 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 and
energi6ed 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 the
cocoon 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 the
right 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/
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 the
courtroo* 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/
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* any
real 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
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*M" 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/ friendM"
&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
ancient principles of enlightened living that the *an spo0e again.
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 *ountain path 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/
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.
'(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
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.
(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 Nen3li0e 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 $a*an
escorted .ulian to his living @uarters; a flo)er3filled hut
containing a s*all ,ed )ith an e*pty Journal pad on it. his
)ould ,e his ho*e for the foreseea,le future.
hough .ulian had never seen anything li0e this *agical
)orld of &ivana/ he so*eho) felt that this had ,een a
ho*eco*ing of sorts/ a return to a paradise that he had 0no)n
long ago. &o*eho) this village of roses )as not so foreign to
hi*. (is intuition told hi* that he ,elonged here/ if only for a
short period. his )ould ,e the place )here he )ould re0indle
the fire for living that he had 0no)n ,efore the legal profession
stole his soul/ a sanctuary )here his ,ro0en spirit )ould slo)ly
start to heal. And so ,egan .ulian-s life a*ong the &ages of
&ivana/ a life of si*plicity/ serenity and har*ony. he ,est )as
soon to co*e.
'(A7E$ 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 youngerM 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.
&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
*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
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 yourselfM (o) can you do good if you
don-t even feel goodM ! 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 *eM"
"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
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
fairM" "#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 )ellM 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.
'(A7E$ &!L
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 ?;=A 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*aniM"
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 thoseM 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 $a*an and the other *on0s had
shared for living a *ore purposeful and re)arding life. And he
spo0e of a series of *ethods to unleash the )ellspring of
youthfulness and energy he said every one of us has
slu*,ering deep inside of us.
hough the conviction )ith )hich he spo0e )as clear/ !
,egan to gro) s0eptical. 2as ! the victi* of so*e pran0M After
all/ this (arvard3trained la)yer )as once )idely 0no)n )ithin
the fir* for his practical Jo0es. As )ell/ his story )as nothing
less than fantastic. hin0 a,out it; one of this country-s ,est
0no)n trial la)yers thro)s in the to)el/ sells all his )orldly
goods and tre0s off to !ndia on a spiritual odyssey/ only to
return as a )ise prophet fro* the (i*alayas. his could not ,e
real.
"'-*on .ulian. &top pulling *y leg. his )hole story is
starting to s*ac0 of one of your gags. !-ll ,et you rented that
ro,e fro* the costu*e shop across the street fro* *y office/" !
suggested/ ,rea0ing into *y ,est fear grin.
.ulian )as @uic0 to respond/ as if *y dis,elief )as so*ething
he had e1pected. "!n court/ ho) do you prove your caseM"
"! offer persuasive evidence."
"$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 ! haveM Loo0 at *y peacefulness. &urely
you can see that ! have changedM"
(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 youM"
"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 doingM 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/
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<"
! )as struc0 ,y the truth of his )ords. (e )as right. My
*any years in the conservative legal )orld/ doing the sa*e
things every day )ith the sa*e people )ho thought the sa*e
thoughts every day had filled *y cup to the ,ri*. My )ife
.enny )as al)ays telling *e that )e should ,e *eeting ne)
people and e1ploring ne) things. "! )ish you )ere Just a little
*ore adventurous/ .ohn/" she )ould say.
! couldn-t re*e*,er the last ti*e ! had read a ,oo0 that
didn-t deal )ith la). he profession )as *y life. ! ,egan to
reali6e that the sterile )orld ! had gro)n accusto*ed to had
dulled *y creativity and li*ited *y vision.
"O0ay. ! see your point/" ! ad*itted. "7erhaps all *y years as
a trial la)yer have *ade *e a hardened s0eptic. Fro* the *inute
! sa) you in *y office yesterday/ so*ething deep inside *e told
*e that your transfor*ation )as genuine/ and that there )as
so*e sort of lesson in it for *e. May,e ! Just didn-t )ant to
,elieve it."
".ohn/ tonight is the first night of your ne) life. ! si*ply as0
that you thin0 deeply a,out the )isdo* and strategies that ! )ill
share )ith you and apply the* )ith conviction for a period of
one *onth. E*,race the *ethods )ith a deep trust in their
effectiveness. here is a reason )hy they have survived for
thousands of years + they )or0."
"One *onth see*s li0e a long ti*e."
"&i1 hundred and seventy3t)o hours of inner )or0 to
profoundly i*prove every )a0ing *o*ent of the rest of your
life is @uite a ,argain/ don-t you thin0M !nvesting in yourself is
the ,est invest*ent you )ill ever *a0e. !t )ill not only i*prove
your life/ it )ill i*prove the lives of all those around you."
"(o)-s thatM"
"!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 *onthM" ! 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
)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/ he passed 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
over *any years of silent conte*plation )ill live on )ithin
you."
! 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/ thi 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 at
the !ase of the li(hthouse opens8 >ut stu#!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 a
pin0 )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
!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. Ouite 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 in
its *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
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 it
represents/ 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 this
story 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*sK )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."
'(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 youM"
"Agreed."
"As a *atter of fact/ *ost good gardeners guard their
gardens li0e proud soldiers and *a0e certain that no
conta*ination ever
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 seriousM" ! 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
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)erM 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
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 airK )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 0idsM" ! 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 ,eM"
"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)
the circu*stances of life are interpreted and processed."
".ulian/ ho) could a tragedy ,e anything ,ut a tragedyM"
"(ere-s a @uic0 e1a*ple. 2hen ! )as travelling through
'alcutta/ ! *et a schoolteacher na*ed Mali0a 'hand. &he loved
teaching and treated her students as she )ould her o)n children/
nurturing their potential )ith great 0indness. (er perennial
*otto )as -#our + can is *ore i*portant than your +8Q8- &he )as
0no)n throughout her co**unity as a person )ho lived to give/
)ho selflessly served anyone in need. &adly/ her ,eloved school/
)hich had stood as a silent )itness to the delightful progress of
generations of children/ succu*,ed to the fla*es of a fire set ,y
an arsonist one night. All those in the co**unity felt this great
loss. But as ti*e passed/ their anger gave )ay to apathy and
they resigned the*selves to the fact that their children )ould ,e
)ithout a school."
"2hat a,out Mali0aM"
"&he )as different/ an eternal opti*ist if there ever )as one.
Unli0e everyone around her/ she perceived opportunity in )hat
had happened. &he told all the parents that every set,ac0 offers
an e@uivalent ,enefit if they too0 the ti*e to search for it. his
event )as a gift in disguise. he school that ,urned to the ground
)as old and decrepit. he roof lea0ed and the floor had finally
,uc0led under the strain of a thousand little feet sca*pering
across its surface. his )as the chance that they had ,een
)aiting for to Join hands as a co**unity and ,uild a *uch
,etter school/ one that )ould serve *any *ore children in the
years to co*e. And so/ )ith this si1ty3four3year3old dyna*o
,ehind the*/ they *arshalled their collective resources and
raised enough funds to ,uild a spar0ling ne) school/ one that
stood as a shining e1a*ple of the po)er of vision in the face of
adversity."
"&o it-s li0e that old adage a,out seeing the cup as half full
rather than half e*ptyM"
"hat-s a fair )ay to loo0 at it. No *atter )hat happens to
you 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 effectivelyM"
"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 inner )orld. By
controlling the thoughts that you thin0 and the )ay you respond
to the events of your life/ you ,egin to control your destiny."
"his *a0es so *uch sense/ .ulian. ! guess *y life has
,eco*e so ,usy that ! have never ta0en the ti*e to thin0
a,out these things. 2hen ! )as in la) school/ *y ,est friend
Ale1 used to love reading inspirational ,oo0s. (e said that they
0ept hi* *otivated and energi6ed in the face of our crushing
)or0load. ! re*e*,er hi* telling *e that one of the* said that
the 'hinese character for
-crisis- is co*prised of t)o su,3characters; one that spells
-danger- and another that spells -opportunity.- ! guess that even
the ancient 'hinese 0ne) that there is a ,right side to the
dar0est circu*stance + if you have the courage to loo0 for it."
"#ogi $a*an put it this )ay; -here are no *ista0es in life/
only lessons. here is no such thing as a negative e1perience/
only opportunities to gro)/ learn and advance along the road of
self3 *astery. Fro* struggle co*es strength. Even pain can ,e a
)onderful teacher.- "
"7ainM" ! protested.
"A,solutely. o transcend pain/ you *ust first e1perience it.
Or to put it another )ay/ ho) can you really 0no) the Joy of
,eing on the su**it of the *ountain unless you have first visited
the lo)est valley. "et *y pointM"
"o savor the good one *ust 0no) the ,adM"
"#es. But ! suggest that you stop Judging events as either
positive or negative. $ather/ si*ply e1perience the*/ cele,rate
the* and learn fro* the*. Every event offers you lessons. hese
little lessons fuel your inner and outer gro)th. 2ithout the*/ you
)ould ,e stuc0 on a plateau. .ust thin0 a,out it in your o)n life.
Most people have gro)n the *ost fro* their *ost challenging
e1periences. And if you *eet )ith an outco*e you did not e1pect
and feel a little disappointed/ re*e*,er that the la)s of nature
al)ays ensure that )hen one door closes another opens."
.ulian started to raise his ar*s in e1cite*ent/ *uch as a
&outhern *inister *ight )hile preaching to his congregation.
"Once you consistently apply this principle to your daily life and
start to condition your *ind to translate every event into a
positive/ e*po)ering one/ you )ill ,anish )orry forever. #ou
)ill stop ,eing a prisoner of your past. !nstead/ you )ill ,eco*e
the architect of your future."
"O0ay/ ! understand the concept. Every e1perience/ even the
)orst/ offers *e a lesson. herefore/ ! should open *y *ind to
the learning in every event. !n this )ay/ ! )ill gro) stronger
and happier. 2hat else *ight a hu*,le/ *iddle3class la)yer do
to i*prove thingsM"
"First of all/ ,egin to live out of the glory of your
i*agination/ not your *e*ory."
"$un that one ,y *e again."
-All !-* saying is that to li,erate the potential of your *ind/
,ody and soul/ you *ust first e1pand your i*agination. #ou see/
things are al)ays created t)ice; first in the )or0shop of the *ind
and then/ and only then/ in reality. ! call the process
-,lueprinting- ,ecause anything that you create in your outer
)orld ,egan as a si*ple ,lueprint in your inner )orld/ on the
lush picture screen of your *ind. 2hen you learn to ta0e control
of your thoughts and vividly i*agine all that you desire fro* this
)orldly e1istence in a state of total e1pectancy/ dor*ant forces
)ill a)a0en inside you. #ou )ill ,egin to unloc0 the true
potential of your *ind to create the 0ind of *agical life that !
,elieve you deserve. Fro* tonight on)ards/ forget a,out the
past. %are to drea* that you are *ore than the su* of your
current circu*stances. E1pect the ,est. #ou )ill ,e astonished at
the results.
"#ou 0no)/ .ohn/ all those years in the legal profession !
thought ! 0ne) so *uch. ! spent years studying at the finest
schools/ reading all the la) ,oo0s ! could get *y hands on and
)or0ing )ith the ,est role *odels. &ure/ ! )as a )inner at the
ga*e of la). #et ! ho) reali6e ! )as losing in the ga*e of life. !
)as so ,usy chasing the ,ig pleasures of life that ! *issed out on
all the little ones. ! never read those great ,oo0s *y father used
to tell *e to read. ! haven-t ,uilt any great friendships. !-ve never
learned to appreciate great *usic. (aving said this/ ! really thin0
! a* one of the luc0y ones. My heart attac0 )as *y defining
*o*ent/ *y personal )a0e3up call/ if you )ill. Believe it or not/
it gave *e a second chance to live a richer/ *ore inspired life.
Li0e Mali0a 'hand/ ! sa) the seeds of opportunity in *y
painful e1perience. More i*portantly/ ! had the courage to
nourish the*."
! could see that )hile .ulian had gro)n younger on the
outside he had gro)n far )iser )ithin. ! reali6ed that this
evening )as
*ore than Just a fascinating conversation )ith an old friend. !
reali6ed that tonight could ,e ray o)n defining *o*ent and a
clear chance for a ne) ,eginning. My *ind started to consider
all that )as )rong in *y o)n life. &ure ! had a great fa*ily and
a sta,le Jo, as a )ell3regarded la)yer. #et in *y @uiet *o*ents
! 0ne) there had to ,e *ore. ! had to fill that e*ptiness that )as
starting to envelope *y life.
2hen ! )as a 0id/ ! drea*ed such great drea*s. Often/ !
visuali6ed *yself as a sports hero or as a ,usiness tycoon. ! really
,elieved that ! could do/ have and ,e )hatever ! )anted to ,e. !
also re*e*,ered the )ay ! used to feel as a young ,oy gro)ing
up on the sun3splashed )est coast. Fun ca*e in the for* of
si*ple pleasures. Fun )as spending a glorious afternoon s0inny3
dipping or riding through the )oods on *y ,icycle. ! had such a
curiosity for life. ! )as an adventurer. here )ere no li*its on
)hat *y future could ,ring. ! honestly don-t thin0 ! have felt
that 0ind of freedo* and Joy for fifteen years. 2hat happenedM
7erhaps ! lost sight of *y drea*s )hen ! ,eca*e an adult
and resigned *yself to acting the )ay adults )ere supposed to
act. May,e ! lost sight of the* )hen ! )ent to la) school and
started tal0ing li0e la)yers )ere supposed to tal0. !n any
event/ that evening )ith .ulian at *y side/ pouring his heart out
over a cup of cold tea/ *ade *e resolve to stop spending so
*uch ti*e *a0ing a living and to spend far *ore ti*e creating a
life.
"Loo0s li0e ! have you thin0ing a,out your life also/" .ulian
o,served. "&tart thin0ing a,out your drea*s for a change/ Just
li0e )hen you )ere a little child. .onas &al0 said it ,est )hen he
)rote; -! have had drea*s and ! have had night*ares. !
overca*e the night*ares ,ecause of *y drea*s.- %are to
dust off your drea*s .ohn. &tart to revere life again and
cele,rate all of its
)onders. A)a0en yourself to the po)er of your o)n *ind to
*a0e things happen. Once you do/ the universe )ill conspire )ith
you to )or0 *agic in your life."
.ulian then reached into the depths of his ro,e and pulled out
a little card/ a,out the si6e of a ,usiness card/ )hich had tears
along its sides/ apparently the result of *any *onths of constant
use.
"One day/ )hile #ogi $a*an and ! )ere )al0ing along a @uiet
*ountain path/ ! as0ed hi* )ho his favorite philosopher )as. (e
told *e that he had *any influences in his life/ and it )as difficult
for hi* to single out any one source for his inspiration. here )as
one @uotation/ ho)ever/ that he carried deep )ithin his heartK one
that encapsulated all the values he had co*e to cherish over a life
spent in @uiet conte*plation. At that glorious place/ deep )ithin
the *iddle of no)here/ this learned sage of the East shared it
)ith *e. ! too etched its )ords into *y heart. hey serve as a
daily re*inder of all that )e are+and all that )e can ,e. he
)ords ca*e fro* the great !ndian philosopher 7atanJali.
$epeating the* aloud every *orning ,efore ! sit do)n to
*editate has had a very profound influence on the course of
*y day. $e*e*,er/ .ohn/ )ords are the ver,al e*,odi*ent of
po)er."
.ulian then sho)ed *e the card. he @uotation read;
When )ou are inspired !) so#e (reat purpose, so#e
e,traordinar) pro=ect, all of )our thou(hts !reak their
!onds% )our #ind transcends li#itations, )our
consciousness e,pands in ever) direction and )ou find
)ourself in a new, (reat and wonderful world8 &or#ant
forces, faculties and talents !eco#e alive and )ou
discover )ourself to !e a (reater person than )ou ever
drea#ed )ourself to !e8
!n that instant/ ! sa) the connection ,et)een physical vitality
and *ental agility. .ulian )as in picture3perfect health and loo0ed
*any years younger than he had )hen )e had first *et. (e
,ri**ed )ith vi,rancy and it appeared that his energy/
enthusias* and opti*is* 0ne) no ,ounds. ! could see that he had
*ade *any changes to his for*er lifestyle/ ,ut it )as o,vious that
the starting point of his *agnificent transfor*ation )as *ental
fitness. &uccess on the outside indeed ,egins )ith success on the
inside/ and ,y changing his thoughts/ .ulian Mantle had changed
his life.
"E1actly ho) can ! develop this positive/ serene and inspired
attitude/ .ulianM After all these years in *y routine/ ! thin0 *y
*ental *uscles have gro)n a little fla,,y. 'o*e to thin0 of it/ !
have very little control over the thoughts that are floating around
the garden of *y *ind/" ! said )ith sincerity.
"he *ind is a )onderful servant ,ut a terri,le *aster. !f you
have ,eco*e a negative thin0er/ this is ,ecause you have not
cared for your *ind and ta0en the ti*e to train it to focus on the
good. 2inston 'hurchill said that -the price of greatness is/
responsi,ility over each of your thoughts.- hen you )ill install
the vi,rant *indset you are loo0ing for. $e*e*,er/ the *ind
truly is li0e any other *uscle in your ,ody. Use it or lose it."
"Are you saying that if ! don-t e1ercise *y *ind it )ill gro)
)ea0M"
"#es. Loo0 at it this )ay. !f you )ant to strengthen the
*uscles of your ar* to achieve *ore/ you *ust train the*. !f
you )ant to toughen up your leg *uscles/ you *ust first e1ert
the*. &i*ilarly/ your *ind )ill do )onderful things for you if
only you )ill let it. !t )ill attract all that you desire into your
life/ once you learn ho) to operate it effectively. !t )ill create
ideal health if you care for it properly. And it )ill return to
its natural state of
peacefulness and tran@uility + if you have the vision to as0 for
it. he &ages of &ivana have a very special saying; -he
,oundaries of your life are *erely creations of the self.-"
"! don-t thin0 ! understand that one/ .ulian."
"Enlightened thin0ers 0no) that their thoughts for* their
)orld and the @uality of one-s life co*es do)n to the richness of
one-s thoughts. !f you )ant to live a *ore peaceful/ *eaningful
life/ you *ust thin0 *ore peaceful/ *eaningful thoughts."
"(it *e )ith the @uic03fi1/ .ulian."
"2hat do you *eanM" .ulian as0ed gently/ running his
,ron6ed fingers along the front of his ,rilliantly te1tured ro,e.
"!-* e1cited a,out )hat you are telling *e. But !-* an
i*patient guy. %on-t you have any e1ercises or techni@ues that !
can use right no)/ here in *y o)n living roo*/ to change the
)ay ! run *y *indM"
"Ouic03fi1es do not )or0. All lasting inner change re@uires
ti*e and effort. 7ersistence is the *other of personal change. !-*
not saying that it )ill ta0e years to *a0e profound changes in
your life. !f you diligently apply the strategies ! a* sharing
)ith you every day for only one *onth/ you )ill ,e astonished at
the results. #ou )ill ,egin to tap into the highest levels of your
o)n capacity and enter the real* of the *iraculous. But to
reach this destination/ you *ust not get hung up on the
outco*e. !nstead/ enJoy the process of personal e1pansion and
gro)th. !ronically/ the less you focus on the end result/ the
@uic0er it )ill co*e."
"(o) soM"
"!t-s li0e that classic story of the young ,oy )ho travelled far
fro* his ho*e to study under a great teacher. 2hen he *et the
)ise old *an/ his first @uestion )as/ -(o) long )ill it ta0e *e
,efore ! a* as )ise as youM-
"he response ca*e s)iftly/ -Five years.-
"-his is a very long ti*e/- the ,oy replied. -(o) a,out if !
)or0 t)ice as hardM-
-"hen it )ill ta0e ten/- said the *aster.
-"en5 hat-s far too long. (o) a,out if ! studied all day and
)ell into the night/ every nightM-
-"Fifteen years/- said the sage.
"-! don-t understand/- replied the ,oy. -Every ti*e ! pro*ise
to devote *ore energy to *y goal/ you tell *e that it )ill ta0e
longer. 2hyM-
-"he ans)er is si*ple. 2ith one eye fi1ed on the
destination/ there is only one left to guide you along the
Journey- "
"7oint )ell ta0en/ counselor/" ! conceded graciously. "&ounds
li0e the story of *y life."
"Be patient and live )ith the 0no)ledge that all you are
searching for is certain to co*e if you prepare for it and e1pect
it." "But !-ve never ,een the luc0y sort/ .ulian. All that ! have
ever
received has co*e through sheer persistence."
"2hat is luc0/ *y friendM" .ulian replied 0indly. "!t is
nothing *ore than the *arriage of preparation )ith
opportunity."
.ulian added softly; "Before ! give you the precise *ethods
passed on to *e ,y the &ages of &ivana/ ! *ust first share a
couple of 0ey principles. First/ al)ays re*e*,er that
concentration is at the root of *ental *astery."
"&eriouslyM"
"! 0no). !t surprised *e too. But it is true. he *ind can
acco*plish e1traordinary things/ you have learned this. he very
fact that you have a desire or a drea* *eans that you have the
corresponding capacity to reali6e it. his is one of the great
universal truths 0no)n to the &ages of &ivana. (o)ever/ to
li,erate the po)er of the *ind/ you *ust first ,e a,le to harness
it and direct its focus only to the tas0 at hand. he *o*ent
you concentrate the focus of your *ind on a singular purpose/
e1traordinary gifts )ill appear )ithin your life."
"2hy is it so i*portant to have a concentrated *indM"
"Let *e offer you a riddle that )ill ans)er your @uestion
nicely. &ay you )ere lost in the )oods in the *iddle of the
)inter. #ou desperately needed to stay )ar*. All you have in
your 0napsac0 is a letter your ,est friend had sent to you/ a tin of
tuna and a s*all *agnifying glass that you carry to
co*pensate for your fading eyesight. Luc0ily/ you *anaged to
find so*e dry 0indling )ood/ ,ut unfortunately you have no
*atches. (o) )ould you light the fireM"
"ood grief. .ulian had stu*ped *e. ! had no idea )hat the
ans)er )as.
"! give up."
"!t-s very si*ple. 7lace the letter a*ongst the dry )ood and
hold the *agnifying glass over it. he rays of the sun )ill ,e
focused so as to ignite the fire )ithin a *atter of seconds."
"And )hat a,out the can of tunaM"
"Oh/ ! Just thre) that in to distract you fro* the o,vious
solution/" .ulian replied )ith a s*ile. "But the essence of the
e1a*ple is this; putting the letter over the dry )ood )ould
produce no result. #et/ the second you use the *agnifying glass
to concentrate the scattered rays of the sun onto the letter/ it
)ill ignite. his analogy holds true for the *ind. 2hen you
concentrate its tre*endous po)er on definite/ *eaningful
o,Jectives/ you )ill @uic0ly ignite the fla*es of your personal
potential and produce startling results."
"Li0e )hatM" ! as0ed.
"Only you can ans)er this @uestion. 2hat is it that you are
searching forM %o you )ant to ,e a ,etter father and live a *ore
,alanced/ re)arding lifeM %o you desire *ore spiritual
fulfill*entM !s it adventure and fun that you feel you are lac0ingM
"ive it so*e thought."
"(o) a,out eternal happinessM"
""o ,ig or stay ho*e/" he chuc0led/ "Nothing li0e starting
off s*all. 2ell/ you can have that too."
"(o)M"
"he &ages of &ivana have 0no)n the secret of happiness for
over five thousand years. Fortunately/ they )ere )illing to share
this gift )ith *e. %o you )ant to hear itM"
"No/ ! thought !-d ta0e a ,rea0 and go )allpaper the garage
first."
"(uhM"
"Of course ! )ant to hear the secret of eternal happiness/
.ulian. !sn-t that )hat everyone is searching for/ ulti*atelyM"
"rue. 2ell here it is . . . could ! trou,le you for another cup
of teaM"
"'-*on/ @uit stalling."
"Alright/ the secret of happiness is si*ple; find out what )ou
trul) love to do and then direct all of )our ener() towards doin(
it8 !f you study the happiest/ healthiest/ *ost satisfied people of
our )orld/ you )ill see that each and every one of the* has
found their passion in life/ and then spent their days pursuing it.
his calling is al*ost al)ays one that/ in so*e )ay/ serves
others. Once you are concentrating your *ind po)er and energy
on a pursuit that you love/ a,undance flo)s into your life/ and all
your desires are fulfilled )ith ease and grace."
"&o si*ply figure out )hat turns you on and then do itM"
"!f it is a )orthy pursuit/" .ulian replied.
"(o) do you define -)orthy-M"
"As ! said/ .ohn/ your passion *ust/ in so*e )ay/ i*prove or
serve the lives of others. "4ictor Fran0l said it *ore elegantly
than ! ever could )hen he )rote; -&uccess/ li0e happiness/
cannot ,e pursued. !t *ust ensue. And it only does so as the
unintended side effect of one-s personal dedication to a cause
greater than oneself.- Once you find out )hat your life-s )or0 is/
your )orld )ill co*e alive. #ou )ill )a0e up every *orning )ith
a li*itless reservoir of energy and enthusias*. All your thoughts
)ill ,e focused on your definite o,Jective. #ou )on-t have ti*e
to )aste ti*e. 4alua,le *ental po)er )ill/ therefore/ not ,e
)asted on trifling thoughts. #ou )ill auto*atically erase the
)orry ha,it and ,eco*e far *ore effective and productive.
!nterestingly/ you )ill also have a deep sense of inner har*ony/
as if you are so*eho) ,eing guided to reali6e your *ission. !t
is a )onderful feeling. ! love it/" .ulian offered gleefully.
"Fascinating. And ! li0e the part a,out getting up feeling
good. o ,e really honest )ith you/ .ulian/ *ost days ! )ish !
could Just stay under the covers. !t )ould ,e so *uch ,etter than
facing the traffic/ the angry clients/ the aggressive opponents and
the ceaseless flo) of negative influences. !t all *a0es *e feel so
tired."
"%o you 0no) )hy *ost people sleep so
*uchM" "2hyM"
"Because they really don-t have anything else to do. hose
)ho rise )ith the sun all have one thing in co**on."
"!nsanityM"
"4ery funny. No/ they all have a purpose that fans the fla*es
of their inner potential. hey are driven ,y their priorities/ ,ut
not in an unhealthy/ o,sessive )ay. !t is *ore effortless and
gentle
than that. And given their enthusias* and love for )hat they are
doing in their lives/ such people live in the *o*ent. heir
attention is fully and co*pletely on the tas0 at hand. herefore/
there are no energy lea0s. hese people are the *ost vi,rant
and vital individuals you )ill ever have the good fortune to *eet."
"Energy lea0sM &ounds a little Ne) Agey/ .ulian. !-ll ,et you
didn-t learn that one at (arvard La) &chool."
"rue. he &ages of &ivana pioneered that concept. hough
it has ,een around for centuries/ its application is Just as
relevant today as it )as )hen it )as first developed. oo *any
of us are consu*ed ,y needless and endless )orry. his drains
us of our natural vitality and energy. (ave you ever seen the
inner tu,e of a ,icycle tireM"
"Of course."
"2hen it is fully inflated/ it can easily ta0e you to your
destination. But if there are lea0s in it/ the tu,e eventually
deflates/ and your Journey co*es to an a,rupt end. his is also
ho) the *ind )or0s. 2orry causes your precious *ental energy
and potential to lea0/ Just li0e air lea0ing out of an inner tu,e.
&oon/ you have no energy left. All of your creativity/ opti*is*
and *otivation has ,een drained/ leaving you e1hausted."
"! 0no) the feeling. ! often spend *y days in the chaos of
crisis. ! have to ,e every)here at once and ! can-t see* to please
anyone. On those days/ ! notice that even though ! have done
very little physical la,or/ all *y )orrying leaves *e totally
deflated ,y the end of the day. A,out the only thing ! can do
)hen ! get ho*e is pour *yself a scotch and cuddle up )ith the
re*ote control."
"E1actly. oo *uch stress does this to you. Once you find
your purpose/ ho)ever/ life ,eco*es *uch easier and far *ore
re)arding. 2hen you figure out )hat your *ain ai* or destiny
really is/ you )ill never have to )or0 another day in your
life." "Early retire*entM"
"No/" said .ulian in the no3nonsense tone he had *astered
during his days as an e*inent la)yer. "#our )or0 )ill ,e play."
"2ouldn-t it ,e a little ris0y for *e to give up *y Jo, to start
searching for *y overriding passion and purposeM ! *ean/ ! have
a fa*ily and real o,ligations. ! have four people )ho depend on
*e."
"!-* not saying you that have to leave the legal profession
to*orro). #ou )ill/ ho)ever/ have to start ta0ing ris0s. &ha0e up
your life a ,it. E.et rid of the co,)e,s. a0e the road less
travelled. Most people live )ithin the confines of their co*fort
6one. #ogi $a*an )as the first person to e1plain to *e that the
,est thing you can do for yourself is regularly *ove ,eyond it.
his is the )ay to lasting personal *astery and to reali6e the
true potential of your hu*an endo)*ents."
"And )hat *ight those ,eM"
"#our *ind/ your ,ody and your soul."
"&o )hat ris0s should ! ta0eM"
"&top ,eing so practical. &tart doing the things you have
al)ays )anted to do. ! have 0no)n la)yers )ho have @uit their
Jo,s to ,eco*e stage actors and accountants )ho have ,eco*e
Ja66 *usicians. !n the process/ they have found the deep
happiness that had eluded the* for so long. &o )hat if they could
no longer afford t)o vacations a year and a posh su**er ho*e in
the 'ay*ansM 'alculated ris0 ta0ing )ill pay huge dividends.
(o) )ill you ever get to third ,ase )ith one foot on secondM"
"! see your point."
"&o ta0e the ti*e to thin0. %iscover your real reason for
,eing here and then have the courage to act on it."
"2ith due respect/ .ulian/ all ! do is thin0. As a *atter of
fact/ part of *y pro,le* is that ! thin0 too *uch. My *ind never
stops. !t is filled )ith *ental chatter + it drives *e cra6y
so*eti*es."
"2hat !-* suggesting is different. he &ages of &ivana all
too0 ti*e daily to silently conte*plate not only )here they )ere/
,ut )here they )ere going. hey too0 the ti*e to reflect on their
purpose and ho) they )ere living their lives/ every day. Most
i*portantly/ they thought deeply and genuinely a,out ho) they
)ould i*prove the ne1t day. %aily incre*ental i*prove*ents
produce lasting results )hich/ in turn/ lead to positive change."
"&o ! should ta0e the ti*e to reflect on *y life regularlyM"
"#es. Even ten *inutes of focused reflection a day )ill have
a
profound i*pact on the @uality of your life."
"! understand )here you are co*ing fro*/ .ulian. he
pro,le* is/ once *y day gets cran0ing/ ! can-t even find ten
*inutes to eat lunch."
"My friend/ saying that you don-t have ti*e to i*prove your
thoughts and your life is li0e saying you don-t have ti*e to stop
for gas ,ecause you are too ,usy driving. Eventually it )ill catch
up )ith you."
"#eah/ ! 0no). (ey/ you )ere going to share so*e
techni@ues )ith *e/ .ulian/" ! said/ hoping to learn so*e
practical )ays to apply the )isdo* ! )as hearing.
"here is one techni@ue for *astering the *ind )hich
to)ers a,ove all the rest. !t is a favorite of the &ages of &ivana
)ho taught it to *e )ith great faith and trust. After
practicing it for only t)enty3one days ! felt *ore energetic/
enthusiastic and vi,rant than ! had felt in years. he practice is
over four thousand years old. !t is called he (eart of the $ose."
"ell *e *ore."
"All that you need to perfor* this e1ercise is a fresh rose
and a silent place. Natural surroundings are ,est ,ut a @uiet
roo* )ill also do nicely. &tart to stare at the center of the rose/
its heart. #ogi $a*an told *e that a rose is very *uch li0e life;
you )ill *eet thorns along the )ay ,ut if you have faith and
,elieve in your drea*s you )ill eventually *ove ,eyond the
thorns into the glory of the flo)er. Keep staring at the rose.
Notice its color/ te1ture and design. &avor its fragrance and
thin0 only a,out this )onderful o,Ject in front of you. At first/
other thoughts )ill start entering your *ind/ distracting you
fro* the heart of the rose. his is the *ar0 of an untrained
*ind. But you need not )orry/ i*prove*ent )ill co*e @uic0ly.
&i*ply return your attention to the o,Ject of your focus. &oon
your *ind )ill gro) strong and disciplined."
"hat-s all there is to itM !t sounds pretty easy."
"hat is the ,eauty of it/ .ohn/" .ulian replied. "(o)ever/
this ritual *ust ,e perfor*ed daily for it to ,e effective. For the
first fe) days/ you )ill find it difficult to spend even five *inutes
in this e1ercise. Most of us live at such a frenetic pace that true
stillness and silence is so*ething foreign and unco*forta,le.
Most people hearing *y )ords )ill say that they have no ti*e to
sit and stare at a flo)er. hese are the sa*e people that )ill tell
you that they have no ti*e to enJoy the laughter of children or to
)al0 ,arefoot in the rain. hese people say they are too ,usy to
do such things. hey don-t even have ti*e to ,uild friendships/
for friendships also ta0e ti*e."
"#ou 0no) a lot a,out such people."
"! )as one of the*/" said .ulian. (e then paused and sat still/
his intense ga6e riveted on the grandfather cloc0 *y
grand*other had given .enny and ! as a house)ar*ing present.
"2hen ! thin0
of those )ho live their lives this )ay/ ! re*e*,er the )ords of
an old British novelist )hose )or0 *y father loved to read; -One
*ust not allo) the cloc0 and the calendar to ,lind hi* to the
fact that each *o*ent of life is a *iracle + and a *ystery.-
"7ersist and spend longer and longer periods savoring the
heart of the rose/" .ulian continued in his throaty tone. "After a
)ee0 or t)o you should ,e a,le to perfor* the techni@ue for
t)enty *inutes )ithout your *ind )andering onto other
su,Jects. his )ill ,e your first indication that you are ta0ing
,ac0 control of the fortress of your *ind. !t )ill then focus only
on )hat you co**and it to focus on. !t )ill then ,e a )onderful
servant/ a,le to do e1traordinary things for you. $e*e*,er/
either you control your *ind or it controls you."
"7ractically spea0ing/ you )ill notice that you )ill feel far
cal*er. #ou )ill have ta0en a significant step to)ards erasing the
)orry ha,it that plagues *ost of the population and you )ill
enJoy *ore energy and opti*is*. Most i*portantly/ you )ill
also o,serve a sense of Joyfulness entering your life along
)ith an a,ility to appreciate the *any gifts that surround you.
Each day/ no *atter ho) ,usy you get and ho) *any challenges
you *ight face/ return to the (eart of the $ose. !t is your
oasis. !t is your silent retreat. !t is your island of peace. Never
forget that there is po)er in silence and stillness. &tillness is
the stepping stone to connecting )ith t h e universal source of
intelligence that thro,s through every living thing."
! )as fascinated ,y )hat ! had heard. 'ould it really ,e
possi,le to profoundly i*prove the @uality of *y life )ith such a
si*ple strategyM
"here *ust ,e *ore to the dra*atic changes ! see in you
than the (eart of the $ose." ! )ondered aloud.
"#es. his is true. !n fact/ *y transfor*ation ca*e a,out as a
result of using a nu*,er of highly effective strategies in concert.
%on-t )orry/ they are all Just as si*ple as the e1ercise ! have
Just shared )ith you + and e@ually as po)erful. he 0ey for you/
.ohn/ is to open your *ind to your potential for living a life
rich )ith possi,ilities."
.ulian/ ever the fountain of 0no)ledge/ continued to reveal
)hat he had learned in &ivana. "Another particularly good
techni@ue for ridding the *ind of )orry and other negative/ life3
draining influences is ,ased on )hat #ogi $a*an called
Opposition hin0ing. ! learned that under the grand la)s of
Nature/ the *ind can only hold one thought at any one ti*e.
ry it yourself .ohn/ you )ill see that it is true."
! did try it and it is true.
"Using this little30no)n infor*ation/ anyone can easily
create a positive/ creative *indset )ithin a short period. he
process is straightfor)ard; )hen an undesira,le thought
occupies the focal point of your *ind/ i**ediately replace it
)ith a uplifting one. !t-s as if your *ind is a giant slide proJector/
)ith every thought in your *ind ,eing a slide. 2henever a
negative slide co*es up on the screen/ ta0e s)ift action to
replace it )ith a positive one.
"his is )here the prayer ,eads around *y nec0 co*e in/"
.ulian added )ith rising enthusias*. "Every ti*e ! catch *yself
thin0ing a negative thought/ ! ta0e this nec0lace off and re*ove
another ,ead. hese ,eads of )orry go into a cup ! 0eep in *y
0napsac0. ogether they serve as gentle re*inders that ! still
have a distance to travel on the road to *ental *astery and
responsi,ility over the thoughts that fill *y *ind."
"(ey/ that-s a great one5 his is really practical stuff ! have
never heard anything @uite li0e it. ell *e *ore a,out this
philosophy of Opposition hin0ing."
"(ere-s a real3life e1a*ple. Let-s say you have had a tough
day in court. he Judge disagreed )ith your interpretation of the
la)/ the litigator on the other side ,elonged in a cage/ and your
client )as *ore than a little annoyed )ith your perfor*ance. #ou
co*e ho*e and fall into your favorite chair/ full of gloo*. &tep
one is to ,eco*e a)are that you are thin0ing these uninspiring
thoughts. &elf30no)ledge is the stepping stone to self3*astery.
&tep t)o is to appreciate once and for all that Just as easily as you
allo)ed those gloo*y thoughts to enter/ you can replace the*
)ith cheerful ones. &o thin0 of the opposite of gloo*.
'oncentrate on ,eing cheerful and energetic. Feel that you are
happy. 7erhaps you *ight even start to s*ile. Move your ,ody as
you do )hen you are Joyful and full of enthusias*. &it up
straight/ ,reathe deeply and train the po)er of your *ind on
positive thoughts. #ou )ill notice a re*ar0a,le difference in the
)ay you feel )ithin *inutes. Even *ore i*portantly/ if you
0eep up your practice of Opposition hin0ing/ applying it to
every negative thought that ha,itually visits your *ind/ )ithin
)ee0s you )ill see that they no longer hold any po)er. %o you
see )hat !-* getting atM"
.ulian continued his e1planation; "houghts are vital/ living
things/ little ,undles of energy/ if you )ill. Most people don-t give
any thought to the nature of their thoughts and yet/ the @uality of
your thin0ing deter*ines the @uality of your life. houghts are
Just as *uch a part of the *aterial )orld as the la0e you s)i* in
or the street you )al0 on. 2ea0 *inds lead to )ea0 actions. A
strong/ disciplined *ind/ )hich anyone can cultivate through
daily practice/ can achieve *iracles. !f you )ant to live life to the
fullest/ care for your thoughts as you )ould your *ost pri6ed
possessions.
2or0 hard to re*ove all inner tur,ulence. he re)ards )ill ,e
a,undant."
"! never sa) thoughts as living/ things .ulian/" ! replied/
a*a6ed at this discovery. "But ! can see ho) they influence every
ele*ent of *y )orld."
"he &ages of &ivana fir*ly ,elieved that one should only
thin0 "&attvic" or pure thoughts. hey arrived at such a state
through the techni@ues ! have Just shared )ith you along )ith
other practices such as a natural diet/ the repetition of positive
affir*ations or -*antras- as they called the*/ reading ,oo0s rich
)ith )isdo* and ,y constantly ensuring that their co*pany )as
enlightened. !f even one i*pure thought entered the te*ple of
their *inds they )ould punish the*selves ,y travelling *any
*iles to an i*posing )aterfall and standing under the ice3cold
)ater until they could no longer ,ear the frigid te*perature."
"! thought you told *e these sages )ere )ise. &tanding
under an ice3cold )aterfall deep in the (i*alayan *ountains for
thin0ing one little negative thought stri0es *e as e1tre*e
,ehavior."
.ulian )as lightning fast in his response/ the result of his
*any years as a )orld3class legal )arrior; ".ohn/ !-ll ,e ,lunt.
#ou truly cannot afford the lu1ury of even one negative thought."
"$eallyM"
"$eally. A )orriso*e thought is li0e an e*,ryo; it starts off
s*all ,ut gro)s and gro)s. &oon it ta0es on a life of its o)n."
.ulian stopped for a *o*ent and then s*iled. "&orry if !
see* a little evangelistic )hen ! spea0 on this su,Ject/ on the
philosophy ! learned on *y Journey. !t-s Just that ! have
discovered tools that can i*prove the lives of *any people/
people )ho feel unfulfilled/ uninspired and unhappy. A fe)
adJust*ents in their daily routines to include the (eart of the
$ose techni@ue and a constant
application of Opposition hin0ing )ill give the* the lives they
)ant. ! thin0 they deserve to 0no) this.
"Before ! *ove fro* the garden to the ne1t ele*ent of #ogi
$a*an-s *ystical fa,le/ ! *ust let you 0no) of one *ore secret
)hich )ill offer you great aid in your personal gro)th. his
secret is ,ased on the ancient principle that everything is al)ays
created t)ice/ first in the *ind and then in reality. ! have shared
already that thoughts are things/ *aterial *essengers that )e
send out to influence our physical )orld. ! have also infor*ed
you that if you hope to *a0e re*ar0a,le i*prove*ents in your
outer )orld you *ust first start )ithin and change the cali,er of
your thoughts.
"he &ages of &ivana had a )onderful )ay to ensure that
their thoughts )ere pure and )holeso*e. his techni@ue )as
also highly effective in *anifesting their desires/ ho)ever si*ple/
into reality. he *ethod )ill )or0 for anyone. !t )ill )or0 for a
young la)yer )ho see0s financial a,undance Just as it )ill
)or0 for a *other see0ing a richer fa*ily life or a salesperson
see0ing to close *ore sales. he techni@ue )as 0no)n to the
sages as the &ecret of the La0e. o apply it/ these teachers
)ould rise at H;99 a.*./ as they felt that the early *orning
possessed *agical @ualities fro* )hich they could ,enefit. he
sages )ould then travel along a series of steep and narro)
*ountain paths )hich eventually led the* to the lo)er reaches
of the region they inha,ited. Once there/ they )ould )al0 along
a ,arely visi,le trail lined )ith *agnificent pine trees and
e1otic flo)ers until they arrived at a clearing. At the edge of the
clearing )as an a@ua ,lue la0e covered ,y thousands of tiny
)hite lotuses. he )ater of the la0e )as stri0ingly still and cal*.
!t )as truly a *iraculous sight. he sages told *e that this la0e
had ,een a friend to their ancestors over the ages."
"2hat )as the &ecret of the La0eM" ! as0ed i*patiently.
.ulian e1plained that the sages )ould loo0 into the )aters of
the still la0e and envision their drea*s ,eco*ing reality. !f it
)as
the virtue of discipline they )ished to cultivate )ithin their lives
they )ould picture the*selves getting up at da)n/ perfor*ing
their rigorous physical regi*en )ithout fail and spending days in
silence to enhance their )illpo)er. !f it )as *ore Joy they )ere
see0ing/ they )ould loo0 into the la0e and envision the*selves
laughing uncontrolla,ly or s*iling each ti*e they *et one of
their ,rothers or sisters. !f it )as courage they desired/ they
)ould picture the*selves acting )ith strength in the *o*ent
of crisis and challenge.
"#ogi $a*an once told *e that as a ,oy/ he lac0ed confidence
as he )as s*aller than the other ,oys his age. 2hile they )ere
0ind and gentle to hi* given their environ*ental influences/ he
gre) insecure and shy. o cure this )ea0ness/ #ogi $a*an )ould
travel to this heavenly spot and use the la0e as a picture screen
for i*ages of the person he hoped to ,e. &o*e days he )ould
visuali6e hi*self as a strong leader/ standing tall and spea0ing
)ith a po)erful/ co**anding voice. Other days he )ould see
hi*self as he )ished to ,e )hen he gre) older; a )ise sage
filled )ith tre*endous inner strength and character. All the
virtues he )ished to have in his life/ he sa) first on the surface of
the la0e.
"2ithin a *atter of *onths/ #ogi $a*an ,eca*e the person
)ho* he *entally sa) hi*self ,eco*ing. #ou see/ .ohn/ the
*ind )or0s through pictures. 7ictures affect your self3i*age and
your self3i*age affects the )ay you feel/ act and achieve. !f
your self3 i*age tells you that you are too young to ,e a
successful la)yer or too old to change your ha,its for the ,etter/
you never )ill achieve these goals. !f your self3i*age tells
you that lives rich )ith
purpose/ e1cellent health and happiness are only for people fro*
,ac0grounds other than your o)n/ this prophecy )ill ulti*ately
,eco*e your reality.
"But )hen you run inspiring/ i*aginative pictures through
the *ovie screen of your *ind/ )onderful things start to
happen in your life. Einstein said that -i*agination is *ore
i*portant than 0no)ledge.- #ou *ust spend so*e ti*e every
day/ even if it is Just a fe) *inutes/ in the practice of creative
envisioning. &ee yourself as you )ant to ,e/ )hether this *eans
serving as a great Judge/ a great father or a great citi6en of your
co**unity."
"%o ! have to find a special la0e to apply the &ecret of the
La0eM" ! as0ed innocently.
"No. he &ecret of the La0e )as si*ply the sages- na*e for
the ageless techni@ue of using positive i*ages to influence the
*ind. #ou can practice this *ethod in your o)n living roo* or
even at the office if you really )ant to. &hut your door/ hold all
calls and close your eyes. hen ta0e a fe) deep ,reaths. #ou )ill
notice that after t)o or three *inutes you )ill start to feel
rela1ed. Ne1t/ visuali6e *ental pictures of all that you )ant to
,e/ to have and to attain in your life. !f you )ant to ,e the
)orld-s ,est father/ envision yourself laughing and playing )ith
your 0ids/ responding to their @uestions )ith an open heart.
7icture yourself acting gracefully and lovingly in a tense
situation. Mentally rehearse the )ay you )ill govern your
actions )hen a si*ilar scene unfolds on the canvas of reality.
"he *agic of visuali6ation can ,e applied to so *any
situations. #ou can use it to ,e *ore effective in court/ to enhance
your relationships and to develop yourself spiritually. 'onsistent
use of this *ethod )ill also ,ring you financial re)ards along
)ith an a,undance of *aterial gain/ if this is i*portant to
you.
Understand once and for all that your *ind has *agnetic po)er
to attract all that you desire into your life. !f there is a lac0 in
your life it is ,ecause there is a lac0 in your thoughts. (old
)onderful pictures in your *ind-s eye. Even one negative i*age
is poisonous to your *indset. Once you start to e1perience the
Joy this ancient techni@ue ,rings/ you )ill reali6e the infinite
potential of your *ind and ,egin to li,erate the storehouse of
a,ility and energy that currently sleeps )ithin you."
!t )as as if .ulian )as spea0ing a foreign tongue. ! had
never heard anyone spea0 of the *agnetic po)er of the *ind to
attract spiritual and *aterial a,undance. Nor had ! ever heard
anyone spea0 of the po)er of i*aging and its profound effects
on every aspect of one-s )orld. #et/ deep inside ! had faith in
)hat .ulian )as saying. his )as a *an )hose Judg*ent and
intellectual a,ilities )ere i*pecca,le. his )as a *an )ho )as
internationally respected for his legal acu*en. his )as a *an
)ho had )al0ed do)n the path ! )as no) Journeying along.
.ulian had found so*ething on his odyssey to the East/ that
*uch )as clear. Loo0ing at his physical vitality/ his o,vious
tran@uility/ seeing his transfor*ation confir*ed that ! )ould ,e
)ise to listen to his advice.
he *ore ! thought a,out )hat ! )as hearing the *ore sense
it *ade. &urely the *ind *ust have a great deal *ore potential
than *ost of us are currently using. (o) else could *others lift
other)ise i**ova,le cars to save their crying infants )ho had
fallen underneathM (o) else could *artial artists ,rea0 stac0s of
,ric0s )ith one fell s)oop of their handsM (o) else could the
yogis of the East slo) do)n their heart,eats at )ill or endure
tre*endous pain )ithout ,lin0ing an eyeM May,e the real
pro,le* )as )ithin *e and *y lac0 of ,elief in the gifts that
every ,eing
possesses. 7erhaps this evening sitting alongside a for*er
*illionaire3la)yer turned *on0 of the (i*alayas )as a sort of
)a0e3up call for *e to start *a0ing the *ost of *y life.
"But doing these e1ercises at the office/ .ulianM" !
responded. "My partners thin0 !-* strange enough as it is."
"#ogi $a*an and all the 0ind sages )ith )ho* he lived/
often used a saying that had ,een passed do)n to the*
through the generations. !t is *y privilege to pass it on to you/
on )hat has ,eco*e an i*portant evening for ,oth of us/ if !
*ay say so. he )ords are as follo)s; -here is nothing no,le
a,out ,eing superior to so*e other person. rue no,ility lies in
,eing superior to your for*er self.- All !-* really getting at is
that if you )ant to i*prove your life and live )ith all that you
deserve you *ust run )our own race8 !t doesn-t *atter )hat
other people say a,out you. 2hat is i*portant is )hat you say
to yourself. %o not ,e concerned )ith the Judg*ent of others as
long as you 0no) )hat you are doing is right. #ou can do
)hatever you )ant to do as long as it is correct according to
your conscience and your heart. Never ,e asha*ed of doing that
)hich is rightK decide on )hat you thin0 is good and then stic0
to it. And for "od-s sa0e/ never get into the petty ha,it of
*easuring your self3)orth against other people-s net )orth. As
#ogi $a*an preached; -Every second you spend thin0ing a,out
so*eone else-s drea*s you ta0e ti*e a)ay fro* your o)n.-"
!t )as no) seven *inutes past *idnight. $e*ar0a,ly/ !
didn-t feel the least ,it tired. 2hen ! shared this )ith .ulian he
s*iled once again. "#ou have learned yet another principle for
enlightened living. For the *ost part/ fatigue is a creation of the
*ind. Fatigue do*inates the lives of those )ho are living
)ithout direction and drea*s. Let *e give you an e1a*ple. (ave
you ever had an afternoon at the office )here you )ere reading
your dry
case reports and your *ind started to )ander and you started to
feel sleepyM"
"Fro* ti*e to ti*e/" ! ans)ered/ not )ishing to reveal the
fact that this )as *y #odus operandi8 "&ure/ *ost of us feel
dro)sy at )or0 on a regular ,asis."
"#et/ if a friend calls on the phone to as0 you if you )ant to
go out to the ,all ga*e that night or as0s you for advice on his
golf ga*e/ ! have no dou,t that you )ould spring to life. Every
trace of your fatigue )ould vanish. !s that a fair assess*entM"
"hat-s fair/ counselor."
.ulian 0ne) he )as on a roll. "&o your tiredness )as nothing
*ore then a *ental creation/ a ,ad ha,it your *ind has cultivated
to act as a crutch )hen you are perfor*ing a tedious tas0.
onight you are o,viously enchanted )ith *y story and 0een to
learn the )isdo* that has ,een revealed to *e. #our interest
and *ental focus give you energy. his evening/ your *ind has
not ,een in the past nor has it ,een in the future. !t has ,een
s@uarely focused on the present/ on our conversation. 2hen
you consistently direct your *ind to live in the present you )ill
al)ays have ,oundless energy/ no *atter )hat ti*e the cloc0
reflects."
! nodded *y head in agree*ent. .ulian-s )isdo* see*ed so
o,vious and yet so *uch of it had never occurred to *e. ! guess
co**on sense is not al)ays so co**on. ! thought a,out )hat
*y father used to tell *e )hen ! )as gro)ing up; "Only those
)ho see0 shall find." ! )ished he )as )ith *e.
Chapter 7 Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
Master Your Mind
Cultivate your mind - it wil l blossom beyond your
exe!tations
"#e $uality o% your li%e is determined by t#e $uality o%
your t#ou&#ts
"#ere are no mista'es - only lessons( )ee setba!'s as
oortunities %o r ersonal exansion and siritual &rowt #
"#e Heart o% t# e *ose
Oosition "#in'in&
"#e )e!ret o% t#e La'e
The secret of happiness is si#ple% find out what )ou trul) love
to do and then direct all of )our ener() towards doin( it8 >nce
)ou do this, a!undance flows into )our life and all )our desires
are filled with ease and (race8
'(A7E$ E!"(
Kindling #our !nner Fire
Trust )ourself8 0reate the kind of life )ou will !e
happ) to live with all )our life8 Make the #ost of
)ourself !) fannin( the tin), inner sparks of possi!ilit)
into the fla#es of achieve#ent8
Foster '. Mc'lellan
"he day that #ogi $a*an shared his *ystical little fa,le )ith
*e/ high atop the (i*alayas/ )as actually @uite si*ilar to this
day in *any respects/" said .ulian.
"$eallyM"
"Our *eeting ,egan in the evening and carried on )ell into
the night. here )as such a che*istry ,et)een the t)o of us
that the air see*ed to crac0le )ith electricity. As ! *entioned to
you earlier/ fro* the first *o*ent ! *et $a*an/ ! felt as if he
)as the ,rother ! never had. onight/ sitting here )ith you and
enJoying the loo0 of intrigue on your face/ ! feel the sa*e energy
and ,ond. ! )ill also tell you that ! have al)ays thought of you
as *y little
,rother since )e ,eca*e friends/ !-ll tell you the truth/ ! sa) a
lot of *yself in you."
"#ou )ere an a*a6ing litigator/ .ulian. ! )ill never forget
your effectiveness."
!t )as o,vious that he had no interest in e1ploring the
*useu* of his past.
".ohn/ !-d li0e to continue to share the ele*ents of #ogi
$a*an-s fa,le )ith you/ ,ut ,efore ! do this/ ! *ust confir*
so*ething. Already you have learned a nu*,er of highly
effective strategies for personal change )hich )ill do )onders
for you if you apply the* consistently. ! )ill open *y heart to
you tonight and reveal everything ! 0no)/ as it is *y duty to do.
! Just )ant to *a0e sure that you fully understand ho)
i*portant it is that you/ in turn/ pass this )isdo* on to all
those )ho are searching for such guidance. 2e are living in a
very trou,led )orld. Negativity pervades it and *any in our
society are floating li0e ships )ithout rudders/ )eary souls
searching for a lighthouse that )ill 0eep the* fro* crashing
against the roc0y shores. #ou *ust serve as a captain of sorts.
!-* placing *y trust in you to ta0e the *essage of the &ages of
&ivana to all those )ho need it."
After consideration/ ! pro*ised .ulian )ith conviction that !
)ould accept this assign*ent. (e then continued passionately.
"he ,eauty of the )hole e1ercise is that as you strive to
i*prove the lives of others/ your o)n life )ill ,e elevated into
its highest di*ensions. his truth is ,ased on an ancient
paradig* for e1traordinary living."
"!-* all ears."
"Basically/ the sages of the (i*alayas guided their lives ,y a
si*ple rule; he )ho serves the *ost/ reaps the *ost/ e*otionally/
physically/ *entally and spiritually. his is the )ay to inner peace
and outer fulfill*ent."
! once read that people )ho study others are )ise ,ut those
)ho study the*selves are enlightened. (ere/ perhaps for the
first ti*e/ ! sa) a *an )ho truly 0ne) hi*self/ perhaps his
highest self. !n his austere clothing/ )ith the half3s*ile of a
youthful Buddha gracing his supple face/ .ulian Mantle appeared
to have it all; ideal health/ happiness and an overriding sense of
his role in the 0aleidoscope of the universe. #et/ he o)ned
nothing.
"his ,rings *e to the lighthouse/" said .ulian/ re*aining
focused on the tas0 at hand.
"! )as )ondering ho) that fit into #ogi $a*an-s fa,le."
"!-ll try to e1plain/" he responded/ sounding *ore li0e a )ell3
schooled professor than a la)yer turned *on0 )ho had
renounced the sensual )orld. "#ou have no) learned that the
*ind is li0e a fertile garden and for it to flourish/ you *ust
nurture it daily. Never let the )eeds of i*pure thought and
action ta0e the garden of your *ind. &tand guard at the gate)ay
of your *ind. Keep it healthy and strong + it )ill )or0
*iracles in your life if you )ill only let it."
"#ou )ill recall that in the *iddle of the garden stood a
*agnificent lighthouse. his sy*,ol )ill re*ind you of yet
another ancient principle for enlightened living; the purpose of
life is a life of purpose8 hose )ho are truly enlightened 0no)
)hat they )ant out of life/ e*otionally/ *aterially/ physically
and spiritually. 'learly defined priorities and goals for every
aspect of your life )ill serve a role si*ilar to that played ,y a
lighthouse/ offering you guidance and refuge )hen the seas
,eco*e rough. #ou see/ .ohn/ anyone can revolutioni6e their
lives once they revolutioni6e the direction in )hich they are
*oving. But if you don-t even 0no)
)here you are going/ ho) )ill you ever 0no) )hen you get
thereM" .ulian transported *e ,ac0 to the ti*e )hen #ogi
$a*an e1a*ined this principle )ith hi*. (e recalled the
sage-s e1act )ords. "Life is funny/" o,served #ogi $a*an. "One
)ould thin0 that the less one )or0ed the *ore one )ould have
the chance to e1perience happiness. (o)ever/ the real source of
happiness can ,e stated in a )ord; achieve#ent8 Lasting
happiness co*es fro* steadily )or0ing to acco*plish your
goals and advancing confidently in the direction of your life-s
purpose. his is the secret to 0indling the inner fire that lur0s
)ithin you. ! do understand that it *ight see* *ore than a little
ironic that you have travelled thousands of *iles fro* your
achieve*ent3oriented society to spea0 to a cluster of *ystical
sages living high in the (i*alayas only to learn that another
eternal secret of happiness can ,e found
in achieve*ent/ ,ut it is true."
"2or0aholic *on0sM" ! suggested playfully.
"Ouite the opposite. 2hile the sages )ere tre*endously
productive people/ their productivity )as not of the frenetic type.
!nstead/ it )as of the peaceful/ focused/ 6en3li0e 0ind."
"(o) soM"
"Everything they did had a purpose. hough they )ere
re*oved fro* the *odern )orld and lived a highly spiritual
e1istence/ they )ere also highly effective. &o*e spent their days
polishing off philosophical treatises/ others created fa,ulous/
richly te1tured poe*s )hich challenged their intellect and
rene)ed their creativity. &till others passed their ti*e in the
silence of total conte*plation/ loo0ing li0e illu*inated statues
seated in the ancient lotus pose. he &ages of &ivana did not
)aste ti*e. heir collective conscience told the* that their lives
had a purpose and they had a duty to fulfill.
"his is )hat #ogi $a*an said to *e; -(ere in &ivana )here
ti*e appears to stand still/ you *ight )onder )hat a group of
si*ple/ possessionless sages )ould ever need or hope to achieve.
But achieve*ent need not ,e of the *aterial sort. 7ersonally/ *y
o,Jectives are to attain peace of *ind/ self3*astery and
enlighten*ent. !f ! fail to acco*plish these goals ,y the end of
*y life/ ! a* certain that ! )ill die feeling unfulfilled and
dissatisfied.-" .ulian told *e that that )as the first ti*e he had
heard any of
his teachers in &ivana spea0 of their o)n *ortality. "And #ogi
$a*an sensed this in *y e1pression. -#ou need not )orry/ *y
friend. ! have already lived past the age of one hundred and have
no plans for a @uic0 e1it. My point is si*ply that )hen you
clearly 0no) )hat ai*s you )ish to achieve over the course of
your life/ ,e they *aterial/ e*otional/ physical or spiritual/ and
you spend your days acco*plishing the*/ you )ill ulti*ately find
eternal Joy. #our life )ill ,e as delightful as *ine + and you
)ill co*e to 0no) a splendid reality. But you *ust 0no) your
life-s ai* and then *anifest this vision into reality ,y consistent
action. 2e sages call this &har#a, )hich is the &ans0rit )ord
for life4s purpose8"
"Lifelong content*ent )ill co*e fro* the fulfill*ent of *y
%har*aM" ! as0ed.
"Most certainly. Fro* %har*a springs inner har*ony and
lasting satisfaction. %har*a is ,ased upon the ancient principle that
says every one of us has a heroic *ission )hilst )e )al0 this
Earth. 2e have all ,een granted a uni@ue set of gifts and talents
that )ill readily allo) us to reali6e this life)or0. he 0ey is to
discover the*/ and in doing so/ discover the *ain o,Jective of
your life."
! interrupted .ulian/ "!t-s sort of )hat you )ere saying
earlier a,out ris0 ta0ing."
"May,e yes/ *ay,e no."
"! don-t follo)."
"#es/ it *ay see* as though you are forced to ta0e a fe)
ris0s to discover )hat you are ,est at and the essence of your
life-s purpose. Many people @uit Jo,s that have stifled their
progress the *o*ent they discover the true purpose of their
e1istence. here is al)ays the apparent ris0 that co*es )ith
self3 e1a*ination and soul searching. But no/ ,ecause there is
never a ris0 in discovering yourself and the *ission of your
life. &elf3 0no)ledge is the %NA of self3enlighten*ent. !t is a
very good/ indeed essential thing."
"2hat is your %har*a/ .ulianM" ! as0ed casually/ atte*pting
to *as0 *y ,urning curiosity.
"Mine is si*ple; to selflessly serve others. $e*e*,er/ you
)ill not find true Joy in sleeping/ in rela1ing or in spending your
ti*e li0e an idler. As BenJa*in %israeli said; -he secret of
success is constancy of purpose.- he happiness you are
searching for co*es through reflecting on the )orthy ai*s you
are dedicated to achieving and then ta0ing action daily to
advance the*. his is a direct application of the ti*eless
philosophy )hich prescri,es that those things )hich are *ost
i*portant should never ,e sacrificed to those things )hich are
the least i*portant. he lighthouse in #ogi $a*an-s fa,le )ill
al)ays re*ind you of the po)er of setting clearly defined/
purposeful goals and/ *ost i*portantly/ of having the character
po)er to act on the*."
Over the course of the ne1t fe) hours/ ! learned fro* .ulian
that all highly developed/ fully actuali6ed people understand the
i*portance of e1ploring their talents/ uncovering their personal
purpose and then applying their hu*an gifts in the direction of
this calling. &o*e people selflessly serve hu*anity as physicians/
others as artists. &o*e people discover that they are po)erful
co**unicators and ,eco*e )onderful teachers/ )hilst others
co*e to reali6e that their legacy )ill ,e in the for* of
innovations in the field of ,usiness or science. he 0ey is to have
the discipline and vision to see your heroic *ission and to ensure
that it serves other people )hile you reali6e it.
"!s this a for* of goal3settingM"
""oal3setting is the starting point. Mapping out your
o,Jectives and your goals releases the creative Juices )hich get
you on to the path of your purpose. Believe it or not/ #ogi $a*an
and the other sages )ere very hot on goals."
"#ou-re 0idding. (ighly effective *on0s living deep in the
(i*alayan *ountains )ho *editate all night and set goals all
day. ! love it5"
".ohn/ al)ays Judge ,y results. Loo0 at *e. &o*eti*es ! don-t
even recogni6e *yself )hen ! loo0 in the *irror. My once3
unfulfilling e1istence has ,een replaced ,y one rich )ith
adventure/ *ystery and e1cite*ent. ! a* young again and enJoy
vi,rant health.
! a* truly happy. he )isdo* ! a* sharing )ith you is so potent
and
so i*portant and so life3giving that you si*ply *ust stay open to
it." "! a# .ulian/ ! really a*. Everything you have said *a0es
perfect sense/ although so*e of the techni@ues do sound a little
odd. But ! have pro*ised to try the* and ! )ill. ! agree that this
infor*ation is po)erful."
"!f ! have seen farther than others/ it is si*ply ,ecause !
have stood on the shoulders of great teachers/" replied .ulian
)ith hu*ility. "(ere-s another e1a*ple. #ogi $a*an )as an
e1pert archer/ a true *aster. o illustrate his philosophy on
the i*portance of setting clearly defined o,Jectives in every
aspect of one-s life and fulfilling one-s *ission/ he offered a
de*onstration ! )ill never forget.
"Near )here )e )ere sitting there )as a *agnificent oa0
tree.
he sage pulled one of the roses fro* the garland he ha,itually
)ore and placed it on the center of the trun0. (e then pulled
three o,Jects fro* the large 0napsac0 that )as his constant
co*panion )henever he ventured to distant *ountain cli*es such
as the one )e )ere visiting. he first o,Ject )as his favorite ,o)/
*ade of a )onderfully fragrant yet sturdy sandal)ood. he
second ite* )as an arro). he third o,Ject )as a lily3)hite
hand0erchief + the 0ind ! used to )ear in the poc0et of *y
e1pensive suits to i*press Judges and Juries/" .ulian added
apologetically.
#ogi $a*an then as0ed .ulian to put the hand0erchief over
his eyes as a ,lindfold.
"(o) far a)ay fro* the rose a* !M" #ogi $a*an as0ed his
pupil.
"One hundred feet/" .ulian guessed.
"(ave you ever o,served *e in *y daily practice of this
ancient sport of archeryM" the sage @ueried/ in full 0no)ledge of
the response that )ould co*e.
"! have seen you stri0e the ,ull-s3eye fro* a *ar0 al*ost
three hundred feet a)ay and ! cannot recall a ti*e that you have
ever *issed at your current distance/" .ulian noted dutifully.
hen/ )ith his eyes covered ,y the cloth and his feet placed
securely in the earth/ the teacher dre) the ,o) )ith all his
energy and released the arro) + ai*ing directly at the rose
hanging fro* the tree. he arro) struc0 the large oa0 )ith a
thud/ *issing its *ar0 ,y an e*,arrassingly large distance.
"! thought you )ere going to display *ore of your *agical
a,ilities/ #ogi $a*an. 2hat happenedM"
"2e have travelled to this isolated place for one reason only !
have agreed to reveal all *y )orldly )isdo* to you. oday-s
de*onstration is *eant to reinforce *y advice on the i*portance
of setting clearly defined o,Jectives in your life and 0no)ing
precisely )here you are going. 2hat you Just sa) confir*s the
*ost i*portant principle for anyone see0ing to attain their goals
and to fulfill their life-s purpose; )ou will never !e a!le to hit a
tar(et that )ou cannot see8 7eople spend their )hole lives
drea*ing of ,eco*ing happier/ living )ith *ore vitality and
having an a,undance of passion. #et they do not see the
i*portance of ta0ing even ten *inutes a *onth to )rite out their
goals and to thin0 deeply a,out the *eaning of their lives/ their
%har*a. "oal3 setting )ill *a0e your life *agnificent. #our
)orld )ill ,eco*e richer/ *ore delightful and *ore *agical."
"#ou see/ .ulian/ our ancestors have taught us that setting
clearly defined o,Jectives for )hat )e desire in our *ental/
physical and spiritual )orld is critical to their reali6ation. !n the
)orld you ca*e fro*/ people set financial and *aterial goals.
here is nothing )rong )ith this/ if this is )hat you value.
(o)ever/ to attain self3*astery and inner enlighten*ent/ you
*ust set concrete o,Jectives in other areas as )ell. 2ould it
surprise you to 0no) that ! have clearly defined o,Jectives )ith
respect to the peace of *ind ! desire/ the energy ! ,ring to each
day and the love that ! offer to all those around *eM "oal3setting
is not Just for distinguished la)yers such as yourself )ho reside
in a )orld full of *aterial attractions. Anyone )ho )ishes to
i*prove the @uality of their inner as )ell as their outer )orlds
)ould do )ell to ta0e out a piece of paper and start )riting out
their life ai*s. At the very *o*ent that this is done/ natural
forces )ill co*e into play )hich start to transfor* these drea*s
into reality."
2hat ! )as hearing fascinated *e. 2hen ! )as a foot,all
player in high school/ *y coach had constantly spo0en of the
i*portance of 0no)ing )hat )e )anted fro* every ga*e.
"Kno) your outco*e/" )as his personal creed/ and our tea*
)ouldn-t drea* of stepping onto the playing field )ithout a clear
ga*e plan that )ould lead us to victory. ! )ondered )hy/ as !
had gro)n older/ ! had never ta0en the ti*e to develop a ga*e
plan for *y o)n life. May,e .ulian and #ogi $a*an had
so*ething here.
"2hat is so special a,out ta0ing out a sheet of paper and
)riting out your goalsM (o) could such a si*ple act *a0e such a
differenceM" ! as0ed.
.ulian )as delighted. "#our o,vious interest inspires *e/
.ohn. Enthusias* is one of the 0ey ingredients for a lifeti*e of
successful living and ! a* glad to see that you still have every
ounce of yours. Earlier ! taught you that )e each thin0 a,out
G9/999 thoughts on an average day. By )riting out your desires
and goals on a piece of paper/ you send a red flag to your
su,conscious *ind that these thoughts are far *ore i*portant
than the re*aining A>/>>> other ones. #our *ind )ill then start
to see0 out all opportunities to reali6e your destiny li0e a
guided *issile. !t is really a very scientific process. Most of us
are si*ply not a)are of it."
"A fe) of *y partners are ,ig on goal3setting. 'o*e to
thin0 of it/ they are the *ost financially successful people !
0no). But ! don-t thin0 they are the *ost ,alanced/" ! o,served.
"7erhaps they are not setting the right goals. #ou see/ .ohn/
life pretty *uch gives you )hat you as0 fro* it. Most people
)ant to feel ,etter/ have *ore energy or live )ith greater
satisfaction. #et/ )hen you as0 the* to tell you precisely )hat it
is they )ant/ they have no ans)er. #ou change your life the
*o*ent you set your goals and start to see0 out your %har*a/"
.ulian said/ his eyes spar0ling )ith the truth of his )ords.
"(ave you ever *et so*eone )ith a strange na*e and then
started to notice that na*e appearing every)here; in
ne)spapers/ on the television or at the officeM Or have you ever
,eco*e interested in a ne) su,Ject/ let-s say fly fishing/ and then
noticed that you couldn-t go any)here )ithout hearing a,out the
)onders of fly fishingM his is ,ut one illustration of the ageless
principle #ogi $a*an called =oriki, )hich ! have since
learned *eans
-concentrated *ind.- 'oncentrate every ounce of your *ental
energy on self3discovery. Learn )hat you e1cel at and )hat
*a0es you happy. May,e you are practicing la) ,ut are really
*eant to ,e a school teacher/ given your patience and love of
teaching. 7erhaps you are a frustrated painter or sculptor.
2hatever it is/ find your passion and then follo) it."
"No) that ! really thin0 a,out it/ it )ould ,e sad to reach the
end of *y life )ithout reali6ing that ! had so*e special genius
that )ould have unloc0ed *y potential and helped others + even
in a s*all )ay."
"hat-s right. &o fro* this *o*ent on)ards/ ,e acutely
a)are of your ai* in life. A)a0en your *ind to the a,undance
of possi,ility around you. &tart to live )ith *ore 6est. he
hu*an *ind is the )orld-s largest filtering device. 2hen used
properly it filters out )hat you perceive as uni*portant and
gives you only the infor*ation you are loo0ing for at that ti*e.
At this very *o*ent/ as )e sit here in your living roo*/ there
are hundreds if not thousands of things going on that )e are
not paying any attention to. here is the sound of the lovers
giggling as they stroll along the ,oard)al0/ the goldfish in the
tan0 ,ehind you/ the cool air ,eing ,lo)n fro* the air
conditioner and even the ,eat of *y o)n heart. he *o*ent !
decide to concentrate on *y heart,eat/ ! start to notice its
rhyth* and its @ualities. &i*ilarly/ )hen you decide to start
concentrating your *ind on your life-s *ain ai*s/
your *ind starts to filter out the uni*portant and focus only on
the i*portant."
"o tell you the truth/ ! thin0 it-s a,out ti*e ! discovered *y
purpose/" ! said. "%on-t get *e )rong/ there are a lot of great
things in *y life. But it isn-t as re)arding as ! thin0 it could ,e.
!f ! left this )orld today/ ! really can-t say for sure that !-ve
*ade that ,ig a difference."
"(o) does that *a0e you feelM"
"%epressed/" ! offered )ith total honesty. "! 0no) ! have
talent. Actually/ ! )as one hec0 of a good artist )hen ! )as
younger. hat )as until the legal profession ,ec0oned )ith the
pro*ise of a *ore sta,le life."
"%o you ever )ish you had *ade painting your professionM"
"! really haven-t given it *uch thought. But ! )ill say one
thing. 2hen ! painted ! )as in (eaven."
"!t really fired you up/ didn-t itM"
"A,solutely. ! lost trac0 of ti*e )hen ! )as in the studio
painting. ! )ould get lost in the canvas. !t )as a real release for
*e. !t )as al*ost as if ! transcended ti*e and *oved into
another di*ension."
".ohn/ this is the po)er of concentrating your *ind on a
pursuit that you love. "oethe said that -)e are shaped and
fashioned ,y )hat )e love.- May,e your %har*a is to ,righten
the )orld )ith lovely scenes. At least start spending a little ti*e
painting every day."
"(o) a,out applying this philosophy to things less esoteric
than changing *y lifeM" ! as0ed )ith a grin.
"his should ,e good." .ulian replied. "Li0e )hatM"
"Let-s say one of *y ai*s/ although a *inor one/ )as to drop
the spare tire ! a* carrying around *y )aist. 2here )ould !
startM"
"%on-t ,e e*,arrassed. #ou *aster the art of goal3setting +
and goal getting + ,y starting off s*all."
"he Journey of a thousand *iles ,egins )ith a single stepM" !
as0ed intuitively.
"7recisely. And getting good at acco*plishing little feats
prepares you for reali6ing the ,ig ones. &o/ to ans)er your
@uestion s@uarely/ there is nothing )rong )ith *apping out a full
range of s*aller goals in the process of planning your ,igger
ones."
.ulian told *e that the &ages of &ivana had created a five3
step *ethod to reach their o,Jectives and fulfill the purposes of
their lives. !t )as si*ple/ practical and it )or0ed. he first step
)as to for* a clear *ental i*age of the outco*e. !f this )as
to lose )eight/ .ulian told *e that every *orning Just after !
)o0e up/ ! )as to envision *yself as a lean/ fit person/ full of
vitality and ,oundless energy. he clearer this *ental picture/
the *ore effective the process )ould ,e. (e said that the *ind
)as the ulti*ate treasure house of po)er and this si*ple act of
"picturing" *y goal )ould open the gate)ay to the actuali6ation
of this desire. &tep t)o )as to get so*e positive pressure on
*yself
"he *ain reason people do not follo) through on any
resolutions they *a0e is that it is too easy to slip ,ac0 into their
old )ays. 7ressure is not al)ays a ,ad thing. 7ressure can
inspire you to achieve great ends. 7eople generally achieve
*agnificent things )hen their ,ac0s are up against the )all
and they are forced to tap into the )ellspring of hu*an
potential that lies )ithin the*."
"(o) can ! create this -positive pressure- on *yselfM" !
as0ed/ no) thin0ing a,out the possi,ilities of applying this
*ethod to everything fro* getting up earlier to ,eing a *ore
patient and loving father.
"here are a )hole host of )ays to do this. One of the ,est is
the pu,lic pledge. ell everyone you 0no) that you )ill lose the
e1cess )eight or )rite that novel or )hatever your goal *ight
,e. Once you *a0e your goal 0no)n to the )orld/ there )ill
instantly ,e pressure on you to )or0 to)ards its fulfill*ent since
no one li0es to loo0 li0e a failure. !n &ivana/ *y teachers used
*ore dra*atic *eans to create this positive pressure ! spea0 of.
hey )ould declare to one another that if they did not follo)
through on their co**it*ents/ such as fasting for a )ee0 or
getting up daily at H;99 a.*. to *editate/ they )ould go do)n to
the icy )aterfall and stand under it until their ar*s and legs
)ent nu*,. his is an e1tre*e illustration of the po)er that
pressure can e1ert on the ,uilding of good ha,its and the
attain*ent of goals."
"-E1tre*e- *ight ,e an understate*ent/ .ulian. 2hat a
,i6arre ritual5"
"E1tre*ely effective though. he point is si*ply that )hen
you train your *ind to associate pleasure )ith good ha,its and
punish*ent )ith ,ad ones/ your )ea0nesses )ill @uic0ly fall ,y
the )ayside."
"#ou said there )ere five steps to follo) to *a0e *y desires
co*e true." ! said i*patiently. "2hat are the re*aining threeM"
"#es/ .ohn. &tep one is to have a clear vision of your
outco*e. &tep t)o is to create positive pressure to 0eep you
inspired. he third step is a si*ple one; never set a goal
)ithout attaching a ti*eline to it. o ,reathe life into a goal you
*ust attach a precise deadline to it. !t-s Just li0e )hen you are
preparing cases for courtK you al)ays focus your attention on
the ones the Judge has scheduled to ,e heard to*orro) rather
than on the ones )ithout any court date.
"Oh/ and ,y the )ay/" e1plained .ulian/ "re*e*,er that a goal
that is not co**itted to paper is no goal at all. "o out and ,uy a
Journal + a cheap coil notepad )ill do. 'all this your %rea*
Boo0 and fill it )ith all your desires/ o,Jectives and drea*s. "et
to 0no) yourself and )hat you are all a,out."
"%on-t ! already 0no) *yselfM"
"Most people don-t. hey have never ta0en the ti*e to 0no)
their strengths/ their )ea0nesses/ their hopes/ their drea*s. he
'hinese define i*age in these ter*s; there are three *irrors that
for* a person-s reflectionK the first is ho) you see yourself/ the
second is ho) others see you and the third *irror reflects the
truth. Kno) yourself/ .ohn. Kno) the truth.
"%ivide your %rea* Boo0 into separate sections for goals
relating to the different areas of your life. For e1a*ple you *ight
have sections for your physical fitness goals/ your financial goals/
your personal e*po)er*ent goals/ your relationship and social
goals and/ perhaps *ost i*portantly/ your spiritual goals."
"(ey/ that sounds li0e fun5 !-ve never thought a,out doing
so*ething as creative as that for *yself ! really should start
challenging *yself *ore/" ! said.
"! agree. Another particularly effective techni@ue ! learned is
to fill your %rea* Boo0 )ith pictures of the things you desire
and i*ages of people )ho have cultivated the a,ilities/ talents
and @ualities that you hope to e*ulate. "etting ,ac0 to you and
your
-spare tire/- if you )ant to lose )eight and ,e in outstanding
physical shape/ paste a picture of a *arathon runner or an elite
athlete in your %rea* Boo0. !f you )ant to ,e the )orld-s finest
hus,and/ )hy not clip out a picture of so*eone )ho represents
this
+ perhaps your father + and put it into your Journal in the
relationship section. !f you are drea*ing of a *ansion ,y the sea
or a sports car/ find an inspiring picture of these o,Jects and use
the* for your ,oo0 of drea*s. hen revie) this ,oo0 daily/ even
for a fe) *inutes. Ma0e it your friend. he results )ill startle
you." "his is pretty revolutionary stuff/ .ulian. ! *ean/ though
these ideas have ,een around for centuries/ every,ody ! 0no)
today could i*prove the @uality of their daily lives ,y applying
even a fe) of the*. My )ife )ould love to have a %rea* Boo0.
&he-d pro,a,ly
fill it )ith pictures of *e )ithout *y notorious ,elly."
"!t-s really not that ,ig/" .ulian suggested in a consoling
tone. "hen )hy does .enny call *e Mr. %onutM" ! said/
,rea0ing
into a ,road s*ile.
.ulian started to laugh. ! had to follo). &oon the t)o of us
)ere ho)ling on the floor.
"! guess if you can-t laugh at yourself )ho can you laugh atM"
! said/ still giggling.
"4ery true/ *y friend. 2hen ! )as chained to *y for*er
lifestyle/ one of *y *ain pro,le*s )as that ! too0 life too
seriously. No) ! a* *uch *ore playful and childli0e. ! enJoy all
of life-s gifts/ no *atter ho) s*all they are."
"But ! have digressed. ! have so *uch to tell you and it is all
flo)ing out of *e at once."
"Bac0 to the five3step *ethod to attain your ai*s and reali6e
your goals. Once you have for*ed a clear *ental picture of your
outco*e/ created a little pressure ,ehind it/ set a deadline and
co**itted it to paper/ the ne1t step is to apply )hat #ogi $a*an
called he Magic $ule of B=. he learned *en and )o*en of his
)orld ,elieved that/ for ne) ,ehavior to crystalli6e into a ha,it/
one had to perfor* the ne) activity for t)enty3one days in a
ro)."
"2hat-s so special a,out t)enty3one daysM"
"he sages )ere a,solute *asters of creating ne)/ *ore
re)arding ha,its )hich governed the conduct of their lives. #ogi
$a*an once told *e that a ,ad ha,it once ac@uired could never
,e erased."
"But all evening you have ,een inspiring *e to change the
)ay ! live *y life. (o) can ! possi,ly do this if ! can never erase
any of *y ,ad ha,itsM"
"! said that ,ad ha,its can never ,e erased. ! did not say that
negative ha,its could not ,e replaced/" .ulian noted )ith
precision. "Oh .ulian/ you al)ays )ere the King of &e*antics.
But !
thin0 ! see your point."
"he only )ay to per*anently install a ne) ha,it is to direct
so *uch energy to)ard it that the old one slips a)ay li0e an
un)elco*e house guest. he installation is generally co*plete in
a,out t)enty3one days/ the ti*e it ta0es to create a ne) neural
path)ay."
"&ay ! )anted to start practicing the (eart of the $ose
techni@ue to erase the )orry ha,it and live at a *ore peaceful
pace. %o ! have to do it at the sa*e ti*e every dayM"
""ood @uestion. he first thing ! )ill tell you is that you
never have to do anything. Everything ! a* sharing )ith you
tonight ! a* offering as a friend )ho is genuinely interested in
your gro)th and develop*ent. Every strategy/ tool and
techni@ue has ,een tested over ti*e for effectiveness and
*easura,le results. his ! assure you. And though *y heart
tells *e that ! should i*plore you to try all of the *ethods of
the sages/ *y conscience tells *e to si*ply follo) *y duty and
share the )isdo* )ith you/ leaving its i*ple*entation up to you.
My point is this; never do anything ,ecause you have to. he
only reason to do so*ething is ,ecause you )ant to and ,ecause
you 0no) it is the right thing for you to do." "&ounds reasona,le/
.ulian. %on-t )orry/ ! haven-t felt for even
a *o*ent that you )ere forcing any of this infor*ation do)n *y
throat. Any)ay/ the only thing that could ever ,e forced do)n
*y throat these days )ould ,e a ,o1 of donuts + and that
)ouldn-t ta0e *uch/" ! @uipped.
.ulian s*iled gingerly. "han0s pal. No) to ans)er your
@uestion/ *y suggestion is that you try the (eart of the $ose
*ethod at the sa*e ti*e every day and in the sa*e place/ every
day. here is tre*endous po)er in a ritual. &ports stars )ho eat
the sa*e *eal or tie their shoes the sa*e )ay ,efore the ,ig
ga*e are tapping into the po)er of ritual. Me*,ers of a
church )ho perfor* the sa*e rites/ )ear the sa*e ro,es/ are
using the po)er of ritual. Even ,usiness people )ho )al0 the
sa*e route or tal0 the sa*e tal0 ,efore a ,ig presentation are
applying the po)er of ritual. #ou see/ )hen you insert any
activity into your routine ,y doing it the sa*e )ay at the sa*e
ti*e every day/ it @uic0ly gro)s into a ha,it."
"For e1a*ple/ *ost people )ill do the sa*e thing upon
)a0ing up/ )ithout giving any thought to )hat they are doing.
hey open their eyes/ get out of ,ed/ )al0 to the ,athroo* and
start ,rushing their teeth. &o/ staying )ith your goal for a period
of t)enty3one days/ and perfor*ing the ne) activity at the sa*e
ti*e for each of these days/ )ill insert it into your routine. &oon
you )ill ,e perfor*ing the ne) ha,it/ )hether it is *editation/
getting up earlier or reading for an hour every day/ )ith the
sa*e ease that you feel )hile ,rushing your teeth."
"he final step for attaining goals and advancing along the
path of purposeM"
"he final step in the sages- *ethod is one that is e@ually
applica,le as you advance along the path of your life."
"My cup is still e*pty/" ! said respectfully.
"EnJoy the process. he &ages of &ivana often spo0e of this
philosophy. hey truly ,elieved that a day )ithout laughter or a
day )ithout love )as a day )ithout life."
"!-* not sure ! follo) you."
"All !-* saying is *a0e sure that you have fun )hile you are
advancing along the path of your goals and purpose. Never forget
the i*portance of living )ith un,ridled e1hilaration. Never
neglect to see the e1@uisite ,eauty in all living things. oday and
this very *o*ent that you and ! are sharing is a gift. $e*ain
spirited/ Joyful and curious. &tay focused on your life)or0 and on
giving selfless service to others. he Universe )ill ta0e care of
everything else. his is one of nature-s truest la)s."
"And never regret )hat has happened in the pastM"
"E1actly. here is no chaos in this Universe. here is a
purpose for everything that has ever happened to you/ and
everything that )ill happen to you. $e*e*,er )hat ! told you/
.ohn. Every e1perience offers lessons. &o stop *aJoring in *inor
things. EnJoy your life."
"!s that itM"
"! still have *uch )isdo* to share )ith you. Are you tiredM"
"Not in the least. Actually ! feel pretty pu*ped up. #ou are
@uite the *otivator/ .ulian. (ave you ever thought a,out an
info*ercialM" ! as0ed *ischievously.
"! don-t understand/" he replied gently.
"Never *ind. .ust one of *y fee,le atte*pts at hu*or."
"O0ay. Before )e *ove along )ith #ogi $a*an-s fa,le/ there
is
one last point a,out reaching your goals and your drea*s that !
)ould li0e to i*press on you."
""o for it."
"here is one )ord )hich the sages spo0e of in al*ost
reverential ter*s."
"%o tell."
"his si*ple )ord see*ed to carry a depth of *eaning for
the* and it peppered their daily tal0. he )ord ! a* spea0ing of
is passion, and it is a )ord you *ust constantly 0eep at the
forefront of your *ind as you follo) your *ission and attain your
goals. A ,urning sense of passion is the *ost potent fuel for your
drea*s. (ere/ in our society )e have lost our passion. 2e do not
do things ,ecause )e love to do the*. 2e do things ,ecause )e
feel )e have to do the*. his is a for*ula for *isery. And ! a*
not spea0ing of ro*antic passion/ although this is another
ingredient for a successful/ inspired e1istence. 2hat ! a* tal0ing
a,out is a passion for life. $eclai* the Joy of )a0ing up every
*orning/ full of energy and e1hilaration. Breathe the fire of
passion into all that you do. #ou )ill @uic0ly reap great *aterial/
as )ell as spiritual/ re)ards."
"#ou *a0e it sound so easy."
"!t is. Fro* tonight on)ards/ ta0e co*plete control of your
life. %ecide/ once and for all/ to ,e the *aster of your fate. $un
your o)n race. %iscover your calling and you )ill start to
e1perience the ecstacy of an inspired life. Finally/ al)ays
re*e*,er that )hat lies ,ehind you and )hat lies in front of
you is nothing )hen co*pared to )hat lies )ithin you."
"han0s .ulian. ! really needed to hear this. ! never reali6ed
all that )as lac0ing in *y life until tonight. ! have ,een
)andering ai*lessly through it/ lac0ing a real purpose. hings
are going to change. ! pro*ise you. ! a* grateful for this."
"#ou-re )elco*e/ *y friend. !-* si*ply fulfilling #) purpose."
Chapter % Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
+ollow Your Purose
"#e urose o% li%e is a li%e o% urose
,is!overin& and t#en reali-in& your li%ewor' brin&s
lastin& %ul%illment
)et !learly de%ined ersonal, ro%essional and siritual
&oals, and t#en #ave t#e !oura&e to a!t on t#em
"#e Power o% )el%-Examination
"#e . )te Met#od %or Attai nin& /oals
Never for(et the i#portance of livin( with un!ridled
e,hilaration8 Never ne(lect to see the e,;uisite !eaut) in all
livin( thin(s8 Toda), and this ver) #o#ent, is a (ift8 Sta)
focused on )our purpose8 The "niverse will take care of
ever)thin( else8
'(A7E$ N!N E
he Ancient Art of
&elf3Leadership
Good people stren(then the#selves ceaselessl)8
'onfucius
"i*e is passing @uic0ly/" said .ulian ,efore pouring hi*self
another cup of tea. "he *orning )ill soon ,e upon us. %o you
)ant *e to continue or have you had enough for one nightM"
here )as no )ay that ! )as going to let this *an/ )ho held
such ge*s of )isdo* )ithin his grasp/ stop )ithout co*pleting
his story. At the outset/ his tale see*ed fantastic. But as !
listened to hi*/ as ! a,sor,ed the ageless philosophy that had
,een ,esto)ed upon hi*/ ! ca*e to ,elieve deeply in )hat he
)as saying. hese )ere not the superficial self3serving
ru*inations of so*e t)o3,it huc0ster. .ulian )as the real thing.
(e clearly )al0ed his tal0. And his *essage rang true. ! trusted
hi*.
"7lease continue/ .ulian/ ! have all the ti*e in the )orld. he
0ids are sleeping at their grandparents- house tonight/ and .enny
)on-t ,e up for hours."
&ensing *y sincerity/ he continued )ith the sy*,olic fa,le
that #ogi $a*an had offered hi* to illustrate his )isdo* on
cultivating a richer/ *ore radiant life.
"! have told you that the garden represents the fertile garden
of your *ind/ a garden that is filled )ith delightful treasures and
,oundless riches. ! have also spo0en of the lighthouse and ho) it
represents the po)er of goals and the i*portance of discovering
your calling in life. #ou )ill recall that as the fa,le continues/ the
door of the lighthouse slo)ly opens and out )al0s a nine3foot3tall/
nine3hundred3pound .apanese su*o )restler."
"&ounds li0e a ,ad "od6illa *ovie."
"! used to love those )hen ! )as a 0id."
"Me too. But don-t let *e distract you/" ! replied.
"he su*o )restler represents a very i*portant ele*ent in
the life3changing syste* of the &ages of &ivana. #ogi $a*an told
*e that *any centuries ago in the ancient East/ the great
teachers developed and refined a philosophy called kai?en8 his
.apanese )ord *eans constant and never3ending i*prove*ent.
And it-s the personal trade*ar0 of every *an and )o*an )ho is
living a soaring/ fully a)a0ened e1istence."
"(o) did the concept of kai?en enrich the lives of the
sagesM" ! as0ed.
"As ! *entioned earlier/ .ohn/ success on the outside ,egins
)ith success on the inside. !f you really )ant to i*prove your
outer )orld/ )hether this *eans your health/ your relationships
or your finances/ you *ust first i*prove your inner )orld. he
*ost effective )ay to do this is through the practice of
continuous self3 i*prove*ent. &elf3*astery is the %NA of life
*astery."
".ulian/ ! hope you don-t *ind *e saying it/ ,ut all this tal0
a,out one-s -inner )orld- sounds *ore than a little esoteric to *e.
$e*e*,er/ !-* Just a *iddle3class la)yer fro* the leafy su,ur,s
)ith a *inivan sitting in the drive)ay and a La)n3Boy in the
garage.
"Loo0. Everything you have told *e so far *a0es sense. As
a *atter of fact/ *uch of )hat you have shared )ith *e appears
to ,e co**on sense/ although ! 0no) that co**on sense is
anything ,ut co**on in this day and age. ! *ust tell you though/
!-* having a little difficulty )ith this notion of kai?en and
i*proving *y inner )orld. 2hat e1actly are )e tal0ing a,out
hereM"
.ulian )as agile in his response. "!n our society/ )e all too
often la,el the ignorant as )ea0. (o)ever/ those )ho e1press
their lac0 of 0no)ledge and see0 instruction find the path to
enlighten*ent ,efore anyone else. #our @uestions are honest and
sho) *e that you are open to fresh ideas. 'hange is the *ost
po)erful force in our society today. Most people fear it/ the )ise
e*,race it. Nen tradition spea0s of a ,eginner-s *ind; those )ho
0eep their *inds open to ne) concepts + those whose cups are
alwa)s e#pt) + )ill al)ays *ove to higher levels of
achieve*ent and fulfill*ent. Never ,e reluctant to as0 even the
*ost ,asic of @uestions. Ouestions are the *ost effective
*ethod of eliciting 0no)ledge."
"han0s. But ! still a* unclear a,out kai?en8"
"2hen ! spea0 of i*proving your inner )orld/ ! a* si*ply
spea0ing of self3i*prove*ent and personal e1pansion and it is
the ,est thing you can do for yourself. #ou *ight thin0 that you
are too ,usy to spend ti*e )or0ing on yourself. his )ould ,e a
very ,ig *ista0e. #ou see/ )hen you have ta0en the ti*e to ,uild
a strong character full of discipline/ energy/ po)er and opti*is*/
you can have anything and do anything you )ant in your
outer )orld.
2hen you have cultivated a deep sense of faith in your a,ilities
and an indo*ita,le spirit/ nothing can stop you fro* succeeding
in all your pursuits and living )ith great re)ards. a0ing the
ti*e to *aster your *ind/ to care for the ,ody and to nourish
your soul )ill put you in a position to develop *ore richness and
vitality in your life. !t is as Epictetus said so *any years ago; -No
*an is free )ho is not a *aster of hi*self.-"
"&o kai?en is actually a very practical concept."
"4ery. hin0 a,out it/ .ohn. (o) could a person possi,ly lead
a corporation if he cannot even lead hi*selfM (o) could you
nurture a fa*ily if you haven-t learned to nurture and care for
yourselfM (o) could you possi,ly do good if you don-t even feel
goodM %o you see *y pointM"
! nodded in full agree*ent. his )as the first ti*e ! had
given any serious thought to the i*portance of i*proving
*yself. ! had al)ays thought that all those people ! )ould see
on the su,)ay reading ,oo0s )ith titles li0e The $ower of
$ositive Thinkin( or Me(aivin(/ )ere trou,led souls
desperate for so*e for* of *edicine to get the* ,ac0 on
course. No) ! reali6ed that those )ho too0 the ti*e to
strengthen the*selves )ere the strongest and that it )as only
through i*proving one-s self that one could ever hope to
i*prove the lot of others. ! then started to reflect on all the
things ! could i*prove. ! really could use the added energy and
good health that e1ercising )ould surely ,ring. $idding *yself
of *y nasty te*per and *y ha,it of interrupting others *ight
do )onders for *y relationship )ith *y )ife and 0ids. And
erasing *y )orry ha,it )ould give *e the peace of *ind and
deep happiness ! had ,een searching for. he *ore ! thought
a,out it/ the *ore potential i*prove*ents ! sa).
As ! started to see all the positive things that )ould flood into
*y life through the cultivation of good ha,its/ ! gre) e1cited.
But ! reali6ed that .ulian )as tal0ing a,out far *ore than the
i*portance of daily e1ercise/ a healthful diet and a ,alanced
lifestyle. 2hat he had learned in the (i*alayas )as deeper and
*ore *eaningful than this. (e spo0e of the i*portance of
,uilding strength of character/ developing *ental toughness and
living )ith courage. (e told *e that these three attri,utes
)ould lead one not only to a virtuous life ,ut to a life filled )ith
achieve*ent/ satisfaction and inner peace. 'ourage )as a
@uality everyone could cultivate and one that )ould pay huge
dividends over the long run.
"2hat does courage have to do )ith self3leadership and
personal develop*entM" ! )ondered aloud.
"'ourage allo)s you to run your o)n race. 'ourage allo)s
you to do )hatever you )ant to do ,ecause you 0no) that it is
right. 'ourage gives you the self3control to persist )here others
have failed. Ulti*ately/ the degree of courage you live )ith
deter*ines the a*ount of fulfill*ent you receive. !t allo)s you to
truly reali6e all the e1@uisite )onders of the epic that is your
life. And those )ho *aster the*selves have an a,undance of
courage."
"O0ay. ! a* starting to understand the po)er of )or0ing on
*yself. 2here do ! startM"
.ulian returned to his conversation )ith #ogi $a*an high
atop the *ountains/ on )hat he re*e*,ered as a re*ar0a,ly
starry and gloriously ,eautiful night.
"!nitially/ ! too had trou,le )ith the notion of self3
i*prove*ent. After all/ ! )as a tough/ (arvard3trained legal
gunslinger )ho had no ti*e for Ne) Age theories forced on *e
,y )hat ! thought )ere people )ith ,ad haircuts )ho hung out
at airports. ! )as )rong. !t )as this close3*indedness that
)as
holding *y life ,ac0 all of those years. he *ore ! listened to
#ogi $a*an and the *ore ! reflected on the pain and suffering
of *y for*er )orld/ the *ore ! )elco*ed the philosophy of
kai?en, constant and never3ending enrich*ent of the *ind/ ,ody
and soul/ into *y ne) life/" .ulian asserted.
"2hy a* ! hearing so *uch a,out the -*ind/ ,ody and soul-
these daysM !t see*s ! can-t even turn on the tu,e )ithout
so*eone *a0ing *ention of it."
"his is the trilogy of your hu*an endo)*ents. o i*prove
your *ind )ithout the cultivation of your physical gifts )ould ,e
a very hollo) victory. Elevating your *ind and ,ody to their
highest level )ithout nurturing your soul )ould leave you
feeling very e*pty and unfulfilled. But )hen you dedicate your
energies to unloc0ing the full potential of all three of your
hu*an endo)*ents/ you )ill taste the divine ecstacy of an
enlightened life."
"#ou-ve got *e pretty e1cited/ pal."
"As to your @uestion a,out )here to start/ ! pro*ise that !
)ill give you a nu*,er of ancient yet po)erful techni@ues in a
fe) *o*ents. But first ! *ust share a practical illustration )ith
you. "et into push3up position."
-"ood grief/ .ulian-s ,eco*e a drill sergeant/- ! silently
thought. Being curious and )ishing to 0eep *y cup e*pty/ !
co*plied.
"No) do as *any push3ups as you can possi,ly do. %on-t
stop until you truly are certain that you cannot do any *ore."
! struggled )ith the e1ercise/ *y t)o3hundred3and3fifteen3
pound fra*e not ,eing used to *uch *ore than )al0ing to the
nearest Mc%onald-s )ith *y 0ids or *eandering through a round
of golf )ith *y la) partners. he first fifteen push3ups )ere
pure
agony. 2ith the heat of that su**er evening adding to *y
disco*fort/ ! started to s)eat profusely. (o)ever/ ! )as
deter*ined not to sho) any signs of )ea0ness and carried on
until *y vanity started to give )ay along )ith *y ar*s. At
t)enty3 three push3ups ! gave up.
"No *ore/ .ulian. his is 0illing *e. 2hat are you trying to
do hereM"
"Are you certain that you can-t do any *oreM"
"!-* sure. '-*on/ give *e a ,rea0. he only lesson !-* going
to learn fro* this is )hat to do for a heart attac0."
"%o ten *ore. hen you can rest/" co**anded .ulian.
"#ou-ve got to ,e 0idding5"
But ! continued. One. )o. Five. Eight. And finally ten. ! lay
on the floor in total e1haustion.
"! )ent through precisely the sa*e e1perience )ith #ogi
$a*an the night he shared his special fa,le )ith *e/" said
.ulian. "(e told *e that pain )as a great teacher."
"2hat could anyone possi,ly learn fro* an e1perience li0e
thisM" ! as0ed ,reathlessly.
"#ogi $a*an/ and all of the &ages of &ivana for that *atter/
,elieved that people gro) the *ost )hen they enter the None of
the Un0no)n."
"O0ay. But )hat does that have to do )ith *a0ing *e do all
those push3upsM"
"#ou told *e after you had done t)enty3three that you
couldn-t do any *ore. #ou told *e that this )as your a,solute
li*it. #et/ )hen ! challenged you to do *ore/ you responded )ith
another ten push3ups. #ou had *ore inside you and )hen you
reached for your resources/ you received *ore. #ogi $a*an
e1plained a funda*ental truth to *e )hilst ! )as his student;
4The
onl) li#its on )our life are those that )ou set )ourself84 2hen you
dare to get out of your circle of co*fort and e1plore the
un0no)n/ you start to li,erate your true hu*an potential. his is
the first step to)ards self3*astery and *astery over every
other circu*stance in your life. 2hen you push ,eyond your
li*its/ Just as you did in this little de*onstration/ you unloc0
*ental and physical reserves that you never thought you had."
-Fascinating/- ! thought. 'o*e to thin0 of it/ ! had recently
read in a ,oo0 that the average person uses only a *inute
*easure of his hu*an capacity. ! )ondered )hat )e could do if
)e started using the re*aining reservoir of our a,ilities.
.ulian sensed he )as on a roll.
"#ou practice the art of kai?en ,y pushing yourself daily.
2or0 hard to i*prove your *ind and ,ody. Nourish your spirit.
%o the things you fear. &tart to live )ith un,ridled energy and
li*itless enthusias*. 2atch the sun rise. %ance in a rain sho)er.
Be the person you drea* of ,eing. %o the things you have
al)ays )anted to do ,ut didn-t ,ecause you tric0ed yourself
into ,elieving that you )ere too young/ too old/ too rich or too
poor. 7repare to live a soaring/ fully alive life. !n the East they
say that luck favors the prepared *ind. ! ,elieve that life favors
the prepared *ind."
.ulian continued his passionate discourse. "!dentify the things
that are holding you ,ac0. Are you scared of spea0ing or do you
have trou,le in your relationshipsM %o you lac0 a positive
attitude or do you need *ore energyM Ma0e a )ritten inventory
of your )ea0nesses. &atisfied people are far *ore thoughtful
than others. a0e the ti*e to reflect on )hat it is that *ight ,e
0eeping you fro* the life you really )ant and 0no) deep do)n
you can have. Once you have identified )hat your )ea0nesses
are/ the ne1t step
is to face the* head on and attac0 your fears. !f you fear pu,lic
spea0ing/ sign up to give t)enty speeches. !f you fear starting a
ne) ,usiness or getting out of a dissatisfying relationship/
*uster every ounce of your inner resolve and do it. his *ight
,e the first taste of real freedo* that you have e1perienced in
years. Fear is nothing *ore than a *ental *onster you have
created/ a negative strea* of consciousness."
"Fear is nothing *ore than a negative strea* of
consciousnessM ! li0e that. #ou *ean all *y fears are nothing
*ore than i*aginary little gre*lins that have crept into *y *ind
over the yearsM"
"E1actly/ .ohn. Every ti*e they have prevented you fro*
ta0ing so*e action/ you have added fuel to their fire. But )hen
you con@uer your fears/ you con@uer your life."
"! need an e1a*ple."
"&ure. Let-s ta0e pu,lic spea0ing/ an activity *ost people
fear *ore than death itself. 2hen ! )as a litigator/ ! actually sa)
la)yers )ho )ere scared of stepping into court. hey )ould do
anything/ including settling their client-s other)ise )orthy cases
Just to avoid the pain of getting up on their feet inside a pac0ed
courtroo*."
"!-ve seen the* too."
"%o you actually thin0 that they )ere ,orn )ith this
fearM" "! sure hope not."
"&tudy a ,a,y. &he has no li*its. (er *ind is a lush landscape
of potential and possi,ility. 7roperly cultivated/ it )ill lead her to
greatness. Filled )ith negativity/ it )ill lead her to *ediocrity/ at
,est. 2hat ! a* saying is this; no e1perience/ )hether it is
pu,lic spea0ing or as0ing your ,oss for a raise or s)i**ing in
a sun3 soa0ed la0e or )al0ing along the ,each on a *oonlit
night/ is inherently painful or pleasant. !t is your thin0ing that
*a0es it so."
"!nteresting."
"A ,a,y could ,e trained to vie) a glorious sunny day as
depressing. A child could ,e trained to see a puppy as a vicious
ani*al. An adult could ,e trained to see a drug as a pleasant
vehicle for release. !t-s all a *atter of conditioning/ isn-t itM"
"&ure."
"he sa*e holds true of fear. Fear is a conditioned response;
a life3suc0ing ha,it that can easily consu*e your energy/
creativity and spirit if you are not careful. 2hen fear rears its
ugly head/ ,eat it do)n @uic0ly. he ,est )ay to do that is to do
the thing you fear. Understand the anato*y of fear. !t is your
o)n creation. Li0e any other creation/ it is Just as easy to tear it
do)n as it is to erect it. Methodically search for and then destroy
every fear that has secretly slid into the fortress of your *ind.
his alone )ill give you enor*ous confidence/ happiness and
peace of *ind."
"'an a person-s *ind actually ,e fully fearlessM" ! as0ed.
""reat @uestion. he ans)er is an une@uivocal and e*phatic
-#es5- Each and every one of the &ages of &ivana )as a,solutely
fearless. #ou could see it in the )ay they )al0ed. #ou could see it
in the )ay they tal0ed. #ou could see it )hen you loo0ed deep
into their eyes and !-ll tell you so*ething else/ .ohn."
"2hat/" ! as0ed/ fascinated ,y )hat ! )as hearing.
"! too a* fearless. ! 0no) *yself and ! have co*e to see that
*y natural state is one of indo*ita,le strength and unli*ited
potential. !t )as Just that ! )as ,loc0ed ,y all those years of self3
neglect and un,alanced thin0ing. !-ll tell you another thing.
2hen you erase fear fro* your *ind/ you start to loo0 younger
and your health ,eco*es *ore vi,rant."
-Ah/ the old *ind3,ody connection/" ! replied/ hoping to
*as0 *y ignorance.
"#es. he sages of the East have 0no)n a,out it for over five
thousand years. (ardly -ne) age/-" he said/ )ith a ,road grin
lighting up his radiant face.
"he sages shared another po)erful principle )ith *e )hich
! thin0 a,out often. ! thin0 it )ill ,e invalua,le to you as you
)al0 the path of self3leadership and personal *astery. !t has
given *e *otivation at ti*es )hen ! feel li0e ta0ing things easy.
he philosophy can ,e stated succinctly; )hat sets highly
actuali6ed people apart fro* those )ho never live inspired lives
is that they do those things that less developed people don-t li0e
doing+even though they *ight not li0e doing the* either.
"ruly enlightened people/ those )ho e1perience deep
happiness daily/ are prepared to put off short3ter* pleasure for
the sa0e of long3ter* fulfill*ent. &o they tac0le their
)ea0nesses and fears head on/ even if dipping into the 6one of
the un0no)n ,rings )ith it a *easure of disco*fort. hey
resolve to live ,y the )isdo* of kai?en, i*proving every aspect
of the*selves ceaselessly and continuously. 2ith ti*e/ things
that )ere once difficult ,eco*e easy. Fears that once prevented
the* fro* all the happiness/ health and prosperity they deserved
fall to the )ayside li0e stic0*en toppled ,y a hurricane."
"&o you-re suggesting that ! *ust change *yself ,efore !
change *y lifeM"
"#es. !t-s li0e that old story *y favorite professor told *e
)hen ! )as in la) school. One night a father )as rela1ing )ith
his ne)spaper after a long day at the office. (is son/ )ho
)anted to play/ 0ept on pestering hi*. Finally/ fed up/ the father
ripped out a picture of the glo,e that )as in the paper and tore
it into a hundred tiny pieces. -(ere son/ go ahead and try to put
this ,ac0 together.- he said/ hoping that this )ould 0eep the little
,oy ,usy
long enough for hi* to finish reading his paper. o his
a*a6e*ent/ his son returned after only one *inute )ith the
glo,e perfectly ,ac0 together. 2hen the startled father as0ed
ho) he achieved this feat/ the son s*iled gently and replied
-%ad/ on the other side of the glo,e there )as a picture of a
person/ and once ! got the person together/ the )orld )as o0ay.-"
"hat-s a great story."
"#ou see .ohn/ the )isest people ! have ever *et/ fro* the
&ages of &ivana to *y professors at (arvard La) &chool/ all
see* to 0no) the 0ey for*ula for happiness."
"%o continue/" ! said )ith a hint of i*patience.
"!t-s precisely )hat ! said earlier; happiness co*es through
the progressive reali6ation of a )orthy o,Jective. 2hen you are
doing )hat you truly love to do you are ,ound to find deep
content*ent." "!f happiness co*es to everyone )ho si*ply does
)hat they
love doing/ )hy are so *any people
*isera,leM"
"Fair point/ .ohn. %oing )hat you love/ )hether this *eans
giving up the )or0 you are presently doing to ,eco*e an actor or
spending less ti*e on those things that are less i*portant to
*a0e ti*e for those things that are *ore *eaningful/ re@uires a
great deal of courage. !t re@uires you to step out of your co*fort
6one. And change is al)ays a little unco*forta,le at first. !t is
also *ore than a little ris0y. (aving said this/ this is the surest
)ay to design a *ore Joyful life."
"E1actly ho) does one go a,out ,uilding courageM"
"!t-s the sa*e as the story; once you get yourself together/
your )orld )ill ,e o0ay. Once you *aster your *ind/ ,ody and
character/ happiness and a,undance )ill flo) into your life
al*ost *agically. But you *ust spend so*e ti*e daily )or0ing
on yourself/ even if for only ten or fifteen *inutes."
"And )hat does the nine3foot3tall/ nine3hundred3pound
.apanese su*o )restler sy*,oli6e in #ogi $a*an-s fa,leM"
"Our hefty friend )ill ,e your constant re*inder of the
po)er of kai?en, the .apanese )ord for constant self3e1pansion
and progress."
!n Just a fe) hours/ .ulian had revealed the *ost po)erful +
and the *ost astonishing + infor*ation that ! had ever heard in
*y lifeti*e. ! had learned of the *agic in *y o)n *ind and its
treasure trove of potential. ! had learned highly practical
techni@ues to still the *ind and focus its po)er on *y desires
and drea*s. ! had learned the i*portance of having a definite
purpose in life and of setting clear goals in every aspect of *y
personal/ professional and spiritual )orld. No) ! had ,een
e1posed to the ageless principle of self3*astery; kai?en8
"(o) can ! practice the art of kai?enM"
"! )ill give you ten ancient yet supre*ely effective rituals
that )ill lead you far along the path of personal *astery. !f you
apply the* on a daily ,asis/ )ith faith in their utility/ you )ill
o,serve re*ar0a,le results in Just one *onth fro* today. !f you
continue to apply the*/ incorporating the techni@ues into your
routine such that they ,eco*e ha,its/ you are ,ound to reach a
state of perfect health/ li*itless energy/ lasting happiness and
peace of *ind. Ulti*ately/ you )ill reach your divine destiny +
for this is your ,irthright."
"#ogi $a*an offered the ten rituals to *e )ith great faith in
)hat he ter*ed their -e1@uisiteness- and ! thin0 you )ill agree
that ! a* living proof of their po)er. ! si*ply as0 that you listen
to )hat ! have to say and Judge the results for yourself."
"Life3changing results in only thirty daysM" ! as0ed in
dis,elief.
"#es. he ;uid pro ;uo is that you *ust set aside at least one
hour a day for thirty consecutive days to practice the strategies !
a* a,out to offer to you. his invest*ent in yourself is all it
ta0es. And please don-t tell *e that you don-t have the ti*e."
"But ! don-t/" ! said honestly. "My practice is really ,oo*ing. !
don-t have ten *inutes to *yself/ let alone a full hour/ .ulian."
"As ! told you/ saying that you do not have the ti*e to
i*prove yourself/ )hether this *eans i*proving your *ind or
nourishing your spirit/ is *uch li0e saying you do not have ti*e
to stop for gas ,ecause you are too ,usy driving. Eventually it
)ill catch up )ith you."
"$eallyM"
"$eally."
"(o) soM"
"Let *e put it this )ay. #ou are very *uch li0e a high3
perfor*ance race car )orth *illions of dollarsK a )ell3oiled/
highly sophisticated *achine."
"2hy than0 you .ulian."
"#our *ind is the greatest )onder of the universe and your
,ody has the capacity to perfor* feats that *ight astonish you."
"Agreed."
"Kno)ing the value of this high perfor*ance *ulti3*illion
dollar *achine/ )ould it ,e )ise to run it full out every *inute of
every day )ithout ta0ing a pit stop to let the *otor cool do)nM"
"Of course not."
"2ell then/ )hy are you not ta0ing so*e ti*e every day for
your personal pit stop or rest ,rea0M 2hy are you not ta0ing the
ti*e to cool do)n the high perfor*ance engine of your *indM
%o you see *y pointM a0ing the ti*e to rene) yourself is the
*ost i*portant thing you can do. !ronically/ ta0ing ti*e out
fro* your
hectic schedule for self3i*prove*ent and personal enrich*ent
)ill dra*atically i*prove your effectiveness once you get ,ac0
into it."
"One hour a day for thirty days is all it ta0esM"
"!t-s the *agic for*ula ! )as al)ays searching for. ! )ould
pro,a,ly have paid a couple of *illion dollars for it in *y old
glory days/ if ! had understood its i*portance. Little did ! 0no)
that it )as free/ as is all priceless 0no)ledge. (aving said this/
you *ust ,e disciplined and apply the strategies )hich *a0e up
the for*ula daily/ )ith utter conviction in their value."
"his is not a @uic03fi1 type deal. Once you are in/ you are in
it for the long ter*."
"2hat do you *eanM"
"&pending one hour a day tending to yourself )ill surely give
you dra*atic results in thirty days + provided you do the right
things. !t ta0es a,out one *onth to fully install a ne) ha,it. After
this period/ the strategies and techni@ues you )ill learn )ill fit
li0e a second s0in. he 0ey is that you *ust 0eep on practicing
the* every day if you )ant to 0eep on seeing the results."
"Fair enough/" ! agreed. .ulian clearly had unloc0ed a
)ellspring of personal vitality and inner serenity in his o)n life.
Actually/ his transfor*ation fro* a sic0ly old litigator to a
radiant/ energetic philosopher )as nothing less than *iraculous.
At that *o*ent ! resolved to dedicate one hour a day to
i*ple*enting the techni@ues and principles ! )as a,out to hear. !
decided to )or0 on i*proving *yself ,efore )or0ing to change
others/ as had ,een *y ha,it. May,e ! too could undergo a
"Mantle3li0e" transfor*ation. !t )as surely )orth a try.
hat night/ sitting on the floor of *y cluttered living roo*/ !
learned )hat .ulian called "he en $ituals of $adiant Living."
&o*e of the* re@uired a little concentrated effort on *y part.
Others could ,e perfor*ed effortlessly. All )ere intriguing and
rich )ith the pro*ise of e1traordinary things to co*e.
"he first strategy )as 0no)n to the sages as the $itual of
&olitude. his involves nothing *ore than ensuring that your
daily schedule includes a *andatory period of peace."
".ust )hat is a period of peaceM"
"!t is a period of ti*e/ as little as fifteen *inutes or as *uch
as fifty/ )herein you e1plore the healing po)er of silence and
co*e to 0no) )ho you really are/" .ulian e1plained.
"&ort of a rest ,rea0 for that overheated engine of *ineM" !
suggested )ith a slight s*ile.
"hat-s a pretty accurate )ay of loo0ing at it. (ave you ever
,een on a long road trip )ith your fa*ilyM"
"&ure. Every su**er )e drive do)n to the islands to spend
a couple of )ee0s )ith .enny-s parents."
"O0ay. %o you ever *a0e pit3stops along the )ayM"
"#es. For food/ or if !-* feeling a little sleepy !-ll ta0e a @uic0
nap after having listened to *y 0ids fight in the ,ac0 seat for si1
hours."
"2ell/ thin0 of the $itual of &olitude as a pit3stop for the
soul. !ts purpose is self3rene)al and this is acco*plished ,y
spending ti*e alone/ i**ersed in the ,eautiful ,lan0et of
silence."
"2hat is so special a,out silenceM"
""ood @uestion. &olitude and @uiet connects you to your
creative source and releases the li*itless intelligence of the
Universe. #ou see/ .ohn/ the *ind is li0e a la0e. !n our chaotic
)orld/ *ost people-s *inds are not still. 2e are full of inner
tur,ulence. (o)ever/ ,y si*ply ta0ing the ti*e to ,e still and
@uiet every day/ the la0e of the *ind ,eco*es as s*ooth as a
plate
of glass. his inner @uietness ,rings )ith it a )ealth of ,enefits
including a deep sense of )ell3,eing/ inner peace and ,oundless
energy. #ou )ill even sleep ,etter and enJoy a rene)ed feeling of
,alance in your day3to3day activities."
"2here should ! go for this period of peaceM"
"heoretically/ you could do it any)here/ fro* your ,edroo*
to your office. he 0ey is to find a place of true @uiet + and
,eauty."
"(o) does ,eauty fit into the e@uationM"
"Beautiful i*ages soothe a ruffled soul/" .ulian o,served )ith
a deep sigh. "A ,ou@uet of roses or a si*ple/ solitary daffodil
)ill have a highly salutary effect on your senses and rela1 you no
end. !deally/ you should savor such ,eauty in a space that )ill
serve as a &anctuary of the &elf."
"2hat-s thatM"
"Basically/ it is a place that )ill ,eco*e your secret foru*
for *ental and spiritual e1pansion. his *ight ,e a spare
roo* in your house or si*ply a peaceful corner of a s*all
apart*ent. he point is to reserve a spot for your rene)al
activities/ a place that sits there @uietly a)aiting your arrival."
"! love the sound of that. ! thin0 having a silent place to go to
)hen ! co*e ho*e fro* )or0 )ould *a0e a )orld of difference.
! could deco*press for a )hile and let go of the stresses of the
day !t )ould pro,a,ly *a0e *e a *uch nicer person to ,e
around."
"hat ,rings up another i*portant point. he $itual of
&olitude )or0s ,est )hen you practice it at the sa*e ti*e every
day."
"2hyM"
"Because then it ,eco*es integrated into your routine as a
ritual. By practicing it at the sa*e ti*e every day/ a daily dose
of silence )ill soon ,eco*e a ha,it that you )ill never neglect.
And
positive life ha,its inevita,ly guide you to your destiny."
"Anything elseM"
"#es. !f at all possi,le/ co**une )ith nature daily. A @uic0
)al0 through the )oods or even a fe) *inutes spent cultivating
your to*ato garden in the ,ac0yard )ill reconnect you to the
)ellspring of cal* that *ay no) ,e dor*ant )ithin you. Being
)ith nature also allo)s you to tune in to the infinite )isdo* of
your highest self. his self30no)ledge )ill *ove you into the
uncharted di*ensions of your personal po)er. Never forget
this/" advised .ulian/ his voice rising )ith passion.
"(as this ritual )or0ed )ell for you/ .ulianM"
"A,solutely. ! rise )ith the sun and the first thing ! do is head
off to *y secret sanctuary. here ! e1plore the (eart of the $ose
for as long as need ,e. &o*e days ! spend hours in @uiet
conte*plation. On other days ! spend only ten *inutes. he
result is *ore or less the sa*e; a deep sense of inner har*ony
and an a,undance of physical energy. 2hich ,rings *e to the
second ritual. his is the $itual of 7hysicality."
"&ounds interesting. 2hat-s it a,outM"
"!t-s a,out the po)er of physical care."
"(uhM"
"!t-s si*ple. he $itual of 7hysicality is ,ased on the
principle that says as you care for the ,ody so you care for the
*ind. As you prepare your ,ody/ so you prepare your *ind. As
you train your ,ody/ so you train your *ind. a0e so*e ti*e
every single day to nourish the te*ple of your ,ody through
vigorous e1ercise. "et your ,lood circulating and your ,ody
*oving. %id you 0no) that there are =GI hours in a )ee0M"
"No/ not really."
"!t-s true. At least five of those hours should ,e invested in
so*e for* of physical activity. he &ages of &ivana practiced the
ancient discipline of yoga to a)a0en their physical potential and
live a strong/ dyna*ic e1istence. !t )as an e1traordinary sight to
see these *arvellous physical speci*ens )ho had *anaged to
age3proof their lives standing on their heads in the center of their
village5"
"(ave you tried yoga/ .ulianM .enny started practicing it last
su**er and says it has added five years to her life."
"here is no one strategy that )ill *agically transfor* your
life/ .ohn/ let *e ,e the first to say this. Lasting and profound
change co*es through the continued application of a nu*,er of
the *ethods ! have shared )ith you. But yoga is an e1tre*ely
effective )ay to unloc0 your reserves of vitality. ! do *y yoga
every *orning and it is one of the ,est things that ! do for
*yself. !t not only reJuvenates *y ,ody/ it co*pletely focuses *y
*ind. !t has even un,loc0ed *y creativity. !t is a terrific
discipline."
"%id the sages do anything else to care for their ,odiesM"
"#ogi $a*an and his ,rothers and sisters also ,elieved that
vigorous )al0ing in natural surroundings/ )hether high on the
*ountain paths or deep in the lush forests/ )or0ed )onders for
relieving fatigue and restoring the ,ody to its natural state of
vi,rancy. 2hen the )eather )as too harsh to )al0/ they )ould
e1ercise )ithin the security of their huts. hey *ight *iss a
*eal ,ut they )ould never *iss their daily round of e1ercise."
"2hat did they have in their hutsM Nordicrac0 *achinesM" !
@uipped.
"Not @uite. &o*eti*es they )ould practice yoga postures.
Other ti*es ! )ould catch a gli*pse of the* doing a set or t)o
of one3handed push3ups. ! really thin0 it didn-t *atter too *uch
to the* )hat they did/ so long as they *oved their ,odies and
got the
fresh air of their ,reath3ta0ing surroundings flo)ing through
their lungs."
"2hat does ,reathing fresh air have to do )ith anythingM"
"!-ll ans)er your @uestion )ith one of #ogi $a*an-s favorite
sayings/ -o ,reathe properly is to live properly.-"
"Breathing is that i*portantM" ! as0ed in surprise.
"Ouite early on in &ivana/ the sages taught *e that the fastest
)ay to dou,le or even triple the a*ount of energy ! had )as to
learn the art of effective ,reathing."
"But don-t )e all 0no) ho) to ,reathe/ even a ne),orn
,a,yM" "Not really/ .ohn. 2hile *ost of us 0no) ho) to
,reathe to survive/ )e have never learned ho) to ,reathe to
thrive. Most of us ,reathe far too shallo)ly and in so doing/
)e fail to ta0e in
enough o1ygen to run the ,ody at an opti*al level."
"&ounds li0e proper ,reathing involves a lot of science."
"!t does. And the sages treated it that )ay. heir philosophy
)as si*ple; ta0e in *ore o1ygen through efficient ,reathing and
you li,erate your energy reserves along )ith your natural state
of vitality."
"O0ay so )here do ! startM"
"!t-s actually pretty easy. )o or three ti*es a day ta0e a
*inute or t)o to thin0 a,out ,reathing *ore deeply and
effectively."
"(o) do ! 0no) if !-* ,reathing effectivelyM"
"2ell/ your ,elly should *ove out slightly. his indicates that
you are ,reathing fro* the a,do*en/ )hich is good. A tric0 that
#ogi $a*an taught *e )as to cup *y hands over *y sto*ach. !f
they *oved out as ! inhaled/ *y ,reathing techni@ue )as
proper."
"4ery interesting."
"!f you li0e that/ then you )ill love the hird $itual of
$adiant
Living/" said .ulian.
"2hich isM"
"he $itual of Live Nourish*ent. !n *y days as a litigator/ !
lived off of a steady diet of stea0s/ fries and other types of Jun0
food. &ure ! ate at the finest restaurants in the country/ ,ut ! still
filled *y ,ody )ith Jun0. ! didn-t 0no) it at the ti*e/ ,ut this
)as one of the *ain sources of *y discontent."
"$eallyM"
"#es. A poor diet has a pronounced effect on your life. !t
drains your *ental and physical energy. !t affects your *oods
and it ha*pers the clarity of your *ind. #ogi $a*an put it this
)ay; -As you nourish your ,ody/ so you nourish your *ind.-"
"! assu*e then that you changed your dietM"
"$adically. And it *ade an a*a6ing difference in the )ay !
felt and loo0ed. ! al)ays thought that ! )as so run do)n
,ecause of the stresses and strains of *y )or0 and ,ecause
the )rin0led fingers of old age )ere reaching out for *e. !n
&ivana/ ! learned that *uch of *y lethargy )as due to the lo)3
octane fuel ! )as pu*ping into *y ,ody."
"2hat did the &ages of &ivana eat to stay so youthful and
,rightM"
"Live foods/" ca*e the efficient reply.
"(uhM"
"Live foods are the ans)er. Live foods are foods that are not
dead."
"'-*on/ .ulian. 2hat are live foodsM" ! as0ed i*patiently.
"Basically/ live foods are those )hich are created through the
natural interaction of the sun/ air/ soil and )ater. 2hat !-* tal0ing
a,out here is a vegetarian diet. Fill your plate )ith fresh
vegeta,les/ fruits and grains and you *ight Just live forever."
"!s that possi,leM"
"Most of the sages )ere )ell over one hundred and they
sho)ed no signs of slo)ing do)n/ and Just last )ee0 ! read in
the paper a,out a group of people living on the tiny island of
O0ina)a in the East 'hina &ea. $esearchers are floc0ing to
the island ,ecause they are fascinated ,y the fact that it holds
the largest concentration of centenarians in the )orld."
"2hat have they learnedM"
"hat a vegetarian diet is one of their *ain longevity
secrets." "But is this type of diet healthyM #ou )ouldn-t thin0
that it )ould give you *uch strength. $e*e*,er/ !-* still
a ,usy
litigator/ .ulian."
"his is the diet that nature intended. !t is alive/ vital and
supre*ely healthy. he sages have lived ,y this diet for *any
thousands of years. hey call it a sattvic, or pure diet. And as to
your concern a,out strength/ the *ost po)erful ani*als on the
planet/ ranging fro* gorillas to elephants/ )ear the ,adge of
proud vegetarians. %id you 0no) that a gorilla has a,out thirty
ti*es the strength of a *anM"
"han0s for that i*portant tid,it of infor*ation."
"Loo0/ the sages are not e1tre*e people. All of their )isdo*
)as ,ased on the ageless principle that -one *ust live a life of
*oderation and do nothing to e1tre*es.- &o if you li0e *eat/ you
can certainly 0eep eating it. .ust re*e*,er that you are
ingesting dead food. !f you can/ cut ,ac0 on the a*ount of red
*eat that you eat. !t is really hard to digest and since your
digestive syste* is one of the *ost energy3consu*ing processes
of your entire ,ody/ valua,le energy reserves are needlessly
depleted ,y this foodstuff. %o you see )hat !-* getting atM .ust
co*pare ho) you feel after eating a stea0 )ith your energy
levels after eating a salad. !f you don-t )ant to ,eco*e a strict
vegetarian/ at least start having a
salad )ith every *eal and fruit for dessert. Even this )ill *a0e a
huge difference in the @uality of your physical life."
"hat doesn-t see* li0e it )ould ,e too hard to do/" ! replied.
"!-ve ,een hearing a lot a,out the po)er of a largely vegetarian
diet. .ust last )ee0/ .enny told *e a,out a study in Finland
)here it )as found that thirty3eight percent of ne) vegetarians
studied reported that they felt far less tired and *uch *ore
alert after only seven *onths of this ne) )ay of life. ! should
try eating a salad )ith every *eal. Loo0ing at you/ .ulian/ !
*ight even *a0e the salad the *eal."
"ry it for a,out a *onth and Judge the results for yourself
#ou )ill feel pheno*enal."
"O0ay. !f it-s good enough for the sages/ it-s good enough for
*e. ! pro*ise you ! )ill give it a shot. !t doesn-t sound li0e too
*uch of a stretch/ and any)ay !-* getting pretty tired of firing
up the ,ar,e@ue every night."
"!f ! have sold you on the $itual of Live Nourish*ent/ !
thin0 you )ill love the fourth one."
"#our student is still holding his e*pty cup."
"he fourth ritual is 0no)n as the $itual of A,undant
Kno)ledge. !t centers around the )hole notion of lifelong
learning and e1panding your 0no)ledge ,ase for the good of
yourself and all those around you."
"he old -0no)ledge is po)er- ideaM"
"!t involves far *ore than that/ .ohn. Kno)ledge is only
potential po)er. For the po)er to ,e *anifested/ it *ust ,e
applied. Most people 0no) )hat they should do in any given
situation/ or in their lives for that *atter. he pro,le* is that
they don-t ta0e daily/ consistent action to apply the 0no)ledge
and reali6e their drea*s. he $itual of A,undant Kno)ledge
is all
a,out ,eco*ing a student of life. Even *ore i*portantly/ it
re@uires that you use )hat you have learned in the classroo* of
your e1istence."
"2hat did #ogi $a*an and the other sages do to live this
ritualM"
"hey had *any su,3rituals )hich they perfor*ed on a daily
,asis as a tri,ute to the $itual of A,undant Kno)ledge. One of
the *ost i*portant strategies is also one of the easiest. #ou can
even start doing it today."
"!t )on-t ta0e up too *uch ti*e/ )ill itM"
.ulian s*iled. "hese techni@ues/ tools and tips ! a* sharing
)ith you )ill *a0e you *ore productive and effective than you
have ever ,een. %on-t ,e penny )ise/ pound foolish."
"&ay )hatM"
"'onsider those )ho say that they do not have the ti*e to
,ac0 up their co*puters ,ecause they are too ,usy )or0ing on
the*. #et/ )hen those *achines crash and *onths of i*portant
)or0 is lost/ they regret not investing a fe) *o*ents a day in
saving it. %o you see *y pointM"
""et *y priorities straightM"
"E1actly. ry not to live your life ,ound ,y the shac0les of
your schedule. !nstead/ focus on those things that your
conscience and your heart tell you to do. 2hen you invest in
yourself and start to devote yourself to raising your *ind/ ,ody
and character to their highest levels/ you )ill al*ost feel as if
you have a personal navigator inside you/ telling you )hich
things you *ust do to see the greatest and *ost re)arding
results. #ou )ill stop )orrying a,out your cloc0 and start living
your life."
"7oint )ell ta0en. &o )hat )as that si*ple su,3ritual you
)ere a,out to teach *eM" ! as0ed.
"$ead regularly. $eading for thirty *inutes a day )ill do
)onders for you. But ! *ust caution you. %o not read Just
anything. #ou *ust ,e very selective a,out )hat you put into the
lush garden of your *ind. !t *ust ,e i**ensely nourishing.
Ma0e it so*ething that )ill i*prove ,oth you and the @uality of
your life."
"2hat did the sages readM"
"hey spent *any of their )a0ing *o*ents reading and re:
reading the ancient teachings of their ancestors. hey devoured
this philosophical literature. ! still re*e*,er seeing these
)onderful loo0ing people seated on little ,a*,oo chairs reading
their strangely ,ound ,oo0s )ith the su,tle s*iles of
enlighten*ent unfolding across their lips. !t )as in &ivana that !
really learned the po)er of the ,oo0 and the principle that a
,oo0 is the ,est friend of the )ise."
"&o ! should start reading every good ,oo0 ! can get *y
hands onM"
"#es and no/" ca*e the reply. "! )ould never tell you not to
read as *any ,oo0s as you can. But re*e*,er/ so*e ,oo0s are
*eant to ,e tasted/ so*e ,oo0s are *eant to ,e che)ed and/
finally/ so*e ,oo0s are *eant to ,e s)allo)ed )hole. 2hich
,rings *e to another point."
"#ou-re feeling hungryM"
"No/ .ohn/" .ulian laughed. "! si*ply )ant to tell you that to
truly get the ,est out of a great ,oo0/ you *ust study it/ not Just
read it. "o through it as you do )hen you read those contracts
your ,ig clients ,ring to you for your legal opinion. $eally
consider it/ )or0 )ith it/ ,eco*e one )ith it. he sages )ould
read *any of the ,oo0s of )isdo* in their vast li,rary ten or
fifteen ti*es. hey treated great ,oo0s as scriptures/ holy
docu*ents of divine origin."
"2o). $eading is really that i*portantM"
"hirty *inutes a day )ill *a0e a delightful difference in your
life ,ecause you )ill @uic0ly start to see the vast reserves of
0no)ledge availa,le for your use. Every ans)er to every pro,le*
you have ever faced is in print. !f you )ant to ,e a ,etter la)yer/
father/ friend or lover/ there are ,oo0s out there that )ill roc0et
you to those goals. All the *ista0es you )ill ever *a0e in your
life have already ,een *ade ,y those that have )al0ed ,efore
you. %o you really thin0 that the challenges you are facing are
uni@ue to youM" "!-ve never thought a,out it/ .ulian. But ! see
)hat you are
saying/ and ! 0no) you are right."
"All the pro,le*s anyone has ever/ and )ill ever face over the
course of their lifeti*e have already ,een *ade/" .ulian asserted.
"More i*portantly/ the ans)ers and solutions are all recorded on
the pages of ,oo0s. $ead the right ,oo0s. Learn ho) those )ho
have preceded you have handled the challenges you are currently
facing. Apply their strategies for success and you )ill ,e
astonished ,y the i*prove*ents you )ill note in your life."
"2hat e1actly are -the right ,oo0sM-" ! as0ed/ @uic0ly
reali6ing that .ulian-s point )as an e1cellent one.
"!-ll leave that to your good Judg*ent *y friend. 7ersonally/
since ! have returned fro* the East/ ! spend the ,etter part of
*y days reading ,iographies of the *en and )o*en ! have
co*e to ad*ire and a great deal of the )isdo* of literature."
"Any titles you could reco**end to an eager young ,eaverM"
! said/ flashing a ,road grin.
"&ure. #ou )ill thrive on the ,iography of the great
A*erican/ BenJa*in Fran0lin. ! thin0 you )ill also find *uch
gro)th i*petus fro* Mahat*a "andhi-s auto,iography entitled
The Stor) of M) ',peri#ents with Truth8 ! also suggest that you
read Siddhartha
,y (er*ann (esse/ the highly practical philosophy of Marcus
Aurelius and so*e of the )or0 of &eneca. #ou *ight even read
Think and Grow Rich ,y Napoleon (ill. ! read it last )ee0 and
thought it )as very profound."
"Think and Grow Rich/" ! e1clai*ed. "But ! thought you left
all of that ,ehind you after your heart attac0. !-* really sic0 and
tired of all the -*a0e3*oney3fast *anuals- that are ,eing peddled
out there ,y sna0e3oil sales*en preying on the )ea0."
"Easy/ ,ig fella5 ! couldn-t agree )ith you *ore/" offered
.ulian )ith all the )ar*th and patience of a )ise/ loving
grandfather. "! too )ant to restore the character ethic to our
society. hat little ,oo0 is not a,out *a0ing a lot of *oney/ it is
a,out *a0ing a lot of life. ! )ill ,e the first to tell you that there
is a huge difference ,et)een )ell3,eing and ,eing )ell off. !-ve
lived it and 0no) the pain of a *oney3driven life. Think and
Grow Rich is a,out a,undance/ including spiritual a,undance/
and ho) to attract all that is good into your life. #ou *ight do
)ell to read it. But ! )ill not press the point."
"&orry .ulian/ ! didn-t *ean to sound li0e an aggressive
litigator/" ! offered apologetically. "! guess *y te*per gets the
,etter of *e so*eti*es. One *ore thing ! need to i*prove. !
really a* grateful for all that you are sharing )ith *e."
"No pro,le*/ )ater under the ,ridge. My point si*ply is
read and 0eep reading. %o you )ant to 0no) so*ething else
interestingM"
"2hatM"
"!t-s not )hat you )ill get out of the ,oo0s that is so
enriching
+ it is )hat the ,oo0s )ill get out of you that )ill ulti*ately
change your life. #ou see/ .ohn/ ,oo0s do not actually teach you
anything ne)."
"$eallyM"
"$eally. Boo0s si*ply help you to see )hat is already )ithin
your self. hat-s )hat enlighten*ent is all a,out. After all *y
Journeying and e1ploring ! found that ! have actually co*e full
circle ,ac0 to the point fro* )hich ! started as a young ,oy. But
no) ! 0no) *yself and all that ! a* and can ,e.
"&o the $itual of A,undant Kno)ledge is all a,out reading
and e1ploring the )ealth of infor*ation out thereM"
"7artly. For no)/ read thirty *inutes a day. he rest )ill
co*e naturally/" .ulian said )ith a hint of *ystery.
"O0ay/ )hat-s the Fifth $itual of $adiant LivingM"
"!t is the $itual of 7ersonal $eflection. he sages )ere fir*
,elievers in the po)er of inner conte*plation. By ta0ing the ti*e
to get to 0no) yourself/ you )ill connect to a di*ension of your
,eing that you never 0ne) you had."
"&ounds pretty deep."
"!t-s actually a very practical concept. #ou see/ )e all have
*any sleeping talents inside of us. By ta0ing the ti*e to get to
0no) the*/ )e 0indle the*. (o)ever/ silent conte*plation )ill
deliver even *ore than this. his practice )ill *a0e you
stronger/ *ore at ease )ith yourself and )iser. !t is a very
re)arding use of your *ind."
"!-* still a little fu66y on the concept/ .ulian."
"Fair enough. !t )as also foreign to *e )hen ! first heard it.
Boiled do)n to its ,asic for*/ personal reflection is nothing *ore
than the ha,it of thin0ing."
"But don-t )e all thin0M !sn-t that part of ,eing hu*anM"
"2ell/ *ost of us do thin0. he pro,le* is that *ost people
thin0 Just enough to survive. 2hat ! a* spea0ing a,out )ith this
ritual is thin0ing enough to thrive. 2hen you read Ben Fran0lin-s
,iography you )ill see )hat ! *ean. Every evening/ after a full
day of productive )or0/ he )ould retire to a silent corner of his
ho*e and reflect on his day. (e )ould consider all of his
actions and )hether they )ere positive and constructive or
)hether they )ere of the negative sort/ in need of repair. By
clearly 0no)ing )hat he )as doing )rong in his days/ he could
ta0e i**ediate steps to i*prove and advance along the path of
self3*astery. he sages did the sa*e. Every night/ they )ould
retire to the sanctuary of their huts covered ,y fragrant rose
petals and sit in deep conte*plation. #ogi $a*an )ould actually
ta0e a )ritten inventory of his day."
"2hat 0inds of things )ould he )rite do)nM" ! as0ed.
"First he )ould list all of his activities/ fro* the personal
care activities of his *orning to his interactions )ith the other
sages to his forays into the forest in search of fire)ood and
fresh food. !nterestingly/ he )ould also )rite do)n the thoughts
he had run through his *ind during that particular day."
"!sn-t that hard to doM ! can hardly re*e*,er )hat ! thought
five *inutes ago let alone t)elve hours ago."
"Not if you practice this ritual daily. #ou see/ anyone can
attain the 0ind of results ! have attained. Anyone. he real
pro,le* is that too *any people suffer fro* that dreadful
disease 0no)n as e,cusitus8"
"! thin0 ! *ight have contracted that one in the past/" ! said
in full 0no)ledge of )hat *y )ise friend )as saying.
"&top *a0ing e1cuses and Just do it5" .ulian e1clai*ed/ his
voice resonating )ith the strength of conviction.
"%o )hatM"
"a0e the ti*e to thin0. "et into the regular ha,it of personal
introspection. Once #ogi $a*an had listed all that he had done
and all that he had thought in one colu*n/ he )ould then do
an
assess*ent in another colu*n. As he )as confronted ,y his
activities and thoughts in the )ritten for*/ he as0ed hi*self
)hether they )ere positive in nature. !f they )ere/ he resolved
to continue giving his precious energy to the*/ as they )ould
pay huge dividends in the long run."
"And if they )ere negativeM"
"hen he )ould co*e up )ith a clear course of action to get
rid of the*."
"! thin0 an e1a*ple *ight help *e."
"'an it ,e personalM" .ulian as0ed.
"&ure/ !-d love to 0no) so*e of your inner*ost thoughts/" !
suggested.
"Actually/ ! )as thin0ing a,out yours."
2e ,oth started to giggle li0e a couple of 0ids in a
schoolyard. "Oh/ alright. #ou al)ays did get your )ay."
"O0ay let-s go through Just a fe) of the things that you did
today. 2rite the* do)n on that piece of paper on the coffee
ta,le/" .ulian instructed.
! started to reali6e that so*ething i*portant )as a,out to
happen. his )as the first ti*e in years that ! had actually ta0en
the ti*e to do nothing ,ut reflect on the things ! )as doing and
the thoughts that ! )as thin0ing. !t )as all so strange and yet
so intelligent. After all/ ho) could ! ever hope to i*prove *yself
and *y life if ! hadn-t even ta0en the ti*e to figure out )hat !
)as supposed to i*proveM"
"2here do ! startM" ! as0ed.
"&tart )ith )hat you did this *orning and progress through
your day. .ust hit a fe) of the highlights/ )e still have a fair
a*ount of ground to cover and ! )ant to get ,ac0 to #ogi
$a*an-s fa,le in a fe) *inutes."
"Fine. ! )o0e up at si13thirty to the sound of *y electric
rooster/" ! Jo0ed.
""et serious and 0eep going/" .ulian replied fir*ly.
"O0ay. hen ! sho)ered and shaved/ go,,led do)n a )affle
and rushed off to )or0."
"And )hat a,out your fa*ilyM"
"hey )ere all asleep. Any)ay/ once ! got to the office/ !
noticed that *y seven3thirty appoint*ent had ,een )aiting there
since seven/ and ,oy/ )as he furious5"
"2hat )as your responseM"
"! fought ,ac0/ )hat )as ! supposed to do/ let hi* push *e
aroundM"
"(**. O0ay. hen )hat happenedM"
"2ell/ things )ent fro* ,ad to )orse. he courthouse called
and told *e that .udge 2ilda,est needed to see *e in his
cha*,ers and if ! )asn-t there )ithin ten *inutes/ -heads )ould
roll.- #ou re*e*,er 2ilda,est don-t youM #ou )ere the one )ho
nic0na*ed hi* .udge 2ild Beast after he held you in conte*pt
for par0ing your Ferrari in his par0ing spot5" ! recalled/
,rea0ing into laughter.
"#ou )ould have to ,ring that up/ )ouldn-t youM" .ulian
replied/ his eyes revealing the re*nants of that *ischievous
t)in0le he )as once )ell 0no)n for.
"Any)ay ! rushed do)n to the courthouse and had another
argu*ent )ith one of the cler0s. By the ti*e ! got ,ac0 to the
office/ there )ere t)enty3seven phone *essages )aiting for *e/
all *ar0ed -urgent.- Need ! go onM"
"7lease do."
"2ell on the )ay ho*e/ .enny called *e in the car and as0ed
*e to stop ,y her *other-s house and pic0 up one of those
a*a6ing
pies *y *other3in3la) is fa*ous for. 7ro,le* )as that )hen !
too0 that e1it/ ! found *yself in the *iddle of a gridloc0 that )as
)orse than anything ! have seen in ages. &o there ! )as/ in the
*iddle of rush3hour traffic/ in ninety3five3degree heat/ sha0ing
)ith stress and feeling that even *ore ti*e )as slipping a)ay."
"(o) did you respondM"
"! cursed the traffic/" ! said )ith co*plete honesty. "! )as
actually shouting out loud inside *y car. %o you )ant to 0no)
)hat ! saidM"
"! don-t thin0 that )ould ,e the 0ind of thing that )ould
nourish the garden of *y *ind/" .ulian responded )ith a soft
s*ile.
"But it *ight *a0e for good fertili6er."
"No than0s. May,e )e should stop there. .ust ta0e a second
and loo0 at your day. O,viously/ in retrospect/ there are at least a
fe) things that you )ould do differently if you had the chance."
"O,viously."
"Li0e )hatM"
"(**. 2ell/ first/ in a perfect )orld ! )ould get up earlier. !
don-t thin0 !-* doing *yself any favors ,y hitting the ground
running. !-d li0e to have a little peace in the *orning and ease
*yself into the day. he (eart of the $ose techni@ue you told *e
a,out earlier sounds li0e it )ould ,e fun. Also/ ! really )ould li0e
to have the fa*ily around the ,rea0fast ta,le/ even if only for a
,o)l of cereal. !t )ould give *e a ,etter sense of ,alance. !
al)ays see* to feel that ! never spend enough ti*e )ith .enny
and the 0ids."
"But it is a perfect )orld/ and you have a perfect life. #ou do
have the po)er to control your day. #ou do have the po)er to
thin0 good thoughts. #ou do have the po)er to live your
drea*s5" .ulian o,served/ his voice rising.
"! a* reali6ing this. ! really a* starting to feel that ! can
change."
""reat. 'ontinue reflecting on your day/" he instructed.
"2ell/ ! )ish ! hadn-t yelled at *y client. ! )ish ! hadn-t
argued )ith the court cler0 and ! )ish ! hadn-t screa*ed at the
traffic."
"he traffic doesn-t care/ does itM"
"!t Just 0eeps on ,eing traffic/" ! noted.
"! thin0 you no) see the po)er of the $itual of 7ersonal
$eflection. By loo0ing at )hat you are doing/ ho) you are
spending your day and the thoughts you are thin0ing/ you give
yourself a ,ench*ar0 for *easuring i*prove*ent. he only )ay
to i*prove to*orro) is to 0no) )hat you did )rong today."
"And co*e up )ith a clear plan so that it doesn-t happen
againM" ! added.
"7recisely. here is nothing )rong )ith *a0ing *ista0es.
Mista0es are part of life and essential for gro)th. !t-s li0e that
saying/ -(appiness co*es through good Judg*ent/ good
Judg*ent co*es through e1perience/ and e1perience co*es
through ,ad Judg*ent.- But there is so*ething very )rong )ith
*a0ing the sa*e *ista0es over and over again/ day in and day
out. his sho)s a co*plete lac0 of self3a)areness/ the very
@uality that separates hu*ans fro* ani*als."
"!-ve never heard that one ,efore."
"2ell it-s true. Only a hu*an ,eing can step out of hi*self
and analy6e )hat he is doing right and )hat he is doing )rong.
A dog cannot do this. A ,ird cannot do this. Even a *on0ey
cannot do it. But you can. his is )hat the $itual of 7ersonal
$eflection is all a,out. Figure out )hat is right and )hat is
)rong in your days and in your life. hen set a,out *a0ing
i**ediate i*prove*ents."
"Lots to thin0 a,out/ .ulian. Lots to thin0 a,out/" ! offered
reflectively.
"(o) a,out thin0ing a,out the &i1th $itual for $adiant
Living; the $itual of Early A)a0ening."
"Uh3oh. ! thin0 ! 0no) )hat-s co*ing."
"One of the ,est pieces of advice ! learned in that far3off oasis
of &ivana )as to rise )ith the sun and to start the day off )ell.
Most of us sleep far *ore than )e need to. he average person
can get ,y on si1 hours + and re*ain perfectly healthy and
alert. &leep is really nothing *ore than a ha,it and li0e any other
ha,it/ you can train yourself to achieve the result you )antK
sleeping less in this case."
"But if ! get up too early/ ! really do feel e1hausted/" ! said.
"For the first fe) days/ you )ill feel very tired. !-ll freely
ad*it
this. #ou *ight even feel this )ay for the first )ee0 of getting up
nice and early. 7lease see this as a s*all *easure of short3ter*
pain for a large *easure of long3ter* gain. #ou )ill al)ays feel a
little disco*fort )hen you are installing a ne) ha,it. !t-s sort of
li0e ,rea0ing in a ne) pair of shoes + at first it-s a little hard to
)ear the* ,ut soon they fit li0e a glove. As ! told you earlier/
pain is often the precursor to personal gro)th. %on-t dread it
!nstead/ e*,race it."
"O0ay/ ! li0e the idea of training *yself to get up earlier.
First/ let *e as0 you )hat does -early- *eanM"
"Another fine @uestion. here is no ideal ti*e. .ust li0e
everything else ! have shared )ith you so far/ do )hat is right for
you. $e*e*,er #ogi $a*an-s ad*onish*ent; -nothing to
e1tre*es/ everything in *oderation.-"
""etting up )ith the sun sounds e1tre*e."
"Actually it isn-t. here are fe) things *ore natural than
rising
)ith the glory of the first rays of a ne) day. he sages ,elieved
that sunshine )as a gift fro* (eaven and )hile they )ere
careful not to overe1pose the*selves/ they regularly had
sun,aths and often could ,e seen dancing playfully in the early
*orning sunshine. ! fir*ly ,elieve that this )as another 0ey to
their e1traordinary longevity."
"%o you sun,atheM" ! as0ed.
"A,solutely. he sun reJuvenates *e. 2hen ! gro) tired it
0eeps *y *ood ,right. !n the ancient culture of the East/ the
sun )as thought to ,e a connection to the soul. 7eople
)orshipped it as it allo)ed their crops to flourish along )ith
their spirits. &unlight )ill release your vitality and restore your
e*otional and physical vi,rancy. !t is a delightful physician/
)hen visited in *oderation of course. Alas/ ! digress. he point
is to get up early/ every day."
"(**. (o) do ! ,uild this ritual into *y routineM"
"(ere are a couple of @uic0 tips. First/ never forget that it is
the @uality and not the @uantity of sleep that is i*portant. !t is
,etter to have si1 hours of uninterrupted deep sleep than even
ten hours of distur,ed sleep. he )hole idea is to provide your
,ody )ith rest so that its natural processes can repair and
restore your physical di*ension to its natural state of health/ a
state that is di*inished through the stresses and struggles of
daily use. Many of the ha,its of the sages are ,ased on the
principle that one *ust strive for @uality rest rather than
@uantity sleep. For e1a*ple/ "#ogi $a*an )ould never eat
after I;99 p.*. (e said that the digestive activity it induced
)ould reduce the @uality of his sleep. Another e1a*ple )as the
sages- ha,it of *editating to the soft sounds of their harp
i**ediately ,efore heading off to sleep."
"2hat )as the reason ,ehind thisM"
"Let *e as0 you/ .ohn. 2hat do you do ,efore you go to
sleep every nightM"
"! )atch the ne)s )ith .enny/ the sa*e as *ost people !
0no)." "! 0ind of thought so/" replied .ulian/ )ith a
*ysterious
t)in0le in his eyes.
"! don-t get it. 2hat could possi,ly ,e )rong )ith getting a
little shot of the ne)s ,efore ! go to sleepM"
"he ten3*inute period ,efore you sleep and the ten3*inute
period after you )a0e up are profoundly influential on your
su,conscious *ind. Only the *ost inspiring and serene thoughts
should ,e progra**ed into your *ind at those ti*es."
"#ou *a0e the *ind sound li0e a co*puter."
"hat-s a pretty fair )ay to loo0 at it + )hat you put in is
)hat you get out. Even *ore i*portant is the fact that you alone
are the progra**er. By deter*ining the thoughts that go in/ you
also are deter*ining precisely )hat )ill co*e out. &o/ ,efore
you go to sleep/ don-t )atch the ne)s or argue )ith anyone or
even go over the day-s events in your *ind-s eye. $ela1. %rin0 a
cup of her,al tea/ if you li0e. Listen to so*e soft classical
*usic and prepare yourself to drift off into a rich/ rene)ing
slu*,er."
"!t *a0es sense. he ,etter the sleep/ the less ! )ill need."
"E1actly. And re*e*,er the Ancient $ule of )enty3one; if
you do anything for t)enty3one days in a ro)/ it )ill ,e installed
as
a ha,it. &o stay )ith the early3rising routine for a,out three
)ee0s ,efore you give up ,ecause it feels too unco*forta,le. By
then it )ill ,e a part of your life. 2ithin short order you )ill ,e
a,le to rise at A;89 a.*. or even at A;99 a.*. )ith ease/ ready
to savor the splendor of another great day."
"O0ay/ so let-s say that ! a* getting up every day at five3
thirty. 2hat do ! doM"
"#our @uestions sho) that you are thin0ing/ *y friend. !
appreciate this. Once you are up/ there are *any things you can
do. he funda*ental principle to 0eep in *ind is the i*portance
of startin( )our da) off well8 As !-ve suggested/ the thoughts
you thin0 and the actions you ta0e in the first ten *inutes after
you )a0e up have a very *ar0ed effect on the rest of your day."
"&eriouslyM"
"A,solutely. hin0 positive thoughts. "ive a prayer of than0s
for all you have. 2or0 on your gratitude list. Listen to so*e
great *usic. 2atch the sun co*e up/ or perhaps go for a @uic0
)al0 in natural surroundings if you feel up to it. he sages )ould
actually *a0e the*selves laugh )hether they felt li0e it or not/
Just to get the -happiness Juices- flo)ing early in the *orning."
".ulian/ ! a* trying very hard to 0eep *y cup e*pty + and
! thin0 you )ill agree that !-ve done pretty )ell for a novice.
But that really sounds odd/ even for a ,and of *on0s living high
in the (i*alayas."
"But it is not. a0e a guess ho) *any ti*es the average
four3 year3old laughs in a day."
"2ho 0no)sM"
"! do/ three hundred. No) guess ho) *any ti*es the
average adult in our society laughs in the course of a day."
"FiftyM" ! tried.
"ry fifteen/" .ulian said/ s*iling in satisfaction. "#ou see *y
pointM Laughing is *edicine for the soul. Even if you don-t feel
li0e it/ loo0 in the *irror and laugh for a couple of *inutes. #ou
can-t help ,ut feel fantastic. 2illia* .a*es said/ -2e don-t laugh
,ecause )e are happy. 2e are happy ,ecause )e laugh.- &o start
your day on a delightful footing. Laugh/ play and give than0s for
all you have. Every day )ill ,e an e1@uisitely re)arding one."
"2hat do you do to start your day off on a positive footingM"
"Actually/ ! have developed @uite a sophisticated *orning
routine )hich includes everything fro* the (eart of the $ose to
drin0ing a couple of glasses of freshly s@uee6ed fruit Juice. But
there is one strategy in particular )hich ! )ould li0e to share
)ith you."
"&ounds i*portant."
"!t is. &hortly after you have a)a0ened/ go into your
sanctuary of silence. "et still and focused. hen as0 yourself
this @uestion;
-2hat )ould ! do today if today )as *y lastM- he 0ey is to
really get into the *eaning of this @uestion. Mentally list all the
things you )ould do/ the people you )ould call and the
*o*ents you )ould savor. Envision yourself doing these things
)ith great energy. 4isuali6e ho) you )ould treat your fa*ily
and your friends. Even picture ho) you )ould treat total
strangers if today )as your last day on the planet. As ! told you
earlier/ )hen you live every day as if it )as your last/ your life
)ill ta0e on a *agical @uality.
"And this ,rings *e to the seventh of the $ituals of $adiant
Living; the $itual of Music."
"! thin0 !-* going to love this one/" ! replied.
"!-* sure you )ill. he sages loved their *usic. !t gave the*
the sa*e spiritual ,oost as the sun did. Music *ade the* laugh/
it *ade the* dance and it *ade the* sing. !t )ill do the sa*e
for you. Never forget the po)er of *usic. &pend a little ti*e
)ith it every day/ even if it is listening to a soft piece on a
cassette )hile you drive to )or0. 2hen you feel do)n or )eary/
play so*e *usic. !t is one of the finest *otivators ! 0no) of."
"Aside fro* yourself5" ! e1clai*ed sincerely. ".ust listening to
you *a0es *e feel great. #ou really have changed/ .ulian/ and
not
Just on the outside. "one is your old cynicis*. "one is your
for*er negativity. "one is your old aggressiveness. #ou really do
see* to ,e at peace )ith yourself. #ou have touched *e tonight."
"(ey/ there-s *ore5" shouted .ulian )ith his fist in the air.
"Let-s 0eep going."
"! )ouldn-t have it any other )ay."
"O0ay. he eighth ritual is the $itual of the &po0en 2ord.
he sages had a series of *antras )hich they )ould recite
*orning/ noon and night. hey told *e that this practice )as
i**ensely effective in 0eeping the* focused/ strong and happy."
"2hat-s a *antraM" ! as0ed.
"A *antra is nothing *ore than a collection of )ords strung
together to create a positive effect. !n &ans0rit/ -*an- *eans
-*ind- and -tra- *eans -freeing.- &o a *antra is a phrase )hich is
designed to free the *ind. And/ ,elieve *e/ .ohn/ *antras
acco*plish this o,Jective in a very po)erful )ay."
"Are you using *antras in your daily routineM"
"! sure a*. hey are *y faithful co*panions )herever ! go.
2hether ! a* on the ,us/ )al0ing to the li,rary or )atching the
)orld go ,y in a par0/ ! a* constantly affir*ing all that is good
in *y )orld through *antras."
"&o *antras are spo0enM"
"hey do not have to ,e. 2ritten affir*ations are also very
effective. But ! have found that repeating a *antra aloud has a
)onderful effect on *y spirit. 2hen ! need to feel *otivated/ !
*ight repeat/ -! a* inspired/ disciplined and energi6ed- out loud
t)o or three hundred ti*es. o *aintain the supre*e sense of
self3confidence ! have cultivated/ ! repeat/ -! a* strong/ a,le and
cal*.- ! even use *antras to 0eep *e youthful and vital/" .ulian
ad*itted.
"(o) could a *antra 0eep you youngM"
"2ords affect the *ind in a pronounced )ay. 2hether they
are spo0en or )ritten/ they are po)erful influences. 2hile )hat
you say to others is i*portant/ even *ore i*portant is )hat you
say to yourself."
"&elf3tal0M"
"E1actly. #ou are )hat you thin0 a,out all day long. #ou are
also )hat you say to yourself all day long. !f you say that you
are old and tired/ this *antra )ill ,e *anifested in your e1ternal
reality. !f you say you are )ea0 and lac0 enthusias*/ this too )ill
,e the nature of your )orld. But if you say that you are healthy/
dyna*ic and fully alive/ your life )ill ,e transfor*ed. #ou see/
the )ords you say to yourself affect your self3i*age and your
self3 i*age deter*ines )hat actions you ta0e. For e1a*ple/ if
your self3 i*age is one of a person )ho lac0s the confidence to
do anything of value/ you )ill only ,e a,le to ta0e actions
)hich are aligned )ith this trait. On the other hand/ if your
self3i*age is one of a radiant individual )ho is fearless/ again/
all your actions )ill correspond to this @uality. #our self3i*age is
a self3fulfilling prophecy of sorts."
"(o) soM"
"!f you ,elieve that you are una,le to do so*ething/ let-s say/
find that perfect partner or live a stress3free life/ your ,eliefs )ill
affect your self3i*age. !n turn/ your self3i*age )ill prevent you
fro* ta0ing steps to find the perfect partner or to create a serene
life for yourself. !t )ill actually sa,otage any efforts you *ight
*a0e in this direction."
"2hy does it )or0 this )ayM"
"&i*ple. #our self3i*age is a governor of sorts. !t )ill never
let you act in a )ay that is inconsistent )ith it. he ,eautiful
thing is
that you can change your self3i*age/ Just li0e you can change
everything else in your life if it is not serving to enhance it.
Mantras are a great )ay acco*plish this o,Jective."
"And )hen ! change *y inner )orld/ ! change *y outer
)orld/" ! said dutifully.
"My/ ho) @uic0ly you learn/" .ulian said/ giving *e the
thu*,s3up sign he had used so *uch in his for*er life as a star
litigator.
"2hich leads us into the Ninth $itual of $adiant Living @uite
nicely. his is the $itual of a 'ongruent 'haracter. !t is sort of
an off3shoot of the self3i*age concept )e )ere Just tal0ing
a,out. &i*ply stated/ this ritual re@uires you to ta0e daily/
incre*ental action to ,uild your character. &trengthening your
character affects the )ay you see yourself and the actions you
ta0e. he actions you ta0e co*e together to for* your ha,its
and/ this is i*portant/ your ha,its lead you to your destiny.
7erhaps #ogi $a*an articulated the for*ula ,est )hen he
stated; -#ou so) a thought/ you reap an action. $eap an action/
you so) a ha,it. &o) a ha,it/ you reap a character. &o) a
character/ you reap your destiny.-"
"2hat 0inds of things should ! do to ,uild *y characterM"
"Anything that cultivates your virtues. Before you as0 *e
)hat ! *ean ,y -virtues/- let *e clarify the concept. he )ise
people of the (i*alayas ,elieved strongly that a virtuous life
)as a *eaningful life. &o they governed all of their actions ,y a
series of ti*eless principles."
"But ! thought you said they governed their lives ,y their
purposeM"
"#es/ this is @uite so/ ,ut their life-s calling included living in
a *anner congruent to these principles/ ones that their
ancestors
held dear to their hearts for thousands of years."
"2hat are these principles/ .ulianM" ! as0ed.
"hey are/ si*ply stated; industry/ co*passion/ hu*ility/
patience/ honesty and courage. 2hen all your actions are
congruent and aligned )ith these principles/ you )ill feel a deep
sense of inner har*ony and peace. Living this )ay )ill
inevita,ly lead you to spiritual success. his is ,ecause you )ill
,e doing )hat is right. #ou )ill ,e acting in a )ay that is in
accordance )ith the la)s of nature and the la)s of the universe.
his is )hen you )ill start to tap into the energy of another
di*ension/ call it a higher po)er if you )ill. his is also )hen
your life )ill *ove fro* the ordinary into the real* of the
e1traordinary and you ,egin to sense the sacredness of your
,eing. !t is the first step to lifelong enlighten*ent."
"(ave you tasted this e1perienceM" ! as0ed.
"! have/ and ! ,elieve you )ill too. %o the right things. Act in
a )ay that is congruent )ith your true character. Act )ith
integrity. Be guided ,y your heart. he rest )ill ta0e care of
itself. #ou are never alone/ you 0no)/" replied .ulian.
"2hat do you *eanM"
"!-ll e1plain it to you another ti*e perhaps. For no)/
re*e*,er that you *ust do little things every day to ,uild your
character. As E*erson said; -'haracter is higher than intellect. A
great soul )ill ,e strong to live as )ell as to thin0.- #our
character is ,uilt )hen you act in a )ay that corresponds )ith
the principles !-ve Just *entioned. !f you fail to do this/ true
happiness )ill al)ays elude you."
"And the final ritualM"
"his is the all3i*portant $itual of &i*plicity. his ritual
re@uires you to live a si*ple life. As #ogi $a*an said -one *ust
never live in the thic0 of thin things. Focus only on your
priorities/ those activities )hich are truly *eaningful. #our life
)ill ,e uncluttered/ re)arding and e1ceptionally peaceful. his
! pro*ise you.-
"(e )as right. he *o*ent ! started to separate the )heat
fro* the chaff/ har*ony filled *y life. ! stopped living at the
frenetic pace to )hich ! had gro)n accusto*ed. ! stopped living
*y life in the eye of the tornado. !nstead/ ! slo)ed do)n and
too0 the ti*e to s*ell the prover,ial roses."
"2hat things did you do to cultivate si*plicityM"
"! stopped )earing e1pensive clothes/ ! 0ic0ed *y addiction to
si1 ne)spapers a day/ ! stopped needing to ,e availa,le to
everyone all the ti*e/ ! ,eca*e a vegetarian and ! ate less.
Basically/ ! reduced *y needs. #ou see/ .ohn/ unless you reduce
your needs/ you )ill never ,e fulfilled. #ou )ill al)ays ,e li0e that
ga*,ler in Las 4egas/ staying at the roulette )heel for -Just one
*ore spin- in the hope that your luc0y nu*,er )ill co*e up. #ou
)ill al)ays )ant *ore than you have. (o) can you ever ,e
happyM"
"But earlier you told *e that happiness co*es fro*
achieve*ent. No) you are telling *e to reduce *y needs and ,e
content )ith less. !sn-t this a parado1M"
"E1cellent point/ .ohn. Brilliant in fact. !t *ight see* li0e a
contradiction/ ,ut it isn-t. Lifelong happiness does co*e through
striving to reali6e your drea*s. #ou are at your ,est )hen you
are *oving for)ard. he 0ey is not to *a0e your happiness
contingent on finding that elusive pot of gold at the end of the
rain,o). For e1a*ple/ even though ! )as a *illionaire *any
ti*es over/ ! told *yself that success to *e *eant having three
hundred *illion dollars in *y ,an0 account. his )as a recipe for
disaster."
"hree hundred *illionM" ! as0ed in dis,elief.
"hree hundred *illion. &o no *atter ho) *uch ! had/ ! )as
never satisfied. ! )as al)ays unhappy. !t )as nothing *ore than
greed. ! can no) ad*it this freely. !t )as *uch li0e the story of
King Midas. !-* sure you have heard that oneM"
"&ure. he *an )ho loved gold so *uch he prayed that
everything he touched )ould turn to gold. 2hen his )ish )as
granted he reJoiced. hat )as until he reali6ed that he couldn-t
eat ,ecause his food had turned to gold and so on/ so forth."
"$ight. &i*ilarly/ ! )as so *oney3driven that ! couldn-t enJoy
all that ! had. #ou 0no) there ca*e a ti*e )hen all that ! could
eat )as ,read and )ater/" .ulian said/ gro)ing very @uiet and
pensive. "Are you seriousM ! al)ays thought you ate at the
,est
restaurants )ith all those cele,rity friends of yours."
"hat )as in the early days. Not *any people 0no) a,out
this/ ,ut the ,urden of *y out3of3control lifestyle gave *e a
,leeding ulcer. ! couldn-t even eat a hot dog )ithout getting sic0.
2hat a life5 All that *oney and all ! could eat )as ,read and
)ater. !t )as pathetic really." .ulian caught hi*self "But !-* not
one to live in the past. !t )as another one of life-s great lessons.
As ! told you earlier/ pain is a po)erful teacher. o transcend
pain/ ! had to first e1perience it. ! )ouldn-t ,e )here ! a* today
)ithout it/" he said stoically.
"Any ideas on )hat ! should do to ,ring the $itual of
&i*plicity into *y o)n lifeM" ! as0ed.
"here are so *any things you can do. Even little things
)ill *a0e a difference."
"Li0e )hatM"
"&top pic0ing up the phone every ti*e it rings/ stop )asting
ti*e reading Jun0 *ail/ stop eating out three ti*es a )ee0/ give
up your golf3clu, *e*,ership and spend *ore ti*e )ith your
0ids/
spend a day a )ee0 )ithout your )atch/ )atch the sun rise
every fe) days/ sell your cellular phone and du*p the pager.
Need ! continueM" .ulian as0ed rhetorically.
"! get the point. But sell the cell phoneM" ! as0ed an1iously/
feeling as a ,a,y *ight at the doctor-s suggestion that his
u*,ilical cord should ,e cut.
"Li0e !-ve said/ *y duty is to share the )isdo* ! have
learned through *y Journey )ith you. #ou need not apply every
strategy to *a0e your life )or0. ry the techni@ues and use
those that feel right to you."
"! 0no). Nothing to e1tre*es/ everything in
*oderation." "7recisely."
"! have to ad*it though/ every one of your strategies sounds
great. But )ill they really ,ring a,out profound shifts in *y life
in only thirty daysM"
"!t )ill ta0e even less than thirty days + and even *ore/"
said
.ulian/ )ith his trade*ar0 loo0 of di*pled
*ischievousness. "(ere )e go again. %o e1plain/ O
2ise One."
"-.ulian- )ill ,e fine/ although -2ise One- )ould have loo0ed
for*ida,le on *y old letterhead/" he Jo0ed. "! say it )ill ta0e
less than thirty days ,ecause true life change is spontaneous."
"&pontaneousM"
"#es/ it happens in the ,lin0 of an eye/ the very *o*ent you
decide fro* the deepest core of your ,eing that you )ill raise
your life to its highest level. !n that instant/ you )ill ,e a
changed person/ one set on the course of his destiny."
"And )hy longer than thirty daysM"
"! pro*ise you that ,y practicing these strategies and tools/
you )ill see *ar0ed i*prove*ents in one *onth fro* this
*o*ent. #ou )ill have *ore energy/ less )orries/ *ore
creativity
and less stress in every aspect of your life. (aving said this/ the
sages- *ethods are not of the @uic03fi1 0ind. hey are ageless
traditions )hich are *eant to ,e applied daily/ for the rest of
your days. !f you stop applying the*/ you )ill find that you
)ill gradually slide ,ac0 into your old )ays."
After .ulian had e1plained the en $ituals for $adiant Living
to *e/ he paused. "! 0no) that you )ant *e to 0eep going so !
)ill. ! ,elieve so strongly in )hat ! a* sharing )ith you that !
don-t *ind 0eeping you up all night. 7erhaps this is a good ti*e
to get a little deeper."
"2hat e1actly do you *eanM ! thin0 all that ! have heard
tonight is pretty deep/" ! said in surprise.
"he secrets ! have e1plained )ill allo) you and all those you
co*e into contact )ith to create the lives you desire. But there is
*uch *ore to the philosophy of the &ages of &ivana than *eets
the eye. 2hat ! have taught you up to no) has ,een i**ensely
practical. But you *ust 0no) so*ething of the underlying
spiritual current )hich flo)s through the principles ! have
outlined. !f you do not understand )hat ! a* spea0ing a,out/
don-t )orry at this point. &i*ply ta0e it in and che) on it for a
)hile/ you can digest it later."
"2hen the student is ready/ the teacher )ill appearM"
"7recisely/" said .ulian/ no) s*iling. "#ou al)ays )ere a
@uic0 study."
"O0ay/ let-s hear the spiritual stuff/" ! said energetically/
una)are that it )as nearly t)o3thirty in the *orning.
"2ithin you lies the sun/ the *oon/ the s0y and all the
)onders of this universe. he intelligence that created these
)onders is the sa*e force that created you. All things around
you co*e fro* the sa*e source. 2e are all one."
"!-* not sure ! follo) you."
"Every ,eing on this Earth/ every o,Ject on this Earth has a
soul. All souls flo) into one/ this is the &oul of the Universe. #ou
see/ .ohn/ )hen you nourish your o)n *ind and your o)n spirit/
you are really feeding the &oul of the Universe. 2hen you
i*prove yourself/ you are i*proving the lives of all those around
you. And )hen you have the courage to advance confidently in
the direction of your drea*s/ you ,egin to dra) upon the po)er
of the universe. As ! told you earlier/ life gives you )hat you as0
of it. !t is al)ays listening."
"&o self3*astery and kai?en )ill help *e help others ,y
helping *e help *yselfM"
"&o*ething li0e that. As you enrich your *ind/ as you care
for your ,ody and as you nurture your spirit/ you )ill co*e to
understand e1actly )hat ! a* saying."
".ulian. ! 0no) you *ean )ell. But self3*astery is a pretty
high ideal for a B=A3pound fa*ily *an )ho/ up to no)/ has spent
*ore ti*e on client develop*ent than personal develop*ent.
2hat happens if ! failM"
"Failure is not having the courage to try/ nothing *ore and
nothing less. he only thing standing ,et)een *ost people and
their drea*s is the fear of failure. #et failure is essential to
success in any endeavor. Failure tests us and allo)s us to gro). !t
offers us lessons and guides us along the path of enlighten*ent.
he teachers of the East say that every arro) that hits the ,ull-s
eye is the result of one hundred *isses. !t is a funda*ental La)
of Nature to profit through loss. Never fear failure. Failure is your
friend."
"E*,race failureM" ! as0ed in dis,elief
"he universe favors the ,rave. 2hen you resolve/ once and
for all/ to lift your life to its highest level/ the strength of your
soul
)ill guide you. #ogi $a*an ,elieved that everyone-s destiny )as
laid out for the* at ,irth. his path al)ays leads to a *agical
place filled )ith *agnificent treasures. !t )as up to each
individual to develop the courage to )al0 this )ay. here is a
story he shared )ith *e that ! )ould li0e to pass on to you.
Once/ in ancient !ndia/ there )as an evil giant )ho o)ned a
*agnificent castle overloo0ing the sea. As the giant had ,een
a)ay for *any years fighting in )ars/ the children of the near,y
village used to co*e into the giant-s ,eautiful garden and play
)ith great delight. One day/ the giant returned and thre) all of
the young children out of his garden. -Never return here5- he
yelled as he sla**ed the huge oa0 door in disgust. (e then
erected a huge *ar,le )all around the garden to 0eep the
children out.
"2inter ca*e )ith ,itter cold )hich is native to the
northern*ost parts of the !ndian su,continent/ and the giant
)ished the )ar*th )ould soon return. &pring visited the village
)hich lay ,elo) the giant-s castle/ ,ut the icy cla)s of )inter
refused to leave his garden. hen/ one day/ the giant finally
s*elled the fragrances of &pring and felt the radiance of the sun
through his )indo)s. "&pring has finally returned5" he cried/
running out into the garden. But the giant )as unprepared for
the sight )hich greeted hi*. he children of the village had
so*eho) *anaged to cli*, over the castle )all and )ere playing
in the garden. !t )as ,ecause of their presence that the garden
had ,een transfor*ed fro* a )intry )asteland into a lush place
filled )ith roses/ daffodils and orchids. All the children laughed
and giggled )ith Joy/ ,ut one. Fro* the corner of his eye/ the
giant spotted a little ,oy )ho )as *uch s*aller than all the
other children. ears ran fro* his eyes as he did not have the
strength to cli*, the )all into the garden. he giant felt sad for
this ,oy and/ for the first ti*e in
his life/ regretted his evil )ays. -! )ill help this child/- he said/
running to)ards hi*. 2hen all the other children sa) the giant
co*ing/ they ran fro* the garden/ fearing for their lives. But the
tiny little ,oy stood his ground. -! )ill slay the giant/- he
sta**ered. -! )ill defend our playground.-
"As the giant approached the child/ he opened his ar*s. -! a*
a friend/- he said. -! have co*e to help you over the )all and into
the garden. his )ill ,e your garden no).-" he little ,oy/ no) a
hero a*ongst the children/ reJoiced in happiness and gave the
giant the golden nec0lace )hich he had al)ays )orn around his
nec0. -his is *y luc0y char*/- he said. -! )ant you to have it.-
"Fro* that day on/ the children played )ith the giant in his
)onderful garden. But the ,rave little ,oy )ho* the giant loved
the *ost never did return. As ti*e )ent on/ the giant gre) ill
and frail. he children continued to play in the garden ,ut the
giant no longer had the strength to 0eep the* co*pany. !n
those @uiet days/ it )as the little ,oy )ho the giant thought of
the *ost.
"One day/ in the *idst of a particularly ,itter )inter/ the
giant glanced out his )indo) and sa) a truly *iraculous sight;
though *ost of the garden )as covered in sno)/ at the center
of the garden there stood a *agnificent rose,ush overflo)ing
)ith spectacularly colored flo)ers. Ne1t to the roses stood the
little ,oy )ho the giant loved. he ,oy )as s*iling s)eetly. he
giant danced )ith delight and rushed outside to e*,race the
child.
-2here have you ,een all these years/ *y young friendM !-ve
*issed you )ith all *y heart.-
"he ,oy )as thoughtful in his response. -Many years ago
you lifted *e over the )all into your *agical garden. No)/ !
have co*e to ta0e you into *ine.- Later that day/ )hen the
children ca*e to visit the giant they found hi* lying lifeless on
the ground.
Fro* head to toe/ he )as covered ,y a thousand ,eautiful roses.
"Al)ays ,e ,rave/ .ohn/ li0e that little ,oy. &tand your
ground
and follo) your drea*s. hey )ill lead you to your destiny.
Follo) your destiny/ it )ill lead you into the )onders of the
universe. And al)ays follo) the )onders of the universe/ for they
)ill lead you to a special garden filled )ith roses."
As ! loo0ed over at .ulian to tell hi* that this story had
touched *e deeply/ ! sa) so*ething that startled *e; this roc03
hard legal gladiator )ho had spent the ,etter part of his life
defending the rich and fa*ous had started to )eep.
Chapter & Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
Pra!ti!e 0ai-en
)el%-Mastery is t # e ,1A o% li%e mastery
)u!!ess on t#e outside be&ins wit#i n
Enli&#tenment !omes t#rou&# t#e !onsistent !ultivation
o% your mind, body and soul
,o t # e "#in&s You +ear
"#e 23 An!ient *ituals %or *adiant Livin&
The "niverse favors the !rave8 When )ou resolve to lift )our life
to its hi(hest level, the stren(th of )our soul will (uide )ou to a
#a(ical place with #a(nificent treasures8
'(A7E$ EN
he 7o)er of %iscipline
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(ths9 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
2inston 'hurchill
.ulian continued to use #ogi $a*an-s *ystical fa,le as the
cornerstone for the )isdo* he )as sharing )ith *e. ! had
learned of the garden )ithin *y *ind/ a storehouse of po)er
and potential. hrough the sy*,ol of the lighthouse/ ! had
learned of the over3riding i*portance of a definite purpose in
life and the effectiveness of goal3setting. By the e1a*ple of the
nine3foot3tall/ nine3hundred3pound .apanese su*o )restler/ !
had received instruction on the ti*eless concept of kai?en and
the ,ountiful ,enefits that self3*astery )ould ,ring. Little did !
0no) that the ,est )as still to co*e.
"#ou )ill recall that our friend the su*o )restler )as star0
na0ed."
"E1cept for the pin0 )ire ca,le covering his private parts/" !
interJected ga*ely.
"$ight/" applauded .ulian. "he pin0 )ire ca,le )ill serve to
re*ind you of the po)er of self3control and discipline in ,uilding
a richer/ happier and *ore enlightened life. My teachers in
&ivana )ere undou,tedly the *ost healthy/ contented and serene
people ! have ever *et. hey )ere also the *ost disciplined.
hese sages taught *e that the virtue of self3discipline )as li0e
a )ire ca,le. (ave you ever really ta0en the ti*e to study a )ire
ca,le/ .ohnM"
"!t hasn-t ,een high on *y priority list/" ! confessed )ith a
@uic0 grin.
"2ell/ have a loo0 at one so*eti*e. #ou )ill see that it
consists of *any thin/ tiny )ires placed one on top of the other.
Alone/ each one is fli*sy and )ea0. But/ together/ their su* is
*uch greater than their constituent parts and the ca,le ,eco*es
tougher than iron. &elf3control and )illpo)er are si*ilar to this.
o ,uild a )ill of iron/ it is essential to ta0e s*all/ tiny acts in
tri,ute to the virtue of personal discipline. $outinely perfor*ed/
the little acts pile one on top of another to eventually produce
an a,undance of inner strength. 7erhaps the old African
prover, says it ,est; -2hen spider )e,s unite/ they tie up a
lion.- 2hen you li,erate your )illpo)er/ you ,eco*e the *aster
of your personal )orld. 2hen you continually practice the
ancient art of self3govern*ent/ there )ill ,e no hurdle too high
for you to overco*e/ no challenge too tough for you to sur*ount
and no crisis too hot for you to cool do)n. &elf3discipline )ill
provide you )ith the *ental reserves re@uired to persevere
)hen life thro)s you one of its little curves."
"! *ust also alert you to the fact that the lac0 of )illpo)er is a
*ental disease/" .ulian added surprisingly. "!f you suffer fro* this
)ea0ness/ *a0e it a priority to sta*p it out @uic0ly. An
a,undance of )illpo)er and discipline is one of the chief
attri,utes of all those )ith strong characters and )onderful lives.
2illpo)er allo)s you to do )hat you said you )ould do/ )hen
you said you )ould do it. !t is )illpo)er that allo)s you to get up
at five in the *orning to cultivate your *ind through *editation/
or to feed your spirit ,y a )al0 in the )oods )hen a co6y ,ed
,ec0ons you on a cold )inter-s day. !t is )illpo)er that allo)s you
to hold your tongue )hen a less3 actuali6ed person insults you or
does so*ething you disagree )ith. !t is )illpo)er that pushes
your drea*s for)ard )hen the odds appear to ,e
insur*ounta,le. !t is )illpo)er that offers you the inner po)er to
0eep your co**it*ents to others/ and/ perhaps even *ore
i*portantly/ to yourself."
"!s it really that i*portantM"
"Most certainly/ *y friend. !t is the essential virtue of every
person )ho has created a life rich )ith passion/ possi,ility and
peace."
.ulian then reached into his ro,e and pulled out a shiny silver
loc0et/ the 0ind you *ight see in a *useu* e1hi,it on ancient
Egypt.
"#ou shouldn-t have/" ! Jo0ed.
"he &ages of &ivana gave this gift to *e on *y last evening
)ith the*. !t )as a Joyous/ loving cele,ration ,et)een *e*,ers
of a fa*ily )ho lived life to the fullest. !t )as one of the greatest/
and saddest nights of *y life. ! didn-t )ant to leave the
Nirvana of &ivana. !t )as *y sanctuary/ an oasis of all that )as
good in this )orld. he sages had ,eco*e *y spiritual ,rothers
and sisters. ! left part of *yself high in the (i*alayas that
evening." .ulian said/ his voice gro)ing soft.
"2hat are the )ords engraved on the loc0etM"
"(ere/ !-ll read the* to you. Never forget the*/ .ohn. hey
have really helped *e )hen ti*es got tough. ! pray that they
also ,athe you in co*fort during ti*es of difficulty. hey say;
Throu(h the steel of discipline, )ou will for(e a
character rich with coura(e and peace8 Throu(h the
virtue of Will, )ou are destined to rise to life4s hi(hest
ideal and live within a heavenl) #ansion filled with all
that is (ood, =o)ful and vital8 Without the#, )ou are
lost like a #ariner without a co#pass, one who
eventuall) sinks with his ship8
"! have never really thought a,out the i*portance of self3
control/ although there have ,een *any ti*es !-ve )ished ! had
*ore discipline/" ! ad*itted. "Are you saying that ! can actually
,uild discipline/ the )ay *y teenage son ,uilds his ,iceps at the
local gy*M"
"he analogy is an e1cellent one. #ou condition your
)illpo)er Just as your son conditions his ,ody at the gy*.
Anyone/ no *atter ho) )ea0 or lethargic they *ight currently
,e/ can gro) disciplined )ithin a relatively short ti*e.
Mahat*a "andhi is a good e1a*ple. 2hen *ost people thin0
of this *odern3day saint they re*e*,er a *an )ho could go
)ee0s )ithout food in the pursuit of his cause/ and endure
tre*endous pain for the sa0e of his convictions. But )hen you
study "andhi-s life/ you )ill see that he )as not al)ays a
*aster of self3control."
"#ou-re not going to tell *e that "andhi )as a chocoholic
are youM"
"Not @uite/ .ohn. As a young la)yer in &outh Africa/ he )as
given to passionate out,ursts and the disciplines of fasting and
*editation )ere as foreign to hi* as the si*ple )hite loincloth
)hich eventually ,eca*e his personal trade*ar0 in his later
years." "Are you saying that )ith the right ,lend of training
and preparation/ ! could have the sa*e level of )illpo)er as
Mahat*a
"andhiM"
"Everyone is different. One of the funda*ental principles that
#ogi $a*an taught *e )as that truly enlightened people never
see0 to ,e li0e others. $ather/ they see0 to ,e superior to their
for*er selves. %on-t race against others. $ace against yourself/"
.ulian replied.
"2hen you have self3control/ you )ill have the resolve to do
the things you have al)ays )anted to do. For you/ it *ay ,e
training for a *arathon or *astering the art of )hite3)ater
rafting or even giving up the la) to ,eco*e an artist. 2hatever it
is you are drea*ing of/ )hether it is *aterial riches or spiritual
riches/ ! )ill not ,e your Judge. ! )ill si*ply tell you that all
these things )ill ,e )ithin your grasp )hen you cultivate your
sleeping reserves of )illpo)er."
.ulian added; "Building self3control and discipline into your
life )ill also ,ring you a tre*endous sense of freedo*. his
alone )ill change things."
"2hat do you *eanM"
"Most people have li,erty. hey can go )here they )ant and
do the things they feel li0e doing. But too *any people are also
slaves to their i*pulses. hey have gro)n reactive rather than
proactive/ *eaning that they are li0e seafoa* pounding against a
roc0y shore/ going in )hatever direction the tide *ight ta0e
the*. !f they are spending ti*e )ith their fa*ilies and
so*eone fro*
)or0 calls )ith a crisis/ they hit the ground running/ never
stopping to thin0 )hich activity is *ore vital to their overall
)ell3 ,eing and to their life-s purpose. &o/ after all ! have
o,served in *y life/ ,oth here in the 2est and in the East/ !
say that such people have li,erty ,ut lac0 freedo*. hey lac0 a
0ey ingredient to a *eaningful/ enlightened life; the freedo* to
see the forest ,eyond the trees/ the freedo* to choose )hat is
right over )hat see*s pressing."
! couldn-t help ,ut agree )ith .ulian. &ure/ ! had little to
co*plain a,out. ! had a great fa*ily/ a co6y ho*e and a ,ustling
la) practice. But ! really couldn-t say that ! had achieved
freedo*. My pager )as Just as *uch an appendage as *y right
ar*. ! )as al)ays on the run. ! never see*ed to have the ti*e
to co**unicate deeply )ith .enny/ and @uiet ti*e for *yself in
the foreseea,le future )as a,out as li0ely as *e )inning the
Boston Marathon. he *ore ! thought a,out it/ the *ore !
reali6ed that ! had pro,a,ly never even tasted the nectar of
true/ ,oundless freedo* )hen ! )as younger. ! guess ! really
)as a slave to *y )ea0er i*pulses. ! al)ays did )hat everyone
else told *e ! should ,e doing.
"And ,uilding )illpo)er )ill offer *e *ore freedo*M"
"Freedo* is li0e a house; you ,uild it ,ric0 ,y ,ric0. he
first
,ric0 you should lay is )illpo)er. his @uality inspires you to do
)hat is right in any given *o*ent. !t gives you the energy to act
)ith courage. !t gives you the control to live the life you have
i*agined rather than accepting the life that you have."
.ulian also noted the *any practical ,enefits that the
cultivation of discipline )ould ,ring.
"Believe it or not/ developing the po)er of your )ill can
erase the )orry ha,it/ 0eep you healthy and give you far *ore
energy
than you have ever had. #ou see/ .ohn/ self3control is really
nothing *ore than *ind control. 2ill is the 0ing of *ental
po)ers. 2hen you *aster your *ind you *aster your life.
Mental *astery starts )ith ,eing a,le to control every thought
that you thin0. 2hen you have developed the a,ility to discard
all )ea0 thoughts and focus only on those that are positive and
good/ positive and good actions )ill follo). &oon you )ill start
attracting all that is positive and good into your life."
"(ere-s an e1a*ple. Let-s say one of your personal
develop*ent goals is to get up every *orning at G;99 a.*. and go
for a run around that par0 ,ehind your place. Let-s pretend it is
no) the *iddle of the )inter/ and your alar* )a0es you fro* a
deep/ restful sleep. #our first i*pulse is to hit the snoo6e ,utton
and return to your slu*,er. 7erhaps you )ill live up to your
e1ercise resolution to*orro). his pattern continues for a fe)
days until you decide that you are too old to change your )ays
and the physical fitness goal )as too unrealistic."
"#ou 0no) *e too )ell/" ! offered sincerely.
"No) let-s consider an alternative scenario. !t is still the dead
of )inter. he alar* goes off and you start to thin0 of staying in
,ed. But instead of ,eing a slave to your ha,its/ you challenge
the* )ith *ore po)erful thoughts. #ou start to picture in your
*ind-s eye ho) you )ill loo0/ feel and act )hen you are in pea0
physical shape. #ou hear the *any co*pli*ents your colleagues
at the office offer you as you saunter past the* )ith a svelte/
tri* physi@ue. #ou focus on all that you can acco*plish )ith
the increased energy a regular e1ercise progra* )ill ,ring. No
*ore nights spent in front of the television ,ecause you are too
tired to do anything else after your long day in court. #our days
are filled )ith vitality/ enthusias* and *eaning."
"But say ! do this and ! still feel li0e going ,ac0 to sleep
rather than going runningM"
"!nitially/ for the first fe) days/ it )ill ,e a little difficult and
you )ill feel li0e going ,ac0 to your old ha,its. But #ogi $a*an
,elieved very strongly in one ti*eless principle in particular;
positive alwa)s overco#es ne(ative8 &o if you continue to )age
)ar against the )ea0er thoughts that *ight have silently crept
into the palace of your *ind over the years/ eventually they )ill
see that they are un)anted and leave li0e visitors )ho 0no) they
are not )elco*e."
"#ou *ean to tell *e that thoughts are physical thingsM"
"#es/ and they are fully in your control. !t is Just as easy to
thin0 positive thoughts as it is to thin0 negative ones."
"hen )hy do so *any people )orry and focus on all the
negative infor*ation in our )orldM"
"Because they have not learned the art of self3control and
disciplined thin0ing. Most people ! have spo0en to have no idea
that they have the po)er to control every single thought they
thin0 every second of every *inute of every day. hey ,elieve
that thoughts Just happen and have never reali6ed that if you
don-t ta0e the ti*e to start controlling your thoughts/ they )ill
control you. 2hen you start to focus on good thoughts only/ and
refuse to thin0 the ,ad ones through sheer )ill3po)er/ !
pro*ise you they )ill shrivel up very @uic0ly."
"&o/ if ! )ant to have the inner strength to get up earlier/ eat
less/ read *ore/ )orry less/ ,e *ore patient or ,e *ore loving/
all ! have to do is e1ert *y )ill to cleanse *y thoughtsM"
"2hen you control your thoughts/ you control your *ind.
2hen you control your *ind/ you control your life. And once
you reach the stage of ,eing in total control of your life/ you
,eco*e the *aster of your destiny."
! needed to hear this. hrough the course of this strange yet
inspiring evening ! had gone fro* ,eing a s0eptical litigator
carefully studying a hotshot la)yer3turned yogi to a ,eliever
)hose eyes had ,een opened for the first ti*e in *any years. !
)ished .enny could hear all this. Actually ! )ished *y 0ids could
hear this )isdo* too. ! 0ne) it )ould affect the* as it had *e. !
had al)ays planned on ,eing a ,etter fa*ily *an and living *ore
fully/ ,ut ! al)ays found that ! )as too ,usy putting out all those
little ,rush fires of life that see*ed so pressing. May,e this )as a
)ea0ness/ a lac0 of self3control. An ina,ility to see the forest for
the trees/ perhaps. Life )as passing ,y so @uic0ly. !t see*ed li0e
Just yesterday that ! )as a young la) student full of energy and
enthusias*. ! drea*ed of ,eco*ing a political leader or even a
supre*e court Judge ,ac0 then. But as ti*e )ent ,y/ ! settled
into a routine. Even as a coc0y litigator/ .ulian used to tell *e
that "co*placency 0ills." he *ore ! thought a,out it/ the
*ore ! reali6ed that ! had lost *y hunger. his )asn-t a
hunger for a ,igger house or a faster car. his )as a far
deeper hunger; a hunger for living )ith *ore *eaning/ )ith
*ore festivity and *ore satisfaction.
! started to daydrea* )hile .ulian continued to tal0.
O,livious to )hat he )as no) saying/ ! sa) *yself first as a
fifty3year3old3 and then as a si1ty3year3old3*an. 2ould ! ,e stuc0
in the sa*e Jo, )ith the sa*e people/ facing the sa*e struggles
at that point of *y lifeM ! dreaded that. ! had al)ays )anted to
contri,ute to the )orld in so*e )ay/ and ! sure )asn-t doing it
no). ! thin0 it )as at that *o*ent/ )ith .ulian sitting ne1t to *e
on *y living roo* floor on that stic0y .uly night that ! changed.
he .apanese call it satori, *eaning instant awakenin(, and
that-s e1actly )hat it )as. ! resolved to fulfill *y drea*s and
*a0e *y life far *ore than it had
ever ,een. hat )as *y first taste of real freedo*/ the freedo*
that co*es )hen you decide once and for all to ta0e charge of
your life and all its constituent ele*ents.
"! )ill give you a for*ula for developing )illpo)er/" said
.ulian/ )ho had no idea of the inner transfor*ation ! had Just
e1perienced. "2isdo* )ithout proper tools for its application is
no )isdo* at all."
(e continued. "Every day/ )hile you are )al0ing to )or0/ !
)ould li0e you to repeat a fe) si*ple
)ords."
"!s this one of those *antras you told *e a,out earlierM" !
as0ed.
"#es it is. !t is one that has ,een in e1istence for over five
thousand years/ although only the s*all ,and of &ivanan *on0s
have 0no)n a,out it. #ogi $a*an told *e that ,y its repetition !
)ould develop self3control and an indo*ita,le )ill )ithin a short
period of ti*e. $e*e*,er/ )ords are great influencers. 2ords
are the ver,al e*,odi*ent of po)er. By filling your *ind )ith
)ords of hope/ you ,eco*e hopeful. By filling your *ind )ith
)ords of 0indness/ you ,eco*e 0ind. By filling your *ind )ith
thoughts of courage/ you ,eco*e courageous. 2ords have
po)er/" .ulian o,served.
"O0ay/ !-* all ears."
"his is the *antra ! suggest you repeat at least thirty ti*es
a day; 4+ a# #ore than + appear to !e, all the world4s stren(th
and power rests inside #e84 !t )ill *anifest profound changes in
your life. For even @uic0er results/ ,lend this *antra )ith the
practice of creative envisioning ! spo0e of earlier. For e1a*ple/ go
to a @uiet place. &it )ith your eyes closed. %o not let your
*ind )ander. Keep your ,ody still/ as the surest sign of a )ea0
*ind is a ,ody that cannot rest. No) repeat the *antra aloud/
over and over
again. 2hile you do so/ see yourself as a disciplined/ fir* person/
fully in control of your *ind/ your ,ody and your spirit. 7icture
yourself acting as "andhi or Mother eresa *ight act in a
challenging situation. &tartling results )ill surely co*e your
)ay/" he pro*ised.
"hat-s itM" ! as0ed/ astonished ,y the apparent si*plicity of
this for*ula. "! can tap the full reserves of *y )illpo)er
through this si*ple e1erciseM"
"his techni@ue has ,een taught ,y the spiritual teachers of
the East for centuries. !t is still around today for one reason;
,ecause it )or0s. As al)ays/ Judge ,y results. !f you are
interested/ there are a couple of other e1ercises ! can offer you to
li,erate the strength of your )ill and cultivate inner discipline.
But let *e )arn you that they *ight see* strange at first."
"(ey/ .ulian/ !-* a,solutely fascinated ,y )hat !-ve ,een
hearing. #ou-re on a roll/ so don-t stop no)."
"O0ay. he first thing is to start doing the things you don-t
li0e doing. For you it *ight ,e as si*ple as *a0ing your ,ed in
the *orning or )al0ing rather than driving to )or0. By getting
into the ha,it of e1erting your )ill/ you )ill cease to ,e a slave to
your )ea0er i*pulses."
"Use it or lose itM"
"E1actly. o ,uild )illpo)er and inner strength you *ust
first use it. he *ore you e1ert and nurture the e*,ryo of self3
discipline/ the *ore @uic0ly it )ill *ature and give you the
results you desire. he second e1ercise is a favorite of #ogi
$a*an-s. (e used to go an entire day )ithout spea0ing/ e1cept
in response to a direct @uestion."
"Kind of li0e a vo) of silenceM"
"Actually that-s e1actly )hat it )as/ .ohn. he i,etan *on0s
)ho populari6ed this practice ,elieved that to hold one-s tongue
for an e1tended period of ti*e )ould have the effect of
enhancing one-s discipline."
"But ho)M"
"Basically/ ,y 0eeping silent for a day/ you are conditioning
your )ill to do as you co**and it to do. Each ti*e the urge to
spea0 arises/ you actively cur, this i*pulse and re*ain @uiet.
#ou see/ your )ill does not have a *ind of its o)n. !t )aits for
you to give it instructions that )ill spur it into action. he *ore
control you e1ert over it/ the *ore po)erful it )ill ,eco*e. he
pro,le* is that *ost people don-t use their )illpo)er."
"2hy is thatM" ! as0ed.
"7ro,a,ly ,ecause *ost people ,elieve they don-t have any.
hey ,la*e everyone and everything e1cept the*selves for this
apparent )ea0ness. hose )ho have a vicious te*per )ill tell
you/
-! can-t help it/ *y father )as the sa*e )ay.- hose )ho )orry
too *uch )ill tell you/ -!t-s not *y fault/ *y Jo, is too stressful.-
hose )ho sleep too *uch )ill say/ -2hat can ! doM My ,ody
needs ten hours of sleep a night.- &uch people lac0 the self3
responsi,ility that co*es through 0no)ing the e1traordinary
potential )hich lies deep )ithin every one of us/ )aiting to ,e
inspired into action. 2hen you co*e to 0no) the ti*eless la)s
of nature/ those that govern the operation of this universe and
all that lives )ithin it/ you )ill also 0no) that it is your
,irthright to ,e all that you can ,e. #ou have the po)er to ,e
*ore than your environ*ent. &i*ilarly/ you have the capacity to
,e *ore than a prisoner of your past. o do this/ you *ust
,eco*e the *aster of your )ill."
"&ounds heavy."
"$eally/ it-s a very practical concept. !*agine )hat you could
do if you dou,led or tripled the a*ount of )illpo)er that you
currently have. #ou could get into that e1ercise regi*en you
have drea*ed of startingK you could ,e far *ore efficient )ith
your ti*eK you could erase the )orry ha,it once and for allK or
you could ,e the ideal hus,and. Using your )ill allo)s you to
re0indle the drive and energy for living that you see* to ,e
saying you-ve lost. !t is a very i*portant area to focus on."
"&o the ,otto* line is to start using *y )illpo)er on a
regular ,asisM"
"#es. %ecide to do the things you 0no) you should ,e doing
rather than )al0ing the path of least resistance. &tart to fight the
gravitational force of your ,ad ha,its and )ea0er i*pulses Just
as a roc0et rises a,ove the force of gravity to enter the real* of
the heavens. 7ush yourself. .ust )atch )hat )ill happen in a
*atter of )ee0s."
"And the *antra )ill helpM"
"#es. $epeating the *antra ! gave you/ along )ith the daily
practice of seeing yourself as you hope to ,e/ )ill give you an
enor*ous a*ount of support as you create the disciplined/
principled life that )ill connect you to your drea*s. And you
need not change your )orld in a day. &tart off s*all. he
thousand3*ile Journey ,egins ,y ta0ing that first step. 2e gro)
great ,y degrees. Even training yourself to get up an hour
earlier and stic0ing to this )onderful ha,it )ill ,oost your
self3confidence/ inspiring you to reach higher heights."
"! don-t see the connection/" ! ad*itted.
"&*all victories lead to large victories. #ou *ust ,uild on the
s*all to achieve the great. By follo)ing through on a resolution
as si*ple as getting up earlier every day/ you )ill feel the
pleasure and gratification that achieve*ent ,rings. #ou have set a
goal and you have reali6ed it. his feels good. he tric0 is to
0eep setting
the *ar0 higher and raising your standards continuously. his
)ill then release that *agical @uality of *o*entu* that )ill
*otivate you to 0eep e1ploring your infinite potential. %o you
li0e to s0iM" .ulian @uestioned a,ruptly.
"! love s0iing/" ! replied. ".enny and ! ta0e the 0ids up to the
*ountains )henever )e can/ )hich isn-t very often/ *uch to her
dis*ay."
"O0ay. .ust thin0 of )hat it-s li0e )hen you push off fro*
the top of the s0i hill. At first you start off slo)ly. But )ithin a
*inute you are flying do)n the hill li0e there-s no to*orro).
$ightM"
".ust call *e NinJa &0ier. ! love the rush of
speed5" "2hat gets you going so fastM"
"My aerodyna*ically contoured physi@ueM" ! @uipped.
"Nice try." .ulian laughed. "Mo*entu* is the ans)er !-*
loo0ing for. Mo*entu* is also the secret ingredient to ,uilding
self3discipline. Li0e ! said/ you start off s*all/ )hether that
*eans getting up a little earlier/ starting to )al0 around the
,loc0 every night or even Just training yourself to turn off the
television )hen you 0no) you have had enough. hese s*all
victories create the *o*entu* that e1cites you to ta0e larger
steps along the path to your highest self. &oon you are doing
things that you never 0ne) you )ere capa,le of doing )ith a
vigor and energy that you never thought you had. !t-s a
delightful process/ .ohn/ it really is. And the pin0 )ire ca,le in
#ogi $a*an-s *agical fa,le )ill al)ays re*ind you of the
po)er of your )ill."
.ust as .ulian finished revealing his thoughts on the su,Ject
of discipline/ ! noticed the first rays of the sun pee0ing into the
living roo*/ pushing a)ay the dar0ness li0e a child pushes
a)ay an un)anted ,edcover. "his )ill ,e a great day/" !
thought. "he first day of the rest of *y life."
Chapter '( Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
Live wi t # ,is!iline
,is!iline is built by !onsistently er%ormin& small a!ts o%
!oura&e
"#e more you nurture t#e embryo o% sel%-dis!iline, t#e
more it wil l mature
4illower is t#e essential virtue o% a %ully a!tuali-ed li%e
Mantras 5 Creative Envisionin&
"#e 6ow o% )ilen!e
Wa(e war a(ainst the weaker thou(hts that have crept into the
palace of )our #ind8 The) will see that the) are unwanted and
leave like unwelco#e visitors8
'(A7E$ ELE4E N
#our Most 7recious
'o**odity
Well arran(ed ti#e is the surest #ark of a well
arran(ed #ind8
&ir !saac 7it*an
"#ou 0no) )hat-s funny a,out lifeM" .ulian as0ed
*e. "ell *e."
"By the ti*e *ost people figure out )hat they really )ant and
ho) to go a,out attaining it/ it-s usually too late. hat saying/ -!f
youth only 0ne)/ if age only could/" is so true.
"!s that )hat the stop)atch in #ogi $a*an-s fa,le is all
a,outM" "#es. he na0ed nine3foot3tall/ nine3hundred3pound
su*o )restler )ith the pin0 )ire ca,le covering his private parts
slips on a shiny gold stop)atch that so*eone has left in the
,eautiful
garden/" .ulian re*inded *e.
"(o) could ! forget/" ! replied/ ,rea0ing into a grin.
By no) ! had reali6ed that #ogi $a*an-s *ystical fa,le )as
nothing *ore than a series of *e*ory pegs designed to teach
.ulian the ele*ents of his ancient philosophy for enlightened
living/ )hile at the sa*e ti*e helping hi* re*e*,er it. !
shared *y discovery )ith hi*.
"Ah/ the si1th sense of a litigator. #ou are @uite right. My
)ise teacher-s *ethods appeared odd at first and ! struggled to
understand the significance of his tale Just as you )ondered )hat
! )as spea0ing of )hen ! first shared it )ith you. But ! *ust tell
you/ .ohn/ all seven ele*ents of the story/ fro* the garden
and the na0ed su*o )restler to the yello) roses and the path of
dia*onds/ )hich ! a* soon getting to/ serve as po)erful
re*inders of the )isdo* ! learned in &ivana. he garden 0eeps
*e focused on inspiring thoughts/ the lighthouse re*inds *e that
the purpose of life is a life of purpose/ the su*o )restler 0eeps
*e centered on continuous self3discovery/ )hile the pin0 )ire
ca,le lin0s *e to the )onders of )ill po)er. A day doesn-t pass
)ithout *e thin0ing a,out the fa,le and considering the
principles #ogi $a*an taught *e."
"And e1actly )hat does the shiny gold stop)atch representM"
"!t is a sy*,ol of our *ost i*portant co**odity + ti*e."
"2hat a,out positive thin0ing and goal3getting and self3
*asteryM"
"hey all *ean nothing )ithout ti*e. A,out si1 *onths after
! *ade the delightful forest retreat in &ivana *y te*porary
ho*e/ one of the sages ca*e to *y hut of roses )hile ! )as
studying. (er na*e )as %ivea. &he )as a stunningly ,eautiful
)o*an )ith Jet ,lac0 hair that fell Just ,elo) her )aist/ and in a
very gentle and s)eet voice she infor*ed *e that she )as the
youngest of all the sages living in that secret *ountain a,ode.
&he also said that she had co*e to *e on the instructions of #ogi
$a*an )ho had told her
that ! )as the ,est student he had ever had."
"-May,e it is all the pain you suffered in your for*er life that
has allo)ed you to e*,race our )isdo* )ith such an open
heart/- she stated. -As the youngest of our co**unity/ ! have
,een as0ed to ,ring you a gift. !t is fro* all of us and )e offer it
as a to0en of our respect for you/ one )ho has travelled so far to
learn our )ays. At no point have you Judged us or ridiculed
our traditions. &o/ though you have no) decided to leave us
)ithin a fe) )ee0s/ )e consider you one of our o)n. No outsider
has ever received )hat ! a* a,out to give you.-"
"2hat )as the giftM" ! as0ed i*patiently.
"%ivea pulled out an o,Ject fro* her ho*espun cotton ,ag
and handed it to *e. 2rapped in a fragrant cover of so*e type of
paper )as so*ething ! never thought !-d see there in a *illion
years. !t )as a *iniature hourglass )hich had ,een *ade fro*
,lo)n glass and a s*all piece of sandal)ood. &eeing *y
e1pression/ %ivea @uic0ly told *e that each of the sages had
received one of these instru*ents as children. "hough )e have
no possessions and live pure/ si*ple lives/ )e respect ti*e and
note its passing. hese little hourglasses serve as daily
re*inders of our *ortality and the i*portance of living full/
productive days )hile advancing our purposes.-"
"hese *on0s up in the highest reaches of the (i*alayan
*ountains 0ept ti*eM"
"Each and every one of the* understood the i*portance of
ti*e. hey each had developed )hat ! call a -ti*e consciousness.-
#ou see/ ! learned that ti*e slips through our hands li0e grains of
sand/ never to return. hose )ho use ti*e )isely fro* an early
age are re)arded )ith rich/ productive and satisfying lives. hose
)ho have never ,een e1posed to the principle that -ti*e *astery
is life
*astery- )ill never reali6e their enor*ous hu*an potential. i*e
is the great leveller. 2hether )e are privileged or disadvantaged/
)hether )e live in e1as or o0yo/ )e all have ,een allotted days
)ith only t)enty3four hours. 2hat separates those )ho ,uild
e1ceptional lives fro* the -also rans- is the )ay they use this
ti*e." "! once heard *y father say that it )as the ,usiest people
)ho
have ti*e to spare. 2hat do you *a0e of
thatM"
"! agree. Busy/ productive people are highly efficient )ith
their ti*e + they *ust ,e in order to survive. Being an e1cellent
ti*e *anager doesn-t *ean that you *ust ,eco*e a )or0aholic.
On the contrary/ ti*e *astery allo)s you *ore ti*e to do the
things you love to do/ the things that are truly *eaningful to
you. i*e *astery leads to life *astery. "uard ti*e )ell.
$e*e*,er/ it-s a non3rene)a,le resource.
"Let *e give you an e1a*ple/" .ulian offered. "Let-s say it-s
Monday *orning and your schedule is overflo)ing )ith
appoint*ents/ *eetings and court appearances. $ather than
getting up at your usual G;89 a.*./ gulping do)n a cup of .ava/
speeding off to )or0 and then spending a stressful day of
-catchup/- let-s say you too0 fifteen *inutes the night ,efore to
plan your day. Or to ,e even *ore effective/ let-s say you too0
one hour on your @uiet &unday *orning to organi6e your entire
)ee0. !n your daily planner/ you )rote out )hen you )ould
*eet )ith your clients/ )hen you )ould do legal research and
)hen you )ould return phone calls. Most i*portantly/ your
personal/ social and spiritual develop*ent goals for the )ee0
also )ent into your agenda ,oo0. his si*ple act is the secret to
a life of ,alance. By anchoring all the *ost vital aspects of
your life into your daily schedule/ you ensure that your )ee0
and your life retain a sense of *eaning and peace."
"&urely you-re not suggesting that ! ta0e a ,rea0 in the
*iddle
of *y ,usy )or0 day to )al0 in the par0 or *editateM"
"! sure a*. 2hy are you so rigidly ,ound to conventionM
2hy do you feel that you have to do things the sa*e )ay as
everyone elseM $un your o)n race. 2hy not start )or0ing an
hour earlier so that you )ill have the lu1ury of ta0ing a serene
*id3*orning )al0 in that ,eautiful par0 across fro* your
officeM Or )hy not put in a fe) e1tra hours at the ,eginning of
your )ee0 so that you can cut out early on Friday to ta0e your
0ids to the 6ooM Or )hy not start )or0ing at ho*e t)o days a
)ee0 so that you can see *ore of your fa*ilyM All !-* saying is
plan your )ee0 and *anage your ti*e creatively. (ave the
discipline to focus your ti*e around your priorities. he *ost
*eaningful things in your life should never ,e sacrificed to
those that are the least *eaningful. And re*e*,er/ failing to
plan is planning to fail. By )riting do)n not only your
appoint*ents )ith others ,ut also those all3i*portant
appoint*ents )ith yourself to read/ rela1 or )rite a love letter to
your )ife/ you )ill ,e far *ore productive )ith your ti*e. Never
forget that ti*e spent enriching your non3)or0 hours is never a
)aste. !t *a0es you tre*endously efficient during your )or0ing
hours. &top living your life in co*part*ents and understand once
and for all that all you do for*s one indivisi,le )hole. he )ay
you act at ho*e affects the )ay you act at )or0. he )ay you
treat people at the office affects the )ay you )ill treat your
fa*ily and friends."
"! agree/ .ulian/ ,ut ! really don-t have the ti*e to ta0e
,rea0s in the *iddle of *y day. As it is/ ! )or0 *ost evenings.
My schedule is really crushing these days." As ! said this/ ! felt
*y sto*ach tingling at the *ere thought of the *ountain of )or0
! )as facing. "Being ,usy is no e1cuse. he real @uestion is/ )hat
are you so
,usy a,outM One of the great rules ! learned fro* that )ise old
sage is that eighty percent of the results you achieve in your life
co*e fro* only t)enty percent of the activities that occupy your
ti*e. #ogi $a*an called it the -Ancient $ule of )enty.-"
"!-* not sure ! follo) you."
"O0ay. Let-s go ,ac0 to your ,usy Monday. Fro* *orning
until night you *ight spend your ti*e doing everything fro*
chatting on the phone )ith clients and drafting legal pleadings to
reading your youngest child a ,edti*e story or playing chess
)ith your )ife. AgreedM"
"Agreed."
"But out of all of the hundreds of activities you give your
ti*e to/ only t)enty percent of those )ill yield real/ lasting
results. Only t)enty percent of )hat you do )ill have an
influence on the @uality of your life. hese are your -high3i*pact-
activities. For e1a*ple/ ten years fro* no)/ do you really thin0
all the ti*e you spent gossiping at the )ater cooler or sitting in
so*e s*o0e3filled lunch roo* or )atching television )ill count
for anythingM"
"No/ not really."
"$ight. &o !-* sure you )ill also agree there are a nu*,er of
activities that )ill count for everything."
"#ou *ean li0e ti*e spent i*proving *y legal 0no)ledge/
ti*e spent enriching *y relationships )ith *y clients and ti*e
invested in ,eco*ing a *ore efficient la)yerM"
"#es/ and ti*e spent nourishing your relationship )ith .enny
and the 0ids. i*e spent connecting )ith nature and sho)ing
gratitude for all that you are so fortunate to have. i*e spent
rene)ing your *ind/ your ,ody and your spirit. hese are Just a
fe) of the high3i*pact activities that )ill allo) you to design the
life you deserve. %irect all of your ti*e to those activities that
count.
'nli(htened people are priorit) driven8 his is the secret of ti*e
*astery."
"2o). #ogi $a*an taught you all thatM"
"! have ,eco*e a student of life/ .ohn. #ogi $a*an certainly
)as a )onderful and inspiring teacher and ! )ill never forget hi*
for that. But all of the lessons ! have learned fro* *y varied
e1periences have no) co*e together li0e pieces of a ,ig Jigsa)
pu66le to sho) *e the )ay to a ,etter life."
.ulian added; "! hope you )ill learn fro* *y earlier
*ista0es. &o*e people learn fro* the errors others have *ade.
hey are the )ise. Others feel that true learning co*es only
fro* personal e1perience. &uch people endure needless pain and
distress over the course of their lives."
! had ,een to *any se*inars on ti*e *anage*ent as a
la)yer. #et/ ! had never heard the philosophy of ti*e *astery
that .ulian )as no) sharing )ith *e. i*e *anage*ent )as
not Just so*ething to focus on at the office and discard at closing
ti*e. !t )as a holistic syste* that could *a0e all areas of *y
life *ore ,alanced and fulfilling/ if ! applied it correctly. !
learned that ,y planning *y days and ta0ing the ti*e to ensure
that ! )as ,alanced in the use of *y ti*e/ ! )ould not only
,e far *ore productive + ! )ould ,e far happier.
"&o life is li0e a fat strip of ,acon/" ! chi*ed in. "#ou have to
separate the *eat fro* the fat in order to ,e the *aster of your
ti*e."
"4ery good. #ou-re on to it no). And though *y vegetarian
side tells *e to do other)ise/ ! love the analogy ,ecause it hits
the nail right on the head. 2hen you spend your ti*e and
precious *ental energy focusing on the *eat/ you have no ti*e to
)aste on the fat. his is the point at )hich your life *oves fro*
the real* of the
ordinary into the e1@uisiteness of the e1traordinary. his is )hen
you really start to *a0e things happen/ and the doors to the
te*ple of enlighten*ent suddenly s)ing open/" .ulian o,served.
"hat ,rings *e to another point. %on-t let others steal your
ti*e. Be )ary of ti*e thieves. hese are the people )ho al)ays
call on the telephone Just as you have put the 0ids to sleep and
have settled into your favorite chair to read that thrilling novel
you have heard so *uch a,out. hese are the people )ho have a
0nac0 of dropping ,y your office Just as you have found a fe)
*inutes in the *idst of a hectic day to catch your ,reath and
collect your thoughts. %oes this sound fa*iliarM"
"As usual/ .ulian/ you-re right on the *oney. ! guess ! have
al)ays ,een too polite to as0 the* to leave or to 0eep *y door
shut/" ! confided.
"#ou *ust ,e ruthless )ith your ti*e. Learn to say no.
(aving the courage to say no to the little things in life )ill give
you the po)er to say yes to the ,ig things. &hut the door to
your office )hen you need a fe) hours to )or0 on that ,ig case.
$e*e*,er )hat ! told you. %on-t pic0 up the phone every ti*e it
rings. !t is there for )our convenience/ not the convenience of
others. !ronically/ people )ill respect you *ore )hen they see
that you are a person )ho values his ti*e. hey )ill reali6e that
your ti*e is precious and they )ill value it."
"2hat a,out procrastinationM All too often ! 0eep putting off
the things that ! don-t li0e doing and instead find *yself sifting
through Jun0 *ail or flipping though legal *aga6ines. May,e !-*
Just 0illing ti*eM"
-"Killing ti*e- is an apt *etaphor. rue/ it is hu*an nature to
do things that feel good and avoid the things that feel ,ad. But as
! said earlier/ the *ost productive people in this )orld
have
cultivated the ha,it of doing the things that less productive
people don-t li0e doing/ even though they too *ight not li0e doing
the*." ! stopped and thought deeply a,out the principle ! had
Just heard. 7erhaps procrastination )as not *y pro,le*. May,e
*y
life had si*ply ,eco*e too co*ple1. .ulian sensed *y
concern.
"#ogi $a*an told *e that those )ho are *asters of their
ti*e live si*ple lives. A hurried/ fren6ied pace is not )hat
nature intended. 2hile he fir*ly ,elieved that lasting happiness
could ,e reached only ,y those )ho )ere effective and set
definite ai*s for the*selves/ living a life rich )ith
acco*plish*ent and contri,ution did not have to co*e through
the sacrifice of peace of *ind. his is )hat ! found so
fascinating a,out the )isdo* ! )as hearing. !t allo)ed *e to ,e
productive and yet fulfill *y spiritual longings."
! started to open *yself even *ore to .ulian. "#ou have
al)ays ,een honest and forthright )ith *e so ! )ill ,e the sa*e
)ith you. ! don-t )ant to give up *y practice and *y house and
*y car to ,e happier and *ore satisfied. ! li0e *y toys and the
*aterial things ! have earned. hey are *y re)ards for all the
hours ! have )or0ed over the years since )e first *et. But ! feel
e*pty + ! really do. ! told you a,out *y drea*s )hen ! )as in
la) school.
here is so *uch *ore ! could do )ith *y life. #ou 0no) !-*
al*ost forty and ! have never ,een to the "rand 'anyon or
the Eiffel o)er. !-ve never )al0ed in a desert or canoed across a
still la0e on a gorgeous su**er-s day. ! have never once ta0en
off *y soc0s and shoes and )al0ed ,arefoot through a par0/
listening to the 0ids laugh and the dogs ,ar0. ! can-t even
re*e*,er the last ti*e ! too0 a long/ @uiet )al0 ,y *yself after a
sno)fall Just to hear the sounds and to enJoy the sensations."
"hen si*plify your life." .ulian suggested sy*pathetically.
"Apply the ancient $itual of &i*plicity to every aspect of your
)orld. By doing so/ you are ,ound to have *ore ti*e to savor
these glorious )onders. One of the *ost tragic things that any
one of us can do is to put off living. oo *any people are
drea*ing of so*e *agical rose garden on the hori6on rather
than enJoying the one gro)ing in our ,ac0 yards. 2hat a
tragedy."
"Any suggestionsM"
"That ! )ill leave to your o)n i*agination. ! have shared
*any of the strategies ! learned fro* the sages )ith you. hey
)ill )or0 )onders if you have the courage to apply the*. Oh/
that re*inds *e of another thing that ! do to *a0e sure *y life
stays cal* and si*ple."
"2hat-s thatM"
"! love to have a @uic0 nap in the afternoon. ! find it 0eeps *e
energetic/ refreshed and youthful. ! guess you could say that !
need *y ,eauty sleep." .ulian laughed.
"Beauty has never ,een one of your strong points."
"A sense of hu*or has al)ays ,een one of yours/ and for this
! co**end you. Al)ays re*e*,er the po)er of laughter. Li0e
*usic/ it is a )onderful tonic for life-s stresses and strains. ! thin0
#ogi $a*an said it ,est )hen he said/ "Laughter opens your
heart and soothes your soul. No one should ever ta0e life so
seriously that they forget to laugh at the*selves."
.ulian had one final thought to share on the su,Ject of ti*e.
"7erhaps *ost i*portantly/ .ohn/ stop acting li0e you have five
hundred years to live. 2hen %ivea ,rought that little hourglass to
*e she offered so*e advice that ! )ill never forget."
"2hat did she sayM"
"&he told *e that the ,est ti*e to plant a tree )as forty years
ago. he second ,est ti*e is today. %on-t )aste even one *inute
of your day. %evelop a death,ed *entality."
"! ,eg your pardonM" ! as0ed/ struc0 ,y the graphic ter*
.ulian had e*ployed. "2hat-s a death,ed *entalityM"
"!t is a ne) )ay of loo0ing at your life/ a *ore e*po)ering
paradig* if you )ill/ one that re*inds you that today could ,e
your last/ so savor it to the fullest."
"&ounds 0ind of *or,id/ if you as0 *e. !t *a0es *e thin0
a,out death."
"Actually/ it-s a philosophy a,out life. 2hen you adopt a
death,ed *entality you live every day as if it )as your last.
!*agine )a0ing up every day and as0ing yourself the si*ple
@uestion; -2hat )ould ! do today if it )as *y lastM- hen thin0
a,out ho) you )ould treat your fa*ily/ your colleagues and even
those )ho you don-t 0no). hin0 a,out ho) productive and
e1cited you )ould ,e to live every *o*ent to the *a1i*u*. he
death,ed @uestion alone has the po)er to change your life. !t
)ill energi6e your days and ,ring a rush of 6est and spirit to all
that you do. #ou )ill start focusing on all the *eaningful things
that you have ,een putting off/ and stop s@uandering ti*e on all
those petty things that have dragged you do)n into the @uag*ire
of crisis and chaos."
.ulian continued. "7ush yourself to do *ore and to e1perience
*ore. (arness your energy to start e1panding your drea*s. #es/
e1pand your drea*s. %on-t accept a life of *ediocrity )hen you
hold such infinite potential )ithin the fortress of your *ind.
%are to tap into your greatness. his is your ,irthright5"
"7o)erful stuff."
"(ere-s *ore. here is a si*ple re*edy to ,rea0 the spell of
frustration that plagues so *any people."
"My cup is still e*pty/" ! said softly.
"Act as if failure is i*possi,le/ and your success )ill ,e
assured. 2ipe out every thought of not achieving your o,Jectives/
)hether
they are *aterial or spiritual. Be ,rave/ and set no li*its on the
)or0ings of your i*agination. Never ,e a prisoner of your past.
Beco*e the architect of your future. #ou )ill never ,e the sa*e."
As the city started to a)a0en/ and the *orning gre) into full
,loo*/ *y ageless friend started to sho) the first signs of
)eariness after a night spent sharing his 0no)ledge )ith an eager
student. ! had ,een astonished ,y .ulian-s sta*ina/ his ,oundless
energy and his endless enthusias*. (e not only tal0ed his tal0 +
he )al0ed his )al0.
"2e are *oving to the end of #ogi $a*an-s *agical fa,le
and approaching the ti*e )hen ! *ust leave you/" he said
gently. "! have *uch to do and *any *ore people to *eet."
"Are you going to tell your partners that you have returned
ho*eM" ! as0ed/ *y curiosity getting the ,etter of *e.
"7ro,a,ly not/" .ulian replied. "! a* so different fro* the
.ulian Mantle they 0ne). ! don-t thin0 the sa*e thoughts/ ! don-t
)ear the sa*e clothes/ ! don-t do the sa*e things. ! a* a
funda*entally changed person. hey )ouldn-t recogni6e *e."
"#ou really are a ne) *an/" ! agreed/ chuc0ling in)ardly as !
pictured this *ystical *on0 adorned in the traditional ro,es of
&ivana stepping into the stri0ing red Ferrari of his for*er life.
"A ne) ,eing is pro,a,ly even *ore
accurate." "! don-t see the distinction/" !
confessed.
"here is an ancient saying in !ndia; -2e are not hu*an
,eings
having a spiritual e1perience. 2e are spiritual ,eings having a
hu*an e1perience.- ! no) understand *y role in the universe. !
see )hat ! a*. !-* no longer in the )orld. he )orld is in *e."
"!-* going to have to che) on that one for a )hile/" ! said in
total honesty/ not @uite co*prehending )hat .ulian )as tal0ing
a,out.
"&ure. ! understand/ *y friend. A ti*e )ill co*e )hen you
are clear on )hat ! a* saying. !f you follo) the principles !
have revealed to you and apply the techni@ues ! have offered/
you )ill surely advance along the path of enlighten*ent. "#ou
)ill co*e to *aster the art of personal govern*ent. #ou )ill see
your life for )hat it really is; a s*all ,lip on the canvas of
eternity. And you )ill co*e to see clearly )ho you are and the
ulti*ate purpose of your life."
"2hich isM"
"o serve/ of course. No *atter ho) ,ig a house you have or
ho) slic0 a car you drive/ the only thing you can ta0e )ith you at
the end of your life is your conscience. Listen to your conscience.
Let it guide you. !t 0no)s )hat is right. !t )ill tell you that your
calling in life is ulti*ately selfless service to others in so*e for*
or another. his is )hat *y personal odyssey has taught *e.
No)/ ! have so *any others to see/ serve and heal. My *ission is
to spread the ancient )isdo* of the &ages of &ivana to all those
)ho need to hear it. his is *y purpose."
he fire of 0no)ledge had 0indled .ulian-s spirit + this )as
o,vious/ even to an unenlightened soul such as *yself (e )as so
passionate/ so co**itted and so fervent a,out )hat he )as
saying that it )as reflected even in his physical di*ension. (is
transfor*ation fro* a frail old litigator to a vital/ young Adonis
)as not ,rought a,out ,y a si*ple change in his diet and a daily
dose of so*e @uic03fi1 e1ercise plan. No/ it )as a far deeper
panacea that .ulian had stu*,led upon high in those *aJestic
*ountains. (e had found the secret that people through the ages
have ,een searching for. !t )as *ore than the secret of youth/
fulfill*ent or even happiness. .ulian had discovered the secret of
the &elf.
Chapter '' Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
*ese!t Your "ime
"ime is your most re!ious !ommodity and it is non
renewable
+o!us on your riorities and maintain balan!e
)imli%y your li%e
"#e An!ient *ule o% 73
Have t#e Coura&e to )ay 81O 8
"#e ,eat#bed Mentality
Ti#e slips throu(h our hands like (rains of sand, never to
return a(ain8 Those who use ti#e wisel) fro# an earl) a(e are
rewarded with rich, productive and satisf)in( lives8
'(A7E$ 2EL4E
he Ulti*ate 7urpose of Life
'ver)thin( that lives, lives not alone, not for itself
2illia* Bla0e
"he &ages of &ivana )ere not only the *ost youthful people !
have ever *et/" o,served .ulian/ "they )ere also/ )ithout a
dou,t/ the 0indest."
"#ogi $a*an told *e that )hen he )as a child/ as he )aited
for sleep/ his father )ould step softly into his rose3covered hut
and as0 hi* )hat good deeds he had perfor*ed through the
course of that day. Believe it or not/ if he said that he hadn-t
done any/ his father )ould re@uest that he get up and perfor*
so*e act of 0indness and selfless service ,efore he )as
per*itted to go to sleep."
.ulian )ent on. "One of the *ost essential of all of the
virtues for enlightened living that ! can share )ith you/ .ohn/ is
this one;
)hen all is said and done/ no *atter )hat you have achieved/ no
*atter ho) *any su**er ho*es you o)n/ no *atter ho) *any
cars sit in your drive)ay/ the ;ualit) of )our life will co#e down
to the ;ualit) of )our contri!ution8"
"%oes this have so*ething to do )ith the fresh yello) roses in
#ogi $a*an-s fa,leM"
"Of course it does. he flo)ers )ill re*ind you of the
ancient 'hinese prover,/ "a little ,it of fragrance al)ays clings to
the hand that gives you roses." he *eaning is clear + )hen
you )or0 to i*prove the lives of others/ you indirectly elevate
your o)n life in the process. 2hen you ta0e care to practice
rando* acts of 0indness daily/ your o)n life ,eco*es far richer
and *ore *eaningful. o cultivate the sacredness and sanctity of
each day/ serve others in so*e )ay."
"Are you suggesting that ! get involved in so*e volunteer
)or0M"
"hat-s an e1cellent starting point. But )hat !-* spea0ing of
is *uch *ore philosophical than that. !-* suggesting that you
adopt a ne) paradi(# of your role on this planet."
"#ou-re losing *e again. &hed so*e light on the ter*
paradig*. !-* not really fa*iliar )ith it."
"A paradig* is si*ply a )ay of loo0ing at a circu*stance or
at life in general. &o*e people see the glass of life as half e*pty.
he opti*ists see it as half full. hey interpret the sa*e
circu*stance differently ,ecause they have adopted a different
paradig*. A paradig* is ,asically the lens through )hich you
see the events of your life/ ,oth e1ternal and internal."
"&o )hen you suggest that ! adopt a ne) paradig* of *y
purpose/ are you saying that ! should change *y outloo0M"
"&ort of. o dra*atically i*prove the @uality of your life/ you
*ust cultivate a ne) perspective of )hy you are here on Earth.
#ou *ust reali6e that/ Just as you entered the )orld )ith
nothing/ you are destined to leave )ith nothing. his ,eing the
case/ there can ,e only one real reason for your ,eing here."
"And that )ould ,eM"
"o give yourself to others and to contri,ute in a *eaningful
)ay/" .ulian replied. "!-* not saying that you can-t have your toys
or that you *ust give up your la) practice and devote your life to
the disadvantaged/ although ! have recently *et people )ho have
ta0en this course of action )ith great satisfaction. Our )orld is in
the *idst of great change. 7eople are trading in *oney for
*eaning. La)yers )ho used to Judge people ,y the si6e of their
poc0et,oo0s are no) Judging people ,y the si6e of their
co**it*ent to others/ ,y the si6e of their hearts. eachers are
leaving the )o*,s of their secure Jo,s to nurture the intellectual
gro)th of needy 0ids living in the co*,at 6ones )e call inner
cities. 7eople have heard the clear call for change. 7eople are
reali6ing that they are here for a purpose and that they have
,een given special gifts that )ill aid the* to reali6e it."
"2hat 0ind of special giftsM"
"E1actly the ones ! have ,een telling you a,out all evening;
an a,undance of *ental a,ility/ ,oundless energy/ unli*ited
creativity/ a storehouse of discipline and a )ellspring of
peacefulness. !t is si*ply a *atter of unloc0ing these treasures
and applying the* for so*e co**on good/" noted .ulian.
"!-* still )ith you. &o ho) can one go a,out doing goodM"
"!-* si*ply saying that you should *a0e it a priority to
change your )orld vie) so that you stop seeing yourself purely
as an individual and start seeing yourself as part of the
collective."
"&o ! should ,eco*e 0inder and gentlerM"
"$eali6e that the *ost no,le thing you can do is to give to
others. he sages of the East call it the process of 4sheddin( the
shackles of self84 !t is all a,out losing your self3consciousness and
starting to focus on a higher purpose. his *ight ,e in the for*
of giving *ore to those around you/ )hether this *eans your
ti*e or your energy; these truly are your t)o *ost valua,le
resources. !t could ,e so*ething as *aJor as ta0ing a one3year
sa,,atical to )or0 )ith the poor or so*ething as *inor as
letting a fe) cars pass in front of you in the *iddle of a crushing
traffic Ja*. !t *ight sound corny/ ,ut if there is one thing that !
have learned it is that your life *oves to a *ore *agical
di*ension )hen you start striving to *a0e the )orld a ,etter
place. #ogi $a*an said that )hen )e are ,orn/ )e are crying
)hile the )orld reJoices. (e suggested that )e should live our
lives in such a )ay that )hen )e die/ the )orld cries )hile )e
are reJoicing."
! 0ne) .ulian had a point. One of the things that )as
starting to ,other *e a,out practicing la) )as that ! didn-t really
feel ! )as *a0ing the sort of contri,ution ! 0ne) ! )as capa,le
of *a0ing. &ure ! had the privilege of litigating a nu*,er of
precedent3setting cases that had advanced a nu*,er of good
causes. But la) had ,eco*e a ,usiness for *e rather than a
la,or of love. ! )as an idealist in la) school li0e so *any of *y
conte*poraries. Over cold coffee and stale pi66a in our dor*
roo*s/ )e had planned to change the )orld. Al*ost t)enty
years have passed since then/ and *y ,urning desire to
advocate change has given )ay to *y ,urning desire to pay off
*y *ortgage and ,uild up *y retire*ent fund. ! reali6ed/ for the
first ti*e in a long )hile/ that ! had ensconced *yself in a
*iddle3class cocoon/ one that sheltered *e fro* society at large
and one ! had gro)n accusto*ed to.
"Let *e share an old story )ith you that *ight really hit
ho*e." .ulian continued. "here )as once a fee,le old )o*an
)hose loving hus,and died. &o she )ent to live )ith her son and
his )ife and daughter. Every day/ the )o*an-s sight gre) )orse
and her hearing gre) )orse. &o*e days her hands tre*,led so
,adly the peas on her plate rolled onto the floor and the soup ran
fro* her cup. (er son and his )ife couldn-t help ,ut ,e annoyed
at the *ess she *ade and one day they said enough )as enough.
&o they set up a little ta,le for the old )o*an in a corner ne1t to
the ,roo* closet and *ade her eat all of her *eals there/ alone.
&he )ould loo0 at the* at *ealti*es )ith tear3filled eyes fro*
across the roo*/ ,ut they hardly tal0ed to her )hile they ate/
e1cept to scold her for dropping a spoon or a for0.
"One evening/ Just ,efore dinner/ the little girl )as sitting on
the floor playing )ith her ,uilding ,loc0s. -2hat are you
*a0ingM- her father as0ed earnestly. -!-* ,uilding a little ta,le
for you and *other/- she said/ -so you can eat ,y yourselves in
the corner so*eday )hen ! get ,ig.- he father and *other
)ere *oved to silence for )hat see*ed li0e an eternity. hen
they started to )eep. !n that instant they ,eca*e a)are of the
nature of their actions and the sadness they had caused. hat
night they led the old )o*an ,ac0 to her rightful place at their
,ig dinner ta,le and fro* that day on she ate all her *eals )ith
the*. And )hen a little *orsel of food fell off the ta,le or a
for0 strayed onto the floor/ no,ody see*ed to *ind any*ore.
"!n this story/ the parents )ere not ,ad people/" .ulian said.
"hey si*ply needed the spar0 of a)areness to light their candle
of co*passion. 'o*passion and daily acts of 0indness *a0e life
far richer. a0e the ti*e to *editate every *orning on the good
you )ill do for others during your day. he sincere )ords of
praise to those )ho least e1pect it/ the gestures of )ar*th
offered to
friends in need/ the s*all to0ens of affection to *e*,ers of your
fa*ily for no reason at all/ all add up to a *uch *ore )onderful
)ay to live. And spea0ing of friendships/ *a0e sure you 0eep
the* in constant repair. A person )ith three solid friends is very
)ealthy indeed."
! nodded.
"Friends add hu*or/ fascination and ,eauty to life. here are
fe) things *ore reJuvenating than sharing a ,elly3,ursting
laugh )ith an old friend. Friends 0eep you hu*,le )hen you get
too self3 righteous. Friends *a0e you s*ile )hen you are ta0ing
yourself too seriously. "ood friends are there to help you )hen
life thro)s one of its little curves at you and things loo0 )orse
than they see*. 2hen ! )as a ,usy litigator/ ! had no ti*e for
friends. No) ! a* alone/ e1cept for you/ .ohn. ! have no one to
ta0e long )al0s in the )oods )ith )hen everyone else is nestled
into the cocoon of a soft/ ha6y slu*,er. 2hen ! have Just put
do)n a )onderful ,oo0 that has *oved *e deeply/ ! have no
one to share *y thoughts )ith. And ! have no one to open *y
soul to )hen the sunshine of a glorious autu*n day )ar*s *y
heart and fills *e )ith Joy."
.ulian @uic0ly caught hi*self. "(o)ever/ regret is not an
activity for )hich ! have any ti*e. ! have learned fro* *y
teachers in &ivana that/ -Every da)n is a ne) day to the one
)ho is enlightened.-"
! had al)ays vie)ed .ulian as a sort of super3hu*an legal
gladiator/ crunching through the argu*ents of his opponents as a
*artial artist does through a stac0 of heavily reinforced ,oards.
! could see that the *an ! had *et *any years ago had ,een
transfor*ed into one of a very different nature. he one in front
of *e )as gentle/ 0ind and peaceful. (e see*ed secure in )ho he
)as and in his role in the theatre of life. Li0e no other person !
had ever
*et/ he see*ed to see the pain of his past as a )ise/ old teacher
and yet at the sa*e ti*e/ he served notice that his life )as far
*ore than the su* of events gone ,y.
.ulian-s eyes glittered in the hope of things yet to co*e. !
)as enveloped ,y his sense of delight for the )onders of this
)orld and caught up in his un,ridled Joy for living. !t appeared
to *e that .ulian Mantle/ hard3hitting/ ,one3crunching litigation
counsel to the )ell3heeled/ had indeed ,een elevated fro* a
hu*an ,eing passing through life )ithout a care for anyone/ to a
spiritual ,eing passing through life caring only a,out others.
7erhaps this )as the path that ! too )as a,out to )al0.
Chapter ') Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
)el%lessly )erve Ot#ers
"#e $uality o% your li%e ultimately !omes dow n to t#e
$uality o% your !ontribution
"o !ultivate t#e sa!redness o% ea!# day, live to &ive
9y elevatin& t#e lives o% ot#ers, your li%e rea!#es its
#i&#est dimensions
Pra!ti!e ,aily A!ts o% 0indness
/ive to "#ose 4#o As'
Cultivate *i!#er *elations#is
The #ost no!le thin( )ou can do is to (ive to others8 Start
focusin( on )our hi(her purpose8
'(A7E$ (!$EE N
he i*eless &ecret of
Lifelong (appiness
When + ad#ire the wonder of a sunset or the
!eaut) of the #oon, #) soul e,pands in worship of the
0reator8
Mahat*a "andhi
!t had ,een over t)elve hours since .ulian had arrived at *y
house the night ,efore to share the )isdo* he had gathered in
&ivana. hose t)elve hours )ere/ )ithout a dou,t/ the *ost
i*portant of *y life. All at once/ ! )as feeling e1hilarated/
*otivated and/ yes/ even li,erated. .ulian had funda*entally
changed *y outloo0 on life )ith #ogi $a*an-s fa,le and the
ageless virtues that it represented. ! reali6ed that ! had not even
,egun to e1plore the reaches of *y hu*an potential. ! had ,een
s@uandering the daily gifts that life had thro)n *y )ay. .ulian-s
)isdo* had allo)ed *e the opportunity to co*e to grips )ith
the
)ounds that )ere 0eeping *e fro* living )ith the laughter/
energy and fulfill*ent ! 0ne) that ! deserved. ! felt *oved.
"!-ll have to leave soon. #ou have co**it*ents )hich are
pressing on your ti*e and ! have *y o)n )or0 to tend to/"
.ulian said apologetically.
"My )or0 can )ait."
"Unfortunately/ *ine can-t/" he said )ith a @uic0 s*ile.
"But ,efore ! leave/ ! *ust reveal the final ele*ent of "#ogi
$a*an-s *agical fa,le. #ou )ill recall that the su*o )restler
)ho )al0ed out of the lighthouse in the *iddle of a ,eautiful
garden )ith nothing *ore than a pin0 )ire ca,le covering his
private parts slipped on a shiny gold stop)atch and fell to the
ground. After )hat see*ed li0e an eternity/ he finally regained
consciousness )hen the *arvellous fragrance of the yello) roses
reached his nose. (e then Ju*ped to his feet in delight and )as
astonished to see a long/ )inding path studded )ith *illions of
tiny dia*onds. Of course/ our friend the su*o )restler too0 the
path and/ in doing so/ lived happily ever after."
"&ee*s plausi,le/" ! chuc0led.
"#ogi $a*an had @uite a vivid i*agination/ !-ll agree. But
you have seen that his story has a purpose and that the
principles it sy*,oli6es are not only po)erful + they are highly
practical."
"rue/" ! agreed )ithout reservation.
"he path of dia*onds/ then/ )ill serve to re*ind you of the
final virtue for enlightened living. By carrying this principle )ith
you through your daily )or0/ you )ill enrich your life in a )ay
that is difficult for *e to descri,e. #ou )ill ,egin to see the
e1@uisite )onders in the si*plest of things and live )ith the
ecstacy you deserve. And ,y carrying out your pro*ise to *e
and sharing it )ith others/ you )ill also allo) the* to transfor*
their )orld fro*
the ordinary into the e1traordinary."
"2ill this ta0e *e a )hile to
learnM"
"he principle itself is stri0ingly straightfor)ard to grasp.
But learning ho) to apply it effectively in all your )a0ing
*o*ents )ill ta0e a couple of )ee0s of steady practice."
"O0ay/ !-* dying to hear it."
"Funny you say that ,ecause the seventh and final virtue is
all a,out living. he &ages of &ivana ,elieved that a truly Joyful
and re)arding life co*es only through a process they called
-living in the no).- hese yogis 0ne) that the past is )ater
under the ,ridge and the future is a distant sun on the hori6on of
your i*agination. he *ost i*portant *o*ent is no). Learn to
live in it and savor it fully."
"! understand e1actly )hat you are saying/ .ulian. ! see* to
spend *ost of *y day fretting over past events that ! have no
po)er to change or )orrying a,out things to co*e/ )hich never
do arrive. My *ind is al)ays flooded ,y a *illion little thoughts
pulling *e in a *illion different directions. !t-s really
frustrating."
"2hyM"
"!t tires *e out5 ! guess ! Just don-t have peace of *ind. #et
! have e1perienced ti*es )hen *y *ind is fully occupied on
only )hat )as in front of *e. Often this happened )hen ! )as
under the gun to cran0 out a legal ,rief and ! didn-t have ti*e to
thin0 a,out anything other than the tas0 at hand. !-ve also felt
this 0ind of total focus )hen ! )as playing soccer )ith the ,oys
and ! really )anted to )in. (ours see*ed to pass ,y in
*inutes and ! felt centered. !t )as as if the only thing that
*attered to *e )as )hat ! )as doing in that very *o*ent.
Everything else/ the )orries/ the ,ills/ the la) practice/ didn-t
count. 'o*e to thin0 of it/ these )ere pro,a,ly the ti*es )hen !
felt the *ost peaceful as )ell."
"Being engaged in a pursuit that truly challenges you is the
surest route to personal satisfaction. But the real 0ey to
re*e*,er is that happiness is a =ourne), not a destination8 Live
for today + there )ill never ,e another one @uite li0e it/"
stated .ulian/ his s*ooth hands co*ing together as if to give a
prayer of than0s for ,eing privy to )hat he had Just said.
"!s that the principle that the path of dia*onds in #ogi
$a*an-s fa,le sy*,oli6esM" ! as0ed.
"#es/" ca*e the succinct reply. ".ust as the su*o )restler
found lasting fulfill*ent and Joy ,y )al0ing the path of
dia*onds/ you can have the life you deserve the very *o*ent
you start to understand that the path you are currently )al0ing
on is one rich )ith dia*onds and other priceless treasures.
&top spending so *uch ti*e chasing life-s ,ig pleasures )hile
you neglect the little ones. &lo) things do)n. EnJoy the ,eauty
and sacredness of all that is around you. #ou o)e this to
yourself."
"%oes that *ean that ! should stop setting ,ig goals for *y
future and concentrate on the presentM"
"No/" replied .ulian fir*ly. "As ! said earlier/ goals and
drea*s for the future are essential ele*ents in every truly
successful life. (ope for )hat )ill appear in your future is )hat
gets you out of ,ed in the *orning and )hat 0eeps you
inspired through your days. "oals energi6e your life. My point
is si*ply this; never put off happiness for the sa0e of
achieve*ent. Never put off the things that are i*portant for
your )ell3,eing and satisfaction to a later ti*e. oday is the day
to live fully/ not )hen you )in the lottery or )hen you retire.
Never put off living5"
.ulian stood up and started pacing ,ac0 and forth across the
living roo* floor li0e a seasoned litigator releasing his final
0ernels of reason in an i*passioned closing argu*ent. "%on-t fool
yourself
into thin0ing that you )ill ,e a *ore loving and giving hus,and
)hen your la) fir* ta0es on a fe) *ore Junior la)yers to ease
the ,urden. %on-t 0id yourself into ,elieving that you )ill
start to enrich your *ind/ care for your ,ody and nourish your
soul )hen your ,an0 account gets ,ig enough and you have the
lu1ury of *ore free ti*e. oday is the day to enJoy the fruits of
your efforts. oday is the day to sei6e the *o*ent and live a
life that soars. oday is the day to live fro* your i*agination
and harvest your drea*s. And please never/ ever forget the gift
of fa*ily."
"!-* not sure ! 0no) e1actly )hat you *ean .ulianM"
"Live your children-s childhood/" ca*e the si*ple
reply. "(uhM" ! *uttered/ perple1ed at the apparent
parado1.
"Fe) things are as *eaningful as ,eing a part of your
children-s childhood. 2hat is the point of cli*,ing the steps of
success if you have *issed the first steps of your o)n 0idsM
2hat good is o)ning the ,iggest house on your ,loc0 if you
have not ta0en the ti*e to create a ho*eM 2hat is the use of
,eing 0no)n across the country as a red3hot trial la)yer if your
0ids don-t even 0no) their fatherM" .ulian offered/ his voice no)
@uivering )ith e*otion. "! 0no) )hereof ! spea0."
his last co**ent floored *e. All ! 0ne) of .ulian )as that
he had ,een a superstar litigator )ho hung out )ith the rich and
the ,eautiful. (is ro*antic trysts )ith nu,ile fashion *odels
)ere al*ost as legendary as his courtroo* s0ills. 2hat could
this for*er *illionaire play,oy possi,ly 0no) a,out ,eing a
fatherM 2hat could he possi,ly 0no) a,out the daily struggles !
faced in trying to ,e all things to all people/ a great father and a
successful la)yerM But .ulian-s si1th sense caught *e.
"! do 0no) so*ething of the ,lessings )e call children/" he
said softly.
"But ! al)ays thought you )ere the city-s *ost eligi,le
,achelor ,efore you thre) in the to)el and gave up your
practice." "Before ! )as caught up in the illusion of that fast and
furious lifestyle that ! )as so )ell 0no)n for/ you 0no) that ! )as
*arried."
"#es."
(e then paused/ as a child *ight ,efore telling his ,est friend
a closely3guarded secret. "2hat you do not 0no) is that ! also
had a little daughter. &he )as the s)eetest/ *ost delicate creature
! have ever seen in *y life. Bac0 then/ ! )as a lot li0e you )ere
the first ti*e )e *et; coc0y/ a*,itious and full of hope. ! had
everything anyone could ever )ant. 7eople told *e ! had a
,rilliant future/ a stunningly ,eautiful )ife and a )onderful
daughter. #et/ )hen life see*ed to ,e perfect/ it )as all ta0en
fro* *e in an instant."
For the first ti*e since his return/ .ulian-s eternally Joyful
face )as enveloped in sadness. A single tear ,egan to slide do)n
one of his ,ron6ed chee0s and dripped onto the velvety fa,ric of
his ru,y red ro,e. ! )as speechless and gripped ,y the
revelation of *y long3ti*e friend.
"#ou don-t have to continue .ulian/" ! offered sy*pathetically/
placing an ar* around his shoulder to co*fort hi*.
"But ! do/ .ohn. Of all those ! 0ne) in *y for*er life/ you
sho)ed the *ost pro*ise. As ! said/ you re*inded *e a lot of
*yself )hen ! )as younger. Even no) you still have so *uch
going for you. But if you 0eep on living the )ay you-re living/
you are headed for disaster. ! ca*e ,ac0 to this place to sho)
you that there are so *any )onders )aiting for you to e1plore/
so *any *o*ents left for you to savor."
"he drun0 driver )ho 0illed *y daughter didn-t ta0e a)ay
only one precious life on that sun3soa0ed Octo,er afternoon + he
too0 t)o. After *y daughter-s passing/ *y life unravelled. !
started spending every )a0ing *inute at the office/ foolishly
hoping that *y legal career *ight ,e the salve for the pain of a
,ro0en heart. &o*edays/ ! even slept on a couch in *y office/
dreading to return to the ho*e )here so *any s)eet *e*ories
had ,een laid to rest. And )hile *y career did ta0e off/ *y inner
)orld )as a *ess. My )ife/ )ho had ,een *y constant
co*panion since la) school/ left *e/ citing *y o,session )ith *y
)or0 as the stra) that ,ro0e the prover,ial ca*el-s ,ac0. My
health deteriorated and ! spiralled into the infa*ous life that !
)as engaged in )hen )e first *et. &ure ! had everything *oney
could possi,ly ,uy. But ! sold *y soul for it/ ! really did/" .ulian
noted e*otionally/ his voice still cho0ed up.
"&o )hen you say -Live your children-s childhood/- you are
,asically telling *e to ta0e the ti*e to )atch the* gro) and
flourish. hat-s it/ isn-t itM"
"Even today/ t)enty3seven years after she left us )hile )e
)ere driving her to her ,est friend-s ,irthday party/ ! )ould give
anything Just to hear *y daughter giggle again or to play hide3
and3see0 li0e )e used to in our ,ac0 garden. ! )ould love to hold
her in *y ar*s and softly caress her golden hair. &he too0 a
piece of *y heart )ith her )hen she left. And though *y life
has ,een inspired ,y ne) *eaning since ! found the )ay to
enlighten*ent and self3leadership in &ivana/ a day doesn-t pass
)ithout *e seeing the rosy face of *y s)eet little girl in the
silent theatre of *y *ind. #ou have such great 0ids/ .ohn. %on-t
*iss the forest for the trees. he ,est gift you could ever give
your children is your love. "et to 0no) the* again. &ho) the*
that they are far *ore i*portant to you than the fleeting
re)ards of your professional career. 7retty soon they )ill ,e off/
,uilding lives and fa*ilies of their o)n. hen it )ill ,e too late/
the ti*e )ill ,e gone."
.ulian had struc0 a chord deep inside of *e. ! guess ! had
0no)n for so*e ti*e that *y )or0aholic pace )as slo)ly ,ut
steadily loosening our fa*ily-s ties. But it )as li0e a s*oldering
e*,er/ ,urning @uietly/ slo)ly gathering its energy ,efore
revealing the full e1tent of its destructive potential. ! 0ne) *y
0ids needed *e/ even if they *ight not have told *e so. ! needed
to hear this fro* .ulian. i*e )as slipping ,y and they )ere
gro)ing up so @uic0ly. ! couldn-t re*e*,er the last ti*e *y son
Andy and ! had stolen off early on a crisp &aturday *orning to
spend the day at the fishing hole his grandfather loved so *uch.
here )as a ti*e )hen )e )ould go every )ee0end. No)/ this
ti*e3honored ritual see*ed li0e so*eone else-s *e*ory.
he *ore ! thought a,out it/ the harder it hit *e. 7iano
recitals/ 'hrist*as plays/ little3league cha*pionships had all
,een traded for *y professional advance*ent.
-2hat )as ! doingM- ! )ondered. ! really )as sliding do)n
the slippery slope that .ulian descri,ed. here and then/ !
resolved to change.
"(appiness is a Journey/" .ulian continued/ his voice rising
once again )ith the heat of passion. "!t is also a choice that you
*a0e. #ou can *arvel at the dia*onds along the )ay or you can
0eep running through all your days/ chasing that elusive pot of
gold at the end of the rain,o) that ulti*ately reveals itself to ,e
e*pty. EnJoy the special *o*ents that every day offers ,ecause
today/ this day is all you have."
"'an anyone learn to -live in the no)-M"
"A,solutely. No *atter )hat your current circu*stances
*ight ,e/ you can train yourself to enJoy the gift of living and
fill your e1istence )ith the Je)els of everyday life."
"But isn-t that a little opti*istic. (o) a,out so*eone )ho has
Just lost everything they o)n due to a ,ad ,usiness deal. Let-s
say that not only are they financially ,an0rupt ,ut
e*otionally ,an0rupt as )ellM"
"he si6e of your ,an0 account and the si6e of your house
have nothing to do )ith living life )ith a sense of Joy and
)onder. his )orld is full of unhappy *illionaires. %o you thin0
the sages ! *et in &ivana )ere concerned )ith having a )ell3
,alanced financial portfolio and ac@uiring a su**er ho*e in the
&outh of FranceM" .ulian as0ed *ischievously.
"O0ay. ! see your point."
"here is a huge difference ,et)een *a0ing a lot of *oney
and *a0ing a lot of life. 2hen you start spending even five
*inutes a day practicing the art of gratitude/ you )ill cultivate
the richness of living that you are loo0ing for. Even the person
you spo0e of in your e1a*ple can find an a,undance of things
to ,e than0ful for/ not)ithstanding his dire financial
predica*ent. As0 hi* if he still has his health/ his loving fa*ily
and his good reputation in the co**unity. Ouestion hi* as to
)hether he is happy to have citi6enship in this great country and
)hether he still has a roof over his head. 7erhaps he *ight have
no assets other than a *asterful a,ility to )or0 hard and the
a,ility to drea* ,ig drea*s. #et these are precious assets for
)hich he ought to ,e grateful. 2e all have *uch to ,e
than0ful for. Even the ,irds singing outside your )indo)sill on
)hat loo0s li0e another *agnificent su**er-s day appear as a
gift to the )ise person. $e*e*,er/ .ohn/ life doesn-t al)ays give
you )hat you as0 for/ ,ut it al)ays gives you )hat you need."
"&o ,y giving daily than0s for all of *y assets/ )hether
these are *aterial or spiritual/ ! )ill develop the ha,it of living
in the *o*entM"
"#es. his is an effective *ethod for putting far *ore living
into your life. 2hen you savor th e -no)/- you 0indle the fire of
life that allo)s you to gro) your destiny."
""ro) *y destinyM"
"#es. ! told you earlier that )e all have ,een given certain
talents. Every single person on the planet is a genius."
"#ou don-t 0no) so*e of the la)yers ! )or0 )ith/" !
@uipped. "Everyone/" said .ulian e*phatically. "2e all have
so*ething
that )e are *eant to do. #our genius )ill shine through/ and
happiness )ill fill your life/ the instant you discover your higher
purpose and then direct all your energies to)ards it. Once you
are connected to this *ission/ )hether it is ,eing a great teacher
of children or an inspired artist/ all your desires )ill ,e fulfilled
effortlessly. #ou )ill not even have to try. As a *atter of fact/ the
harder you try/ the longer it )ill ta0e you to reach your ai*s.
!nstead/ si*ply follo) the path of your drea*s/ in full
e1pectation of the ,ounty that is certain to flo). his )ill ,ring
you to your divine destination. his is )hat ! *ean ,y gro)ing
your destiny/" .ulian offered sagely.
"2hen ! )as a young ,oy/ *y father loved to read *e a fairy
tale 0no)n as -7eter and the Magic hread.- 7eter )as a very
lively little ,oy. Everyone loved hi*; his fa*ily/ his teachers
and his friends. But he did have one )ea0ness."
"2hat )as thatM"
"7eter could never live in the *o*ent (e had not learned to
enJoy the process of life. 2hen he )as in school/ he drea*ed of
,eing outside playing. 2hen he )as outside playing he drea*ed
of his su**er vacation. 7eter constantly daydrea*ed/ never
ta0ing the ti*e to savor the special *o*ents that filled his
days. One *orning/ 7eter )as out )al0ing in a forest near his
ho*e. Feeling
tired/ he decided to rest on a patch of grass and eventually do6ed
off. After only a fe) *inutes of deep sleep/ he heard so*eone
calling his na*e. -7eter5 7eter5- ca*e the shrill voice fro* a,ove.
As he slo)ly opened his eyes/ he )as startled to see a stri0ing
)o*an standing a,ove hi*. &he *ust have ,een over a hundred
years old and her sno)3)hite hair dangled )ell ,elo) her
shoulders li0e a *atted ,lan0et of )ool. !n this )o*an-s
)rin0led hand )as a *agical little ,all )ith a hole in the center
and out of the hole dangled a long/ golden thread."
"-7eter/- she said/ this is the thread of your life. !f you pull
the thread Just a ,it/ an hour )ill pass in seconds. !f you pull a
little harder/ )hole days )ill pass in *inutes. And if you pull
)ith all your *ight/ *onths + even years + )ill pass ,y in
days.- 7eter gre) very e1cited at this discovery. -!-d li0e to have
it if ! *ayM- he as0ed. he elderly )o*an @uic0ly reached do)n
and gave the ,all )ith the *agic thread to the young ,oy.
he ne1t day/ 7eter )as sitting in the classroo* feeling
restless and ,ored. &uddenly/ he re*e*,ered his ne) toy. As he
pulled a little ,it of the golden thread/ he @uic0ly found hi*self at
ho*e/ playing in his garden. $eali6ing the po)er of the *agic
thread/ 7eter soon gre) tired of ,eing a school,oy and longed to
,e a teenager/ )ith all the e1cite*ent that phase of life )ould
,ring. &o again he pulled out the ,all and pulled hard on the
golden thread.
&uddenly he )as a teenager )ith a very pretty young
girlfriend na*ed Elise. But 7eter still )asn-t content. (e had
never learned to enJoy the *o*ent and to e1plore the si*ple
)onders of every stage of his life. !nstead/ he drea*ed of ,eing
an adult. &o again he pulled on the thread and *any years
)hi66ed ,y in an instant. No) he found that he had ,een
transfor*ed into a
*iddle3aged adult. Elise )as no) his )ife and 7eter )as
surrounded )ith a houseful of 0ids. But 7eter also noticed
so*ething else. (is once Jet ,lac0 hair had started to turn grey.
And his once youthful *other )ho* he loved so dearly had
gro)n old and frail. #et 7eter still could not live in the *o*ent.
(e had never learned to -live in the no)- &o/ once again/ he
pulled on the *agic thread and )aited for the changes to appear.
7eter no) found that he )as a ninety3year3old *an. (is
thic0 dar0 hair had turned )hite as sno) and his ,eautiful
young )ife Elise had also gro)n old and had passed a)ay a fe)
years earlier. (is )onderful children had gro)n up and left
ho*e to lead lives of their o)n. For the first ti*e in his entire
life/ 7eter reali6ed that he had not ta0en the ti*e to e*,race
the )onders of living. (e had never gone fishing )ith his 0ids
or ta0en a *oonlight stroll )ith Elise. (e had never planted a
garden or read those )onderful ,oo0s his *other had loved to
read. !nstead/ he had hurried through life/ never resting to see
all that )as good along the )ay.
7eter ,eca*e very sad at this discovery. (e decided to go out
to the forest )here he used to )al0 as a ,oy to clear his head and
)ar* his spirit. As he entered the forest/ he noticed that the little
saplings of his childhood had gro)n into *ighty oa0s. he forest
itself had *atured into a paradise of nature. (e lay do)n on a
s*all patch of grass and fell into a deep slu*,er. After only a
*inute/ he heard so*eone calling out to hi*. -7eter5 7eter5- cried
the voice. (e loo0ed up in astonish*ent to see that it )as none
other than the old )o*an )ho had given hi* the ,all )ith the
*agic golden thread *any years earlier.
-(o) have you enJoyed *y special giftM- she as0ed.
7eter )as direct in his reply.
-At first it )as fun ,ut no) ! hate it. My )hole life has
passed
,efore *y eyes )ithout giving *e the chance to enJoy it. &ure/
there )ould have ,een sad ti*es as )ell as great ti*es ,ut !
haven-t had the chance to e1perience either. ! feel e*pty inside. !
have *issed the gift of living.-
-#ou are very ungrateful/- said the old )o*an. -&till/ ! )ill
give you one last )ish.-
7eter thought for an instant and then ans)ered hastily. -!-d
li0e to go ,ac0 to ,eing a school,oy and live *y life over again.-
(e then returned to his deep sleep.
Again he heard so*eone calling his na*e and opened his eyes.
-2ho could it ,e this ti*eM- he )ondered. 2hen he opened his
eyes/ he )as a,solutely delighted to see his *other standing
over his ,edside. &he loo0ed young/ healthy and radiant. 7eter
reali6ed that the strange )o*an of the forest had indeed granted
his )ish and he had returned to his for*er life.
-(urry up 7eter. #ou sleep too *uch. #our drea*s )ill *a0e
you late for school if you don-t get up right this *inute/- his
*other ad*onished. Needless to say/ 7eter dashed out of ,ed
on this *orning and ,egan to live the )ay he had hoped. 7eter
)ent on to live a full life/ one rich )ith *any delights/ Joys and
triu*phs/ ,ut it all started )hen he stopped sacrificing the
present for the future and ,egan to live in the *o*ent."
"A*a6ing story/" ! said softly.
"Unfortunately/ .ohn/ the story of 7eter and the Magic
hread is Just that/ a story/ a fairy tale. 2e here in the real )orld
)ill never get a second chance to live life to the fullest. oday is
your chance to a)a0en to the gift of living + ,efore it is too
late. i*e really does slip through your fingers li0e tiny grains
of sand. Let this ne) day ,e the defining *o*ent of your life/
the day that you
*a0e the decision once and for all to focus on )hat is truly
i*portant to you. Ma0e the decision to spend *ore ti*e )ith
those )ho *a0e your life *eaningful. $evere the special
*o*ents/ revel in their po)er. %o the things that you have
al)ays )anted to do. 'li*, that *ountain you have al)ays
)anted to cli*, or learn to play the tru*pet. %ance in the rain or
,uild a ne) ,usiness. Learn to love *usic/ learn a ne) language
and re0indle the delight of your childhood. &top putting off your
happiness for the sa0e of achieve*ent. !nstead/ )hy not enJoy
the processM $evive your spirit and start tending to your soul.
his is the )ay to Nirvana."
"NirvanaM"
"he &ages of &ivana ,elieved that the ulti*ate destination
of all truly enlightened souls )as a place called Nirvana.
Actually/ *ore than a place/ the sages ,elieved Nirvana to ,e a
state/ one that transcended anything they had 0no)n previously.
!n Nirvana/ all things )ere possi,le. here )as no suffering and
the dance of life )as played out )ith divine perfection. On
reaching Nirvana/ the sages felt that they )ould step into
(eaven on Earth. his )as their ulti*ate goal in life/" .ulian
o,served/ his face radiating a peaceful/ al*ost angelic @uality.
"2e are all here for so*e special reason/" he o,served
prophetically. "Meditate on )hat your true calling is/ and ho)
you can give of yourself to others. &top ,eing a prisoner of
gravity. oday/ light your spar0 of life and let it ,la6e
,rightly. &tart applying the principles and strategies that ! have
shared )ith you. Be all that you can ,e. A ti*e )ill co*e )hen
you too )ill taste the fruits of that place called Nirvana."
"(o) )ill ! 0no) )hen ! reach this state of enlighten*entM"
"Little hints )ill appear to confir* your entrance. #ou )ill
start to notice the holiness in everything that is around you; the
divinity of a *oon,ea*/ the allure of a lush ,lue s0y on a
scorching
su**er day/ the fragrant ,loo* of a daisy or the laugh of a
*ischievous little child."
".ulian/ ! pro*ise you that the ti*e you have spent )ith *e
)ill not ,e in vain. ! )ill dedicate *yself to living ,y the )isdo*
of the &ages of &ivana and ! )ill 0eep *y pro*ise to you ,y
sharing all that ! have learned )ith those )ho )ill ,enefit ,y
your *essage. ! a* spea0ing fro* the heart. ! give you *y
)ord/" ! offered sincerely/ feeling the throes of e*otion stirring
)ithin.
"&pread the rich legacy of the sages to all those around you.
hey )ill @uic0ly ,enefit fro* this 0no)ledge and i*prove the
@uality of their lives/ Just as you )ill i*prove the @uality of
yours. And re*e*,er/ the Journey is to ,e enJoyed. he road is
Just as good as the end."
! let .ulian continue. "#ogi $a*an )as a great storyteller ,ut
there )as one story he told *e )hich stood out a*ongst the
rest. May ! share it )ith youM"
"A,solutely."
"Many years ago/ in ancient !ndia/ a *aharaJah )anted to
,uild a great tri,ute to his )ife as a sign of his deep love and
affection for her. his *an )anted to create a structure the
li0es of )hich the )orld had never seen/ one that )ould shi**er
across the *oonlit s0y/ one that people )ould ad*ire for
centuries to co*e. &o every day/ ,loc0 ,y ,loc0/ his )or0ers
toiled in the hot sun. Every day this structure started to loo0 a
little *ore defined/ a little *ore li0e a *onu*ent/ a little *ore
li0e a ,eacon of love against the a6ure ,lue !ndian s0y. Finally/
after t)enty3t)o years of daily/ gradual progress/ this palace of
pure *ar,le )as co*plete. "uess )hat !-* spea0ing ofM"
"! have no idea."
"he aJ Mahal. One of the &even 2onders of the 2orld/"
.ulian replied. "My point is si*ple. Everyone on this planet is a
)onder of this )orld. Every one of us is a hero in so*e )ay or
another. Every one of us has the potential for e1traordinary
achieve*ent/ happiness and lasting fulfill*ent. All it ta0es are
s*all steps in the direction of our drea*s. Li0e the aJ Mahal/ a
life overflo)ing )ith )onders is ,uilt day ,y day/ ,loc0 ,y ,loc0.
&*all victories lead to large victories. iny/ incre*ental changes
and i*prove*ents such as those ! have suggested )ill create
positive ha,its. 7ositive ha,its )ill create results. And results
)ill inspire you to)ards greater personal change. Begin to live
each day as if it )as your last. &tarting today/ learn *ore/ laugh
*ore and do )hat you truly love to do. %o not ,e denied your
destiny. For )hat lies ,ehind you and )hat lies in front of you
*atters little )hen co*pared to )hat lies )ithin you."
2ithout saying another )ord/ .ulian Mantle/ the *illionaire
la)yer3turned enlightened *on0/ got up/ e*,raced *e li0e the
,rother he had never had and )al0ed out of *y living roo* into
the thic0 heat of another scorching su**er day. As ! sat alone
and collected *y thoughts/ ! noticed that the only evidence !
could find of this sage *essenger-s e1traordinary visit sat
silently on the coffee ta,le in front of *e. !t )as his e*pty cup.
Chapter '* Action Summary Julian's Wisdom in a Nutshell
h e Sym!ol
h e "i r t u e
he Wi sdom
h e echni #ue s
$uot a!l e $uot e
Embra!e t#e Present
Live in t#e 8now8( )avor t # e &i%t o% t#e resent
1ever sa!ri%i!e #ainess %o r a!#ievement
)avor t#e :ourney and live ea!# day as your last
Live Your C#ildrens; C#ild#ood
Pra!ti!e /ratitude
/row Your ,estiny
We are all here for so#e special reason8 Stop !ein( a prisoner of
)our past8 5eco#e the architect of )our future8
he 7 imeless "irtues o+ Enli,htened -i.in,
6irtue )ymbol
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"#e "owerin& Li&#t#ouse
"#e )umo 4restler
11111111111 FP
"#e Pin' 4ire Cable
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"#e /old )towat!#
"#e +ra&rant *oses
Embra!e% resent
"#e Pat# o% ,iamonds