9 THE ANCIENT ART OF SELF-LEADERSHIP

                     


              Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly.

                                                            Confucius

"Time   is   passing   quickly,"   said   Julian   before   pouring   himself
another cup of tea . "The morning will soon be upon us . Do you
want me to continue or have you had enough for one night?"
     There was no way that I was going to let this man, who held
such gems of wisdom within his grasp, stop without completing his
story. At the outset, his tale seemed fantastic. But as I listened to
him, as I absorbed the ageless philosophy that had been bestowed
upon him, I came to believe deeply in what he was saying. These
were not the superficial self-serving ruminations of some two-bit
huckster. Julian was the real thing. He clearly walked his talk. And
his message rang true . I trusted him.
     "Please continue, Julian, I have all the time in the world. The
kids are sleeping at their grandparents' house tonight, and Jenny

won't be up for hours." 

     Sensing my sincerity, he continued with the symbolic fable that 

Yogi Raman had offered him to illustrate his wisdom on cultivating 

a richer, more radiant life. 

     "I have told you that the garden represents the fertile garden 

of your mind, a garden that is filled with delightful treasures and 

boundless riches. I have also spoken of the lighthouse and how it 

represents the power of goals and the importance of discovering 

your calling in life. You will recall that as the fable continues, the 

door of the lighthouse slowly opens and out walks a nine-foot-tall, 

nine-hundred-pound Japanese sumo wrestler." 

     "Sounds like a bad Godzilla movie." 

     "I used to love those when I was a kid." 

     "Me too. But don't let me distract you," I replied. 

     "The  sumo wrestler represents  a very important element in 

the life-changing system of the Sages of Sivana. Yogi Raman told 

me that many centuries ago in the ancient East, the great teachers 

developed and refined a philosophy called kaizen. This Japanese 

word means constant and never-ending improvement. And it's the 

personal   trademark   of  every   man   and   woman   who   is   living   a 

 soaring, fully awakened existence." 

     "How did the concept of kaizen enrich the lives of the sages?" 

 I asked. 

     "As  I mentioned earlier, John, success on the outside begins 

with success on the inside. If you really want to improve your outer 

world, whether this means your health, your relationships or your 

finances,   you   must   first   improve   your   inner   world.   The   most 

 effective way to do this is through the practice of continuous self- 

improvement. Self-mastery is the DNA of life mastery." 

     "Julian, I hope you don't mind me saying it, but all this talk 

about one's 'inner world' sounds more than a little esoteric to me. 

Remember, I'm just a middle-class lawyer from the leafy suburbs 

with   a   minivan   sitting  in   the   driveway   and   a   Lawn-Boy in   the 

garage. 

     "Look. Everything you have told me so far makes sense. As a 

matter of fact, much of what you have shared with me appears to 

be common sense, although I know that common sense is anything 

but common in this day and age. I must tell you though, I'm having 

a little difficulty with this notion of kaizen and improving my inner 

world. What exactly are we talking about here?" 

     Julian was  agile  in his response.  "In  our  society, we  all too 

often   label   the  ignorant   as  weak.   However,   those  who   express 

their   lack   of  knowledge   and   seek   instruction   find   the   path   to 

enlightenment before anyone else. Your questions are honest and 

show me  that you   are  open  to fresh ideas.  Change  is  the  most 

powerful force in our society today. Most people fear it, the wise 

embrace it. Zen tradition speaks of a beginner's mind: those who 

keep their minds open to new concepts — those whose cups are 

always empty — will always move to higher levels of achievement 

and fulfillment. Never be reluctant to ask even the most basic of 

questions.   Questions   are   the   most   effective   method   of eliciting 

knowledge." 

     "Thanks. But I still am unclear about kaizen." 

     "When   I   speak of improving your inner world,  I am simply 

speaking of self-improvement and personal expansion and it is the 

best thing you can do for yourself. You might think that you are too 

busy to spend time working on yourself. This would be a very big 

mistake. You see, when you have taken the time to build a strong 

character full of discipline, energy, power and optimism, you can 

have   anything  and   do   anything  you  want   in   your   outer  world. 

When you have cultivated a deep sense of faith in your abilities and 

an indomitable spirit, nothing can stop you from succeeding in all 

your pursuits  and living with  great rewards.  Taking the time  to 

master your mind, to care for the body and to nourish your soul 

will put you in a position to develop more richness and vitality in 

your life. It is as Epictetus said so many years ago: 'No man is free 

who is not a master of himself.'" 

     "So kaizen is actually a very practical concept." 

     "Very. Think about it, John. How could a person possibly lead 

a   corporation   if  he   cannot   even   lead   himself?   How   could   you 

nurture   a family if you   haven't learned to   nurture   and   care  for 

yourself?  How could you possibly do good if you don't even feel 

good? Do you see my point?" 

     I nodded in full agreement. This was the first time I had given 

any serious thought to the importance of improving myself. I had 

always thought that all those people I would see on the subway 

reading books with titles like The Power of  Positive Thinking or 

MegaLiving!   were   troubled        souls   desperate   for   some   form   of 

medicine to get them back on course.  Now I realized that those 

who took the time to  strengthen themselves were the  strongest 

and that it was only through improving one's self that one could 

ever hope to improve the lot of others . I then started to reflect on 

all the things I could improve. I really could use the added energy 

and    good    health   that  exercising   would    surely   bring.   Ridding 

myself of my nasty temper and my habit of interrupting  others 

might do wonders for my relationship with my wife and kids. And 

erasing my worry habit would give me the peace of mind and deep 

happiness I had been searching for. The more I thought about it, 

the more potential improvements I saw. 

     As I started to see all the positive things that would flood into 

my life through the cultivation of good habits, I grew excited. But 

I   realized   that   Julian   was   talking   about    far  more    than   the 

importance      of   daily  exercise,   a   healthful  diet   and   a   balanced 

lifestyle. What he had learned in the Himalayas was deeper and 

more meaningful than this. He spoke of the importance of building 

strength   of  character,   developing   mental   toughness   and   living 

with courage.  He told me that these three attributes would lead 

one not only to a virtuous life but to a life filled with achievement, 

satisfaction   and   inner   peace.   Courage   was   a   quality   everyone 

could cultivate and one that would pay huge dividends over the 

long run . 

     "What     does   courage     have   to  do   with  self-leadership    and 

personal development?" I wondered aloud. 

     "Courage allows you to run your own race . Courage allows you 

to do whatever you want to do because you know that it is right . 

Courage gives you the self-control to persist where others have 

failed. Ultimately, the degree of courage you live with determines 

the amount of fulfillment you receive. It allows you to truly realize 

all the exquisite wonders of the epic that is your life. And those 

who master themselves have an abundance of courage." 

     "Okay. I am starting to understand the power of working on 

myself. Where do I start? " 

     Julian returned to his conversation with Yogi Raman high atop 

the mountains,  on what he remembered as a remarkably starry 

and gloriously beautiful night. 

     "Initially,    I  too   had    trouble    with   the   notion    of   self- 

improvement.   After   all,   I   was   a   tough,   Harvard-trained   legal 

gunslinger who had no time for New Age theories forced on me by 

what   I   thought were people with bad haircuts who  hung out at 

airports.   I   was   wrong.   It   was   this   close-mindedness   that   was 

holding my life back all of those years . The more I listened to Yogi 

Raman and the more I reflected on the pain and suffering of my 

former   world,   the   more   I   welcomed   the   philosophy   of  kaizen, 

constant and never-ending enrichment of the mind, body and soul, 

into my new life," Julian asserted. 

     "Why am I hearing so much about the 'mind, body and soul' 

these    days?    It  seems    I  can't  even   turn   on   the   tube   without 

someone making mention of it." 

     "This is the trilogy of your human endowments. To improve 

your mind without the cultivation of your physical gifts would be a 

very hollow victory. Elevating your mind and body to their highest 

level  without   nurturing  your   soul  would  leave   you   feeling very 

empty   and   unfulfilled.   But when   you   dedicate   your   energies   to 

unlocking       the   full  potential     of  all   three   of   your    human 

endowments, you will taste the divine  ecstacy of an enlightened 

life." 

     "You've got me pretty excited, pal." 

     "As to your question about where to start, I promise that I will 

give  you   a   number   of ancient yet powerful techniques  in   a few 

moments. But first I must share a practical illustration with you. 

Get into push-up position." 

     'Good     grief,  Julian's   become      a  drill  sergeant,'    I  silently 

thought.   Being   curious   and   wishing   to   keep   my   cup   empty,   I 

complied. 

     "Now do as many push-ups as you can possibly do. Don't stop 

until you truly are certain that you cannot do any more." 

     I   struggled   with   the   exercise,   my   two-hundred-and-fifteen- 

pound frame   not being used  to  much   more than walking to  the 

nearest McDonald's with my kids or meandering through a round 

 of golf with my law partners . The first fifteen push-ups were pure 

agony.   With    the   heat  of   that  summer     evening   adding   to   my 

discomfort,      I  started   to   sweat    profusely.   However,      I  was 

determined not to show any signs of weakness and carried on until 

my vanity started to give way along with my arms . At twenty- 

three push-ups I gave up . 

     "No more, Julian. This is killing me. What are you trying to do 

here?" 

     "Are you certain that you can't do any more?" 

     "I'm sure . C'mon, give me a break. The only lesson I'm going 

to learn from this is what to do for a heart attack." 

     "Do ten more. Then you can rest, " commanded Julian. 

     "You've got to be kidding!" 

     But I continued. One. Two. Five. Eight. And finally ten. I lay 

on the floor in total exhaustion. 

     "I   went   through   precisely   the   same   experience   with   Yogi 

Raman the night he shared his special fable with me," said Julian. 

"He told me that pain was a great teacher." 

     "What   could   anyone  possibly learn   from   an   experience   like 

this?" I asked breathlessly. 

     "Yogi Raman, and all of the Sages of Sivana for that matter, 

believed that people grow the most when they enter the Zone of 

the Unknown." 

     "Okay. But what does that have to do with making me do all 

those push-ups?" 

     "You    told  me    after  you   had   done   twenty-three     that  you 

couldn't do  any more.  You told  me  that this was  your   absolute 

limit. Yet, when I challenged you to do more, you responded with 

another   ten   push-ups.   You   had  more  inside  you   and  when   you 

reached   for   your   resources,   you     received   more.   Yogi   Raman 

explained a fundamental truth to me whilst I was his student : 'The 

only limits on your life are those that you set yourself. ' When you 

dare to get out of your circle of comfort and explore the unknown, 

you start to liberate your true human potential.  This is the first 

step     towards     self-mastery      and   mastery      over    every    other 

circumstance in your life. When you push beyond your limits, just 

as  you   did   in   this   little   demonstration,   you   unlock   mental   and 

physical reserves that you never thought you had." 

     'Fascinating,'   I   thought.  Come  to  think of it,   I   had recently 

read in a book that the average person uses only a minute measure 

of his human capacity. I wondered what we could do if we started 

using the remaining reservoir of our abilities. 

     Julian sensed he was on a roll. 

     "You   practice   the   art   of   kaizen   by   pushing   yourself   daily. 

Work hard to improve your mind and body.  Nourish your spirit. 

Do the things you fear.  Start to live with unbridled energy and 

limitless enthusiasm. Watch the sun rise . Dance in a rain shower. 

Be the person you dream of being. Do the things you have always 

wanted      to  do   but   didn't   because     you   tricked    yourself    into 

believing that you were too young, too old, too rich or too poor. 

Prepare to live a soaring, fully alive life. In the East they say that 

luck   favors   the   prepared   mind.   I     believe   that   life  favors   the 

prepared mind." 

     Julian continued his passionate discourse. "Identify the things 

that are holding you back. Are you scared of speaking or do you 

have trouble in your relationships? Do you lack a positive attitude 

or do you need more  energy?  Make a written inventory of your 

weaknesses. Satisfied people are far more thoughtful than others . 

Take the time to reflect on what it is that might be keeping you 

from the life you really want and know deep down you can have. 

Once you have identified what your weaknesses are, the next step 

 is to face them head on and attack your fears.  If you fear public 

 speaking, sign up to give twenty speeches.  If you fear starting a 

 new business or getting out of a dissatisfying relationship, muster 

 every ounce of your inner resolve and do it. This might be the first 

 taste of real freedom that you have experienced in years . Fear is 

 nothing more than a mental monster you have created, a negative 

 stream of consciousness." 

      "Fear is nothing more than a negative stream of consciousness? 

 I like that . You mean all my fears are nothing more than imaginary 

 little gremlins that have crept into my mind over the years?" 

      "Exactly,   John.   Every   time   they   have   prevented   you   from 

 taking some action, you have added fuel to their fire. But when you 

 conquer your fears, you conquer your life." 

      "I need an example." 

      "Sure. Let's take public speaking, an activity most people fear 

 more   than   death   itself.   When   I   was   a   litigator,   I   actually   saw 

 lawyers who were scared of stepping into court. They would do 

 anything, including settling their client's otherwise worthy cases 

jus t to avoid the pain of getting up on their feet inside a packed 

 courtroom." 

      "I've seen them too." 

      "Do you actually think that they were born with this fear?" 

      "I sure hope not." 

      "Study a baby. She has no limits. Her mind is a lush landscape 

 of potential and possibility. Properly cultivated, it will lead her to 

 greatness. Filled with negativity, it will lead her to mediocrity, at 

best . What I am saying is this : no experience, whether it is public 

 speaking or asking your boss for a raise  or  swimming in  a sun- 

 soaked   lake   or walking   along   the   beach   on   a   moonlit   night,   is 

 inherently painful or pleasant. It is your thinking that makes it so." 

     "Interesting." 

     "A   baby   could   be   trained   to   view   a   glorious   sunny   day   as 

depressing. A child could be trained to see a puppy as a vicious 

animal.  An   adult   could   be   trained   to   see   a   drug   as   a   pleasant 

vehicle for release. It's all a matter of conditioning, isn't it?" 

     "Sure." 

     "The same holds true of fear. Fear is a conditioned response : a 

life-sucking habit that can easily consume your energy, creativity 

and spirit if you are not careful. When fear rear s its ugly head, 

beat it down quickly. The best way to do that is to do the thing you 

fear. Understand the anatomy of fear. It is your own creation. Like 

any other creation, it is just as easy to tear it down as it is to erect 

it.  Methodically search   for and then   destroy every fear that has 

secretly slid into the fortress of your mind. This alone will give you 

enormous confidence, happiness and peace of mind." 

     "Can a person's mind actually be fully fearless?" I asked. 

     "Great question. The answer is an unequivocal and emphatic 

'Yes!' Each and every one of the Sages of Sivana was absolutely 

fearless. You could see it in the way they walked. You could see it 

in the way they talked. You could see it when you looked deep into 

their eyes and I'll tell you something else, John." 

     "What," I asked, fascinated by what I was hearing. 

     "I too am fearless. I know myself and I have come to see that 

my   natural   state   is   one   of indomitable   strength   and   unlimited 

potential. It was just that I was blocked by all those years of self- 

neglect and unbalanced thinking. I'll tell you another thing. When 

you erase fear from your mind, you start to look younger and your 

health becomes more vibrant." 

     'Ah, the old mind-body connection," I replied, hoping to mask 

my ignorance. 

     "Yes. The sages of the East have known about it for over five 

thousand  years .   Hardly   'new age,' "  he   said,  with   a broad  grin 

lighting up his radiant face. 

     "The sages shared another powerful principle with me which 

I think about often. I think it will be invaluable to you as you walk 

the path of self-leadership and personal mastery. It has given me 

motivation      at   times   when   I  feel   like   taking   things   easy.   The 

philosophy can be  stated  succinctly:  what sets  highly actualized 

people apart from those who never live inspired lives is that they 

do those things that less developed people don't like doing—even 

though they might not like doing them either. 

     "Truly     enlightened      people,     those   who     experience      deep 

happiness  daily,  are  prepared to  put  off short-term pleasure  for 

the sake of long-term fulfillment. So they tackle their weaknesses 

and fears head on, even if dipping into the zone of the unknown 

brings with it a measure of discomfort. They resolve to live by the 

wisdom       of   kaizen,    improving      every     aspect    of  themselves 

ceaselessly   and   continuously.  With   time,  things  that were   once 

difficult become easy. Fears that once prevented them from all the 

happiness, health and prosperity they deserved fall to the wayside 

like stickmen toppled by a hurricane." 

     "So   you're   suggesting   that   I   must   change   myself  before   I 

change my life?" 

     "Yes.   It's   like   that   old   story   my   favorite  professor   told  me 

when I was in law school. One night a father was relaxing with his 

newspaper after a long day at the office. His son, who wanted to 

play, kept on pestering him. Finally, fed up, the father ripped out a 

picture   of  the   globe   that   was   in   the   paper   and   tore   it   into   a 

hundred tiny pieces. 'Here son, go ahead and try to put this back 

together.' he said, hoping that this would keep the little boy busy 

long enough for him to finish reading his paper. To his amazement, 

his  son returned  after only one  minute with the   globe  perfectly 

back together. When   the   startled father asked how he   achieved 

this feat, the son smiled gently and replied 'Dad, on the other side 

of the globe there was a picture of a person,  and once I got the 

person together, the world was okay.'" 

     "That's a great story." 

     "You see John,  the wisest people  I have ever met,  from the 

Sages of Sivana to my professors at Harvard Law School, all seem 

to know the key formula for happiness." 

     "Do continue," I said with a hint of impatience. 

     "It's precisely what I said earlier : happiness comes through the 

progressive realization of a worthy objective. When you are doing 

what you truly love to do you are bound to find deep contentment." 

     "If happiness comes to everyone who simply does what they 

love doing, why are so many people miserable?" 

     "Fair point,  John.  Doing what you love, whether this means 

giving up the work you are presently doing to become an actor or 

spending less time on those things that are less important to make 

time for those things that are more meaningful, requires a great 

deal of courage. It requires you to step out of your comfort zone. 

And change is always a little uncomfortable at first. It is also more 

than a little risky. Having said this, this is the surest way to design 

a more joyful life." 

     "Exactly how does one go about building courage?" 

     "It's  the  same  as  the  story :  once you   get yourself together, 

your world will be okay.  Once you master your mind,  body and 

character, happiness and abundance will flow into your life almost 

magically.    But   you   must    spend   some    time   daily   working    on 

yourself, even if for only ten or fifteen minutes." 

     "And     what    does   the   nine-foot-tall,    nine-hundred-pound 

Japanese sumo wrestler symbolize in Yogi Raman's fable?" 

     "Our hefty friend will be your constant reminder of the power 

of  kaizen,    the   Japanese   word   for   constant   self-expansion    and 

progress." 

     In just a few hours, Julian had revealed the most powerful — 

and the most astonishing — information that I had ever heard in 

my lifetime.  I had learned of the magic in my own mind and its 

treasure     trove   of   potential .  I  had   learned    highly   practical 

techniques to still the mind and focus its power on my desires and 

dreams. I had learned the importance of having a definite purpose 

in life and of setting clear goals in every aspect of my personal, 

professional and spiritual world.  Now I had been exposed to the 

ageless principle of self-mastery: kaizen. 

     "How can I practice the art of kaizen?" 

     "I will give you ten ancient yet supremely effective rituals that 

will lead you far along the path of personal mastery. If you apply 

them on a daily basis, with faith in their utility, you will observe 

remarkable results in just one month from today. If you continue 

to apply them, incorporating the techniques into your routine such 

that they become habits, you are bound to reach a state of perfect 

health,   limitless   energy,   lasting   happiness   and   peace   of  mind. 

Ultimately, you will reach your divine destiny — for this is your 

birthright." 

     "Yogi Raman offered the ten rituals to me with great faith in 

what he  termed  their 'exquisiteness'  and  I   think you will  agree 

that I am living proof of their power. I simply ask that you listen 

to what I have to say and judge the results for yourself." 

     "Life-changing      results   in  only   thirty   days?"    I  asked   in 

disbelief. 

     "Yes. The quid pro quo is that you must set aside at least one 

hour a day for thirty consecutive days to practice the strategies I 

am about to offer to you. This investment in yourself is all it takes . 

And please don't tell me that you don't have the time." 

     "But I don't," I said honestly. "My practice is really booming. I 

don't have ten minutes to myself, let alone a full hour, Julian." 

     "As I told you, saying that you do not have the time to improve 

yourself, whether this means improving your mind or nourishing 

your spirit, is much like saying you do not have time to stop for gas 

because you are too busy driving. Eventually it will catch up with 

you." 

     "Really?" 

     "Really." 

     "How so?" 

     "Let   me   put   it   this   way.   You   are   very   much   like   a   high- 

performance race car worth millions of dollars; a well-oiled, highly 

sophisticated machine." 

     "Why thank you Julian." 

     "Your mind is the greatest wonder of the universe and your 

body has the capacity to perform feats that might astonish you." 

     "Agreed." 

     "Knowing   the   value   of this   high   performance   multi-million 

dollar machine, would it be wise to run it full out every minute of 

every day without taking a pit stop to let the motor cool down?" 

     "Of course not." 

     "Well then, why are you not taking some time every day for 

your personal pit stop or rest break? Why are you not taking the 

time to cool down the high performance engine of your mind? Do 

you see my point? Taking the time to renew yourself is the most 

important thing you can do. Ironically, taking time out from your 

hectic   schedule   for   self-improvement   and   personal   enrichment 

will dramatically improve your effectiveness  once  you   get back 

into it." 

     "One hour a day for thirty days is all it takes?" 

     "It's the magic formula  I was  always  searching for.  I would 

probably have paid a couple of million dollars for it in my old glory 

days, if I had understood its importance. Little did I know that it 

was free, as is all priceless knowledge. Having said this, you must 

be disciplined and apply the strategies which make up the formula 

daily, with utter conviction in their value." 

     "This is not a quick-fix type deal. Once you are in, you are in it 

for the long term. " 

     "What do you mean?" 

     "Spending one hour a day tending to yourself will surely give 

you dramatic results in thirty days — provided you do the right 

things. It takes about one month to fully install a new habit. After 

this period, the strategies and techniques you will learn will fit like 

a second skin. The key is that you must keep on practicing them 

every day if you want to keep on seeing the results." 

     "Fair    enough,"    I  agreed .   Julian   clearly   had   unlocked    a 

wellspring of personal vitality and inner serenity in his own life. 

Actually, his transformation from a sickly old litigator to a radiant, 

energetic philosopher was nothing less than miraculous. At that 

moment I resolved to dedicate one hour a day to implementing the 

techniques and principles I was about to hear. I decided to work on 

improving myself before working to change others, as had been my 

habit. Maybe I too could undergo a "Mantle-like" transformation. 

 It was surely worth a try. 

     That night, sitting on the floor of my cluttered living room, I 

learned what Julian called "The Ten Rituals of Radiant Living." 

Some   of them   required   a   little   concentrated   effort   on   my part . 

Others  could  be   performed   effortlessly.  All were   intriguing  and 

rich with the promise of extraordinary things to come. 

     "The first strategy was known to the  sages  as the Ritual of 

Solitude. This involves nothing more than ensuring that your daily 

schedule includes a mandatory period of peace." 

     "Just what is a period of peace?" 

     "It is a period of time, as little as fifteen minutes or as much as 

fifty, wherein you explore the healing power of silence and come to 

know who you really are, " Julian explained. 

     "Sort of a rest break for that overheated  engine  of mine?"  I 

suggested with a slight smile. 

     "That's a pretty accurate way of looking at it. Have you ever 

been on a long road trip with your family?" 

     "Sure. Every summer we drive down to the islands to spend a 

couple of weeks with Jenny's parents. " 

     "Okay. Do you ever make pit-stops along the way?" 

     "Yes. For food, or if I'm feeling a little sleepy I'll take a quick 

nap after having listened to my kids fight in the back seat for six 

hours." 

     "Well, think of the Ritual of Solitude as a pit-stop for the soul. 

Its purpose is self-renewal and this is accomplished by spending 

time alone, immersed in the beautiful blanket of silence." 

     "What is so special about silence?" 

     "Good     question.    Solitude    and   quiet   connects     you   to   your 

creative     source    and   releases    the  limitless    intelligence    of   the 

Universe. You see,  John,  the mind is like a lake.  In our chaotic 

world,   most   people's   minds   are   not   still.   We   are   full   of  inner 

turbulence.   However,  by   simply taking  the   time   to  be   still   and 

quiet every day, the lake of the mind becomes as smooth as a plate 

of glass. This inner quietness brings with it a wealth of benefits 

including a deep sense of well-being, inner peace and boundless 

energy. You will even sleep better and enjoy a renewed feeling of 

balance in your day-to-day activities." 

     "Where should I go for this period of peace?" 

     "Theoretically, you could do it anywhere, from your bedroom to 

your office. The key is to find a place of true quiet — and beauty." 

     "How does beauty fit into the equation?" 

     "Beautiful images soothe a ruffled soul," Julian observed with 

a deep sigh. "A bouquet of roses or a simple, solitary daffodil will 

have a highly salutary effect on your senses and relax you no end. 

Ideally, you should savor such beauty in a space that will serve as 

a Sanctuary of the Self." 

     "What's that? " 

     "Basically, it is a place that will become your secret forum for 

mental  and  spiritual   expansion.  This  might be  a spare  room in 

your house or simply a peaceful corner of a small apartment . The 

point is to reserve a spot for your renewal activities, a place that 

sits there quietly awaiting your arrival." 

     "I love the sound of that . I think having a silent place to go to 

when I come home from work would make a world of difference. I 

could decompress for a while and let go of the stresses of the day 

It would probably make me a much nicer person to be around." 

     "That    brings   up   another    important    point.   The   Ritual   of 

Solitude works best when you practice it at the same time every 

day." 

     "Why?" 

     "Because  then   it becomes  integrated  into your routine  as  a 

ritual. By practicing it at the same time every day, a daily dose of 

silence will soon become a habit that you will never neglect. And 

positive life habits inevitably guide you to your destiny." 

     "Anything else?" 

     "Yes.  If at all possible,  commune with nature  daily. A quick 

walk through the woods or even a few minutes spent cultivating 

your   tomato   garden   in   the   backyard  will   reconnect   you   to   the 

wellspring of calm that may now be  dormant within you.  Being 

with nature also allows you to tune in to the infinite wisdom of your 

highest self. This self-knowledge will move you into the uncharted 

dimensions  of your  personal  power.   Never  forget  this,"  advised 

Julian, his voice rising with passion. 

     "Has this ritual worked well for you, Julian?" 

     "Absolutely. I rise with the sun and the first thing I do is head 

off to my secret sanctuary. There I explore the Heart of the Rose 

for   as   long   as  need   be .  Some    days    I  spend   hours   in   quiet 

contemplation. On other days I spend only ten minutes. The result 

is more or less the same : a deep sense of inner harmony and an 

abundance   of physical   energy.  Which   brings   me   to   the   second 

ritual. This is the Ritual of Physicality." 

     "Sounds interesting. What's it about?" 

     "It's about the power of physical care." 

     "Huh?" 

     "It's simple. The Ritual of Physicality is based on the principle 

that says as you care for the body so you care for the mind. As you 

prepare your body, so you prepare your mind. As you train your 

body, so you train your mind. Take some time every single day to 

nourish the temple of your body through vigorous exercise.  Get 

your blood circulating and your body moving. Did you know that 

there are 168 hours in a week?" 

     "No, not really." 

      "It's true . At least five of those hours should be invested in 

some form of physical activity. The Sages of Sivana practiced the 

ancient discipline of yoga to awaken their physical potential and 

live a strong, dynamic existence. It was an extraordinary sight to 

see   these   marvellous   physical   specimens  who   had   managed   to 

age-proof their lives standing on their heads in the center of their 

village!" 

     "Have you tried yoga, Julian? Jenny started practicing it last 

summer and says it has added five years to her life." 

     "There is no one strategy that will magically transform your 

life,  John,  let me  be the  first to  say this.   Lasting and profound 

change comes through the continued application of a number of 

the methods  I   have  shared with you.  But yoga is  an extremely 

effective way to  unlock  your  reserves  of vitality.   I   do  my  yoga 

every morning and it is one of the best things that I do for myself. 

It not only rejuvenates my body, it completely focuses my mind. It 

has even unblocked my creativity. It is a terrific discipline." 

     "Did the sages do anything else to care for their bodies?" 

     "Yogi Raman and his brothers and sisters also believed that 

vigorous walking in   natural   surroundings, whether high   on   the 

mountain paths or deep in the lush forests, worked wonders for 

relieving  fatigue   and   restoring  the   body  to   its  natural   state   of 

vibrancy. When the weather was too harsh to walk, they would 

exercise within the security of their huts . They might miss a meal 

but they would never miss their daily round of exercise." 

     "What did they have in their huts? NordicTrack machines?" I 

quipped. 

     "Not   quite.   Sometimes   they would   practice   yoga   postures . 

Other times I would catch a glimpse of them doing a set or two of 

one-handed push-ups.  I really think it didn't matter too much to 

them what they did, so long as they moved their bodies and got the 

fresh   air  of   their  breath-taking    surroundings     flowing   through 

their lungs." 

     "What does breathing fresh air have to do with anything?" 

     "I'll answer your question with one of Yogi Raman's favorite 

sayings, 'To breathe properly is to live properly.'" 

     "Breathing is that important?" I asked in surprise. 

     "Quite early on in Sivana, the sages taught me that the fastest 

way to double or even triple the amount of energy I had was to 

learn the art of effective breathing." 

     "But don't we all know how to breathe, even a newborn baby?" 

     "Not really, John. While most of us know how to breathe to 

survive, we have never learned how to breathe to thrive. Most of 

us breathe far too   shallowly   and in   so   doing,  we  fail to  take  in 

enough oxygen to run the body at an optimal level." 

     "Sounds like proper breathing involves a lot of science." 

     "It does. And the sages treated it that way. Their philosophy 

was simple: take in more oxygen through efficient breathing and 

you liberate your energy reserves along with your natural state of 

vitality." 

     "Okay so where do I start? " 

     "It's actually pretty easy. Two or three times a day take a minute 

or two to think about breathing more deeply and effectively." 

     "How do I know if I'm breathing effectively?" 

     "Well, your belly should move out slightly. This indicates that 

you are breathing from the abdomen, which is good. A trick that 

Yogi Raman taught me was to cup my hands over my stomach. If 

they moved out as I inhaled, my breathing technique was proper." 

     "Very interesting." 

     "If you like that, then you will love the Third Ritual of Radiant 

Living," said Julian. 

     "Which is?" 

     "The Ritual of Live Nourishment. In my days as a litigator, I 

lived off of a steady diet of steaks, fries  and other types of junk 

food. Sure I ate at the finest restaurants in the country, but I still 

filled my body with junk . I didn't know it at the time, but this was 

one of the main sources of my discontent." 

     "Really?" 

     "Yes. A poor diet has a pronounced effect on your life. It drains 

your   mental   and   physical   energy.   It   affects   your   moods   and   it 

hampers the clarity of your mind. Yogi Raman put it this way: 'As 

you nourish your body, so you nourish your mind.'" 

     "I assume then that you changed your diet?" 

     "Radically. And it made an amazing difference in the way I felt 

and looked. I always thought that I was so run down because of 

the   stresses   and   strains   of my work   and  because  the  wrinkled 

fingers of old age were reaching out for me. In Sivana, I learned 

that much of my lethargy was  due to  the low-octane fuel  I was 

pumping into my body." 

     "What   did  the   Sages   of Sivana  eat to   stay   so  youthful   and 

bright?" 

     "Live foods," came the efficient reply. 

     "Huh?" 

     "Live foods are the answer. Live foods are foods that are not 

dead." 

     "C'mon, Julian. What are live foods?" I asked impatiently. 

     "Basically, live foods are those which are created through the 

natural interaction of the sun, air, soil and water. What I'm talking 

about     here   is  a  vegetarian     diet.  Fill  your   plate   with   fresh 

vegetables, fruits and grains and you might just live forever." 

     "Is that possible?" 

     "Most   of  the   sages   were   well   over   one   hundred   and   they 

showed no signs of slowing down, and just last week I read in the 

paper about a group of people living on the tiny island of Okinawa 

in   the   East   China   Sea.   Researchers   are flocking to   the   island 

because  they are  fascinated  by the  fact that it  holds  the  largest 

concentration of centenarians in the world." 

     "What have they learned?" 

     "That a vegetarian diet is one of their main longevity secrets." 

     "But is  this  type  of diet healthy? You wouldn't  think that it 

would     give   you    much    strength .   Remember,       I'm   still  a  busy 

litigator, Julian." 

     "This  is  the   diet   that   nature  intended.   It   is   alive,  vital   and 

supremely   healthy.  The   sages  have   lived  by  this  diet  for   many 

thousands of years . They call it a sattvic, or pure diet. And as to 

your   concern   about strength,  the  most powerful  animals  on the 

planet,   ranging   from   gorillas   to   elephants,   wear   the   badge   of 

proud vegetarians.  Did you know that a gorilla has  about thirty 

times the strength of a man?" 

     "Thanks for that important tidbit of information." 

     "Look, the sages are not extreme people. All of their wisdom 

was  based  on   the  ageless  principle  that 'one  must live  a life  of 

moderation and do nothing to extremes.' So if you like meat, you 

can certainly keep eating it. Just remember that you are ingesting 

dead food. If you can, cut back on the amount of red meat that you 

eat.  It is really hard to digest and since your digestive system is 

one of the most energy-consuming processes of your entire body, 

valuable energy reserves are needlessly depleted by this foodstuff. 

Do you see what I'm getting at? Just compare how you feel after 

 eating a steak with your energy levels after eating a salad. If you 

 don't want to become a strict vegetarian,  at least start having a 

salad with every meal and fruit for dessert. Even this will make a 

huge difference in the quality of your physical life." 

     "That doesn't seem like it would be too hard to do," I replied. 

 "I've been hearing a lot about the power of a largely vegetarian 

diet. Just last week, Jenny told me about a study in Finland where 

it was found that thirty-eight percent of new vegetarians studied 

reported  that they felt far less  tired   and  much   more  alert after 

only seven months of this new way of life.  I   should try eating a 

salad with every meal. Looking at you, Julian, I might even make 

the salad the meal." 

     "Try it for about a month and judge the results for yourself 

You will feel phenomenal." 

     "Okay. If it's good enough for the sages, it's good enough for 

me.  I promise you I will give it a shot.  It doesn't sound like too 

much of a stretch, and anyway I'm getting pretty tired of firing up 

the barbeque every night." 

     "If I have sold you on the Ritual of Live Nourishment, I think 

you will love the fourth one." 

     "Your student is still holding his empty cup." 

     "The     fourth   ritual   is  known     as  the   Ritual   of   Abundant 

 Knowledge. It centers around the whole notion of lifelong learning 

 and expanding your knowledge base for the good of yourself and 

 all those around you." 

     "The old 'knowledge is power' idea?" 

     "It   involves   far   more   than   that,   John.   Knowledge   is   only 

potential     power.   For   the   power   to   be   manifested,   it   must   be 

 applied.   Most   people   know   what   they   should   do   in   any   given 

 situation, or in their lives for that matter. The problem is that they 

 don't   take   daily,   consistent   action   to   apply   the   knowledge   and 

realize  their   dreams .  The   Ritual   of Abundant Knowledge  is  all 

about    becoming      a  student   of   life.  Even   more    importantly,    it 

requires that you use what you have learned in the classroom of 

your existence." 

     "What   did  Yogi  Raman   and   the   other   sages   do  to   live   this 

ritual?" 

     "They had many sub-rituals which they performed on a daily 

basis as a tribute to the Ritual of Abundant Knowledge. One of the 

most important strategies is also one of the easiest. You can even 

start doing it today." 

     "It won't take up too much time, will it?" 

     Julian smiled. "These techniques, tools and tips I am sharing 

with you will make you   more  productive  and  effective  than you 

have ever been. Don't be penny wise, pound foolish." 

     "Say what?" 

     "Consider those who say that they do not have the time to back 

up their computers because they are too busy working on them. 

Yet, when those machines crash and months of important work is 

lost, they regret not investing a few moments a day in saving it. Do 

you see my point?" 

     "Get my priorities straight?" 

     "Exactly. Try not to live your life bound by the shackles of your 

schedule. Instead, focus on those things that your conscience and 

your heart tell you to do. When you invest in yourself and start to 

devote yourself to raising your mind, body and character to their 

highest   levels,   you   will   almost   feel   as   if  you  have   a   personal 

navigator inside you, telling you which things you must do to see 

the greatest and most rewarding results . You will stop worrying 

about your clock and start living your life." 

     "Point well taken. So what was that simple sub-ritual you were 

about to teach me?" I asked. 

     "Read   regularly.   Reading  for   thirty   minutes   a   day  will   do 

wonders   for   you.   But     I  must    caution   you.   Do   not   read   just 

anything. You must be very selective about what you put into the 

lush   garden   of   your   mind.   It   must   be   immensely   nourishing. 

Make it something that will improve both you and the quality of 

your life." 

     "What did the sages read? " 

     "They spent many of their waking moments reading and re- 

reading the ancient teachings of their ancestors.  They devoured 

this    philosophical     literature .   I  still  remember      seeing    these 

wonderful looking people seated on little bamboo chairs reading 

their     strangely     bound     books     with    the   subtle    smiles     of 

enlightenment unfolding across their lips. It was in Sivana that I 

really learned the power of the book and the principle that a book 

is the best friend of the wise." 

     "So   I   should   start   reading   every   good   book   I   can   get   my 

hands on?" 

     "Yes and no," came the reply. "I would never tell you not to 

read as many books as you can. But remember, some books are 

meant  to   be   tasted,   some   books   are   meant   to   be   chewed   and, 

finally,   some   books   are   meant   to   be   swallowed   whole.   Which 

brings me to another point." 

     "You're feeling hungry?" 

     "No, John," Julian laughed. "I simply want to tell you that to 

truly get the best out of a great book, you must study it, not just 

read it. Go through it as you do when you read those contracts your 

big clients bring to you for your legal opinion. Really consider it, 

work with it, become one with it. The sages would read many of the 

books  of wisdom in their vast library ten   or fifteen times.  They 

treated great books as scriptures, holy documents of divine origin." 

     "Wow. Reading is really that important?" 

     "Thirty minutes a day will make a delightful difference in your 

life   because   you   will   quickly   start   to   see   the   vast   reserves   of 

knowledge available for your use. Every answer to every problem 

you have ever faced is in print.  If you want to be a better lawyer, 

father, friend or lover, there are books out there that will rocket you 

to those goals. All the mistakes you will ever make in your life have 

already been made by those that have walked before you. Do you 

really think that the challenges you are facing are unique to you?" 

     "I've never thought about it,  Julian.  But  I   see what you are 

saying, and I know you are right." 

     "All the problems anyone has ever, and will ever face over the 

course of their lifetime have already been made," Julian asserted . 

"More importantly, the answers and solutions are all recorded on 

the pages of books. Read the right books.  Learn how those who 

have preceded you have handled the challenges you are currently 

facing.    Apply    their   strategies    for   success    and   you   will   be 

astonished by the improvements you will note in your life." 

     "What exactly are 'the right books?'" I asked, quickly realizing 

that Julian's point was an excellent one. 

     "I'll leave that to your good judgment my friend. Personally, 

since I have returned from the East, I spend the better part of my 

days reading biographies of the men and women I have come to 

admire and a great deal of the wisdom of literature." 

     "Any titles you could recommend to an eager young beaver?" 

I said, flashing a broad grin. 

     "Sure. You will thrive on the biography of the great American, 

Benjamin Franklin. I think you will also find much growth impetus 

from Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography entitled The Story of  My 

Experiments with Truth.   I also suggest that you read Siddhartha 

by   Hermann   Hesse,   the   highly   practical   philosophy   of Marcus 

Aurelius and some of the work of Seneca. You might even read 

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  I read it last week and 

thought it was very profound." 

      "Think and Grow Rich!" I exclaimed. "But I thought you left 

all of that behind you after your heart attack. I'm really sick and 

tired of all the 'make-money-fast manuals' that are being peddled 

out there by snake-oil salesmen preying on the weak." 

     "Easy,   big   fella !   I  couldn't   agree   with   you   more,"   offered 

Julian    with    all  the   warmth     and    patience    of   a  wise,   loving 

grandfather.   "I   too   want   to   restore   the   character   ethic   to   our 

society. That little book is not about making a lot of money, it is 

about making a lot of life. I will be the first to tell you that there is 

a huge difference between well-being and being well off. I've lived 

it and know the pain of a money-driven life. Think and Grow Rich 

is   about   abundance,   including   spiritual   abundance,   and   how   to 

attract all that is good into your life. You might do well to read it. 

But I will not press the point." 

     "Sorry   Julian,     I  didn't   mean    to  sound   like   an   aggressive 

litigator,"  I   offered  apologetically.  "I  guess  my   temper   gets  the 

better   of me   sometimes.   One  more  thing   I   need  to   improve.   I 

really am grateful for all that you are sharing with me." 

     "No problem, water under the bridge. My point simply is read 

and     keep    reading .    Do   you    want    to   know    something       else 

interesting?" 

     "What?" 

     "It's not what you will get out of the books that is so enriching 

—   it   is what   the  books will   get   out   of you   that will ultimately 

change your life. You see, John, books do not actually teach you 

anything new." 

     "Really?" 

     "Really. Books simply help you to see what is already within 

your   self.   That's  what   enlightenment   is   all   about.   After   all   my 

journeyin g and  exploring  I   found  that   I   have  actually come  full 

 circle back to the point from which I started as a young boy. But 

 now I know myself and all that I am and can be . 

     "So the Ritual of Abundant Knowledge is all about reading and 

 exploring the wealth of information out there? " 

     "Partly. For now, read thirty minutes a day. The rest will come 

 naturally," Julian said with a hint of mystery. 

     "Okay, what's the Fifth Ritual of Radiant Living?" 

     "It is the Ritual of Personal Reflection. The sages were firm 

believers in the power of inner contemplation. By taking the time 

 to get to know yourself, you will  connect to  a dimension of your 

being that you never knew you had." 

     "Sounds pretty deep." 

     "It's  actually   a very practical  concept.  You   see, we  all  have 

 many sleeping talents inside of us .  By taking the time to get to 

 know them, we kindle them.  However,  silent contemplation will 

 deliver even more than this. This practice will make you stronger, 

 more at ease with yourself and wiser. It is a very rewarding use of 

 your mind." 

     "I'm still a little fuzzy on the concept, Julian." 

      "Fair enough. It was also foreign to me when I first heard it. 

 Boiled down to its basic form, personal reflection is nothing more 

 than the habit of thinking." 

      "But don't we all think? Isn't that part of being human?" 

      "Well, most of us  do think.  The problem is that most people 

 think just enough to survive. What I am speaking about with this 

 ritual is thinking enough to thrive. When you read Ben Franklin's 

biography you will see what I mean. Every evening, after a full day 

of productive work, he would retire to a silent corner of his home 

and reflect   on his  day.  He would  consider all   of his  actions  and 

whether they were positive and constructive or whether they were 

of the negative sort, in need of repair. By clearly knowing what he 

was  doing wrong in  his  days,  he  could  take  immediate  steps  to 

improve and advance along the path of self-mastery. The sages did 

the same. Every night, they would retire to the sanctuary of their 

huts covered by fragrant rose petals and sit in deep contemplation. 

Yogi Raman would actually take a written inventory of his day." 

     "What kinds of things would he write down?" I asked. 

     "First he would list all of his activities, from the personal care 

activities of his morning to his interactions with the other sages to 

his   forays   into   the   forest   in   search   of firewood   and  fresh   food. 

Interestingly, he would also write down the thoughts he had run 

through his mind during that particular day." 

     "Isn't that hard to do? I can hardly remember what I thought 

five minutes ago let alone twelve hours ago." 

     "Not if you practice this ritual daily. You see, anyone can attain 

the kind of results I have attained. Anyone. The real problem is 

that too many people suffer from that dreadful disease known as 

excusitus." 

     "I think I might have contracted that one in the past," I said in 

full knowledge of what my wise friend was saying. 

     "Stop making excuses  and just do it!" Julian   exclaimed,  his 

voice resonating with the strength of conviction. 

     "Do what?" 

     "Take the time to think. Get into the regular habit of personal 

introspection. Once Yogi Raman had listed all that he had done and 

all   that   he   had   thought   in   one   column,   he   would   then   do   an 

assessment       in  another    column.   As    he   was   confronted   by    his 

activities   and   thoughts   in   the   written   form,   he   asked   himself 

whether they were positive in nature . If they were, he resolved  to 

continue giving his precious  energy to them,  as they would pay 

huge dividends in the long run." 

     "And if they were negative?" 

     "Then he would come up with a clear course of action to get rid 

of them." 

     "I think an example might help me." 

     "Can it be personal?" Julian asked. 

     "Sure, I'd love to know some of your innermost thoughts," I 

suggested. 

     "Actually, I was thinking about yours." 

     We both started to giggle like a couple of kids in a schoolyard. 

     "Oh, alright. You always did get your way." 

     "Okay let's go through just a few of the  things that you   did 

today. Write them down on that piece of paper on the coffee table," 

Julian instructed. 

     I   started   to   realize   that   something   important was   about   to 

happen. This was the first time in years that I had actually taken 

the time to do nothing but reflect on the things I was doing and the 

thoughts  that   I   was  thinking.   It was   all   so   strange   and   yet   so 

intelligent. After all, how could I ever hope to improve myself and 

my life if I   hadn't even taken the  time  to figure out what   I was 

 supposed to improve?" 

     "Where do I start? " I asked. 

     "Start with what you did this morning and progress through 

your day. Just hit a few of the highlights, we still have a fair amount 

 of ground to cover and I want to get back to Yogi Raman's fable in 

 a few minutes." 

     "Fine.   I   woke   up   at   six-thirty   to   the   sound   of my   electric 

rooster," I joked. 

     "Get serious and keep going," Julian replied firmly. 

     "Okay. Then   I   showered and shaved,  gobbled down a waffle 

and rushed off to work." 

     "And what about your family?" 

     "They   were   all   asleep.  Anyway,   once   I   got   to   the   office,   I 

noticed that my seven-thirty appointment had been waiting there 

since seven, and boy, was he furious!" 

     "What was your response?" 

     "I fought back, what was  I supposed to do, let him push me 

around?" 

     "Hmm. Okay. Then what happened?" 

     "Well, things went from bad to worse. The courthouse called 

and    told  me   that   Judge   Wildabest   needed      to   see   me  in  his 

chambers and if I wasn't there within ten minutes, 'heads would 

roll.' You remember Wildabest don't you? You were the one who 

nicknamed him Judge Wild Beast after he held you in contempt 

for parking your Ferrari in his parking spot!" I recalled, breaking 

into laughter. 

     "You   would   have   to   bring   that   up,   wouldn't   you?"   Julian 

replied,    his   eyes   revealing   the   remnants    of   that  mischievous 

twinkle he was once well known for. 

     "Anyway   I   rushed  down to the  courthouse  and had  another 

argument with one of the clerks.  By the time I got back to the 

office, there were twenty-seven phone messages waiting for me, 

all marked 'urgent.' Need I go on?" 

     "Please do." 

     "Well on the way home, Jenny called me in the car and asked 

me to stop by her mother's house and pick up one of those amazing 

pies my mother-in-law is famous for. Problem was that when I took 

that exit, I found myself in the middle of a gridlock that was worse 

than anything I have seen in ages. So there I was, in the middle of 

rush-hour traffic,  in ninety-five-degree  heat,   shaking with   stress 

and feeling that even more time was slipping away." 

     "How did you respond?" 

     "I   cursed  the  traffic,"   I   said with   complete   honesty.   "I   was 

actually shouting out loud inside my car. Do you want to know what 

I said?" 

     "I   don't   think   that   would   be   the   kind   of  thing   that   would 

nourish   the   garden   of my   mind,"   Julian   responded  with   a   soft 

smile. 

     "But it might make for good fertilizer." 

     "No thanks . Maybe we should stop there . Just take a second 

and look at your day. Obviously, in retrospect, there are at least a 

few things that you would do differently if you had the chance." 

     "Obviously." 

     "Like what?" 

     "Hmm. Well, first, in a perfect world I would get up earlier. I 

don't   think   I'm   doing   myself  any   favors   by   hitting   the   ground 

running.  I'd like  to  have  a little  peace in the morning and  ease 

myself into the day. The Heart of the Rose technique you told me 

about earlier sounds like it would be fun. Also, I really would like to 

have the family around the breakfast table, even if only for a bowl 

of cereal. It would give me a better sense of balance. I always seem 

to feel that I never spend enough time with Jenny and the kids." 

     "But it is a perfect world, and you have a perfect life. You do 

have the power to control your day. You do have the power to think 

good thoughts. You do have the power to live your dreams!" Julian 

observed, his voice rising. 

     "I   am   realizing this .   I   really   am   starting to   feel  that   I   can 

change." 

     "Great. Continue reflecting on your day," he instructed. 

     "Well,   I   wish   I   hadn't   yelled   at   my   client.   I   wish   I   hadn't 

argued with the  court clerk and I wish  I hadn't screamed at the 

traffic." 

     "The traffic doesn't care, does it?" 

     "It just keeps on being traffic," I noted. 

     "I   think   you   now   see   the   power   of  the   Ritual   of  Personal 

Reflection.     By    looking   at   what   you   are   doing,   how    you    are 

 spending your day and the thoughts you   are thinking,  you   give 

yourself a benchmark for measuring improvement. The only way 

to improve tomorrow is to know what you did wrong today." 

      "And   come   up   with   a   clear   plan   so   that   it   doesn't   happen 

 again?" I added. 

      "Precisely.   There   is   nothing   wrong   with   making   mistakes. 

Mistakes  are  part of life  and   essential for growth.  It's  like that 

 saying, 'Happiness comes through good judgment, good judgment 

 comes   through   experience,   and   experience   comes   through   bad 

judgment. '  But there is  something very wrong with making the 

 same mistakes over and over again, day in and day out. This shows 

 a complete lack of self-awareness, the very quality that separates 

humans from animals." 

      "I've never heard that one before." 

      "Well it's true . Only a human being can step out of himself and 

 analyze what he is doing right and what he is doing wrong. A dog 

 cannot do this. A bird cannot do this . Even a monkey cannot do it. 

 But you can. This is what the Ritual of Personal Reflection is all 

 about. Figure out what is right and what is wrong in your days and 

 in your life. Then set about making immediate improvements." 

     "Lots to  think  about,  Julian.  Lots  to think about,"  I   offered 

reflectively. 

     "How     about    thinking   about    the  Sixth   Ritual   for  Radiant 

Living: the Ritual of Early Awakening." 

     "Uh-oh. I think I know what's coming." 

     "One of the best pieces of advice I learned in that far-off oasis 

of Sivana was to rise with the  sun   and to  start the  day off well. 

Most of us sleep far more than we need to . The average person can 

get by   on   six hours  —   and  remain   perfectly   healthy   and   alert. 

Sleep is really nothing more than a habit and like any other habit, 

you can train yourself to achieve the result you want; sleeping less 

in this case." 

     "But if I get up too early, I really do feel exhausted," I said. 

     "For the first few days, you will feel very tired . I'll freely admit 

this. You might even feel this way for the first week of getting up 

nice and early. Please see this as a small measure of short-term 

pain for a large measure of long-term gain. You will always feel a 

little discomfort when you are installing a new habit. It' s sort of 

like breaking in a new pair of shoes — at first it's a little hard to 

wear them but soon they fit like a glove. As I told you earlier, pain 

is often the precursor to personal growth. Don't dread it Instead, 

embrace it." 

     "Okay, I like the idea of training myself to get up earlier. First, 

let me ask you what does 'early' mean?" 

     "Another   fine    question.   There   is   no   ideal   time.   Just   like 

everything else I have shared with you so far, do what is right for 

you.     Remember       Yogi    Raman's     admonishment :       'nothing    to 

extremes, everything in moderation.'" 

     "Getting up with the sun sounds extreme." 

     "Actually it isn't. There are few things more natural than rising 

with the glory of the first rays of a new day. The sages believed 

that sunshine was a gift from Heaven and while they were careful 

not to  overexpose themselves,  they regularly had  sunbaths  and 

often    could   be   seen    dancing    playfully    in  the   early   morning 

sunshine.   I   firmly   believe   that   this   was   another   key   to   their 

extraordinary longevity." 

     "Do you sunbathe?" I asked. 

     "Absolutely.  The  sun  rejuvenates  me.  When   I   grow tired  it 

keeps my mood bright . In the ancient culture of the East, the sun 

was thought to be a connection to the soul. People worshipped it 

as   it  allowed   their   crops   to   flourish   along   with   their   spirits . 

Sunlight will release your vitality and restore your emotional and 

physical   vibrancy.   It   is   a   delightful   physician,   when   visited   in 

moderation of course. Alas, I digress . The point is to get up early, 

every day." 

     "Hmm. How do I build this ritual into my routine?" 

     "Here are a couple of quick tips. First, never forget that it is 

the quality and not the quantity of sleep that is important.  It is 

better to have six hours of uninterrupted deep sleep than even ten 

hours of disturbed sleep. The whole idea is to provide your body 

with rest so that its natural processes can repair and restore your 

physical  dimension to  its  natural  state  of health,  a   state  that is 

diminished through the stresses and struggles of daily use. Many 

of the habits of the sages are based on the principle that one must 

strive  for   quality rest rather   than   quantity   sleep.  For example, 

"Yogi Raman   would   never   eat   after   8:00   p.m.   He   said   that   the 

digestive activity it induced would reduce the quality of his sleep. 

Another example was  the  sages'  habit of meditating to the  soft 

 sounds of their harp immediately before heading off to sleep." 

     "What was the reason behind this?" 

     "Let me ask you, John. What do you do before you go to sleep 

every night?" 

     "I watch the news with Jenny, the same as most people I know." 

     "I   kind   of   thought  so,"   replied   Julian,   with  a  mysterious 

twinkle in his eyes. 

     "I  don't get it. What could possibly be wrong with getting a 

little shot of the news before I go to sleep?" 

     "The ten-minute period before you sleep and the ten-minute 

period    after   you   wake    up  are   profoundly     influential  on   your 

subconscious mind. Only the most inspiring and serene thoughts 

should be programmed into your mind at those times." 

     "You make the mind sound like a computer." 

     "That's a pretty fair way to look at it — what you put in is what 

you get out. Even more important is the fact that you alone are the 

programmer. By determining the thoughts that go in, you also are 

determining precisely what will  come  out.  So,  before you   go  to 

sleep, don't watch the news or argue with anyone or even go over 

the day's events in your mind's eye. Relax. Drink a cup of herbal 

tea,  if you like.  Listen to  some  soft classical music and prepare 

yourself to drift off into a rich, renewing slumber." 

     "It makes sense. The better the sleep, the less I will need." 

     "Exactly. And remember the Ancient Rule of Twenty-one: if 

you do anything for twenty-one days in a row, it will be installed as 

a habit. So stay with the early-rising routine for about three weeks 

before you give up because it feels too uncomfortable. By then it 

will be a part of your life. Within short order you will be able to rise 

at  5:30  a.m.  or  even   at  5:00  a.m.  with   ease,  ready  to   savor  the 

splendor of another great day." 

     "Okay, so let's say that I am getting up every day at five-thirty. 

What do I do?" 

     "Your   questions   show   that   you   are   thinking,   my   friend.   I 

appreciate this. Once you are up, there are many things you can 

do. The fundamental principle to keep in mind is the importance of 

starting your day   off well.   As   I've  suggested,  the  thoughts  you 

think and the actions you take in the first ten minutes after you 

wake up have a very marked effect on the rest of your day." 

     "Seriously?" 

     "Absolutely. Think positive thoughts. Give a prayer of thanks 

for all you have. Work on your gratitude list. Listen to some great 

music. Watch the sun come up, or perhaps go for a quick walk in 

natural surroundings if you feel up to it. The sages would actually 

make themselves laugh whether they felt like it or not, just to get 

the 'happiness juices' flowing early in the morning." 

     "Julian, I am trying very hard to keep my cup empty — and I 

think you will agree that I've done pretty well for a novice.  But 

that really sounds odd, even for a band of monks living high in the 

Himalayas." 

     "But it is not. Take a guess how many times the average four- 

year-old laughs in a day." 

     "Who knows?" 

     "I do, three hundred. Now guess how many times the average 

adult in our society laughs in the course of a day." 

     "Fifty?" I tried . 

     "Try fifteen," Julian said, smiling in satisfaction. "You see my 

point? Laughing is medicine for the soul. Even if you don't feel like 

it, look in the mirror and laugh for a couple of minutes. You can't 

help    but   feel  fantastic.   William   James    said,   'We   don't   laugh 

because we are happy. We are happy because we laugh.' So start 

your day on a delightful footing. Laugh, play and give thanks for 

all you have. Every day will be an exquisitely rewarding one." 

     "What do you do to start your day off on a positive footing?" 

     "Actually,   I  have   developed    quite   a  sophisticated   morning 

routine which includes everything from the Heart of the Rose to 

drinking a   couple  of glasses  of freshly squeezed fruit juice.  But 

there is one strategy in particular which I would like to share with 

you." 

     "Sounds important." 

     "It is. Shortly after you have awakened, go into your sanctuary 

of silence.  Get still and focused. Then ask yourself this question: 

'What would I do today if today was my last?' The key is to really 

get into the meaning of this question. Mentally list all the things 

you would  do,  the  people  you would  call  and the  moments  you 

would     savor.  Envision   yourself   doing   these    things   with  great 

energy.   Visualize   how   you     would   treat   your   family  and   your 

friends. Even picture how you would treat total strangers if today 

was your last day on the planet. As I told you earlier, when you live 

every day as if it was your last,  your life will take on a magical 

quality. 

     "And this brings me to the seventh of the Rituals of Radiant 

Living: the Ritual of Music." 

     "I think I'm going to love this one," I replied. 

     "I'm sure you will. The sages loved their music. It gave them 

the same spiritual boost as the sun did. Music made them laugh, it 

made them dance and it made them sing.  It will do the same for 

you.  Never forget the power of music.  Spend a little time with it 

every day, even if it is listening to a soft piece on a cassette while 

you drive to work. When you feel down or weary, play some music. 

It is one of the finest motivators I know of." 

     "Aside from yourself!" I exclaimed sincerely. "Just listening to 

you makes me feel great . You really have changed, Julian, and not 

jus t on the outside. Gone is your old cynicism. Gone is your former 

negativity. Gone is your old aggressiveness. You really do seem to 

be at peace with yourself. You have touched me tonight." 

     "Hey,  there's  more!"  shouted   Julian with   his  fist in   the  air. 

 "Let's keep going." 

     "I wouldn't have it any other way." 

     "Okay. The eighth ritual is the Ritual of the Spoken Word. The 

 sages had a series of mantras which they would recite morning, 

noon and night.  They told me that this practice was immensely 

 effective in keeping them focused, strong and happy." 

     "What's a mantra? " I asked. 

     "A mantra is nothing more than a collection of words strung 

 together   to   create   a   positive   effect.   In   Sanskrit,   'man'   means 

 'mind' and 'tra' means 'freeing.' So a mantra is a phrase which is 

 designed     to  free  the  mind.    And,   believe   me,    John,   mantras 

 accomplish this objective in a very powerful way." 

     "Are you using mantras in your daily routine?" 

     "I sure am. They are my faithful companions wherever I go. 

Whether I am on the bus, walking to the library or watching the 

world go by in a park, I am constantly affirming all that is good in 

 my world through mantras. " 

     "So mantras are spoken?" 

     "They do not have to be.  Written affirmations  are  also very 

 effective.  But I   have found that repeating a mantra  aloud  has  a 

wonderful effect on my spirit. When   I   need to feel motivated,   I 

 might repeat, 'I  am inspired, disciplined and energized'  out loud 

 two or three hundred times.  To maintain the supreme sense of 

 self-confidence I have cultivated, I repeat, 'I am strong, able and 

 calm.' I even use mantras to keep me youthful and vital," Julian 

 admitted. 

     "How could a mantra keep you young?" 

     "Words affect the mind in a pronounced way. Whether they are 

spoken or written, they are powerful influences. While what you 

say to others is important, even more important is what you say to 

yourself." 

     "Self-talk?" 

     "Exactly. You are what you think about all day long. You are 

also what you say to yourself all day long. If you say that you are 

old   and   tired,   this   mantra  will   be   manifested   in   your   external 

reality. If you say you are weak and lack enthusiasm, this too will 

be the nature of your world. But if you say that you are healthy, 

dynamic and fully alive, your life will be transformed. You see, the 

words  you   say   to   yourself affect   your   self-image   and   your   self- 

image determines what actions you take . For example, if your self- 

image is one of a person who lacks the confidence to do anything 

of value, you will only be able to take actions which are aligned 

with this trait .  On the other hand, if your self-image is one of a 

radiant   individual   who   is   fearless,   again,   all   your   actions   will 

correspond       to  this   quality.  Your    self-image     is  a  self-fulfilling 

prophecy of sorts." 

     "How so?" 

     "If you believe that you are unable to do something, let's say, 

find that perfect partner or live a stress-free life, your beliefs will 

affect your  self-image.   In turn,  your  self-image will  prevent you 

from taking steps to find the perfect partner or to create a serene 

life  for   yourself.   It will   actually   sabotage   any   efforts  you   might 

make in this direction." 

     "Why does it work this way?" 

     "Simple. Your self-image is a governor of sorts . It will never let 

you act in a way that is inconsistent with it. The beautiful thing is 

that  you   can   change   your   self-image,  just   like   you   can   change 

everything   else   in   your   life   if  it   is   not   serving   to   enhance   it. 

Mantras are a great way accomplish this objective." 

     "And   when       I  change   my   inner   world,   I     change   my   outer 

world," I said dutifully. 

     "My,     how    quickly   you     learn,"   Julian    said,   giving   me   the 

thumbs-up sign he had used so much in his former life as a star 

litigator. 

      "Which leads us into the Ninth Ritual of Radiant Living quite 

nicely. This is the Ritual of a Congruent Character. It is sort of an 

off-shoot   of the   self-image   concept  we  were just   talking  about. 

Simply stated, this ritual requires you to take daily, incremental 

action     to  build   your    character.     Strengthening   your        character 

affects  the way you   see  yourself and the   actions  you   take .  The 

actions you take  come  together to form your habits  and,  this  is 

important,  your   habits   lead   you   to   your   destiny.   Perhaps   Yogi 

Raman articulated the formula best when he  stated :  'You sow a 

thought, you reap an action. Reap an action, you sow a habit. Sow 

a   habit,   you   reap   a   character.   Sow   a   character,   you   reap   your 

destiny.'" 

      "What kinds of things should I do to build my character?" 

      "Anything   that   cultivates   your   virtues.   Before   you   ask   me 

what   I   mean   by   'virtues,'   let   me   clarify   the   concept.   The  wise 

people of the Himalayas believed strongly that a virtuous life was 

a meaningful life. So they governed all of their actions by a series 

of timeless principles." 

      "But   I   thought   you   said   they   governed   their   lives   by their 

purpose?" 

      "Yes, this is quite so, but their life's calling included living in a 

manner congruent to these principles,  ones that their ancestors 

held dear to their hearts for thousands of years. " 

     "What are these principles, Julian?" I asked. 

     "They     are,   simply    stated :  industry,    compassion,      humility, 

patience,     honesty     and    courage.     When     all  your    actions    are 

congruent and aligned with these principles, you will feel a deep 

sense of inner harmony and peace. Living this way will inevitably 

lead you to spiritual success. This is because you will be doing what 

is right. You will be acting in a way that is in accordance with the 

laws of nature and the laws of the universe. This is when you will 

start to tap into the energy of another dimension, call it a higher 

power if you will. This is also when your life will move from the 

ordinary   into   the   realm   of the   extraordinary   and   you   begin   to 

sense the sacredness of your being.  It is the first step to lifelong 

enlightenment." 

     "Have you tasted this experience?" I asked. 

     "I have, and I believe you will too. Do the right things. Act in a 

way that is congruent with your true character. Act with integrity. 

Be guided by your heart . The rest will take care of itself. You are 

never alone, you know," replied Julian. 

     "What do you mean?" 

     "I'll   explain    it  to  you   another     time   perhaps .     For   now, 

remember that you must do little things every day to build your 

character. As Emerson said: 'Character is higher than intellect. A 

great soul will be strong to live as well as to think.' Your character 

is built when you act in a way that corresponds with the principles 

I've  just   mentioned.   If you   fail   to   do   this,   true   happiness  will 

always elude you." 

     "And the final ritual?" 

     "This   is   the   all-important   Ritual   of   Simplicity.   This   ritual 

requires you to live a simple life. As Yogi Raman said 'one must 

never live in the thick of thin things. Focus only on your priorities, 

those   activities   which     are   truly   meaningful.   Your   life   will   be 

uncluttered,       rewarding      and    exceptionally      peaceful.    This    I 

promise you.' 

     "He was right.  The moment I started to separate the wheat 

from   the   chaff,   harmony   filled   my   life.   I   stopped   living   at   the 

frenetic pace to which I had grown accustomed.  I stopped living 

my life in the eye of the tornado. Instead, I slowed down and took 

the time to smell the proverbial roses." 

     "What things did you do to cultivate simplicity?" 

     "I stopped wearing expensive clothes, I kicked my addiction to 

six newspapers a day, I stopped needing to be available to everyone 

all  the   time,   I   became   a vegetarian   and   I   ate  less.   Basically,   I 

reduced my needs. You see, John, unless you reduce your needs, 

you will never be fulfilled. You will always be like that gambler in 

Las Vegas, staying at the roulette wheel for 'just one more spin' in 

the hope that your lucky number will come up . You will always want 

more than you have. How can you ever be happy?" 

     "But     earlier   you    told   me    that   happiness      comes     from 

achievement. Now you are telling me to reduce my needs and be 

content with less. Isn't this a paradox?" 

     "Excellent point, John. Brilliant in fact.  It might seem like a 

contradiction, but it isn't.  Lifelong happiness does come through 

striving to realize your dreams . You are at your best when you are 

moving      forward.     The    key    is  not  to   make     your   happiness 

contingent on   finding that   elusive  pot   of gold   at the   end   of the 

rainbow. For example, even though I was a millionaire many times 

over, I told myself that success to me meant having three hundred 

million dollars in my bank account. This was a recipe for disaster." 

     "Three hundred million?" I asked in disbelief. 

     "Three hundred million. So no matter how much I had, I was 

never satisfied. I was always unhappy.  It was nothing more than 

greed.  I can now admit this freely. It was much like the story of 

King Midas. I'm sure you have heard that one?" 

     "Sure.   The   man   who   loved   gold   so   much   he   prayed   that 

everything  he   touched  would  turn   to   gold.  When   his  wish   was 

granted he rejoiced. That was until he realized that he couldn't eat 

because his food had turned to gold and so on, so forth." 

     "Right. Similarly, I was so money-driven that I couldn't enjoy 

all that I had. You know there came a time when all that I could eat 

was bread and water," Julian said, growing very quiet and pensive. 

     "Are   you    serious?   I  always   thought   you    ate  at  the   best 

restaurants with all those celebrity friends of yours." 

     "That was in the early days. Not many people know about this, 

but the burden of my out-of-control lifestyle gave me a bleeding 

ulcer. I couldn't even eat a hot dog without getting sick. What a life ! 

All  that money and  all   I   could  eat was bread  and water.  It was 

pathetic really." Julian caught himself "But I'm not one to live in 

the past . It was another one of life's great lessons. As I told you 

earlier, pain is a powerful teacher. To transcend pain, I had to first 

experience it. I wouldn't be where I am today without it," he said 

stoically. 

     "Any ideas on what I should do to bring the Ritual of Simplicity 

into my own life?" I asked. 

     "There are so many things you can do. Even little things will 

make a difference." 

     "Like what?" 

     "Stop picking up the phone every time it rings, stop wasting 

time reading junk mail, stop eating out three times a week, give up 

your golf-club membership and spend more time with your kids, 

spend a day a week without your watch, watch the sun rise every 

few days,  sell your cellular phone  and  dump the pager.  Need   I 

continue?" Julian asked rhetorically. 

     "I get the point. But sell the cell phone?" I asked anxiously, 

feeling    as  a  baby    might   at  the   doctor's   suggestion     that  his 

umbilical cord should be cut. 

     "Like I've said, my duty is to share the wisdom I have learned 

through my journey with you. You need not apply every strategy 

to make your life work. Try the techniques and use those that feel 

right to you." 

     "I know. Nothing to extremes, everything in moderation." 

     "Precisely." 

     "I have to admit though, every one of your strategies sounds 

great. But will they really bring about profound shifts in my life in 

only thirty days?" 

     "It will take even less than thirty days — and even more," said 

Julian, with his trademark look of dimpled mischievousness. 

     "Here we go again. Do explain, O Wise One." 

     "'Julian' will be fine, although 'Wise One' would have looked 

formidable on my old letterhead," he joked. "I say it will take less 

than thirty days because true life change is spontaneous." 

     "Spontaneous?" 

     "Yes, it happens in the blink of an eye, the very moment you 

decide from the deepest core of your being that you will raise your 

life   to   its   highest   level.   In   that   instant,  you  will   be   a   changed 

person, one set on the course of his destiny." 

     "And why longer than thirty days?" 

     "I promise you that by practicing these strategies and tools, 

you    will  see   marked     improvements       in  one   month    from   this 

moment. You will have more energy, less worries, more creativity 

and less stress in every aspect of your life. Having said this, the 

sages'   methods  are   not   of the   quick-fix   kind.  They   are   ageless 

traditions which are meant to be applied daily, for the rest of your 

days.     If   you  stop  applying   them,   you   will   find   that   you   will 

gradually slide back into your old ways." 

     After Julian had explained the Ten Rituals for Radiant Living 

to me, he paused. "I know that you want me to keep going so I will. 

I believe so strongly in what  I   am  sharing with you that I   don't 

mind keeping you up all night. Perhaps this is a good time to get a 

little deeper." 

     "What   exactly   do   you   mean?   I   think   all   that   I   have   heard 

tonight is pretty deep," I said in surprise. 

     "The secrets I have explained will allow you and all those you 

come into contact with to create the lives you desire. But there is 

much more to the philosophy of the Sages of Sivana than meets the 

eye.  What   I   have   taught   you   up   to   now   has   been   immensely 

practical.     But   you    must    know     something      of   the  underlying 

spiritual     current    which    flows   through     the   principles     I  have 

outlined. If you do not understand what I am speaking about, don't 

worry at this point. Simply take it in and chew on it for a while, you 

can digest it later." 

     "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear?" 

     "Precisely,"  said  Julian,  now smiling.  "You   always were  a 

quick study." 

     "Okay,     let's  hear   the   spiritual   stuff,"  I  said   energetically, 

unaware that it was nearly two-thirty in the morning. 

     "Within you lies the sun, the moon, the sky and all the wonders 

of this universe. The intelligence that created these wonders is the 

same force that created you. All things around you come from the 

same source. We are all one." 

     "I'm not sure I follow you." 

     "Every being on this Earth , every object on this Earth has a 

soul. All souls flow into one, this is the Soul of the Universe. You 

see, John, when you nourish your own mind and your own spirit, 

you are really feeding the Soul of the Universe. When you improve 

yourself, you are improving the lives of all those around you. And 

when you have the courage to advance confidently in the direction 

of your dreams, you begin to draw upon the power of the universe. 

As I told you earlier, life gives you what you ask of it. It is always 

listening." 

     "So    self-mastery   and   kaizen   will   help  me   help  others   by 

helping me help myself?" 

     "Something like that . As you enrich your mind, as you care for 

your   body    and   as   you  nurture   your   spirit,   you   will  come   to 

understand exactly what I am saying. " 

     "Julian.  I   know you mean well.  But self-mastery is  a pretty 

high ideal for a 215-pound family man who, up to now, has spent 

more   time     on  client  development   than   personal   development. 

What happens if I fail?" 

     "Failure  is  not having the  courage  to try,  nothing more  and 

nothing less.  The  only thing standing between   most people   and 

their dreams is the fear of failure. Yet failure is essential to success 

in any endeavor. Failure tests us and allows us to grow. It offers us 

lessons and guides us along the path of enlightenment. The teachers 

of the East say that every arrow that hits the bull's eye is the result 

of one hundred misses. It is a fundamental Law of Nature to profit 

through loss. Never fear failure. Failure is your friend." 

     "Embrace failure?" I asked in disbelief 

     "The universe favors the brave. When you resolve, once and 

for all, to lift your life to its highest level, the strength of your soul 

will guide you. Yogi Raman believed that everyone's destiny was 

laid out for them at birth . This path always leads to a magical place 

filled with magnificent treasures .  It was up to  each individual to 

develop the courage to walk this way. There is a story he shared 

with me that I would like to pass on to you. Once, in ancient India, 

there     was    an   evil  giant    who    owned     a   magnificent     castle 

overlooking the sea. As the giant had been away for many years 

fighting in wars, the children of the nearby village used to come 

into the giant's beautiful garden and play with great delight. One 

day, the giant returned and threw all of the young children out of 

his garden. 'Never return here!' he yelled as he slammed the huge 

oak door in disgust. He then erected a huge marble wall around 

the garden to keep the children out. 

     "Winter      came     with   bitter   cold   which    is   native   to   the 

northernmost   parts   of  the   Indian       subcontinent,   and   the   giant 

wished the warmth would soon return . Spring visited the village 

which   lay   below the   giant's   castle,   but   the   icy   claws   of winter 

refused to leave his garden . Then, one day, the giant finally smelled 

the fragrances of Spring and felt the radiance of the sun through 

his windows. "Spring has finally returned!" he cried, running out 

into the garden. But the giant was unprepared for the sight which 

greeted him. The children of the village had somehow managed to 

 climb over the castle wall and were playing in the garden. It was 

because of their presence that the garden had been transformed 

 from    a  wintry   wasteland     into   a  lush   place   filled   with  roses, 

 daffodils  and  orchids.  All the  children laughed and  giggled with 

joy , but one. From the corner of his eye, the giant spotted a little 

boy who was much smaller than all the other children. Tears ran 

 from his eyes as he did not have the strength to climb the wall into 

 the garden. The giant felt sad for this boy and, for the first time in 

his  life,  regretted  his  evil ways.  'I  will  help   this  child,'  he   said, 

running towards him. When all the other children saw the giant 

coming, they ran from the garden, fearing for their lives. But the 

tiny    little  boy   stood    his  ground.     'I  will  slay   the   giant,'   he 

stammered. 'I will defend our playground.' 

     "As the giant approached the child, he opened his arms . 'I am 

a friend,' he said. 'I have come to help you over the wall and into 

the garden. This will be your garden now.'" The little boy, now a 

hero   amongst  the   children,  rejoiced  in   happiness   and   gave   the 

giant the golden necklace which he had always worn around his 

neck. 'This is my lucky charm,' he said. 'I want you to have it.' 

     "From that day on, the  children played with the giant in his 

wonderful garden. But the brave little boy whom the giant loved 

the most never did return . As time went on, the giant grew ill and 

frail. The children continued to play in the garden but the giant no 

longer  had  the   strength   to   keep   them   company.   In   those   quiet 

days, it was the little boy who the giant thought of the most. 

     "One day, in the midst of a particularly bitter winter, the giant 

glanced out his window and saw a truly miraculous sight : though 

most   of the   garden   was   covered   in   snow,   at   the   center   of the 

garden      there   stood    a  magnificent      rosebush     overflowing   with 

spectacularly colored flowers. Next to the roses stood the little boy 

who   the   giant   loved.   The   boy   was   smiling   sweetly.   The   giant 

danced  with   delight   and   rushed   outside   to   embrace   the   child. 

'Where   have   you   been   all   these   years,   my   young   friend?   I've 

missed you with all my heart.' 

     "The boy was thoughtful in his response. 'Many years ago you 

lifted  me   over the  wall  into  your  magical  garden .  Now,   I   have 

come to take you into mine.'   Later that day, when the  children 

came to visit the giant they found him lying lifeless on the ground. 

From head to toe, he was covered by a thousand beautiful roses . 

     "Always be brave, John, like that little boy. Stand your ground 

and follow your dreams. They will lead you to your destiny. Follow 

your destiny, it will lead you into the wonders of the universe. And 

always follow the wonders of the universe, for they will lead you to 

a special garden filled with roses." 

     As   I   looked   over   at   Julian   to   tell   him   that   this   story   had 

touched me deeply, I saw something that startled me : this rock- 

hard   legal   gladiator   who   had   spent   the   better   part   of  his   life 

defending the rich and famous had started to weep.