When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty
of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.
Mahatma Gandhi
It had been over twelve hours since Julian had arrived at my
house the night before to share the wisdom he had gathered in
Sivana. Those twelve hours were, without a doubt, the most
important of my life. All at once, I was feeling exhilarated,
motivated and, yes, even liberated. Julian had fundamentally
changed my outlook on life with Yogi Raman's fable and the
ageless virtues that it represented . I realized that I had not even
begun to explore the reaches of my human potential. I had been
squandering the daily gifts that life had thrown my way. Julian's
wisdom had allowed me the opportunity to come to grips with the
wounds that were keeping me from living with the laughter,
energy and fulfillment I knew that I deserved. I felt moved.
"I'll have to leave soon. You have commitments which are
pressing on your time and I have my own work to tend to," Julian
said apologetically.
"My work can wait."
"Unfortunately, mine can't," he said with a quick smile.
"But before I leave, I must reveal the final element of "Yogi
Raman's magical fable. You will recall that the sumo wrestler who
walked out of the lighthouse in the middle of a beautiful garden
with nothing more than a pink wire cable covering his private
parts slipped on a shiny gold stopwatch and fell to the ground.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally regained
consciousness when the marvellous fragrance of the yellow roses
reached his nose. He then jumped to his feet in delight and was
astonished to see a long, winding path studded with millions of tiny
diamonds. Of course, our friend the sumo wrestler took the path
and, in doing so, lived happily ever after."
"Seems plausible," I chuckled.
"Yogi Raman had quite a vivid imagination, I'll agree . But you
have seen that his story has a purpose and that the principles it
symbolizes are not only powerful — they are highly practical."
"True," I agreed without reservation.
"The path of diamonds, then, will serve to remind you of the
final virtue for enlightened living. By carrying this principle with
you through your daily work, you will enrich your life in a way that
is difficult for me to describe. You will begin to see the exquisite
wonders in the simplest of things and live with the ecstacy you
deserve. And by carrying out your promise to me and sharing it
with others, you will also allow them to transform their world from
the ordinary into the extraordinary."
"Will this take me a while to learn?"
"The principle itself is strikingly straightforward to grasp .
But learning how to apply it effectively in all your waking
moments will take a couple of weeks of steady practice."
"Okay, I'm dying to hear it."
"Funny you say that because the seventh and final virtue is all
about living. The Sages of Sivana believed that a truly joyful and
rewarding life comes only through a process they called 'living in
the now.' These yogis knew that the past is water under the bridge
and the future is a distant sun on the horizon of your imagination.
The most important moment is now. Learn to live in it and savor it
fully."
"I understand exactly what you are saying, Julian. I seem to
spend most of my day fretting over past events that I have no
power to change or worrying about things to come, which never do
arrive. My mind is always flooded by a million little thoughts
pulling me in a million different directions. It's really frustrating."
"Why?"
"It tires me out ! I guess I just don't have peace of mind. Yet I
have experienced times when my mind is fully occupied on only
what was in front of me. Often this happened when I was under
the gun to crank out a legal brief and I didn't have time to think
about anything other than the task at hand. I've also felt this kind
of total focus when I was playing soccer with the boys and I really
wanted to win. Hours seemed to pass by in minutes and I felt
centered. It was as if the only thing that mattered to me was what
I was doing in that very moment. Everything else, the worries, the
bills, the law practice, didn't count. Come to think of it, these were
probably the times when I felt the most peaceful as well."
"Being engaged in a pursuit that truly challenges you is the
surest route to personal satisfaction. But the real key to remember
is that happiness is a journey, not a destination. Live for today —
there will never be another one quite like it," stated Julian, his
smooth hands coming together as if to give a prayer of thanks for
being privy to what he had just said.
"Is that the principle that the path of diamonds in Yogi
Raman's fable symbolizes?" I asked.
"Yes," came the succinct reply. "Just as the sumo wrestler
found lasting fulfillment and joy by walking the path of diamonds,
you can have the life you deserve the very moment you start to
understand that the path you are currently walking on is one rich
with diamonds and other priceless treasures . Stop spending so
much time chasing life's big pleasures while you neglect the little
ones. Slow things down. Enjoy the beauty and sacredness of all
that is around you. You owe this to yourself."
"Does that mean that I should stop setting big goals for my
future and concentrate on the present?"
"No," replied Julian firmly. "As I said earlier, goals and dreams
for the future are essential elements in every truly successful life.
Hope for what will appear in your future is what gets you out of
bed in the morning and what keeps you inspired through your
days. Goals energize your life. My point is simply this : never put
off happiness for the sake of achievement. Never put off the things
that are important for your well-being and satisfaction to a later
time. Today is the day to live fully, not when you win the lottery or
when you retire . Never put off living!"
Julian stood up and started pacing back and forth across the
living room floor like a seasoned litigator releasing his final kernels
of reason in an impassioned closing argument. "Don't fool yourself
into thinking that you will be a more loving and giving husband
when your law firm takes on a few more junior lawyers to ease the
burden. Don't kid yourself into believing that you will start to
enrich your mind, care for your body and nourish your soul when
your bank account gets big enough and you have the luxury of
more free time. Today is the day to enjoy the fruits of your efforts.
Today is the day to seize the moment and live a life that soars.
Today is the day to live from your imagination and harvest your
dreams. And please never, ever forget the gift of family."
"I'm not sure I know exactly what you mean Julian?"
"Live your children's childhood," came the simple reply.
"Huh?" I muttered, perplexed at the apparent paradox.
"Few things are as meaningful as being a part of your
children's childhood. What is the point of climbing the steps of
success if you have missed the first steps of your own kids? What
good is owning the biggest house on your block if you have not
taken the time to create a home? What is the use of being known
across the country as a red-hot trial lawyer if your kids don't even
know their father?" Julian offered, his voice now quivering with
emotion. "I know whereof I speak."
This last comment floored me. All I knew of Julian was that he
had been a superstar litigator who hung out with the rich and the
beautiful. His romantic trysts with nubile fashion models were
almost as legendary as his courtroom skills. What could this
former millionaire playboy possibly know about being a father?
What could he possibly know about the daily struggles I faced in
trying to be all things to all people, a great father and a successful
lawyer? But Julian's sixth sense caught me.
"I do know something of the blessings we call children," he
said softly.
"But I always thought you were the city's most eligible
bachelor before you threw in the towel and gave up your practice."
"Before I was caught up in the illusion of that fast and furious
lifestyle that I was so well known for, you know that I was married."
"Yes."
He then paused, as a child might before telling his best friend a
closely-guarded secret. "What you do not know is that I also had a
little daughter. She was the sweetest, most delicate creature I have
ever seen in my life. Back then, I was a lot like you were the first
time we met : cocky, ambitious and full of hope. I had everything
anyone could ever want . People told me I had a brilliant future, a
stunningly beautiful wife and a wonderful daughter. Yet, when life
seemed to be perfect, it was all taken from me in an instant."
For the first time since his return, Julian's eternally joyful face
was enveloped in sadness. A single tear began to slide down one of
his bronzed cheeks and dripped onto the velvety fabric of his ruby
red robe . I was speechless and gripped by the revelation of my
long-time friend.
"You don't have to continue Julian," I offered sympathetically,
placing an arm around his shoulder to comfort him.
"But I do, John . Of all those I knew in my former life, you
showed the most promise. As I said, you reminded me a lot of
myself when I was younger. Even now you still have so much going
for you. But if you keep on living the way you're living, you are
headed for disaster. I came back to this place to show you that
there are so many wonders waiting for you to explore, so many
moments left for you to savor."
"The drunk driver who killed my daughter didn't take away
only one precious life on that sun-soaked October afternoon — he
took two. After my daughter's passing, my life unravelled. I
started spending every waking minute at the office, foolishly
hoping that my legal career might be the salve for the pain of a
broken heart . Somedays, I even slept on a couch in my office,
dreading to return to the home where so many sweet memories
had been laid to rest . And while my career did take off, my inner
world was a mess. My wife, who had been my constant companion
since law school, left me, citing my obsession with my work as the
straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. My health
deteriorated and I spiralled into the infamous life that I was
engaged in when we first met. Sure I had everything money could
possibly buy. But I sold my soul for it, I really did," Julian noted
emotionally, his voice still choked up .
"So when you say 'Live your children's childhood,' you are
basically telling me to take the time to watch them grow and
flourish. That's it, isn't it?"
"Even today, twenty-seven years after she left us while we
were driving her to her best friend's birthday party, I would give
anything just to hear my daughter giggle again or to play hide-
and-seek like we used to in our back garden. I would love to hold
her in my arms and softly caress her golden hair. She took a piece
of my heart with her when she left. And though my life has been
inspired by new meaning since I found the way to enlightenment
and self-leadership in Sivana, a day doesn't pass without me seeing
the rosy face of my sweet little girl in the silent theatre of my
mind. You have such great kids, John. Don't miss the forest for the
trees . The best gift you could ever give your children is your love.
Get to know them again. Show them that they are far more
important to you than the fleeting rewards of your professional
career. Pretty soon they will be off, building lives and families of
their own. Then it will be too late, the time will be gone."
Julian had struck a chord deep inside of me. I guess I had
known for some time that my workaholic pace was slowly but
steadily loosening our family's ties. But it was like a smoldering
ember, burning quietly, slowly gathering its energy before
revealing the full extent of its destructive potential. I knew my
kids needed me, even if they might not have told me so. I needed
to hear this from Julian. Time was slipping by and they were
growing up so quickly. I couldn't remember the last time my son
Andy and I had stolen off early on a crisp Saturday morning to
spend the day at the fishing hole his grandfather loved so much.
There was a time when we would go every weekend. Now, this
time-honored ritual seemed like someone else's memory.
The more I thought about it, the harder it hit me. Piano
recitals, Christmas plays, little-league championships had all been
traded for my professional advancement.
'What was I doing?' I wondered. I really was sliding down the
slippery slope that Julian described. There and then, I resolved to
change.
"Happiness is a journey," Julian continued, his voice rising
once again with the heat of passion. "It is also a choice that you
make. You can marvel at the diamonds along the way or you can
keep running through all your days, chasing that elusive pot of
gold at the end of the rainbow that ultimately reveals itself to be
empty. Enjoy the special moments that every day offers because
today, this day is all you have."
"Can anyone learn to 'live in the now'?"
"Absolutely. No matter what your current circumstances
might be, you can train yourself to enjoy the gift of living and fill
your existence with the jewels of everyday life."
"But isn't that a little optimistic. How about someone who has
jus t lost everything they own due to a bad business deal. Let's say
that not only are they financially bankrupt but emotionally
bankrupt as well?"
"The size of your bank account and the size of your house have
nothing to do with living life with a sense of joy and wonder. This
world is full of unhappy millionaires. Do you think the sages I met
in Sivana were concerned with having a well-balanced financial
portfolio and acquiring a summer home in the South of France?"
Julian asked mischievously.
"Okay. I see your point."
"There is a huge difference between making a lot of money
and making a lot of life. When you start spending even five
minutes a day practicing the art of gratitude, you will cultivate the
richness of living that you are looking for. Even the person you
spoke of in your example can find an abundance of things to be
thankful for, notwithstanding his dire financial predicament. Ask
him if he still has his health, his loving family and his good
reputation in the community. Question him as to whether he is
happy to have citizenship in this great country and whether he still
has a roof over his head. Perhaps he might have no assets other
than a masterful ability to work hard and the ability to dream big
dreams. Yet these are precious assets for which he ought to be
grateful. We all have much to be thankful for. Even the birds
singing outside your windowsill on what looks like another
magnificent summer's day appear as a gift to the wise person.
Remember, John, life doesn't always give you what you ask for, but
it always gives you what you need."
"So by giving daily thanks for all of my assets, whether these
are material or spiritual, I will develop the habit of living in the
moment?"
"Yes. This is an effective method for putting far more living
into your life. When you savor th e 'now,' you kindle the fire of life
that allows you to grow your destiny."
"Grow my destiny?"
"Yes. I told you earlier that we all have been given certain
talents. Every single person on the planet is a genius."
"You don't know some of the lawyers I work with," I quipped.
"Everyone," said Julian emphatically. "We all have something
that we are meant to do. Your genius will shine through, and
happiness will fill your life, the instant you discover your higher
purpose and then direct all your energies towards it. Once you are
connected to this mission, whether it is being a great teacher of
children or an inspired artist, all your desires will be fulfilled
effortlessly. You will not even have to try. As a matter of fact, the
harder you try, the longer it will take you to reach your aims.
Instead, simply follow the path of your dreams, in full expectation
of the bounty that is certain to flow. This will bring you to your
divine destination. This is what I mean by growing your destiny,"
Julian offered sagely.
"When I was a young boy, my father loved to read me a fairy
tale known as 'Peter and the Magic Thread.' Peter was a very lively
little boy. Everyone loved him: his family, his teachers and his
friends. But he did have one weakness."
"What was that? "
"Peter could never live in the moment He had not learned to
enjoy the process of life. When he was in school, he dreamed of
being outside playing. When he was outside playing he dreamed of
his summer vacation. Peter constantly daydreamed, never taking
the time to savor the special moments that filled his days. One
morning, Peter was out walking in a forest near his home. Feeling
tired, he decided to rest on a patch of grass and eventually dozed
off. After only a few minutes of deep sleep, he heard someone
calling his name. 'Peter ! Peter!' came the shrill voice from above.
As he slowly opened his eyes, he was startled to see a striking
woman standing above him. She must have been over a hundred
years old and her snow-white hair dangled well below her
shoulders like a matted blanket of wool. In this woman's wrinkled
hand was a magical little ball with a hole in the center and out of
the hole dangled a long, golden thread."
"'Peter,' she said, thi s is the thread of your life. If you pull the
thread just a bit, an hour will pass in seconds. If you pull a little
harder, whole days will pass in minutes. And if you pull with all
your might, months — even years — will pass by in days.' Peter
grew very excited at this discovery. 'I'd like to have it if I may?' he
asked. The elderly woman quickly reached down and gave the ball
with the magic thread to the young boy.
The next day, Peter was sitting in the classroom feeling
restless and bored. Suddenly, he remembered his new toy. As he
pulled a little bit of the golden thread, he quickly found himself at
home, playing in his garden. Realizing the power of the magic
thread, Peter soon grew tired of being a schoolboy and longed to
be a teenager, with all the excitement that phase of life would
bring. So again he pulled out the ball and pulled hard on the golden
thread.
Suddenly he was a teenager with a very pretty young
girlfriend named Elise. But Peter still wasn't content. He had
never learned to enjoy the moment and to explore the simple
wonders of every stage of his life. Instead, he dreamed of being an
adult. So again he pulled on the thread and many years whizzed by
in an instant. Now he found that he had been transformed into a
middle-aged adult. Elise was now his wife and Peter was
surrounded with a houseful of kids. But Peter also noticed
something else. His once jet black hair had started to turn grey.
And his once youthful mother whom he loved so dearly had grown
old and frail. Yet Peter still could not live in the moment. He had
never learned to 'live in the now' So, once again, he pulled on the
magic thread and waited for the changes to appear.
Peter now found that he was a ninety-year-old man. His thick
dark hair had turned white as snow and his beautiful young wife
Elise had also grown old and had passed away a few years earlier.
His wonderful children had grown up and left home to lead lives
of their own. For the first time in his entire life, Peter realized that
he had not taken the time to embrace the wonders of living. He
had never gone fishing with his kids or taken a moonlight stroll
with Elise. He had never planted a garden or read those
wonderful books his mother had loved to read . Instead, he had
hurried through life, never resting to see all that was good along
the way.
Peter became very sad at this discovery. He decided to go out
to the forest where he used to walk as a boy to clear his head and
warm his spirit. As he entered the forest, he noticed that the little
saplings of his childhood had grown into mighty oaks. The forest
itself had matured into a paradise of nature . He lay down on a
small patch of grass and fell into a deep slumber. After only a
minute, he heard someone calling out to him. 'Peter ! Peter!' cried
the voice. He looked up in astonishment to see that it was none
other than the old woman who had given him the ball with the
magic golden thread many years earlier.
'How have you enjoyed my special gift?' she asked.
Peter was direct in his reply.
'At first it was fun but now I hate it. My whole life has passed
before my eyes without giving me the chance to enjoy it. Sure,
there would have been sad times as well as great times but I
haven't had the chance to experience either. I feel empty inside. I
have missed the gift of living.'
'You are very ungrateful,' said the old woman. 'Still, I will give
you one last wish.'
Peter thought for an instant and then answered hastily. 'I'd
like to go back to being a schoolboy and live my life over again.' He
then returned to his deep sleep.
Again he heard someone calling his name and opened his eyes.
'Who could it be this time?' he wondered. When he opened his
eyes, he was absolutely delighted to see his mother standing over
his bedside. She looked young, healthy and radiant. Peter realized
that the strange woman of the forest had indeed granted his wish
and he had returned to his former life.
'Hurry up Peter. You sleep too much. Your dreams will make
you late for school if you don't get up right this minute,' his mother
admonished. Needless to say, Peter dashed out of bed on this
morning and began to live the way he had hoped. Peter went on to
live a full life, one rich with many delights, joys and triumphs, but
it all started when he stopped sacrificing the present for the future
and began to live in the moment."
"Amazing story," I said softly.
"Unfortunately, John, the story of Peter and the Magic Thread
is just that, a story, a fairy tale. We here in the real world will never
get a second chance to live life to the fullest. Today is your chance
to awaken to the gift of living — before it is too late. Time really
does slip through your fingers like tiny grains of sand. Let this
new day be the defining moment of your life, the day that you
make the decision once and for all to focus on what is truly
important to you. Make the decision to spend more time with those
who make your life meaningful. Revere the special moments, revel
in their power. Do the things that you have always wanted to do.
Climb that mountain you have always wanted to climb or learn to
play the trumpet . Dance in the rain or build a new business. Learn
to love music, learn a new language and rekindle the delight of
your childhood. Stop putting off your happiness for the sake of
achievement. Instead, why not enjoy the process? Revive your
spirit and start tending to your soul. This is the way to Nirvana."
"Nirvana?"
"The Sages of Sivana believed that the ultimate destination of
all truly enlightened souls was a place called Nirvana. Actually,
more than a place, the sages believed Nirvana to be a state, one
that transcended anything they had known previously. In Nirvana,
all things were possible. There was no suffering and the dance of
life was played out with divine perfection. On reaching Nirvana,
the sages felt that they would step into Heaven on Earth . This was
their ultimate goal in life," Julian observed, his face radiating a
peaceful, almost angelic quality.
"We are all here for some special reason," he observed
prophetically. "Meditate on what your true calling is, and how you
can give of yourself to others. Stop being a prisoner of gravity.
Today, light your spark of life and let it blaze brightly. Start
applying the principles and strategies that I have shared with you.
Be all that you can be . A time will come when you too will taste the
fruits of that place called Nirvana."
"How will I know when I reach this state of enlightenment?"
"Little hints will appear to confirm your entrance. You will
start to notice the holiness in everything that is around you: the
divinity of a moonbeam, the allure of a lush blue sky on a scorching
summer day, the fragrant bloom of a daisy or the laugh of a
mischievous little child."
"Julian, I promise you that the time you have spent with me
will not be in vain. I will dedicate myself to living by the wisdom of
the Sages of Sivana and I will keep my promise to you by sharing
all that I have learned with those who will benefit by your
message. I am speaking from the heart . I give you my word," I
offered sincerely, feeling the throes of emotion stirring within.
"Spread the rich legacy of the sages to all those around you.
They will quickly benefit from this knowledge and improve the
quality of their lives, just as you will improve the quality of yours.
And remember, the journey is to be enjoyed. The road is just as
good as the end."
I let Julian continue. "Yogi Raman was a great storyteller but
there was one story he told me which stood out amongst the rest .
May I share it with you?"
"Absolutely."
"Many years ago, in ancient India, a maharajah wanted to
build a great tribute to his wife as a sign of his deep love and
affection for her. This man wanted to create a structure the
likes of which the world had never seen, one that would shimmer
across the moonlit sky, one that people would admire for centuries
to come. So every day, block by block, his workers toiled in the hot
sun. Every day this structure started to look a little more defined,
a little more like a monument, a little more like a beacon of love
against the azure blue Indian sky. Finally, after twenty-two years
of daily, gradual progress, this palace of pure marble was
complete. Guess what I'm speaking of?"
"I have no idea."
"The Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World,"
Julian replied. "My point is simple. Everyone on this planet is a
wonder of this world. Every one of us is a hero in some way or
another. Every one of us has the potential for extraordinary
achievement, happiness and lasting fulfillment. All it takes are
small steps in the direction of our dreams . Like the Taj Mahal, a
life overflowing with wonders is built day by day, block by block.
Small victories lead to large victories. Tiny, incremental changes
and improvements such as those I have suggested will create
positive habits. Positive habits will create results . And results will
inspire you towards greater personal change. Begin to live each
day as if it was your last. Starting today, learn more, laugh more
and do what you truly love to do. Do not be denied your destiny.
For what lies behind you and what lies in front of you matters little
when compared to what lies within you."
Without saying another word, Julian Mantle, the millionaire
lawyer-turned enlightened monk, got up, embraced me like the
brother he had never had and walked out of my living room into
the thick heat of another scorching summer day. As I sat alone and
collected my thoughts, I noticed that the only evidence I could find
of this sage messenger's extraordinary visit sat silently on the
coffee table in front of me. It was his empty cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment