The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

We both started to laugh, softly at first. Soon our giggles had
turned to guffaws. Julian certainly had not lost that wicked sense
of humor that had kept me entertained so long ago.
As we relaxed in my cluttered but comfortable living room, I
couldn't help but notice the ornate necklace of wooden prayer
beads dangling from his neck.
"What are those? They're really beautiful."
"More about these later," he said, rubbing some of the beads
with his thumb and index finger. "We have much to talk about
tonight."
"Let's get started. I could hardly get anything done at work
today I was so excited about our meeting."
Hearing his cue, Julian immediately started to reveal more
about his personal transformation and the ease with which it
was effected. He told me of the ancient techniques he had
learned for mind control and for erasing the habit of worry
that was consuming so many in our complex society. He spoke
of the wisdom that Yogi Raman and the other monks had
shared for living a more purposeful and rewarding life. And he
spoke of a series of methods to unleash the wellspring of
youthfulness and energy he said every one of us has
slumbering deep inside of us.
Though the conviction with which he spoke was clear, I began
to grow skeptical. Was I the victim of some prank? After all, this
Harvard-trained lawyer was once widely known within the firm
for his practical jokes. As well, his story was nothing less than
fantastic. Think about it: one of this country's best known trial
lawyers throws in the towel, sells all his worldly goods and treks
off to India on a spiritual odyssey, only to return as a wise
prophet from the Himalayas. This could not be real.