The Journey With The Master

The inspiring, instructive, and ultimately triumphant memoir of a man who used hard work and a Master Plan to turn a life sentence into a second chance. Growing up in a tough Washington, D.C., neighborhood, Chris Wilson was so afraid for his life he wouldn't leave the house without a gun. One night, defending himself, he killed a man. At eighteen, he was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole. But what should have been the end of his story became the beginning. Deciding to make something of his life, Chris embarked on a journey of self-improvement--reading, working out, learning languages, even starting a business. He wrote his Master Plan: a list of all he expected to accomplish or acquire. He worked his plan every day for years, and in his mid-thirties he did the impossible: he convinced a judge to reduce his sentence and became a free man. Today Chris is a successful social entrepreneur who employs returning citizens; a mentor; and a public speaker. He is the embodiment of second chances, and this is his unforgettable story.

For over forty years Swami Chinmayananda was one of the leading interpreters and teachers of the Hindu philosophical system of Advaita Vedanta, which establishes with exact logic the identity of the self (Atman) with the infinite (Brahman). Through a variety of institutions and methods particularly the jñāna yajñas, rituals of truth, he worked to rejuvenate Hinduism by making hitherto inaccessible insights of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad - gita available to masses. Thereby, he was instrumental in bringing the wisdom of the Hindu heritage to everyone, regardless of caste, creed, gender, religion or nationality. This is the first biography of Swami Chinmayananda and retraces his journey from his childhood in Kerala, through his carefree college days and rebellion against British imperialism, then his spiritual tutelage under Swami Shivananda and Swami Tapovanam. An account is given detailing the growth of a worldwide movement under his guidance. Included are conversations with him on different subjects that demonstrate his sharp intellect, deep wisdom and quick wit. He is undoubtedly one of the outstanding and influential figures in the modern history of India.

In 1959 a young monk named Tsung Tsai (Ancestor Wisdom) escapes the Red Army troops that destroy his monastery, and flees alone three thousand miles across a China swept by chaos and famine. Knowing his fellow monks are dead, himself starving and hunted, he is sustained by his mission: to carry on the teachings of his Buddhist meditation master, who was too old to leave with his disciple. Nearly forty years later Tsung Tsai — now an old master himself — persuades his American neighbor, maverick poet George Crane, to travel with him back to his birthplace at the edge of the Gobi Desert. They are unlikely companions. Crane seeks freedom, adventure, sensation. Tsung Tsai is determined to find his master's grave and plant the seeds of a spiritual renewal in China. As their search culminates in a torturous climb to a remote mountain cave, it becomes clear that this seemingly quixotic quest may cost both men's lives.

SRI M WAS BORN in Trivandrum Kerala in 1949. At the age of nine he had a strange encounter in the backyard of his house. Under the jackfruit tree he saw a matted-haired yogi. The yogi blessed him saying 'you will get to know our connection in time' and walked away. After this incident the mind of the young boy, born of Deccani Muslim parents, turned towards Vedanta and the great Indian tradition of yoga that led to deep contemplation. Meeting many known and unknown sages and yogis as if by design, Sri M at the age of 19 left home and went off to the Himalayas. There, at the Vyasa Guha beyond Badrinath, he met the great yogi Sri Maheshwaranath Babaji belonging to the Nath sampradaya. As an apprentice to this great being, his mind underwent a profound transformation. Travelling with this bare-footed yogi, he had many wonderful experiences. A detailed account of his almost unbelievable experiences from childhood to the present can be found in Sri M's autobiography, Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A yogi's Autobiography. On the instructions of his master, he returned to the plains and lived incognito for a long time. Meanwhile, he got married and has two children who are themselves grownup and married now. Sri M wears no grand robes, has no special hair style, is often found wearing jeans and T-shirt or dhothi and white shirt. He lives in Madanapalle, travels around the world conducting retreats and giving talks on yoga, Upanishads, Sufi teachings - in short, inner core of the religious traditions of most religions including the Jewish, the Christian, Buddhist and so on. He calls himself a practising yogi. Sri M heads the Satsang Foundation which runs the Satsang Vidyalaya - a free school for the underprivileged and an IIC-ICSC boarding school called Peepal Grove School, a rural school in a remote village 20 kms from Madanapalle and a Swasthya Kendra - a free medical service for the poor. The Satsang Foundation has recently initiated the MYTHRI programme involving large scale re-forestation and is in the process of setting up a modern hospital to cater to the needy on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Master the essential skill set of the truly effective leader The Leadership Journey charts a course through four critical areas of being a great leader. Written by Korn Ferry CEO Gary Burnison, this book brings world-renown people and talent development expertise to bear in a discussion about 'good' versus 'great' leadership. Successful leadership at any level is about getting results, but how do the best of the best manage to consistently deliver bigger and better things? This book shares the 'secret sauce' of successful leadership, and provides an actionable framework for discovering—and developing—your own leadership skills and potential. Anyone can have the right hands-on skills, but true leadership finesse lies in the much tougher realm of developing self-awareness to lead yourself first ('Look in the Mirror'); navigating by a fixed point of personal and organizational purpose ('Embody Purpose'); journeying with others who want to follow you ('Don't Walk Alone'); and plotting a course that's beyond the line of sight of what everyone sees ('Navigate Beyond the Horizon'). By distilling the broad and complex topic of leadership into highly accessible points and discussions, The Leadership Journey is perfect traveling companion for everyone along the leadership path. Effective leaders help people do more—and become more—than even they ever thought possible. This book gives you a practical framework for becoming the kind leader your team needs to succeed. Master the key elements of great leadership Understand why hard skills aren't enough Learn how to motivate and lead others Achieve more by helping others inspire and empower themselves Grounded in practical and proven real-world experience, this invaluable guide packs a powerful punch. When it comes to great leadership, reaching your destination requires a precise, well-planned journey that covers all critical ground. The Leadership Journey gives you a clear roadmap with expert direction and world-class advice.

The 10 Minute Bible Journey is a fast-paced, synopsis of God’s Word from beginning to end. Fifty-two illustrated accounts connect the chronological, gospel-centered storyline of more than 200 of the most strategic and amazing events from Creation to Heaven. Filled with vibrant, full-color illustrations and exciting “faith facts” that confirm the Bible is true, this apologetics-infused book is designed to help Christians of all ages achieve a new level in their understanding of God’s Word and their relationship with Jesus Christ! Discover: 52 accounts with explanatory notes Devotional passages and summaries A convenient fold-out timeline Scores of little known facts The 10 Minute Bible Journey goes beyond the popular stories of Sunday school to present important context and chronological connections found within the puzzle pieces of biblical text. Master a new understanding of how the pieces fit together in the amazing, gospel-based map to Heaven.

My life story