If we�re lucky, every now and again, we have a decisive encounter – an event that changes the course of our lives, forever. With logic and comfort thrown to the wind, we set out on a new, more invigorated trajectory, unleashing our passion and vision upon the world. Such moments are glorious and gorgeous, mysterious and tormenting. They contort us, bend us – squeeze out every vestige of pretense, compromise, and inauthenticity. Some call this magic. Others call it synchronicity. Some may even call it madness. It has all those elements, and more. I call these moments, taken together, the Dharma life – a response to our instinct for freedom, the natural urge of the heart to know itself and seek its liberation from all obstacles, real or imagined. This revolution of the soul demands that you no longer deny your true calling. It demands that you find your higher love, which then helps you reach beyond whatever is holding you back.

Pleasure is often an unseen force that makes things happen. That it�s invisible doesn�t in any way mitigate the fact that there�s real power involved. By way of analogy, let�s talk about a couple of other unseen powers that you encounter regularly in your daily life.

You can feel the wind at times, and you can hear it on some days as well. There are few things that feel better than a cool breeze on a beach or in the mountains. Yet the wind is absolutely unseen. You can, however, witness its impact and even harness its great power. I know that many of us were amazed by a pinwheel for at least a few moments during our childhood. We would watch this almost flower-shaped object that by itself wasn�t all that engaging. Then the wind would come along and catch it, and the pinwheel would spin and spin. The harder the wind blew, the faster the little pinwheel would work.

How to Master Life Though shrouded in mystery, down through the ages a select few have known “The Secret” to life mastery. By the early twentieth century, one man of science had put his finger squarely on it. But that man, Thomas Troward, wrote it down in a way that made it accessible only to those willing to struggle with the scientific jargon of the era. Now that jargon has been decoded by Stephen Hawley Martin and transformed into plain English, making the science behind “The Secret” available to all.

I love to watch athletes in competition and see how their confidence, determination, and competitive spirit drive them to do their best and be number one. Yet the very emotions that allow them to be great at sports may not be the ones that are best suited for their personal life. Imagine a top athlete at home saying to his wife, �Sorry, but I can�t take you to the 7:15 movie like I promised, since I�m cleaning the stove, and I just realized the oven needs scrubbing, too. I�m determined to get this kitchen absolutely spotless. There�s no stopping me – I know I can make it perfect!�