“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 savour 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 an 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!”
Excerpt from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,
www.robinsharma.com