Unexpected Journey: The Hero Awakes
Land of the Thunderdragons
by
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I awoke with a start. From the lack of light in the room I knew it was not yet morning, but there was something in my room and I was suddenly on high alert. I wondered what it was and how was I going to defend myself if I could not get of bed.
Faint shadows were cast across the walls from a few of the candles still flickering on the altar. The winds whistled over the rooftop and the coals in the fire pit had faded long ago. As my eyes slowly adjusted to the light I was first startled, and then shocked. There appeared to be a person sitting cross legged just beyond the end of my bed and he seemed to be hovering in mid-air. We stared at each other for several moments. I kept waiting for this apparition to disappear but rather than fade away in the shadows, the longer I stared at him the more distinct he became. After what seemed an eternity, the apparition actually spoke.
“Forgive me,” he said calmly, “but with your permission I would like to teach you what little I know about happiness and the principles that are important to sustain a culture of goodness and beauty.”
My mind was racing. Who was he? What was he doing here? As my eyes continued to adjust, I felt a powerful energy emanating from him. He seemed to almost glow. I could see colorful images of magnificent mountains, wildflowers, streams and faces of Bhutanese people swirling about him. It was almost like a 3D movie. I wanted to reach out and try to touch the images, but I was transfixed. Although his face was difficult to make out in the dim light, he appeared quite young. He wore a simple robe with what looked like an ochre shawl cast over his shoulder. Finally finding my voice I stammered.
“Who are you….and what are you doing here?”
Just then, the yak candles at the altar began to burn brighter and, for a moment, the entire room took on a soft, golden hue, like the color of his shawl. There was a sudden stillness in the air as the winds overhead calmed.
“I am the guardian spirit of Bhutan,” he said softly, looking at me intently.
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About the Book
Richard Prince, a professor, had come to a dead end in his life. It was then he received a surprising invitation to speak at a conference in Bhutan, whose goal is “Gross National Happiness.” Although he’s skeptical, while trekking to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the most revered of all Bhutan’s spiritual sites, Richard falls and almost dies. During his recovery, he is visited by a Himalayan master who begins instructing him on the keys to personal and cultural transformation and how Bhutan and other countries can achieve the goal of “happiness” for their people and the world. Little does he know it, but he has begun the “hero’s journey” to rediscover a meaning and purpose for his own life. As Richard travels the Bhutan countryside, he falls deeply in love with Sumitra, assistant to the minister of education. She reveals to him a great secret about their relationship and destiny, and he promises to return to Bhutan.
“Unexpected Journey takes you on an exciting adventure to a mystical land where East meets West. Accompany our reluctant hero, Richard Prince as he searches for meaning and discovers love in this adventurous spiritual romance.”
—Ruth Drayer, The Spiritual Journeys of Nicholas and Helena Roerich
“James has written an account that showcases the salient features of the hero’s journey. He describes the magic of Bhutan that will captivate and exhilarate readers ready to travel to the remotest lands of the world as well as of the heart.”
—Alanna Kaivalya, Author, Educator, Mythologist
“A modern “Lost Horizons” where our hero encounters a mysterious Himalayan teacher and a beautiful soul mate. Highly recommended.”
—David Tame, The Secret Power of Music
About the Author
James is the author of five books on education, spirituality, and culture. For twenty years he has spoken at schools, regional and national conferences, and community events on how to transform the culture. His favorite poet is Walt Whitman and he lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana.