Lesson 5 : Za Zen and The Art of Relaxation

Tenzing flute play had taken me by surprise and so had his lesson for the day . We would take our morning walks together and he would take me from one end of the mountains to the other through mountains , passes , hills and forgotten monasteries . “ I had come here to see the great man the Lama , I had questions I wanted to ask him , I had tried to ask this to Satguru the sage of coimbatore , but I did not get a reply to my letter . But it seems you are wise enough to answer them .” I looked at Tenzing reassured in his wisdom .” So what is it you want to ask ?” He replied . “ Well should I ask for the death penalty for those who killed my father ?” That was. My question .” Will it help , will it heal you an eye for an eye is the law of the land , let justice take it’s course , either ways you cannot get what you lost , you must forgive , so you yourself can forget the past and now walk away from it for ever .” The wise monk answered with resolute confidence .His words were reassuring and made sense , how does it help my healing and it’s better to walk of from the past , let time and justice take it’s course .

“ It’s China it’s mainland population expanded so fast that we Tibetans got forced out and had to settle here in exile , but we still dream of returning to our land and then the Dalai Lama will be King again and regain his lost land .”

“ He is quite a character the holy man I saw video’s of him dancing with bishop Tutu in south africa , and of course you have Richard Gere his Bollywood disciple  .” I had read about him and studied his sermons .” He is a charming man very saintly but he is a coward , why he ran away after the invasion , he should have stayed put in tibet and fought the Chinese till his last breath , now look at him , he lives in exile as a lost king .” Tenzing seems sad at the state of his grand master .” Then their is the second in line for the lama throne The Karmappa Lama he is another work of art , tall and brand he looks like a Chinese martial arts expert , he has also written a lot of books , holy man you see but e has his own set of followers and lives in the Gayto monastery on the other side .” He knew his history I though to myself .” This has been the land of the nomads a land for people who do not belong anywhere and. Have no home they can call their own , you guys are the lost people , time just passed you by .” I reminisced  .

“ You know the great mountain of Kailash and the holy lake of Mansarovar is an auspicious place in the Bon tradition , Kailash was also the abode of the Bodhi dharma and to you Hindu’s it is where Shiva sits and mediates .” Tenzing explained the spiritual journey of Mansarovar .” I know I have been their to Lahsa  and tIbet. Right upto the rock of Kailash  , I even swam in the holy. Lake of Mansarovara , the great king Ravan also prayed near the lake and asked to be granted a wish from Shiva .” I was familiar with Kailash as I had gone for an expedition with Satguru to the holy place , revered by Hindu’s Buddhists , jain’s and believers of the Bon faith .

We stood gazing at the tall walls and the golden stupa’s which jutted out into the sky . Their where white done like structure , with wooden curved roof’s . This was the Runktek monastery very famous ,” You know monasteries  have a long history about how they got made , in Srilanka their is a monetary that was made because one of buddha’s tooth fell on the. Land , so peel saw it as a auspicious place , everywhere in the world their are stories of some body part of the god’s , goddesses and holy men falling and suddenly a shrine a temple or a place of worship is built their .” Tenzing explained about the myths behind great shrines and monuments .” Well lets see Hazarat bal was built as a monk because a hair of the prophet. Feel their , Bhim Mal came into existence when Bheem hit the ground with his mighty mace , The water of the Brahmaputra river goes Red in summer as the mensural cycles of the Devi go on at that time , and it is said the the viajaina of the Goddess fell on the place where the temple is currently running .” I knew if I thought some  more I could come up with many such examples .” In Bon we have no such thing we just throw the dead on the hills to be eaten by birds and wild dog’s .” Tenzing gave a wicked laugh. When he said this .

“ You read Zen do you know the practice of Za Zen , it is a way of life a teaching for a happy and joyful life . They say that if we start getting up 20 min before our usual time or natural today clock , we will be able to be still then and fell relaxed as we begin our day , Relaxing is a very important thing , not many know the art to relaxing , the whole world is running , you city. People are always busy , no time for anyone . Za Zen practices make you relax , Joyful and ease your mind .” Tenzing had begun his lesson for the day no doubt .” Relaxing happens when your mind is till , if you go into a Zen garden you will see it is built in such a away that your mind will relax , no tension nowhere to go , that is when you feel in the real here and now . Take a deep breathe and just keep inhaling and exhale all the while concentrating on your breathe , make it longer and deeper and then slow. And slow .” Tenzing was teaching me the finer points of how to feel relaxed through my breath .” You see you can ideate. , think ,analyse , evaluate , plan and make decisions. Only when you are. Still and relaxed , oct of the people are. Running around , multitasking all the time or trying to salvage one situation till they stumble on the next the whole day , they have no time to sit and. Contemplation , this is a very important life skill one must cultivate . To just sit and think and visualise .a moment when you drop out of the game and analyse things from a far . The quality of ideation and the stream of ides will improve rapidly . You will be more insightful and will make correct decisions according to the situations you confront .So you see my friend relaxing is a big life skill.= to learn in life , to have a long and meaningful life .”

“ So is that what todays lesson will be about Za Zen and the art of relaxing .” I laughed aloud with joy and Tenzing. Gave me a toothy grin . “ You see the very nature of existence is a mighty dance , it is not going anywhere or doing anything it is just dancing and the process of dancing is the reason for the dance , it is not starting from anywhere nor is it going to end , it is just their for you to see .” Tenzing tried two go into death of the matter .” The breath is life itself , when you breathe in and out that means you have life in you the jeev atma is still present otherwise you would be a cold corpse . In Hindu Veda’s they call it “ Om “that is the sound of your breath when you inhale and exhale you make that sound . Concentrate on that and you begin to focus on life itself and you live in the moment all anxiety and worries evaporate .” Za Zen teaches you all this , even things lie ow you place your shoes and sandals in your room tells a lot about your sate of mind Werther it is organised or cluttered . The Japanese think one should be organised in the way you keep your shoes and slippers .” For a while I lost concentration and started to look else where , at the momo’ stall their was a man selling posted corn on the side walks .” Come lets have a snack my friend , a tea break we continue the lesson late .” I pulled Tenzing by the arm and dragged him to the hawker . We had a piping hot plate of veg mom’s and one roasted corn each .” Well I guess that’s all you need as a monk guys like me take care of your meals .” I chided him as I paid Rs 50 to the walker for the delicious meal .” But look at my lessons that I impart to you it is because of that , it is not free even a Monk has to eat .” Tenzing got a bit agitated when he said this , no doubt that what he was teaching him was of immense value too .

My mad monk had been very vocal; today and no doubt his lesson of Relaxation and the techniques will stay with me for ever .

Tenzing had a playful way with words and his lessons were being to hit me one by one. I had answers that I was seeking and he was providing me with those, like an old Zen master. Today I decided to go to the sunset point, this is a very famous spot for backpackers and foreigners who come to seek spirituality in Himachal. “ Today again it was Tenzing taking me up to the sunset point right on top of a hill, he was wearing his maroon robe but today he was carrying a Buddhist wishing well, a miniature version of it which he clutched in the palm of his hand. It would go round and round  when he shook his hand, it had blue jade stones and red rock embedded into it and was made of bronze .” You see this is my lucky charm today, I got it from Norbulinka, they have a great bronze art factory in the monastery, many artisans make statues of go’s and buddha all chisels out of bronze and other metals. “ I was amazed the wishing wheel did glow and shine in the sun, it was immaculately carved with images of the meditating Buddha .” Norbulinka that is the summer abode of the Dalai Lama I am told, he rests here in the summer, to is his palace at that time.” I was beginning to enjoy the climb as Tenzing cleared logs of wood and thin branches that landed on our path which was rather narrow.

“ Ah! This is the sunset point, very famous you cans see the. Entire valley from here .” He pointed towards the sun which was slowly setting. “ This land of Dharamshala is a refuge to us, but we came here long time back from Tibet, driven out of our homes by the Chinese, who saw us as a hurdle , they wanted to take over Tibet as it gave them a strategic point to strike at India. Tibet is high ver high it is called the Roof of the world. China knew that if it had control over Tibet it could spy and strike on India from the top, which in warfare is a huge advantage .” I could see how he made a point that Tibet then was a very strategic country, and if China had to dominate Southeast Asia it needed control of Tibet. The Red army defended the country, old traditions were destroyed, the life and way of the average Tibetan were threatened. With the army came civil disobedience, crackdowns, immolations, torture, and refugees. The Tibetans were driven out of their land and their supreme religious leader The Dalai Lama who I had come to see ran away into exile. The only country ready to except them was India, with Nehru at the helm, he let the Tibetans live in and around Dharamshala, this was one of the reasons for the enmity of China and India because we gave shelter to the Dalai Lama. That was the history of the kingdom of Tibet and it’s exiled people. Many places around the Dharamshala had museums with photographs depicting those turbulent times of grief and strife. Nonetheless, the region embraced them, a large part of the region including Spiti Valley, Nako, Tabo and Leh Ladhak are the roots of the ancient Bon faith which soon got intaglio and almost lost in Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy, which had distinct Chinese influence .” So you see my friend Bon  is much older than Buddhism even, its the mother faith of this mountain region .” He explained further, I felt at times my time with Tenzing passed very breezily.

We started walking down after a while, and then trudged off through the main Bazar, with food outlets and women selling woolen clothes .” We made this our home, we are refugees in the Hindu land, my friend. Most people are monks who have dedicated their lives to celibacy and seeking the ultimate truth. You must have seen young bald monks chanting and praying all the time .”  He paused to look at me,” Ya! That’s one hell of a mind fuck, they are always doing things to screw up the. Mind, I mean mediation also does that it makes you drop the mind .” I had to cut in and give my opinion after all the best way to learn is to elaborate on what your teacher was saying . Tenzing no doubt was my teacher but I was a knowledgeable pupil. I knew the esoteric form and I understood what Tenzing was saying .” So you are practicing ways to drop the mind altogether, that is the doorway to the truth, the Atman or the witness. The witness sees all but is not involved in the play of life, so he is a detached householder, the one who lives within, sees all but partakes in none .” My mad monk stopped next to a small pawn shop and picked up a large wooden flute with the lagging buddha engraved on it, he paid Rs 100 to the shop owner and purchased the flute .” This is what I need at this time, the other way to lose your mind is to listen to or create music, I love playing the flute, the breathing has to be controlled and regulated, you need to be good at deep breathing. What you say in yoga , pranayama .”   He picked up the flute plucked his lips and began to play. In a few seconds, he got into the tune and the flute let go of its melody. I put my camera bag and sat on a large stone by the side, this was some other side of the mad monk I was seeing. He was a master piped piper this guy, but instead of rats monkeys steered flying gall over the trees no doubt enchanted by the melody and song of the flute player. The music filled the air as the rhythm and vibrations filled the air, Tenzing got more and more animated as he plays the flute. From the sidewalks two Buddhist kid monks the same that I had seen chanting at the courtyard appeared and started to dance to Tenzing’s flute play. They waved their hands up and down in the air falling forward and backward in a rhythmic Buddhist dance. Soon people stopped near the neighboring hills to witness the Mad monks rock concert. Only if I could sell tickets for such an event in advance but, alas! It went on and on it’s as if Tenzing had gone berserk totally lost within his music, it was if he had become one with the music and mingles into the dance of the twin monk kids, who had a not of energy. Now I see what he meant by dropping the mind, if you concentrate on your breathe and inhale and exhale, concentrate deep on it after a while it becomes like meditation, you get lost and the mind slowly dissolves to make the witness appear.

Isn’t that what he was trying to teach me the whole day, how to drop the mind and why chanting and prayer were so important in their ancient faith. Suddenly it went all quite Tenzing slowly open-end  his eyes as if waking up from a trance .” Come we walk now enough of music .”  We started walking back. Through the narrow hill by lanes .” Dropping the mind is important, you need to learn just to watch it, stay away from all the physiological drama. That is what the Buddhist practice teaches you, drop the mind and make the truth appear .” I pause to absorb his words this was indeed my mad mom’s out the lesson , drop the mind and the truth will appear.

When you begin to sell enough e books in a month say 50 each month , you will automatically develop a Customers also bought by list . These are authors your customers have also bought t books from .As sales and traffic to your amazon.com author page grows the algorithm begins to learn and for tends and patterns . Now you ahem a list of authors that your readers also buy from or read books of . You can intern t with these fellow authors by email and ask them to review your books and in return you will review theirs . Give them some publicity on your blog and let them spread the buzz about your books . May be do a few author interviews or post and excerpt from their book on your blog .

That way you will share. Large chunk of traffic of riders with similar tastes , and the positive reviews from fellow authors will further build your credibility and people will take your writings more seriously . You can also see the prices points at which these authors sell their books and select an appropriate competitive price for your books .It helps immensely while doing market pricing .

Once I had more then a dozen e books selling online under various genre and at variable prices , I decided to further add value to my sole product e books , on topics like travel’s , food , poetry , self help , technology and even erotica novels .The best way is to convert these books into audio books . To me it should be easy as being an actor I can narrate my e books myself that to with different character voices . All I need is some good quality recording equipment to record mp3 files of my audio book . This is where ACX.COM comes in this is a amazon.com company and a subsidiary of audible.com which is the primary sales platform for these e books . ACX.COM basically is a platform where authors , narrators , publishers , sound recordist and studio’s can collaborate with each other fix a price and make a very creative highly quality audio book .

The site is full of information on what the recording quality and specifications should be and how can one set up a recording studio at home . Their are elaborate videos showing that .it talks about author and publisher rights . But before uploading your finished audiobook file one needs to sign the acx.com agreement , which gives tow options a royalty deal of 40% for an exclusive deal with acx.com and audible or a non exclusive deal where you get 25% royalty only . In this option you are free to sell your books on other audio platforms online also .One has to sign the user agreement and the publishing agreement . You also must state what rights you have on the material .

I am registered in the author and narrator category , their is a whole host of technical information on the audio file formats , their size and quality . One has to make sure that the recording of the audiobook is done through a professional with the certified equipment needed for the job . How each file is to be loaded chapter by chapter , the opening credits announcing the name of the book and it’s author . Make sure these specifications are adhered to otherwise their will be problems uploading the audio files .

But the saddest part is that ACX.COM services re only available in UK , IRELAND , USA AND CANADA . So I ad to build a loop and I asked a friend in London to open an account with his bank details and other credentials . I would have the password and upload files of my audiobooks sitting from Delhi or any other part of the world . The money would come to his account and he will then transfer the royalties to me . That was the best way to circumvent my being an Indian resident .

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Lesson 3 :Nature heals all wounds 

It was early morning and I woke up with a thud a round persistent knock on my door ,” Sahib bed head you want some tea ,” a voice of the helper of Sagar hotel barked from outside the door .” Go away I am sleeping now , later later no tea for me .” I was in no mood to get up , my discussions with Tenzing had made me heavy and sleepy , it was all too much to absorb the fellows teachings coupled with his life lessons . I was woken up again after an hour by the chirping of the birds , it seemed the morning had brought in the rain also , but the sun shone bright , I could see droplets fall on tree’s as rain water dripped from the laves and beaches up aloft . Was this not but a dream the weather cool , soft and serine , I walked out of my room into the breeze that came from either side of the hotel lobby .

Arrey some one get me an ice cream .” I shouted aloud at the helper , within minutes he appeared with a cone of butterscotch ice cream . I felt it was time for me to explore the hill’s further may be a walk a bit more towards the greener side of the city . With my leather sling bang tied around my waist , I walked out into the street across the town ship of Dharamshala , only to spot two tea stalls selling nick Naks , I stopped over for a bottle of water and enquired “ How can I get to the hills on top , I want to explore this place .”  I asked a gentleman reading the newspaper who looked at me with some irritation and said ,” Yes you will get taxi from here private taxi or you cab go by bus also .” He was amused as I looked a bit lost .From no where a thin , lanky kid in his early twenties can walking towards me ,” Sir I take you to the hell , show you all monastery and famous tea shop , I have my car I will drive you to the top .” He looked confident but I could make out from his eyes he was doped and loved to smoke up .” What is your name , you drive taxi .” I asked him politely .” Yes I am Abu I am from here I take you and show you Dharamshala and Macloud Ganj . You pay Rs 800 to me ok .” He was eggar to make a deal , this was peak season time and the locals made money by doing odd jobs for the tourist . I was in luck as I had my own taxi and an exclusive driver name Abu .Muslim right he was lean and had a brown bread that shown , he was fair with droopy , sleepy eyes , he would do I thought to myself , lets explore this land of Tibetan exiles with Abu and his taxi .

We had to go though small ,narrow , curing bylines full of tiny shops and walkers on either side , selling clothes to vegetables . The traffic would often slow down or be reduced to a stand still , we were moving though the traffic  like snails .

‘ It is loud all this noise , I hate traffic and noise that’s why I came here from Delhi , I love to write and I am writing a book .” I explained to Abu  to start a conversation with my driver who would be my companion the entire afternoon .” I see you are from Delhi , how did you guess that .” I asked ,” well you look like from the city , your shoes and your t shirt it is like you are from Delhi , some big town .’ Abu explained his entire observation on my attire . The afternoon was cool and it became cooler as our car climbed the mountain roads , which were narrow and wobbly at times .After a few hours of drive Abu stopped on the side next to a  Paratha shop . It was made of wood with a few benches near by , we had to climb a bit to get to it as it was right on top and hurried from the main view of the hill .’ Came I have Paratha , it is my best food place , good hot tea , you will like it lot of tourist enjoy eating here .” Abu no doubt was hot selling the shop and it’s proportion to me .I decided to take the plunge and climbed up to the shop ,” I am also a Bollywood actor , I have done films with Shah Rukh Khan , in-fact you cane google my name also , I am famous you know .’ I said to Abu giving away further details about my identity . “ I study in the local college , my subject in business administration .’ He said proudly as he pulled me up to the tea stall . As I approached the wooden bench to sit and take a breather , long behold a siren voice asked me ,’ So Shiva would you like your tea in a glass or a cup .” The voice was similar to me , the tone was familiar too , looked up and it was none other then Tenzing wearing old trousers and a unbuttoned white shirt , he was dressed like a tea stall and paratha vendor . This was some transformation I must say , first in the monastery , then in my room and now at the tea stall up the hills of Dharamshala , my magical monk was following me all around the valley no doubt keen to get my attention so that he could whisper another sermon or insight into my ear about the ancient Bon religion and the mysteries of the Buddhist order .” Here your tea I make it just the way you asked , good you came Heer to get some clean air .” He sat down next me as Abu walked into the stall to serve himself a paratha .” We are all connected you see , we just need to have the right perspective , see how you and I keep bumping into each other , it is like we have some connection , why was it that I just picked on you .” He said to me as if he wanted answers from me .My mad magical monk was in no mood to relent it seemed ,’ Yes maybe , you have answers to all my questions , as they say when the student is ready the master will appear .” This was another one of my wise zen couplets I  liked to throw into my conversation to keep pace with Tenzing’s esoteric gyaan .” Pain and Pleasure we discussed it last time , you remember .” He wanted me to jog my memory to his second lesson ,what would be his Third lesson I wondered .” Come with me we climb up a little bit .” He pulled me by the hand as I kept the tea glass on the bench , some how I could never visit the monk .” You know in Bon culture we believe in spirt , in Bhutan you have Shaman’s they are the gate keepers of spiritual energies and bless people during key festivals .

We kept climbing up the hill , when suddenly Tenzing looked on the ground as if he had found something that he was looking for . It was a shrub with round red buds like fruit or berries of some kind . He plucked then and took a hand full , then he very merrily chewed them making =gestures of delight with his face .’ These are sweet they are more red the green berries our sour we pluck them two weeks form now .”  We kept walking till we saw some mountain goats grazing at the corner their were three cowherds , father and two sons for sure guarding their prized possession ,” Nomads all of them they keep moving in the mountains with there goats , in summer they come her fro the sun and fresh air .” I wanted to sit and saw a rock jutting out of the mood with a thud I feel on it , I didn’t enjoy the climb much but with my Monk egging me on I had to obey .” Nature it is abundant most people on this and the Tibetan planes are Nomads , from as far away as Mongolia , Kirkistan and China . All they want is provided by nature . The yak is the mans of transportation and a source of milk. , even meat in winters as food . The goats the sheep are used for well for making clothes , the many rivers and steam provide ample fresh water , the trees provide fruit , berries and herbs . The land gives us grain , crop and vegetables . The nomads live in mud huts and farm the land , they live for the land , as man should in a ecosystem that gives and take .’ He wanted to go on further but was stoped by the sight of a flying bird .The bird had a long tail , blue and green in colour and crooked beak , she flew and sat on a tree in-front of us , that was the distraction enough for the monk to stop his monologue on mother. Nature .” Weather you flow with existence or against it , you have to know you are a sub set of nature and thus dependent on it , their is no reason to believe that you were made to board over it .” At times Tenzing sounded like an environmentalist , trying to save trees and mountains . Most monks and spiritual teachers are that way , they worry about rivers , trees , hills and the oceans . They realise how important it is for the human race to be in harmony with nature .” The real laws one must follow are the ones of nature. Not of societies , groups or man , one should be in tune with the eternal laws of the cosmos the en sure existence .If we align the rules of our lives that way we can avoid pain and suffering as we will be able to build a better reference point for our lives .”  Now it was Tenzings turn to look back and see wether I was on his trail . So it was me and my mad monk trying to understand the world we had landed into with our own unique perspectives .

We stopped after a while near a fresh water stream , water was gushing down the rocks down the hill forming a nice pool of moving fresh mountain water .” The hill goddess is kind on us , come lets drink and wash up , my boots are very muddy let me clean up .” Tenzing wanted a breather from out hill excursion .He was like an excited child throwing water on himself and on his face trying to wash up , the monk enjoyed water and played around like a baby . You could tell the man loved the hills and the streams and the fresh air .” You came to see the master and you meet me the mad monk , the water it gets me excited all the time .” Our old man almost had a mini bath .” Let us walk a bit more on that narrow path on the edge of the hill .’ He pointed to a narrow path will rocks on either side . “ I forgot your taxi driver Abu must be waiting by now he must have eaten a dozen paratha’s and gone to sleep , we have been up the mountain for a few hours .” He said with a tone of panic in his voice .i tried to hurry down the hill but , jagged rock grazed by right upped thing , I could feel the crush as if I burst a skin . I stopped with a Hugh drone to see. The damage , their was a bit of blood , and long gash which oozed thin red blood .” Oh ! You have hurt yourself , my buddha let me see .” The mad monk examined my wounds and decided he had the remedy . I was asked to wait b y my Bon master who headed ahed to fetch some green herbs and leaves . He put some black mud on the leaves and then with the paste of the herb plastered it on my wound that will do it . You will be perfect by the time we get home .” He said has he tied a bandage around the herb and mud paste .’ Their you will be as good as new in a few hours .” He held my hand and slowly pulled me down the winding mountain path ways .One has to be very careful in this terrain ,each step has to be placed with great care the mud was slushy and I could have easily slipped and injured some other part of my body .

“ Nature is amazing , the ultimate mother she is waiting with her abundant love , whatever wounds you may incur , that of the heart for the body can be healed by nature in time , it is a process that has to be given time , with time everything heals and also grows back again , nothing in nature is destroyed for ever if just takes another form , thats all .” I could see what the old man was trying to say . Abu had been waiting with the car to take me back to Sagar hotel .” Where did you disappear with this Tibetan  Lama ,” he asked as he sat back into the drivers seat .” First he was serving you read and then you vanished  in the hills with him , is he your song lost uncle .” Abu quizzed me ,” No no he is my firmed my guide to the hills the mad monk , he had just come to finish the lesson of the day .” I punt the car windows up as I said those words “ So what was the lesson of today .” Abu wanted to know after all he had been waiting for me down the mountain pathway for long .” The lesson was that we should all live our lives as one with nature and respect mother nature at only it knows the tricks to healing our bodily and emotional pain’s . Mother Nature heals us all only time is needed .” He had got the lesson of the day from my mad monk .Abu laughed a loud we had reached our hotel , he braked and said ,’ They say in my village that Time is the greatest healer .” I help my camera tight towards be and before I walked out of the car , removed the bandage the monk had tied on my thing . The wound had healed , the blood had stopped and the pain from the ash had subsided .” Yes time it is the greatest healer .” I remarked as I said my good bye for the day to Abu .

Now that I have a dozen e books out on amazon.com , kindle , kobo and google play . The next key to success is how you price your e books . Remember that the royalties on e books priced between $2.99 and $ 9.99 is double amazon.com shares 70% royalties on sales price for books at a higher price bracket . The royalty for books priced below $2.99 is only 35% . Now we know that amazon.com is rewarding those who sell at a higher price their fore encouraging people to price their books higher . But for a new author who has just tested the market for less then a year and is yet to build a brand and credibility as a published author , you have to make sure your book is read by more and more people and therefor volumes cannot be ignored , the higher the price the lesser the volume.

I have taken a variable pricing approach where I have kept the price of 70% of my e books at $2.99 or below . The  rest 30% of my e books are priced between $4 to $7 that is the median price range that still fetches 70% in royalty on every sale. You have majority of books especially the self-help books and erotic at a cheaper rate this is the drive volume and more visibility more people read more they will recommend , more authentic reviews and referrals .This will drive volume for the lower priced e books . Here you can see one has done justice to both the volume and profitability aspect of e book sales .

But one needs to keep monitoring and seeing trends , the pricing can be tweaked later after one sees which books and selling and which are not .

So as a conclusion I would say use a variable pricing policy for your e books and make sure you write a lot of them .

Now that I have been playing the ebook selling game , I have found some good online alleys in Google Books , amazon.com , kindle and kobo . I have started getting sales royalties from these stores monthly fro the last 5 months or so . The cheques ate small form Rs 500 to Rs 1000 per month but I am making progress with the sales numbers month on month , some of my books are also part of the exclusive KDP select program , so a lot of my books get read and borrowed from their digital library and I make some money on that too .

The key to mu success has been building a network of Book Bloggers who are local and from India , more then 80% of my readership is from Indian , 10% US , 4% UK , 2% Canada . Naturally I targeted Indian book reviewers and book bloggers . In less then four months I have a network of about 40 top Indian book blogging sites and book reviews who are constantly reviewing my books and posting it on their social media handles , blogs , good reads , amazon.com and where all my books can be bought for . This has become a powerful chain of influences for me . They post regular interviews with me , do give away programs and help in creating that first line of buzz and credibility around my book .I have decided to spend zero on online ads like Facebook ads , amazon direct advertising . I have found they are a waste one should do them only sparingly . It is more important to cultivate book bloggers specially those who are experts in the genre you write in . I have negotiated some good bulk review deals at Rs 200 a review . Their are also some bloggers I pay Rs 1000 or Rs 1500 for a review , but never more then that . Remember you are in a high volume low margins business and making money is hard , make sure you don’t go crazy spending all your marketing money on Book reviewers and enthusiasts .

My next task will be to build a similar network of book bloggers in US , UK and Canada these ra the big English speaking and reading markets for my kind of a writer , who has just started off with some serious writing . In one year I have launched 11 e books and this pace will only double in the next year . It can surly be made into a profitable business stream for my company

Tenzing had become a friend , he reminded me of a long lost uncle , a fuzzy , charming yet curious character , was he going to be my guide around the mountain paths of Dharamshala .The sun was about to set and I made a lsat dash towards the office block . I was told that the Dalai Lama will give public sermon on the 17th of May , right now his son is sick and the holiness wishes to tend to his son , who needs his special attention .” Can I make a application , you know write a letter to him , I have so many questions I want to ask the great man , please you have to help me .” I almost stumbled over the table , as I tried to explain my predicament to the security guard at the office . He only nodded and said ,” I am sorry no visitors till the 17th you come to the public sermon .” Well I had missed a chance again nevertheless I could get to take some snaps and pictures of the Holy man on the 17th of May , with that thought I ventured towards my Hotel a small guest house called Sagar .

The night is cool here around 19 degrees and the streets get quite most shops shut down by 8:00 pm and the town goes to sleep , summers is the peak season in this part of Himachal , so one has to make hotel bookings in advance , I for one forgot that and ended up hovering from one hotel to the other just looking for a room . My room is neat with a double bed , but no Wifi with a bath and table , along with a pair of brown sofa’s well for Rs 1600 bucks it was a steal especially during the peak season .I was starving , and immediately asked the helper to get me two platES OF idili and sambhar . The food arrived in it’s own sweet time , the door bell rang and I opened the door to my utter surprise and some how with sweat amazement . At the door stood the lean Tenzing , my mad monk from the monastery .” Food , yes ! It is very important , now you get south Indian here also in the extreme north on the mountains .’ He laughed and entered my room .” But you , I left you at the monastery , you chase me till my hotel room , you do have magical powers then .

” I let him come in and make himself at home , Tenzing was my mate , my Bon master who would acquaint me with the wonders of the valley and it’s ancient traditions .I sat him down on the sofa and gave him some water to drink .” You are. Also a writer , I see you have a fine laptop their , true creative person , my Shiva Bhakta my Hindu friend . Tenzing was being extra kind and I still could not get over the fact that he was here with me in my room , no doubt wanting to teach me some other life’s many lessons .” Have you ever wondered what sorrow is , mean really thought and felt the emotion of sorrow , it is a very deep almost poetic experience , pain and sorrow are transcendental experience , which every human being goes through with greater or lesser intensity .” He tried to  explain like a old should master , yes he was the Bon master indeed . Tenzing had this habit of making grand gestures with his hand as he tired to explain the easter mysticism to me .” But the pain that hurts the most is the one that is self generated , that is to say , you hurt yourself , their is no cure for that , who can save you from hurting yourself , no one right .” , he paused to take a sip of cold water from the glass and then very carefully placed it on the table .

“ Today was tiring my old friend , but the night is still young come lets go for a walk around the parks , night can be a very enlightening experience  , it is at. Night when the occult powers are at their peak and the mountain air gives it it’s special breeze .Come with me we go for a stroll .” I thought the man was doing , I had hardly finished the idli’s he had got for me , for my dinner and now he wanted me to take a walk with him . I nevertheless relented to the offer and followed him step for step , he had very long strides that were still strong after the entire days hectic activity .” Most suffering in the world is self inflicted and that is because we see ourselves as the body , which is a very limiting experience , as a body has boundaries , it can only seeks pleasures of the world .” The man went on with his sermon with self. Assurance , he looked like some one who knew what he was talking about , or atlas he mad you believe that , Tenzing had a balanced tone and modulated his voice to give his talks that extra bit of zing and picturesque imagination .

It’s as if he wanted you to see visually what he was taking about . So it was me and my magical monk floating the streets of the quite town of Dharamshala at the wee hours of the night .’ You too it seems suffer from a pain , a deep pain through deep suffering , but yours too is self inflicted .’ He looked into my eyes when he said that , he looked deep with in my eyes .I was taken aback at that retort , almost startled , even astonished how did he know about my personal pain and suffering , man this man could almost read my mind it seemed . Yes indeed my pain existed the brutal murder of my father and the aftermath where my life was left in tatters and my soul completely crushed . Was I not here to seek answers from his holiness about my fathers unfortunate and brutal death . What should I do , should I forgive the murders , what of me then will I be able to forgive myself and absolve my soul of all that befell on my dad . Was it this pain of mine the monk was talking about , he had struck a cord with in me .” It is true my pain is self inflicted a sort of guilt , like dogs bone it is stuck somewhere in my wind pipe . It’s a kind of blockage in my internal consciousness .

How do I get rid of this then .” I looked back into Tenzing eyes turning my torso toward him , my face blank and without expression searched for answers from him .” First jean to identify with your pain , then slowly watch it the more focused you are when you watch your pain , you will see it will slowly disappear like a cloud in the sky , just melt away .” Tenzing said this and then suddenly bent and stooped to pick up a few pebbles . “ Now just watch me throw these sones into the valley , let me try if I can hit the mountain pick , .” He took a huge javelin thrower stance and with a whip lash threw the stone into the valley towards the mountain peeks . The pebble flew into the sky upwards making an arc and like a projectile began to loose altitude till it disappeared into the crevices of the valley itself .” Now I show again , you just watch the pebble , nothing else just concentrate on the stone and its trajectory with full focus , just watch it again and again more closely , here I go again .” He threw the pebble again with all his might , his shoulders were powerful , well he had made the wishing wheel go round and round with great speed . This time I was alert and just focussed hard on the stone , to my wonder it became slower through the air , it’s like it lost speed and went into slow motion mode , everything looked slow , it seemed that the pebble would keep hanging in the air .” You see that is what watching does it slows thing down it is an antidote to tackle pain it’s the ultimate pain killer specially the type you carry in your heart , just watch and be a witness it will disappear .” He put his arms around me , Tenzing was a bit taller then me by a few inches .

” Did I tell you the story of the great Tibetan monk and holy man Drupka Kunrey , he was a great man who walked the roof top’s of the Tibetan mountains , I tell you his story . He is the reason why the phallic symbol is so popular in Bhutan and that part of the world .” It seems my monk knew his ancient history .’ You see Drupka soon found out after his meditation’s and prayers , that pain could only be transcended by pleasure . As these were twins of each other they went hand in glove , first one then the other pain follows pleasure .The phallic symbols that you see on roof’s and walls everywhere , is the symbol of pleasure as in sexual drive and pleasure which is available to us all , in abundance without paying for it even .Thus in the ancient Bon tradition we believe e that the antidote to pain and suffering is pleasure and only pleasure .” He paused to see how much I had gathered what he was talking about , I sure took my time to absorb his sermon on plain and it’s transcendence through pleasure .

Yes my magical monk had done it again he had given me my second season the Lesson of Transcend pain through pleasure .

Chapter One: The Lesson of Attention

He was tall of height and slim of waist , his legs lean and long , his strides assured  and steady as he paced around on the courtyard as if looking for something on the floor . He had beads , a Mala in his hands , as he twisted and turned his figures doing his morning Jaapa . I had waited long for the Dalai Lama , three days in Dharamshala it was he I was most eager to meet . As I kept my camera close to me , to take pictures of the many monks who resided in this monastery . But my eyes came back again and again to witness this rather tall and lean monk , who seems to be in. A bit of a hurry . He took three circles around the courtyard often mumbling to himself as if he was reciting some great Buddhist Shloka . The cemented corridors where a bit empty today , I was told the the great man was a bit of wether and will not be able to give his daily sermon today , the ceremony was postponed for another day. I felt at ease now , the tension of seeing the great man had evaporated . I kept my camera bag on a ledge and sat down on a wooden bench that faced the massive courtyard , by back was now facing the mountains of maclaud ganj as the sun came up from the eastern sky.

Its as still cold and the air was fresh and breezy . I gazed back again at the monk of the courtyard as he kept taking his rounds , his strides long yet steady as he mumbled the mart’s to himself . His shloka’s vibrated in the air as he moved from one edge of the monastery to the other edge , his eyes lowered as if staring at the floor , his gaze was not on his surroundings , but turned inwards with in himself . It’s as if he was not searching for anything outside but looking for answers from within . I was fascinated by him , he wore the traditional maroon robe with a yellow and orange shawl raped around himself . He wore black leather shoes which helped him too walk briskly around the courtyard .

One , two , three he kept talking his rounds at times he would stop abruptly and step towards the giant wishing wheel which adorned the entrance of the courtyard . All of a sudden with a sudden jerk of the head he would look at the wishing well and then smile , and even laugh as if to say , that he had found what he was looking for . He would then  violently move his hands around the metal cylinder and twist and turn it with all his might , with all the power that came from his shoulders . The wheel was red in colour with yellow and green marking , it was littered with Buddhist text , sone ancient mart’s and sutra’s where inscribed on it .These were chants of good luck and of happiness , anyone who twisted the wheel will be blessed by the heavens . The Monk wanted his share of the blessings it seemed . So he pushed and pushed the wheel till it went round and round and round on it’s merry way . The monk had to keep pace with the wheel and his long stride’s turned into a rhythmic dance . He was ecstatic and screamed with joy as the wheel whizzed passed his ears , his hands running and rotating it with great haste .He had more then made up for the wishes he could collect in a life time .

Then with sheer exhaustion he stopped to take a breath . I started at him and then my eyes ran to the other end of the courtyard , where two teenage bhikshus sat with bald heads staring at the sky . The sun was out and some folks sleeping on mate’s and old quilts got up steadily to usher the morning . Again the routine would start , the route of life . The mad monk by now had sat down on the floor , as he pressed his feet , he was tired for sure . So many rounds he had taken in the morning , his mediation and kappa’s where complete . He had made all his wishes and now he was ready to face the day . I sat on the bench and stared at the play in-front of me , at times taking pictures and at times contemplating the fate of the monks and the people who lived in the monastery . The office block was still shut and would remain so , their was no task today from the Lama , and no chance of seeing Richard Gear . But for me it was the madness of the monk  that got my attentions , as a slowly plodded word the exit gate of the monastery , i was no doubt frisked by the two police men at the exit . The security is tight here , the Lama is a known figure and a potential target , he needs security at all times .

My Mad Monk as if on cue mad his way behind me , as I walked down the steep slope out side the monastery which was littered with tea shops ,selling bread , bun and thupka .” You seem to be new here , are you from the city .” The mad monk inquired as I stared across at one of the tea stall , he tapped me on the shoulder and extended his hand as if to shake and greet me . I responded in kind and we formed a connection of mutual trust and understanding .” I am Tenzing from Tibet now I live here in the monastery with the Holiness .”he smiled and he said this , he had established that he was a local Monk and knew the place well .” I am a teacher and I teach the ancient religion go Bon , it is very old very very old .” He said gleefully as if trying his best to get my attention .My eyes constantly aired at the horizon overlooking the valley and the mountains .People had started coming out of their houses and shop owners Bagan trekking torsos their shops , some selling artefacts , some robes and the others book’s . Their was a bakery and continental breakfast joint on the left , some Americans seems to be enjoying eggs and sausages their .” You have been here two days , looking for the holiness , but o luck today . No problem you meet me , I will teach you all about Bon and how unlike you we do not burn our dead .” He said with a set augured look , but how did he know my religion , I could be a muslim or a Christian or a Jew or a Zoroastrian , hell people could take me as an Egyptian also . He no bout saw the Mala of Rudraksha warped around my neck , he would have known that I was Shiva’s child .The Rudraksha had given it away , he knew I was a Hindu . “ Great how did you guess that we burn our dead , how did you know i was a Hindu .” I tried to entice him into telling me more .” Well the Mala , it is the rudrakhsha beads  , you worship Shiva . He is as ancient as Bon , the Adi yogi the greatest Monk .” He knew what he was talking about and almost transported me to a time beyond time .

“ No !  In Bon we just leave our dead around the mountain side to be eaten by dog’s and birds , the bodies go back to dust the way they should , you see many wild dogs around the mountains they have all teated blood .” Hw posted his fingers towers the distant mountain peaks . To me he looked more lie a Shaman , he wore a blue woollen cap on his head and had two cheerful dimples on either cheeks .” We also et our dead , you know the aghodi’s eat dead bodies to purify their should , in-fact they live near the dead inside the cremation ground , they survive on the ghats and the alms given to them by the relatives of the dead .’ I tried to form a connection .” Then Bon is not so much different then the ancient Hindu Vedic Practices .Do you guys believe in an afterlife or do believe in re brith .” I wanted his two bit now .The Monk tired to steady himself and then took out his Mala from a deep pocket buried inside his robe , which was almost falling from his waist .” We believe in samsara , brith death and then rebirth the cycle continues . What did you think I was doing going round and round the courtyard , the wishing wheel it is the symbol of the samsara the cosmic reality that just goes round and round .” He moved his hands elaborately to form circles , and then moved them anti clock wise as if to make sure I got the point of the circular nature of existence .

The sun had been beating down fora while and the market place was abuzz with tourists and locals alike .” I am hungry , and I need to charge my camera . Come we have some tea and noodles .’ I asked Tenzing to follow me to the near by tea stall . We sat on a narrow wooden bench , Tehri were plastic chairs and a few worn out tables . A old Tibetan women was making tea while her young sun filled water into a metal pot , no doubt it would be used for making noodles later.Their Tibetan flag plastered on the wall’s with ancient buddhist scripts transcribed on the roof of the tea stall . I sat comfortably with Tenzin at times watching the TV , they were playing some old footage , where a sermon was being given by Karmapa Lama , he is second in like of the thrown .I felt distracted almost wanting my smooch to stop it’s rumble , I mean we could wait to discuss religious philosophy , before that I need my food .” You are very impatient , you see in life only good things come to those who wait , you need to wait for results , for fruits of your efforts , it’s like making fine wine or whisky , you neat a raging process , slow maturing process and then the delicate tastes and juices will appear .” He said as he picked up his cup of tea to take the first sip .” I know my mind is like a monkey keeps jumping up and down and round and round from one tree branch to another . I do deep breathing to stay my self and to calm things down .” I explained to Tenzing the deep breathing technique . He stood up and gazed at me as I huffed and puffed and turned my stomach first filling it with air and then deflating .” You are an expert , a Shiva Bhakta no doubt you have control on your breath .” He then clapped his hand and said “ You are as mad as me , your deep breathing technique very funny , I like it .” Tenzing looked at times to please me , I could not figure out who was entertains who . My eyes moved toward the the edge of the stall the old Tibetan lady came up and offered me a plate of biscuits which I gladly had , dipping it into my cup of tea .” Tenzing what a famous name it was the great Nepali Sherpa who took Edmond Hillary right on top of mount Everest .

I also meet you on top of this mountain , you have greatness in your name my friend .” I again tried to form some sort of connection  between me and the mad Buddhist monk who specialised in Bon religion .” You see God is not some one sitting up their , he is all around us , the plant , the bird the dongs the humans all living beings are his manifestation . But we do not see this reality as we are restricted with in our humans form which has boundaries , the reality is boundless .” It seems that my Bon master Tenzing was just warming up for a lecture ,” Oh! Yes once you realise that you are limitless and not lim tied by the body , that is when real freedom enters your soul , that is when you can really feel free and full of existence itself .” He wanted to go on and waited to see weather I showed any interest in his words .” I know that feeling I use to get that feeling while doing the laughing meditation . But one has to eat and live , one has to work and thus one has to come back to the boundaries of the human body . “ I tried to explain a bit exasperated , as I realised the limitedness of the human form . Some how we humans have always wanted to be limitless , boundless and be more then what we perceive to be .” Here I give you this book , it is the scripts of Bon , you will get great philosophical knowledge through it .” Tenzing tried to peddle his book to me , I had already spent Rs 50 on his tea and biscuits and now he wanted me to spend Rs 100 on the book .” Yes even a Monk has to eat , all living creatures have to eat .” He looked at me as if wanting my sympathy .I took out a note and stuffed it in his hand , he looked at me with joy and took my hand ,” Come I take you back to the wishing wheel , make your wish with my blessings it will come true .” We stormed out of the tea stall and slowly tried up the narrow by lanes of the hill back in to the monastery courtyard , by now it was well past noon .The wishing wheel sacred at us as Tenzing moved his Hands around it and then slowly pushed it so as to generate a steady rotation .” Come come oh! Shiva Bhakta as what your hearts desire and it will be done .” He was eager that I make a wish .” I wish to meet his holiness before I leave this ancient valley .” It was as if the energies whirling around the wheel would make my wish come true .

I looked around to see the Monk , but he had vanished , I turned to the court yard and walked up a flight of stairs , their was a bit of Panic in my hear as I lost site of my ancient Bon friend , but soon I found him . “ Tenzing show me the golden Buddha , I am told it’s one of a kind .” Tenzing turned around and looked behind my head m he pointed to the stature which almost stared at me from the adjacent . Yes this was the golden Buddha , I at once prostrated in-front of it and did it almost a dozen times to give my respect in the traditional Buddhist way . I was almost panting but as I gained my senses after the prayer , I lost site of Tenzing again .

I walke down the same flight of steps and walked on the edges of the court yard the two teenage Bhikhu’s sat by the side , now they seem to be engrossed reading from pages of some ancient text . They kept chanting and moving their hands up and down lining forwards and then backwards in a rhythmic movement , muttering their shloka’s that they red out from the text . The buzz reversed in the air as I came closer to them the sound are clearer and sharper . They took no notice of me , they were consecrating their energies on their breath and on the words that came out of their mouth . I almost lost myself seeing these tender beings so engrossed in there daily rituals and practices . It’s as if I had lost time , I felt no need to look for Tenzing , I assure he is here somewhere , my panic had subsided as I stood mesmerised by the two bald teenage Bhikshu’s , who still had not noticed me .

Immediately my hand went around my neck as I looked down to see if I was wearing mine still , to my amazement it was gone , yes  my Mala had disappeared from my neck . Hell Tenzing had whisked it off me , jus taken it from around my neck .” This is the magic of Bon , this is natures magic , you Mala is here in my had .” He dangled the holy Mala in-front of my face .Tenzing had stolen it while we were engrossed in conversation , but when , how ,where man this guy was a smooth criminal .” I have many tricks my friend this is just the being , see you did not even know that it was gone , taken from you unaware , you had no clue I had whisked it off you .” He pored and laughed at his slight of hand  , this man was not only a Bon monk he was a magician of sorts and he had tucked me of my Mala .

“ But when did you take it , I was clueless , you are smooth and so are your bag of tricks .’ I wanted an answer an explanation .” Easy while I was pushing the wheel and you are making your wish , you were so engrossed in prayer , you did not realise it was gone , I had removed it from your neck , it’s and ancient Bon trick only comes with hard practice .” He smiled , this man kew his craft .” You are a  Mad monk first you run around in circles , then. You circle around wishing wheels , then you disappear and reappear with my Mala .You seems more like a ghost then a Bon Monk ’ I said intrigued by Tenzing’s mannerisms.

‘“Well I have a great man’s name and I can do great magic tricks this is just the being , in-fact this was my first lesson to you about The ancient faith of Bon . The lesson is attention , you lost attention and therefore lost sight of your Mala . Attention is of paramount importance , whatever you give attention will grow and what ever you take attain lion away from will fall out of your world , by given attention you can create and recreate your own world over and over again as and how you please .” Tenzing thus explained the First and Primary concept of Bon it’s First lesson the lesson of attention.

Just stumbles into a beautiful site called blogtakradio.com , now that I have been blogging for four years , I still remember my three years working for a radio station in Delhi and Mumbai as a producer . Well blogtalk is a podcaster and creator of online radio talk and music shows . It started in 2006 and has since grown to over 24 million ,listeners and over 10,000 blogtalk show hosts . The company also syndicates its top shows to national tv and radio stations . I was stunned how easily I could podcast my own talk show , all I had to do is sign up and then choose the various plans that they had on offer . The first plan is free and gives you 15 min of talk time . They have a plan for $ 100 a month and a premium plan to . With a few clicks you can start your own talk shoe . Their are a certain defines categories of course , that include food , spirituality , religion , art etc and one has to build the name and content of the show specified by these categories . I choose travel as my category even lifestyle would be a good category , as a travel blogger I had the brand name of the show tikku’s tarvelthon  , now all I had to do is read out my blog posts and e books to my authors with passion din a entertaining manner , some sound and music beds and I would have my sound file ready .

This can be uploaded on your radio talk shoe channel . You can also send invites to people to dial into your show and start conversations across the globe .The show tells with my blogging and is a perfect blogtak show , a travel show ever I take the listeners through my travel journey using my diction , music and sound beds , it would turn out to be entertaining . I could link it to my current blog , so people can listen in directly and even participate in the show .Their is a RSS feed facility and depending on the package you have chosen , you will get a stipulated Amos t of hours to broadcast , you ill decide on the time and day slot .

I found this an exciting way to take my creative work further for blogging to e books and now blogtalk . I also think audible for making talking books is also something which I should explore further , but for me I want try blog talk for now .