After his doctor advises Julian to either give up law or his life, he decides to “rekindle his inner fire” (12) by traveling to various villages in India, where he is always warmly welcomed. During his travels, Julian hears rumors of a group of monks who remain vigorous and youthful despite their advanced age, and he resolves to find them.

In India, the former trial lawyer learns to enjoy simple pleasures, like the moonlight and sunbeams. After seven months, he meets Yogi Krishnan, a village caretaker who also gave up a legal career to find his soul in simplicity and service to others. Yogi Krishnan becomes a mentor to Julian, and they discuss the wise monks who villagers refer to as the Great Sages of Sivana. Julian leaves the village to find the monks alone on a sherpa, confident that he will achieve his goal.

Along his journey, Julian encounters somebody wearing a red robe with a dark blue hood carrying a basket of flowers. Julian knows this man must be one of the Sages of Sivana, so he opens his heart to the robed figure and the sage agrees to help him on the condition that Julian agrees to take his wisdom back to his compatriots in the West.