A Parable of the East
[An] Eastern King […], desiring to know the history of man, was brought by a sage five hundred volumes; busy with affairs of state, he bade him go and condense it; in twenty years the sage returned and his history now was in no more than fifty volumes, but the King, too old then to read so many ponderous tomes, bade him go and shorten it once more; twenty years passed again and the sage, old and gray, brought a single book in which was the knowledge the King had sought; but the King lay on his death-bed, and he had no time to read even that.
We know full well that modern people, world leaders and simple mortals alike, are burdened with just as many cares and worries as the eastern lord mentioned above. They also don’t have the time to read even fifty books that reveal the meaning of life. For this reason, billions of people live in suffering and die in ignorance, not even suspecting that this is reflected on the eternal life.
As such, we undertook the task of tying together if not “all the world’s wisdom” then at least a very large part of it and of fitting it all into one book, which we offer you to read now, rather than waiting until you’re on your death bed. We have named it Nectar for Your Soul, though other names would have fit just as well, names like The Encyclopedia of Everything and A Travel Guide through Life: Both the Earthly and the Eternal. We hope that, having come to the end, you’ll agree with this assertion.
About the Authors
Vladimir Dubkovskiy was born in 1953 in Leningrad (modern day Saint Petersburg). After graduating from law school at Leningrad State University, he served with the Military Prosecutor’s Office as a Captain of Justice. He then worked as a prosecutor in the Investigations Department of the Leningrad Public Prosecutor’s Office, was a member of the International Bar Association, a reporter for the newspaper Leningradskaya Pravda, an employee of the Soviet-American joint venture “The Hermitage”, and a screenwriter for the first two documentary films about prostitution in the Soviet Union. From 1989 to 1999 he switched to the business world, and was the founder and head of a number of commercial companies which focused on manufacturing, commerce and insurance. In 1999, together with Valeria, his wife and business partner, he founded the School, and then the Academy, of System Business. Branches of the Academy successfully operate in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Kazakhstan, and tens of thousands of managers from various commercial companies have studied at them. For their achievements in this field, Vladimir and Valeria received 15 awards from the Eurasian Academy of Business including best business-trainers, authors of the best training program, and authors of the best books, of which they have written more than 50, with a total printing run of one and a half million copies.
Vladimir was awarded the title “Honorary Citizen of the City of Memphis,” (Tennessee, USA) for his contributions to the development of Russian-American cultural relations (during his work at “Hermitage”). His literary and scientific activities served as the basis for his election to the position of Associate Academician of the International Informatization Academy (in General Consultative Status of the United Nations).
Valeria Dubkovskaya graduated from law school at Leningrad State University, where she studied with Vladimir, to whom she was married in 1975. For twelve years she worked as the Head of a Section of the Civil Registry Office before becoming Vladimir’s partner in all his endeavors.
Since 1999, she has headed the School and Academy of System Business together with Vladimir. She holds both Russian and international seminars. She is the author of many lectures and psychological training programs, and a brilliant orator. An active member of the Eurasian Academy of Business, she has been awarded many prizes and diplomas for her contributions to the training of managers from a large number of companies.
Valeria is also a mother of two children: a shining example of womanhood in the business world. She is referred to as “Soul of the Academy” and “Guiding Light” by her thankful students. She has received wide recognition from participants for her musical training programs “House of My Dreams,” “Person of the New System” and many others. But Valeria has been carried to legendary status by her “prophetic” blessing-autographs, which are inevitably fulfilled.
e-mail: [email protected]
Chapter 1.
Where is happiness hiding?
Napoleon’s confession on the island of Saint Helena. The private tragedy of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. What have great people suffered from, and why are the majority of families unhappy? The collection of knowledge necessary for achieving happiness. The formula for happiness. Who believes in God and how do they practice their faith? An ancient Sumerian recipe for success. How a 43 year-old woman overcame infertility.
Ignorance is the source of all suffering.
Napoleon Bonaparte gloomily walked on the shores of Saint Helena. The year was 1818, the third year of his exile after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and his abdication from the throne. Like all those doomed to a life of imprisonment, he now lived only on memories, reliving in his mind, day by day, his eventful, turbulent life. For what was already the tenth time, he recalled all the episodes of combat and romantic exploits, faithfulness and betrayal, accomplishments and mistakes…
“In my life there were but three wonderful days: Marengo, Austerlitz and Jena, if you don’t count a fourth, when I granted an audience to the Austrian Emperor, in a ditch on the field of battle,” he unexpectedly broke the silence.
Napoleon’s companion on his walk, the Count Emmanuel de Las Cases, stopped and produced his notebook.
“This, I cannot believe, Your Excellence!” he cried, hastily making a note, fearing to miss even one word.
Las Cases, who had been an officer in Napoleon’s entourage and a faithful servant, had agreed to voluntarily share in his vanquished emperor’s exile. He was Napoleon’s most regular companion on his short daily walks, during which he meticulously recorded all Napoleon’s remarks in his notebook.
“Nevertheless, it is so,” Napoleon sighed sadly.
“But even Alexander the Great did not achieve fame such as yours!” objected Las Cases “and his glory burned brightly for many years!”
“If you consider the essence of fame, you will come to the conclusion that it amounts to very little,” responded Napoleon, “It is no reason for pride, no matter the words of the ignorant, praises of fools, or the approval or vilification of the crowd.”
“I remember