The Illusion

By Dan Sharma

'The Illusion' the Novel by Dan Sharma is about the ups and downs in the life of Danny, a young student in Burma who escapes the Military Regime tyranny to obtain refuge in the United Sates. He is quite successful as an Entrepreneur and starts a corporation as a construction company. Very ambitious and crafty in exploiting his client's weaknesses, he makes the company grow fast while also using his girlfriend for that end, until a catastrophe strikes when a school building walk bridge built by him collapses and a grand jury indicts him for murder of school children, upon believing that the collapse occurred as a result of use of inferior materials followed by submitting fake inspection. As the young man gets the wind of possibility of indictment, he escaped into Thailand and was on his way to hide in Burma, but the FBI was chasing him. Will he be caught and brought back in the United States to stand trial? Will he be able to turn his life around? Find out by reading this new novel by Dan Sharma. It is a fast moving saga that takes you back and forth to Burma, Thailand and the United States. The novel is a poignant portrayal that brings out intense human emotions and reflection of the meaning and purpose of life. About the author: Dan Sharma, BSEE, MSIE, MBA is an American Engineer, Entrepreneur and a Business Management Consultant with an international presence. In this novel, he touches upon the progression of human elements such as aggressiveness, ambition, greed, fear, compassion, love, temptation and the search for the truth. The fast moving story takes you from the beautiful temple city in Burma to its jungles and across the river into Thailand and New York as the final destination, and again back to Thailand as a fugitive on his way to escape again to Burma. This is the heart touching story of a Young man who escapes from the tyranny to his rise to become a multi millionaire businessman. But then he gets trapped in the whirl of his own greed and becomes a fugitive running away from law. What happens to his life and the human side of his struggle to find the ultimate truth is poignantly described by the author, as is the Illusion of the perception of truth and happiness. His description of the mental conflict to accept the true meaning and purpose of life for a young ambitious convict is heart touching.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Nov 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781478748281

Dan Sharma

Dan Sharma is an American engineer, entrepreneur, and business management consultant with an international presence. The Illusion is his debut novel.Dan Sharma can be contacted via email: [e-mail]

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This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

The Illusion

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2015 Dan Sharma

v2.0

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This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 9781478748281

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014919192

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dedicated To

You

For always believing in me

From the moment you knew me

One

The Draw of the Catskill Mountains

The Catskill Mountains in New York have an aura of peace and serenity that surrounds them. Just a couple of hours drive away from the big New York City metropolis, one finds tranquility over there. You have a soothing vision of lush greens and brooks with water making musical sounds. The view of tall trees is beautiful, and it is here that you feel the splendor of the majestic nature. This is quite a contrast from the rat race happening less than a hundred miles away.

There are monasteries in the region. Monks, nuns, and teachers live here, and peace seekers come here. Some are motivated by love for tranquility, some need a break from the rat race they live, some want to relieve their anxiety, and some just want to run away from the concrete jungle.

Running away from a stressful life is one thing, but running away to hide from the law is another. A Eurasian-looking young man pulled in front of the Sangha Monastery. He got off his car, walked up to the reception, and said to the receptionist, I am Sid Bains and I have a guide assigned; please take me to Zen Master Danny San, who will be my meditation counselor.

Please wait, sir, I will get your guide to come and help you, replied the receptionist.

Sid nervously looked at his watch. He was thirty minutes early for the appointment for Meditation Counselor Danny Joshi, who was also called by some other names, such as Danny San, U Danny, Counselor Danny, or just Danny. Sid went to wash his face. In his late twenties, as Sid looked in the mirror he thought, he had aged fast in the past two months that he had been on the run. He had been changing his disguise, and now he had short-cropped hair. He was thinking, why not spend a few days here at Sangha Monastery? The place looked safe, and less likely to be suspected as his hideout. Still, it was a constant challenge for Sid to constantly be under threat of being caught. This was a tough situation for Sid, who knew that he had to keep changing his mobile phone number. He had to make himself harder to locate, as mobile phones do provide the location by giving the latitude and longitude.

The office door opened and a Tibetan-looking young man came to Sid and said. I am Jigmet Namgyal, and I will be your guide. How long would you be staying here? asked the guide. Sid replied, Just one night, but he added, I may extend my stay.

That would not be a problem, for these few weeks we have space available, as we do not have major functions and offerings. We can offer different types of rooms for you to settle down for as long as you wish, Jigmet labored to assure Sid. Well, two more minutes? Sid nervously said, looking up to Jigmet. I will check if Counselor Danny is available to see you, said Jigmet, as he rose to check into the office.

At this moment Sid was wrestling through thoughts about what was going to happen in his life and what his would life be about. Would he be a fugitive, changing names, disguise, and location? Sid did not want to change names to avoid being tracked, and when in a safe location he did not change his name. He considered the monastery as one of the safest places. It is the place where only peace, loving, and spiritual elevation came. He did not think that the FBI or State detectives would check all monasteries. Occasionally, he thought of escaping to Canada, and from there to the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea. He had not quite figured it out, but he was considering living in Hong Kong or Bhutan (in the Himalayas), which was also attractive to him. He was aware, as to how another fugitive Robert Vesco had died in the chase, so the uncertainty made him worried at times. He was attracted to the nightlife in Hong Kong as well as the majestic mountains of Bhutan.

As Jigmet led Sid to Zen Master Danny’s study, Sid noticed the Buddha statue in background. Sid felt drawn to Zen master Danny, so instead of a greeting like hello, he just bowed with hands folded. Jigmet took Sid’s lead, saying, For any help, call reception to send me and I will get you settled. At Counselor Danny’s suggestion, Sid and Danny moved next door to the meditation center, to introduce meditation to Sid. The meditation center was in the same building as the Universal Peace Temple at the Sangha Monastery Center.

Two

The Search for the Path

Danny looked at Sid, who seemed to be unsettled and had a worried appearance. ‘What do you want to learn, and what are you seeking? asked the Guru.

Danny San, my mind is very unstable and distracted. I need to be able to meditate so I can know what path to choose, but I have been overcome with all kinds of strong feelings, replied Sid.

Sid, listen, Danny San continued. Your mind has been lured by impermanent pleasures that do not last; you have lost your ability to look deeply into the origin and conclusion of your actions. I know you are, right now, not stable to put your situation in its perspective, but you will. I will teach you meditation, but you still have to control your mind. Sid was impressed by the guru.

Danny taught him the lesson he always gave to his students. Sid found it a great stabilizing influence. Sid asked Danny San if he could have a one-on-one guidance session with him. Sid planned to return the next morning at 10 a.m. to seek guidance from the Zen master.

That evening, Sid tried to meditate to get insight, but failed. He tried to fixate on Danny San’s image and forget everything else, and it kept on getting better. From less than a minute at a time before, Sid was able to meditate for twenty minutes a stretch. That was a significant improvement and achievement on Sid’s part. He couldn’t wait for the night to be over so that he could meet with Zen Master Danny in the morning. So at five minutes before 10 a.m., Sid walked to Danny San’s room and greeted him with folded hands.

How are you, Sid? Danny asked with a deep penetrating look. Fine, Sid answered. I did some meditation and was able to go up to twenty minutes without getting disturbed, but I need guidance as to how I can make a decision. So, please, understand the dilemma I face.

What? asked Danny.

I am running from the law, answered Sid.

Sid, you have to look deep inside to understand your own actions and the suffering your actions caused for others.

What, Spiritual Master? I did what everyone else in my industry was doing -- well, what most were doing. So why I am being singled out? Why are they out to get me? Sid was pained and filled with anger.

What are the authorities charging you with? the guru asked.

Well, I won the contract to demolish part of a building, and while doing that the structure collapsed and there were casualties. My construction company is charged with using unsafe practices, and I could be charged with homicide, as two school children died later as a result of the ensuing building collapse.

"Do you think you did not do