Excerpt from The Secret of Shambhala by James Redfield, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

Yin looked toward the cars parked on the curb across the street from the man. His eyes stopped on an old brown sedan containing several men in suits.

Yin said something to the taxi driver, who looked nervously at us in the rearview mirror and drove toward the next intersection. As we drove on, Yin bent over so as not to be seen by the men in the car.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Yin ignored me, telling the driver to turn left and head farther into the center of the city.

I grabbed his arm. "Yin, tell me what's going on. Who were those men?"

"I don't know," he said. "But Wil would not be there. There is one other place I think he would go. Watch and see if we are being followed."

I looked behind us as Yin gave the taxi driver more instructions. Several cars came up behind us but then turned off. There was no sign of the brown sedan.

"Do you see anyone back there?" Yin asked, turning to look for himself.

"I don't think so," I replied.

I was about to question Yin again about what was happening when I noticed that his hands were shaking. I took a good look at his face. It was pale and covered with sweat. I realized that he was terrified. The sight sent a chill of fear through my own body.

Before I could speak, Yin pointed out a parking place for the taxi driver and pushed me out of the car with my satchel, leading me down a side street and then into a narrow alley. After walking a hundred feet or so, we leaned against the wall of a building and waited for several minutes, our eyes glued to the entrance of the street we had just left. Neither of us spoke a word.

When it appeared as though we were not being followed, Yin proceeded down the alley to the next building and knocked several times. There was no answer, but the lock on the door mysteriously opened from the inside. "Wait here," Yin said, opening the door. "I'll be back."

He moved silently into the building and shut the door. When I heard it lock, a wave of panic filled me. Now what? I thought. Yin was scared. Was he abandoning me out here? I looked back down the alley toward the crowded street. This was exactly what I had feared most. Someone seemed to be looking for Yin, and maybe Wil too. I had no idea what I might be getting involved in.

Perhaps it would be best if Yin did vanish, I thought. That way I could run back to the street and hide among the crowds until I found my way back to the airport. What else could I do then but go back home? I would be absolved of all responsibility to look for Wil or do anything else on this misadventure.

The door suddenly opened, Yin slid out, and the door was quickly locked.

"Wil left a message," Yin said. "Come on."

We walked a bit farther down the alley and hid between two large trash bins as Yin opened an envelope and pulled out a note. I watched him as he read. His face seemed to grow even whiter. When he finished, he held the note out toward me.

"What does it say?" I demanded, grabbing the paper. I recognized Wil's handwriting as I read: Yin, I'm convinced we are being allowed into Shambhala. But I must go on ahead. It is of utmost importance that you bring our American friend as far as you can. You know the dakini will guide you.
Wil



I looked at Yin, who glanced at me for a moment and then looked away. "What does he mean, 'allowed into Shambhala'? He means that figuratively, right? He doesn't think it's a real place, does he?"

Yin was staring at the ground. "Of course Wil thinks it's a real place," he whispered.

"Do you?" I asked.

He looked away, appearing as though the weight of the world had been placed on his shoulders.

"Yes . . . Yes . . . ," he said, "only it has been impossible for most people to ever conceive of this place, much less get there. Certainly you and I cannot . . ." His voice trailed off into silence.

© 1999 by James Redfield. All rights reserved. Published with permission of the publisher, Warner Books.