At an outdoor ceremony of graduation in a small, shallow amphitheater, I am to receive an award of distinction. I am just about to walk down into the center of the amphitheater to join the small group of graduates when a holy man of advanced years approaches me, smiles into my eyes, takes off his ceremonial robe and hands it to me. It is a precious and gorgeous piece of handcrafted textile work, with several colors and textures, and lots of detailed embroidery. I am quite surprised, but he is beaming love at me, so I put it on. It’s like a cloak, open in front, with a tall, thick and sumptuous collar that completely encircles my neck. It feels royal in a spiritual sense, conveying accomplishment. Soaking up the sensation of truly assuming this mantle, I walk slowly down, quite slowly, and quite conscious that all eyes are on me. It is a remarkable sensation, like a king must feel sometimes. As I join the graduates, I see the group is very small, and notice that they look a bit scraggly and more or less the worse for wear. It has definitely not been an easy road that has brought us here.