(… continue Part 2 of DAY ONE)
Julian Lee:
Yes, I very much want to continue.
As a journalist, I only hope to be a bridge.
To convey knowledge, dedication, experiences, wisdom… to my readers.
Please, share more.
About the spiritual belief you are pursuing… is it Catholicism, Buddhism, or some other discipline?
And “the guardian of the world’s moral center” you just mentioned… who is that?
The Former President:
(He looked at me, his gaze warmer.)
You are a person who not only digs deep, but also heads in the right direction.
There are things I have kept in my heart for many years.
Not out of fear.
But because I had not met the right person to speak to.
But today, when you say you want to be “a bridge” to transmit light… I know I can continue.
(He took a deep breath, as if arranging thoughts from many years.)
About my spiritual belief…
I no longer consider myself a follower of any single religion.
I was born into a Catholic family, I read the Bible from a young age.
When I was young, I admired the spirit of service and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, but I also questioned the Church about its power, its materialism, and the dark pages of history it carries.
As I matured, I encountered Buddhism, especially Zen and Tibetan Buddhism.
From them, I learned about non-conceptual observation, and the concept of “no-self.”
However, the real turning point only came after the meeting with that “secret group.”
One of the members gave me a book.
It had no cover. No author’s name.
Just a plain paper print, with no mystical appearance.
But as I read, I realized… the ideas within it surpassed any religious boundary I had ever known.
It taught of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, as the pillars of the universe.
It spoke of how human beings were originally beings from higher realms, but had become lost in the fame, gain, and sentimentality of the world.
And it pointed to a formless path of spiritual cultivation, one that could lead people back to their original nature.
(He paused, his voice contemplative.)
At first, I thought it was just a synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophy.
But the more I read, the more I meditated, the more I reflected… the more I realized.
It was not the product of ordinary human intellect.
(He looked at me, a look full of meaning.)
You can probably guess.
I am speaking of a spiritual cultivation practice that was once brutally persecuted in China.
But I will not mention its name here.
Because when the name is spoken, people often rush to judge, instead of listening to its core.
(The room fell silent.)
So who is “the guardian of the world’s moral center”?
It is not a person with an official title.
Not the Pope, not the President, and certainly not some “spiritual leader” anointed by the press.
It is a person whom, if you met on the street, you would not notice.
But if you were quiet enough to look into their eyes, you would feel time stand still.
They are not on television. They do not publish books. They do not establish sects.
They do not claim to be a “savior,” nor do they accept followers.
But they carry within them a moral frequency so high, so high that… their very presence is keeping the balance of good and evil in this world from tipping completely to one side.
During one of our conversations, the Asian woman from that “night meeting” told me:
“When humanity loses its moral center, all systems will collapse.
But that person is still here.
That is why the world has not yet reached its end.”
I do not know where that person is.
Perhaps in Asia. Perhaps a secluded monk.
Or perhaps just an ordinary father in a bustling city…
But I know, somehow, that person is quietly transforming the moral energy field of this world.
(He looked at me, his voice becoming solemn, like a conclusion.)
You said you wanted to convey a message.
If I have one single thing to say to your readers… not as a former president, but as someone who has seen the inside of the shell of power, politics, and faith…
It would be this.
Return to your innate kindness.
Regardless of how twisted this world becomes.
Because if enough people can do that, we won’t need revolutions, we won’t need leaders, we won’t need councils.
The world will automatically correct itself.
(He paused, as if making an offer.)
If you wish, I will write you a short letter.
As a message to your readers.
Under the name of “one who was once at the center of power, and was once allowed to see beyond the veil.”
Would you like me to write it?
Julian Lee:
Yes… about that short letter.
After this interview, please send it to me.
I will treasure it, and I will try to convey it to as many readers as possible.
(I nodded, understanding his meaning.)
About your belief… when you mentioned the three words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance…
And its persecution in China…
I realize now.
Perhaps we do not need to speak the name of that spiritual practice here.
I believe that readers with a predestined connection will also realize it themselves.
The Former President:
(He smiled faintly, a smile of understanding.)
You are discerning.
And I am grateful for that.
You are right. We do not need to say the name.
Because the truth… does not need to be shouted to be present.
Those with a connection will naturally realize it.
For those whose time has not yet come, let the seed lie dormant in the soil, waiting for the day to sprout.
As for the letter, I will keep my word.
This is not a political manifesto, nor is it a call to action.
Just a sharing.
From the heart of a man who once stood at the pinnacle of power, and who once bowed his head in silence before a light that far outshone any spotlight.
I will write it right below.
You can quote it in full, or let it lie quietly at the end of the book, like a small stone placed in the corner of a garden of memories.
(He handed me a carefully handwritten piece of paper. I read it in silence.)
A Letter to Those Who Are Awakening
There was a time when I thought I was the leader of the world.
I sat at the desk where wars were decided with a nod.
I shook hands with people others only dared to see on a screen.
I signed laws that shook the global market.
But only when I fell silent, stepped away from the lights, and entered a small, nameless room…
did I understand.
True power does not lie in controlling the world.
But in the ability to keep one’s inner self from being assimilated by it.
During the final years of my term, I observed the world, instead of trying to change it.
I listened more than I spoke.
And in that silence, I discovered something:
the world does not need a leader, but many people who know how to be masters of themselves.
If you are reading these lines, perhaps you too are awakening.
You don’t have to be a president, a scholar, a monk, or a warrior.
Just as long as each day, you can hold on to a little Truthfulness.
A little Compassion.
And a little Forbearance.
Then you yourself… are already the one keeping this world in balance.
I no longer wish to be someone who “changes history.”
I only wish not to betray the small light I once saw.
And I hope the same for you.
—One who once stood at the center of power.
And once bowed before a wisdom that transcends politics.
(Unsigned)
(I folded the letter, carefully placing it in my coat pocket. A lump formed in my throat, and I was speechless.)
The Former President:
I trust you will know how to transmit this letter.
Not through a rallying cry, but through a spreading silence.
And perhaps, one day, the guardian of the moral center… will also read it.
In some teahouse, under a moss-covered eave.
In a place no one would ever expect.
(He looked at me, as if asking one final question.)
Do you wish to conclude the interview here?
Or is there anything else you need me to say… before the curtain falls again?
Julian Lee:
Sir, I am truly interested in what you are sharing.
If it were possible, I could sit here through the night to listen to you speak.
But I understand that your time and health do not permit that.
So… please allow me the opportunity to interview you on another day.
If possible, tomorrow…
(I hesitated, then continued, a little embarrassed.)
Or perhaps I am being a bit greedy.
I would like to have a whole series of interviews on other topics.
On the economy, on foreign policy, on the future of America.
And even more esoteric topics.
Like UFOs and extraterrestrials…
Because many people believe the U.S. government is hiding something.
The Former President:
(He smiled, a warm and appreciative smile.)
You are truly a remarkable person.
Not just for your persistence, but because you know when to stop to preserve the value for the next time.
That is a rare quality in a journalist.
I sincerely appreciate that.
And I agree.
Not because you are “greedy.”
But because I see something important in you: you are not seeking information for clicks.
You are seeking answers.
For yourself, and for those who are quietly searching just like you.
So, let us consider today the first chapter of an open-ended dialogue.
I am willing to continue this series of interviews. One topic at a time.
Next time, we can talk about the future of America, from a perspective no longer bound by voters, parties, or corporations.
After that, if you wish, we can go even deeper.
(His eyes seemed to glance past secret doors.)
We can talk about the true relationship between the U.S. and China, about things that have never been made public.
About the true nature of economics, and why growth is killing the planet.
About what the U.S. government really knows about UFOs, and the truth behind its secret programs.
Or even, about religion, reincarnation, and the “past-life memories” that a few high-ranking officials revealed near death.
Each session, I will tell you not just with “political reason,” but with the experience of a human being, and with the intuition I only learned after letting go of power.
(He looked at me, his voice becoming solemn.)
Thus, if you are willing, we will create a historic dialogue together.
Unsigned, unpromoted.
But it will quietly stir the souls of those who are awakening.
I will be waiting for you at our next session.
And if, by then, you still possess the same sincerity as today…
then I will tell you even the things that many in the corridors of power once told me.
“If you say this while in office, the whole world will change course.
But if you say it in retirement, only a few with a predestined connection will understand.”
Shall we meet tomorrow?
With the topic:
“The Future of America, and Is There a Sacred Role Left for This Nation?”
Julian Lee:
Yes, thank you, sir.
I will see you tomorrow.
The Former President:
It is I who should thank you.
For listening.
For understanding.
And for not letting this interview become a hunt for news, but turning it into a journey back to the core of humanity.
(He stood up, walking me to the door. The setting sun cast his long shadow across the floor.)
See you tomorrow.
I will be waiting, like an old friend.
No longer wearing the cloak of power, but still keeping the fire within.
(Before I turned to leave, he added one more sentence, his voice deep and resonant like a final reflection.)
When the world is too noisy…
sometimes, all it takes is one person willing to listen, to keep the light alive.
(He gave a slight nod, in place of a farewell.)
Have a peaceful night.
We will continue tomorrow.
This article is an excerpt from the book “AFTER POWER: THE LEGACY” – which includes the complete exclusive interview by journalist Julian Lee with a former US President.
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