Foreword xi Prologue xiii Chapter 1 Roots 1 Life Without Papa 1 From Kesur to Canada 3 Sidebar: The Rajputs 6 Papa Returns 11 Reflections 14 Chapter 2 Changing of the Guard 17 A Whole New World 17 Bewildered in Barbados 18 Serene in Salinas 20 Confused in Canada 24 Reflections 27 Chapter 3 Return of the Native 29 The Ratlam “Suar” System 30 Sidebar: The Caste System 31 Objects of Curiosity 33 Hard Landing 34 School of Horrors 36 Innocence Lost 40 Home Base Indore 41 Reflections 45 Chapter 4 Return to Kesur 47 The Darker Side of Kesur 50 Trickle-Down Tyranny 54 Reflections 55 Chapter 5 No Time to Dream 57 My Luck Runs Out 62 Grim Survivor 65 Political Awakening 66 Bombay Bound 69 Back to the Future 72 Reflections 74 Chapter 6 New York, New York 77 Marketing Mecca – or Mayhem? 78 Ivy League Ivory Tower 79 An Accidental Academic 81 Dowry Drama 83 Dissertation Dilemma 85 Escape from New York 87 Reflections 90 Chapter 7 Boston Blues 93 Out of Africa 98 An Unblessed Marriage 104 Nightmare on Commonwealth Avenue 107 Reflections 109 Chapter 8 A New Beginning 111 The “Prodigal” Son Returns 114 A Mentor at Last 119 Standing Up for Myself 122 A Growing Family 125 Awakening My Creative Side 127 Reflections 128 Chapter 9 Back to Boston 131 New Millennium, New Challenges 133 My Winter of Discontent 136 Good Thing, Bad Thing – Who Knows? 138 Following My Heartbreak 140 The Shame of Marketing? 141 Reflections 143 Chapter 10 Purpose in the Poconos 145 Tears of Joy 145 Metamorphosis 146 Becoming an Instrument of Evolution 148 Renegotiating a Relationship 150 Doubling Down 152 Sliding Doors 153 Birthing a Movement 155 Growing the Movement 157 Reflections 159 Chapter 11 Searching for Inner Peace 161 Seeking Spiritual Solace 163 Sidebar: Art of Living CORE TEACHINGS 164 Could I Be Happy? 167 Growing and Sinking 171 Reflections 173 Chapter 12 Conscious Awakening 175 The Wise Women 178 Twin Bombshells 184 No More Denial 186 Reflections 187 Chapter 13 Healing the Father Wound 189 The Father Wound 189 My Arc with My Father 190 Seeing the Whole Picture 192 Innocence Lost – and Reclaimed 193 Grief or Relief? 195 A Two-Time Destroyer of Families? 196 Healing My Son’s Father Wound 197 Last Words 198 Reflections 200 Chapter 14 Honoring My Mother and Becoming Whole 203 Who Was Usha? 206 Portrait of a Marriage 209 Passages 210 Bringing My Mother to My Father 212 Reflections 212 Chapter 15 Discoveries 215 Stay True to Yourself 216 Be Open to New Adventures 219 Be Your Own Best Friend and Coach 220 Challenge Orthodoxies 220 Choose Your Life 221 Embrace Seeming Opposites 222 Acknowledge and Heal Your Traumas 223 Be a Peaceful Warrior for Truth and Love 225 Stay Awake! 226 Epilogue Healing the Patriarchy 227 The Need to Heal Kesur 228 My Duty and Destiny 229 A Healing Circle 231 The Path Ahead 234 Acknowledgments 235 About the Author 239 Index 241

Praise for AWAKEN"Raj Sisodia has lived a life of incredible productivity and profound service. This brilliantly written book will take you on a personal journey with him that is riveting and unforgettable. His storytelling will grip your attention and open your mind. His love for life will warm your heart. His capacity to serve and find his way to make the biggest possible difference with his life will deeply inspire you. Read this life changing book and nourish your soul."—Lynne Twist, Co-founder, The Pachamama Alliance and author, The Soul of Money and Living a Committed Life"Raj's life story will transfix you page after page. For those familiar with his work, you'll see what shaped his heart and mind into a voice that has influenced countless business leaders to rethink the way they lead. If you're new to Raj's work, get ready to be inspired and determined to leave your own lasting impact on the world."—Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and co-author, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family"With the same logic and rationale that makes it mandatory to first put on your own oxygen mask when others are in danger, Raj Sisodia has become aware that the best way to heal others is to first focus on healing himself. In this introspective new book, Raj exudes a vulnerability in sharing deeply personal insights that make his healing message for the rest of us all the more credible and essential."—Danny Meyer, Founder, Union Square Hospitality Group and author, Setting the Table"Awaken is a courageous book that offers us profound lessons for our life's journey, especially when we engage in the meaningful struggle to find our own gifts and bring them to the world."—Betty Sue Flowers, Co-author, Presence and editor, The Power of Myth

“Real leadership in business and in society begins with finding your core. In this book, Raj Sisodia courageously shares his personal journey of coming to know himself. I believe that transparency and vulnerability are the pathways to true power. Bravo, Raj, for turning a pathway into a freeway and creating a powerful roadmap of the journey for others.” —John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Operation HOPE, Inc. and author, Up from Nothing “This deeply personal and heartfelt book is a must read. Raj’s journey is wildly inspiring, and a beautiful reminder of the importance for all leaders to prioritize their own healing.” —Kip Tindell, Co-Founder and Past CEO/Chairman of The Container Store and author, Uncontainable “In this deeply personal memoir, Raj challenges each of us to be “peaceful warriors” to fight with courage and intensity for what is most precious in life. For business leaders, the challenge is to thread this struggle into the very core of our companies, to catalyze the change and healing that is so needed in our communities.” —Gerry Anderson, Executive Chairman, DTE Energy “If you have ever yearned to go beyond a life of false harmony to find true peace, Raj’s deeply personal story provides every bit of inspiration and guidance you’ll need to summon the courage to pursue your own healing journey. You’ll be inspired to reflect on your own life journey and awaken to a whole new level of being.” —Haley Rushing, Chief Purposologist, The Purpose Institute and co-author, It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For “Once in a rare while comes along a man who has the courage, compassion, and authenticity to tell his story of tragedy and triumph in a way that not only heals himself, but also the reader. This book and its extraordinary disclosures will elevate your consciousness and catalyze the healing of our collective trauma.” —Nilima Bhat, coauthor, Shakti Leadership “A deeply moving memoir of personal struggles for self-identity and a purpose-driven life! Raj Sisodia is a brilliant writer and reveals what led to him confounding the Conscious Capitalism movement. Awaken is a story about human struggles, survival and ultimate triumph.” —Jagdish N. Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Business, Goizueta Business School, Emory University and co-author, Firms of Endearment “If you want to break free of the shackles that constrain you, you need a guide, a sherpa, an example, not to follow step by step but to learn from on your own journey to healing and growth. In Awaken: A Journey to Purpose, Wholeness & Healing we have been given the gift of a detailed look into the familiarity of a troubled life and the resulting joyful emergence into wholeness of a truly gifted storyteller. Read every word as if your life depended on it.” —Richard Sheridan, CEO, Chief Storyteller, Menlo Innovations and author, Joy, Inc. – How We Built a Workplace People Love “A simple yet compelling tale of a delicate and dynamic father-son relationship, of love and losses, this book makes you contemplate your own evolutionary journey.”—Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIM Kozhikode and author of Timeless Leadership “It is with a spirit of generosity that Raj shares his learnings from his personal journey with others. True introspection is hard but necessary work, and Raj inspires readers to take the first step.” —Daniel Lubetzky, Founder of KIND Snacks and author, Do the KIND Thing“I couldn’t put this book down. It caused me to reflect on my whole life and the importance of living consciously in order to heal. Raj’s book helps awaken you and illuminates what really matters in your life’s journey.”—NK Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director, Jaipur Rugs