No human dream is more universal than the longing for a paradise on earth, a place free of the ravages of time and disease, where the best in nature flourishes while the worst is forbidden to enter. By definition, such magical lands can’t be near at hand; they must be remote and inaccessible – destinations to be reached by pilgrimage or a heroic journey. Ancient Tibetan Buddhist texts spoke of just such a kingdom, where wise kings, blessed with long life spans, await the day when they will take power over the world, ushering in a golden age of peace and justice. This mythical kingdom was called “Shambala,” and its location was believed to be a valley in northern India. Said to be enclosed by a double ring of snow-capped mountains, this fabled valley of Shambala resembled a “mandala,” which is Buddhism’s circular symbol of the unity of all creation. Known only to a few European enthusiasts of Asia in the 19th century, the myth of Shambala was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Russian mystic, Madame Blavatsky, who claimed she received telepathic messages from the mystic valley.