The competition awarded a half million dollars in total prizes, and included both published and unpublished material from professional and amateur writers. The Awards were designed to encourage people to think about the benefits of noble purpose where purpose is defined as something more important than our simple survival, something not merely intellectual, but in our souls. The timely topic and the phenomenal cash prizes attracted 7,351 essays from 97 countries worldwide.

The winners were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges from many disciplines, including Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life which has sold 20 million copies; Nancy Brinker, Founder, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Paul Davies, Professor of Natural Philosophy, Australian Centre for Astrobiology; Hugh Delehanty, Editor in Chief, AARP Publications; and Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children's Defense Fund.

Turak's essay, Brother John, is the true story of how the author's contemplative retreat to Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery, turns both magical and terrible when a simple monk offers to share an umbrella on a cold and rainy Christmas Eve. This simple act of loving kindness proves almost more than he can bear, and becomes the catalyst for a gut wrenching re-evaluation of life, love, and the terrible yet fascinating nature of God.

"What impressed us most about Mr. Turak's story was that it was inspirational, but it didn't pull any punches, either," said judge Nancy Brinker. "He is very provocative, and he challenges the reader to face all the uncertainty, fear, and doubt that prevents them from fulfilling their life's purpose to the fullest."

Turak who founded Raleigh Group International, Inc. and Elsinore Technologies, Inc in the Triangle describes himself as "simply overwhelmed." Contacted at his home here he said, "What moves me the most is that I'm telling the story of Br. John and Mepkin Abbey. I love those guys so much, and their open hospitality provides a place of peace and tranquility—a refuge—for everyone regardless of religious affiliation."

While Brother John is his first attempt at serious writing, he is no stranger to religious, philosophical and/or spiritual themes. Turak founded the Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation, an interfaith non-profit, 15 years ago to help students at Duke, NC State, and UNC find a deeper and more spiritual purpose to their lives.

Said Bishop William Willimon, the former Dean of the Duke Chapel and noted author, "Wow, I am thrilled. Augie has been known for a long time for what he does—especially for college kids. I am so happy he is finally being recognized for what he has to say."

Turak sold Raleigh Group International to an Israeli firm in 2000 in order to devote more time to his own personal development, executive coaching, and his non-profit pursuits. Recently he has been pursuing a Masters in Theology at St. John's University in Collegeville MN, and was awarded a coveted Coolidge Fellowship which enabled him to spend a month at the prestigious Union Theological Seminary in New York City working on an unrelated and as yet unfinished writing project.

Asked what he intends to do with the $100,000 Turak said, "My first spiritual teacher told me that blessings are only given in order to be 'passed on.' I promised myself many years ago that any compensation I might receive through my spiritual activities would go to charity so I guess that Ferrari will have to wait. Seriously, I hope in a smaller way I can emulate what Sir John Templeton is doing with his money. I am so grateful that there are people like him and the people at the John Templeton Foundation."

When told of this decision, Turak's deferred Ferrari didn't seem to surprise Ed Cheely, the Executive Director of The Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation, one bit. "I've had the good fortune to work with Augie for many years now. His passion and sincerity are what drive home the stories and lessons he has to share. I couldn't imagine him doing anything other than putting the prize money towards the service of others," he said.

Turak's Grand Prize winning essay and other prize winning essays are at www.PowerOfPurpose.org.

About the Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation...
The Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation (www.selfknowledge.org) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization that encourages people to consciously develop their own personal, moral and spiritual values and to live according to them. The SKSF creates experiential learning programs and social contexts within which people can explore the deeper questions in life, developing intellectual understanding and personal character in a quest for the life worth living.