Tag: Dalai Lama

This Journey of Heart.

I remember the day I met His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. He had such a warmth of kindness about him; as if all the world’s compassion had found a single point of entry.

In his smile, he radiated a consciousness of heart, and a connection to the ‘goodness’ inherent to all.

I felt a bit like a scared pup when he first entered the room. Though, as he turned to bow towards me the boundaries of perception drifted away.

“The Dalai Lama won’t be here for much longer,” he shared. “It’s up to you to carry on this legacy. You have the responsibility to create a new world based on the concept of one humanity.”

He looked to me, and smiled again – as if to say, “your destiny is here.”

The circumstances of this day were extraordinary, to say the least – someone knew of another person, who in turn reached out to me. At times, I struggle to understand how it all came to be. But nevertheless, it was – and, today ‘just is.’

Something changed within me that day; perhaps, more accurately – the truth within me awakened. I realized my destiny, my purpose. Though subtle, at first – through the offering of baked treats, a morning coffee and patient ear – in time, it grew. And I became who I am today.

I think of His Holiness quite often these days; knowing now, more than ever – our meeting wasn’t by chance.

I think of my struggles over this past year – this continual degradation of health, the upset of not knowing and the loss of those dearest to me.

And, as I sit here today cursing the dreadful inconvenience of these presently non-functioning legs – I wonder,

Is this part of my path, too?

A reminder that this journey of heart is never neatly forged.

His Holiness himself once traversed an ‘impassable’ terrain to deliver his truth. In some ways, his struggle is common to us all – that we must transcend these trappings of mind to extend heart into hope, and hope to all beings.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

 

The Source of My Gratitude: The Day I Met His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

[blockquote source=”His Holiness, the Dalai Lama”]“I am just a simple Buddhist monk, no more, no less.” [/blockquote]

I had the honor of meeting His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. A small group of media were hand-selected to attend the Anwar Sadat Lecture Series on Peace at the University of Maryland.

Truth be told, I’m not sure how it all came to be; though I will say, I felt the grace of a Divine energy at play.

It was a moment I had dreamed of all my life, and one that I shall carry with me through each of my remaining days.

Our group was small, less than 20 members of the press, in total—and representing news agencies from all around this world. To my right, I caught the flashing glimpse of a CNN media badge—and quickly passing to the left of me, another team from the Voice of America.

As we whisked through yet another security checkpoint, I felt doubt slipping in to ask,  “So, just what do you think you’re doing here?”

It was the same thought I had struggled with in the days leading up to his visit.  To be one of the very few media selected to participate in such a historic event—I tear up, just thinking of it, and as I reflect over the path that has carried me here.

It has become one of the greatest sources of my gratitude.

As His Holiness entered the room, he bowed to each of us – an invitation that there may be no barriers between us.

“Sit down,” he said, as we all stood reverently in honor this man. “No formality! We are [the] same…The way we are born, the way we die—no formality.”

He spoke continuously for 45 minutes, never once breaking passion’s stride. There were no note cards during this lecture—as these words were coming directly from his heart.

He asked us to find the means, each day, to deepen our interconnectedness. To view this world through the eyes of compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance—to extend happiness and peace even in this, a most hostile world. He offered that tragedy should serve as humanity’s reminder that change…real change…requires a constant effort.

“The Dalai Lama won’t be here forever,” he said, as his voice began to trail.

And, with tears in his eyes he offered to all, “You have the opportunity and the responsibility to create a new world, a happier world…on the basis of the oneness of humanity. It will be up to each of you to carry forward this legacy.”

Indeed, it is our role to ensure that this most precious message of tolerance, understanding, and peace be preserved—and that each of us, in some small way, may become a change agent for humanity’s greater good.

We are all very much one. Even on those days when we may feel just a bit like we don’t belong. It is this sense of disconnectedness that often reminds us of our true purpose.

At least, that’s what a very wise man once said to me—as he stood there with the most beautiful smile in his eyes.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Crisis Between Israel and Gaza.

[blockquote source=”Joseph Bruchac, Code Talker”]”Though it may be necessary at times to defend our people, war is a sickness that must be cured. War is a time out of balance. When it is truly over, we must work to restore peace and sacred harmony once again.”[/blockquote]

When asked his thoughts on the recent crisis between Israel and Gaza, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered, “(It’s) unthinkable. All major religious traditions—Islam, Christianity, Hindu, of course, Jainism and Buddhism— teach us the practice of compassion, love, forgiveness, tolerance. So then a person who believes in certain faith, why do you involve in such violence? It is really very, very sad.”

My darlings, irrespective of our faith, our beliefs, our political difference – we are still joined together in this fabric of humanity. The violence committed is not an act against one, but rather an act against all human beings.

But, perhaps more important than anything else – violence is the acid which erodes humanity’s foundation.

And though, we may not be able to resolve this sadness in Gaza – perhaps, in our actions each day…of patience, of love, and an outwardly engaged compassion – we might begin to effect a positive impact.

We are one world, one heart, my darlings – and, it all starts with you.

Through the smallest of actions, we can make those much bigger changes.

Namaste, and much love on this day.

The Importance of Hope.

[blockquote source=”Dalai Lama”]”I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.”[/blockquote]

I know, darlings…easier said, than done.

And, especially on those days when life seems intent to drag on in its weariness ~ with wave after wave toppling us once again to that shore. In those moments, why, even the most steadfast of hearts will feel a little rattle…

We wonder why, and question whether or not we’ve really the strength to endure….

And yet, time and time again…something deep within causes us to rise up once again.

Hope whispers when darkness calls…and with a gracious smile, she extends her hand. “Come on, my friend…” she says, and suddenly our faith is restored.

My dears, you see…when we have Hope, we are not ever alone.

And perhaps that is the reason for our being ~ that we may be reminded each day, that with Hope comes unconditional love….

A little something to consider, my friends.

To celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 78th birthday, I wanted to share the story of a young man who has truly inspired my heart.

“Narayanan Krishnan (born 1981) is an Indian chef turned social worker. He quit his career as a leading chef and began supplying meals to the homeless in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, beginning in 2002.

Krishnan was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He was an award-winning chef with Taj Hotels, Bangalore and was short-listed for an elite job in Switzerland. During a visit to his family, before heading to Europe, he said, “I saw a very old man, literally eating his own human waste out of hunger. I went to the nearby hotel and asked them what was available. They had idli, which I bought and gave to the old man. Believe me, I had never seen a person eating so fast, ever. As he ate the food, his eyes were filled with tears. Those were the tears of happiness.

Krishnan founded his nonprofit Akshaya Trust in 2003. Every day, he wakes up at 4 a.m., cooks a simple hot meal and then, along with his team, loads it in a van and travels about 125 miles (201 km) feeding the homeless and mentally-disabled in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to 400 indigent and elderly people in Madurai.

He carries a comb, scissors and razor and is trained in eight haircut styles that, along with a fresh shave, provide extra dignity to those he serves.

“Food is one part. Love, is another,” he smiles, with the unmistakable glint of human generosity in his eyes.

Now, these are the stories we should be sharing.

The Dalai Lama: What This World Needs.

[blockquote source=”HH, the Dalai Lama”]“Today’s world requires us to accept the oneness of humanity. Many of the world’s problems, conflicts and fears arise because we have lost sight of the common experience that binds us all together as a human family.”[/blockquote]

I was thinking over a few things this morning, and as I settled into my most favorite chair on the farthest corner of my garden patio.

And, as I watched the steam rise in brilliant swirls to greet the crisp morning air—I couldn’t help but to think over all of this world’s ‘connectedness.’

From something as simple as watching the steam rise from my mug, I am reminded of the million and one simple things that bring us all here together as one…

We humans are a curious sort, always wallowing about in our loneliness —but, how can we feel so very much alone in a universe that insists upon our connectedness?

My dears, “just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean” so, too, must we always remember that we are a most integral part of all that which surrounds us…

Because, my most beautiful friends, in the end—we are all, very much, ‘connected.’

Enjoy this most beautiful video from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in which he speaks about our common basic humanity. The clip is from his public talk entitled, “Be the Change” given in Inverness, Scotland, on June 23, 2012.

The entire talk can be viewed at http://youtu.be/qBHt02IocLI (www.dalailama.com)

Video: What this World Needs.