Dalai Lama Biography
Posted in Dalai Lama on 01/14/2011 11:18 am by admin
My Date with a Lama
My Date with a Lama
I had a date with a Lama and I highly recommend it to you all. My wife, Nan, ageless, and daughters Andie, 16, and Erin, 24 , (at the time) joined the adventure. This was neither a visit to a ranch with spitting animals nor a trip to M.J.’s Neverland Ranch, let me explain. About four years ago a realtor in one of my classes told me of an upcoming visit to this country by the exiled, Tibetan Dalai Lama. His visit to the USA was to include a long awaited, 3 day training, the first to Tucson, AZ in over a decade. It was good news/ bad news. Yes, he was coming. No, it wasn’t in L.A. Yes it was open to young people. No, there was no availability. Yes we could be wait-listed. As with things that are “supposed to happen,” when we all let go of concerns that it might not happen, the call came that reservations were now available for us. Excited about the possibility and enjoying the unfolding process, Nan and I carve time from work, Andie, an 11th grader, arranges missing 2 critical days, and Erin, a therapist, rearranges her client schedule. So here’s the picture – we are packing and traveling as a family to see a man whose books, even in English, are a challenge and who will be speaking primarily in Tibetan (even Nan with her love for languages drew a big zero on Tibetan vocab). So – off we go.
The experience was fascinating and the message appreciated. My family and I came away with more than a few concepts, lots of great moments from the ridiculous to the profound, and with both the gratitude and bragging rights of saying “I was there.” It was, for me, a matter of being in the presence and learning from a world leader who is making a difference in millions of lives. A Nobel Peace Prize Laureate who refers to himself as a “simple monk,” does what he can to affect peaceful changes for the preservation and good of humanity. A man whose people have lived in exile most of his life… and who remains compassionate for his oppressors on the same level as the compassion he holds for the oppressed. Here is a doer and a leader. Whether one understands his teachings, believes or agrees with his politics or adheres to his philosophy of compassion or not; the experience of being in the presence of excellence is a powerful gift. And, the event was what most all events, given attention, are, a bonding experience for my family. We will, each and all, have stories to share forever. Here’s my point (of course there’ll be more).
Listening to music, hearing or reading autobiographies, biographies, inspiration, or personal growth and development are important. And, experiencing events in person is powerful and life changing. Don’t we talk about the ball game, the theater event, the seminar, the political rally, the rock concert we Attended with more passion than those we see on TV? The preparation, travel, sensory stimulation, contact with other people, the discussions that arise (literally from the ridiculous to the sublime) all add to the whole of who we are. What do we talk about days, weeks, months and years later? We hold most dear and share most readily those things which impacted us by causing us to laugh, cry, move, jump, grow, feel, think and to feel like we are really living – really alive. Jim Jim Rohn reminds “Don’t miss anything.” Woody Allen (in the days when it was not politically incorrect to quote him, declared, “90% of success is showing up.” And Nan offers, “Be careful: What’s easy to do is easy NOT to do.” It’s easy to say ‘No: I’m too tired, it’s too long, too late, too expensive, too different, too the same, too too too’.” Bottom line is – we have this life and we pay a dear price: we give up a day each day. Memories and magic request our presence. Life has a way of getting busy and sometimes we lose sight of what is important. Sitting in front of computer screens alone, watching television’s lops (least objectionable programs) for hours alone, working alone from home, commuting for hours each week alone in freeway traffic all have a depersonalizing effect. In fact, while private and internal time alone daily nourish us, the excess of time alone can dull the very senses that cause life to feel worthwhile. The remedy isn’t hard to figure. Plan more of the real life experiences. Take the more unusual vacation; go to a seminar that may be interesting but, not necessarily one with which you agree. Join a group that has a purpose that can get you involved and excited. Participate in some event that takes you out of your comfort zone. Commit to doing something that stretches you out. Even if it doesn’t work out you will have a story to tell. Prejudgement never makes a good story. The most compelling people in your life right now are probably the ones with the best stories. But don’t do things for the story, do it because it’s you truly living your life. The stories come along at no charge. This strategy will solidify your position, increase your world vision, make you think differently, or cause you to change your point of view. So what? In most situations, it’s not the destination that matters or the things you expect to experience, but, the ride it takes to get there and the people and surprises along the way. Have a great trip! Stop at welcoming stations. Keep your mind open. Pay attention.
Please pass this on. Thanks.
About the Author
Inspirational, seasoned, intelligent corporate speaker with something important and relevant to say. Effective business and personal coach for top real estate producers and managers looking to step up.
Dalai Lama The Soul of Tibet Biography 4/5
