  I would love to say that I have met the Dalai Lama personally, but I never have.
I did hear him talk in Soweto once, after queuing for hours with hundreds of others for the opportunity. He has a huge energy that is immediately tangible. You feel a strong presence as he moves into the room. There's a graciousness and playfulness about him. The experience of being in the same room brings an overwhelming sense of compassionate love. It made me think that truth, beauty and laughter are three threads of a chord that are inestricably entwined into divinity.
The Dalai Lama believes that all of humanity is like one family. "The destruction of your enemy is the victory of yourself. The enemy is ultimately a part of yourself so the destruction of the other results in the destruction of yourself. In their quest for happiness, humans have used different methods, which all too often have been cruel and repellent. They inflict suffering upon fellow humans and other living beings for their own selfish gains. In the end, such shortsighted actions bring suffering to oneself as well as to others. To be born a human being is a rare event in itself, and it is wise to use this opportunity as effectively and skillfully as possible."
"I am just a simple Buddhist monk - no more, nor less," the Dalai Lama says. When not traveling the world meeting spiritual and other leaders, the Dalai Lama lives in a small cottage in Dharamsala. He rises at 4 A.M. to meditate, pursues an ongoing schedule of administrative meetings, private audiences and religious teachings and ceremonies. He concludes each day with prayer before retiring. In explaining his greatest sources of inspiration, he often cites a favorite verse, found in the writings of the renowned eighth century Buddhist saint Shantideva: For as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain,
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world. The Dalai Lama is deeply joyful, with a mischievous laugh. He appears human, yet spiritual. Political, yet apolitical. Humorous, but with the sadness of a leader whose country is held captive. Most of what he said I can't remember. He speaks in broken English and has a translator that often helps when words fail him. What remained with me though is his delightful smile, his big, booming laughter and how it filled up the room.
Disclaimer: Harmonious Living is written for and read by a community of individuals with strong and independent opinions. While the publishers of Harmonious Living are dedicated to providing a forum in which views can be openly expressed, those views do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
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