picture from a report by WJAR, no cameras, no anything with picture taking abilities was allowed into the area, yesterday.
Some things are just meant to be. I literally lucked into tickets for the Dalai Lama’s talk yesterday. Yes, I did have to go wait in line to get them, but I was third in line. And Chris did go back and get an extra ticket for my nephew, who decided to fly here from Pittsburgh for this one in a life time opportunity. He too just walked in and bought the ticket. That was all there was to it. 300 tickets opened up at just the right time. I heard the announcement and went to get them. Security was very high, secret service was everywhere. We arrived nearly 2 1/2 hours early. Parking was a mile or so from the event and we knew there would be lines for the shuttle, lines for security checks, lines, lines…. we wanted good seats. We got them. When the Dalai Lama entered and exited the tent, he walked right by us. We were thrilled. He spoke of peace and compassion, told stories of his youth, laughed a laugh so infectious that he charmed the crowd into giggling with him. Smiles and tears. He answered presubmitted questions, honestly.. one with an ‘I don’t know‘. He preached (well, I don’t think he does preach) that all religions have the same basic principles. He asked us to be unbiased and learn compassion for others.
Behind him I could see the waves rolling in, the sun on the sea.
I’d tried to write yesterday morning. My internet was out early, then Typepad the rest of the time.
Thanks for putting your locations on the Frappr map. I am having so much fun with it. Hi to all of you!! If you haven’t done it yet, look in my left hand side bar, just click on the Frappr link.
Comments
6 responses to “the Dalai Lama”
It’s always seemed to me that he’d be A LOT of fun. I’m glad you had this wonderful opportunity. Thank you for sharing.
That sounds like an amazing experience…lucky you! 🙂
It’s interesting, but just reading about you being there gives me some of the same sense of serenity I get from a good solid meditation session. Have you read Margene’s post today yet? There is a similar calmness about it. Not to mention the Buddhist approach (well, to my view anyway).
I’m afraid with so many blogs tapping into frappr that we have put it in the crappr. (Couldn’t help myself.)
After that you think I shouldn’t even say anything about the Dalai Lama but, what an incredible experience. Cindy has a very nice post about it today, too.
Amazing opportunity – how cool.
There are some people in each generation who are special. Different. The touch of their life to yours means something. You were fortunate to be there.