Mind The Net

Thursday, April 29, 2004

Today

So I did see the Dalai Lama. It was a fantastic experience, I'm glad I went. I didn't take my camera because I was told it was not permitted. I didn't want my camera taken from me, but a part of me hated that I left it behind. While there I saw plenty of flashes and one guy infront of me with a video camera! What the hell?! So I lose out, but I do have the Dalai Lama's message in my head and in my heart. And I learned something! I really did. There is a lot of talk about cultivating a compassionate heart, but how the hell do you do it?

Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I waste a lot of time coming up with better, wittier things that I could have said in a given situation. And sometimes I see those situations get ugly, but I found that if I just plow through with honest understanding and no shame (not ashamed to be yelled at or embarrassed or feel stupid or weak) that I can affect situations in a positive way. I was very happy to have learned this skill. I don't know if I've explained it right, but I will keep at it. The Lama was very funny and intelligent, I expected that, but the sense of humour was a surprise.

He explained that picking a focus point for anger, for example Saddam Hussein ( he didnt name names), was materialistic. That it gave you something to hold onto and something to focus hatred on and perfect atmosphere for violence to grow. That if you used compassion and understanding instead-- If all the leaders of the world would get to gether for a weekend with their families and kids and not talk politics until it after spending time by a pool or playing together, that things would be much different--you wouldn't want violence.

ANd that even a little bit of violence could not be controlled. You never know what's going to happen with it or how out of control it can get. He said there was no point in negotiating with your friends or allies, that you need to negotiate with your enemies. That's when things get resolved. That dialogue is the answer, not violence.

Well, things are really messed up out there. Check out this link:
Soldier of Fortune

The depth of how twisted this whole thing is, is really overwhelming. How do we protect ourselves? The planet we live on? The people we care about? If the people in power don't give a shit?

Sunday, April 25, 2004

Ocean of Wisdom

Today the Dalai Lama is in Toronto. Here at the Sky Dome. I'm meeting my youngest sister there to pick up tickets and listen to him speak. I doubt that we'll be able to see him, but I'll bring along a camera just in case.

Funny, in 1984. . . maybe '85, Pope John Paul II came to Toronto and I was at an all boy's Catholic school. - I've since renounced catholicism and embraced my own spirituality free of the tyranny and propoganda that I found there- but there will undoubtedly be less people to see the Lama then there were the Pope. I spoke to a friend, who's Italian family members had been to see 'The Passion of the Christ', some of them four times!! I've heard it called 'torture porn'. I'm a recovering catholic and an enormous critic of religion and the things that people do in it's name, people like, George W. Bush, Ariel Sharon and Osama Bin Laden. But his holiness, the Dalai Lama has never strayed from his push for peace, for a peaceful resistance, because fighting for peace is a strange oxymoron.

I am going to hear him speak. I know what he will say, I think a lot of people do. But we always look for the answer in others don't we? Always look for salvation that we don't need. All we need to do is see that he is human, like we are human and that he cares for the world and the people around him as we should. Jesus said the same thing, although his words are more distorted in history than anyone else's.

I guess my point is, that back then I was excited to see the Pope. I cried actually when I saw him, when I was in his presence. And I may do so again in the presence of the Lama, but for different reasons. Not because he is a holy man and I believe he can save the world from the hell we've created but for the familiarity of all the things he will say. Familiar to me because I know them already to be true and have not acted as he has acted to make them reality. um...lol, do I ever sound guilty, how very catholic of me.

Sorry to sound so preachy. I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I'm going.

I'm off and hopefully will return with pics!