The Dalai Lama: Buddhism's Teddy Bear.

When my world-weary eyes fall upon the aura of the Dalai Lama, it has the same effect as a light dose of the anti-anxiety medication I take. It is so powerfully calming and soothing to meditate upon his image that I can't imagine the energy that must warm the space when in his presence. Yet, truly he seems to regard everyone with the same reverence as we regard him.

It's always a dicey endeavor to speak of someone as "enlightened" because it's simply a word, whereas the pure state of enlightenment appears to be indescribable. However, his face smiles with such genuine happiness and radiant compassion that it's hard not to see him as more than a "simple monk" as he so humbly refers to himself.

I have a picture of his glowing face above my beside table and every morning when I look at that picture, I instantly smile. I find it hard not to beam a grin when gazing upon him. He's has all the innocent delight of a child, combined with the intelligence of a professor emeritus and the warmth of your favorite grand-father!!

But, I must admit, being someone who likes to hug people, I always look at a picture of him and just want to hug him like a child would embrace a stuffed animal. He looks like someone who would give good hugs!! I bet he'd be o.k. with a respectful embrace, and probably he'd laugh the whole time with that infectious chuckle he's known the world over for having. I'd laugh back, being a good-humored person myself. What a happy thought -- two spokes of the same wheel embracing, smiling at each other and simply taking joy that we are apart of the great wheel of consciousness, together, as it twirls through the mists of time.

That's partly why I think the Dalai Lama laughs, the humor of it all!! That, and I think he's extremely content with life and is thrilled by even the smallest of insects or humblest of human beings. I've heard that when you meet him, you feel as though he is as happy to meet you as any of the other millions of people he meets, and I think that speaks to his absolute love of people. He has mastered the practice of being present. I think, in his life, the moment in which he finds himself breathing, is truly, the only moment. And, you get the idea that it is also, always, the best moment of his life and that allows for his genuine energy to wrap you in its warmth.

I wasn't going to post anything today but then when going through some saved pictures, I came across this one of the Dalai Lama and felt inspired to share my admiration for such a great energy. The world is truly a better place with him apart of it. I bow to him with deep respect, admiration and honor. His presence and wisdom is a gift that will enlighten generations of people. May he always know of the love this world has for him.

And may you all know how much I appreciate your willingness to read my blog. I am far from perfect but that's why we're all here in this life, and may I say, I am grateful to have my life blessed with being in touch with such great people as you all. I truly am humbled by your kindness and you always make me think. I have the best readers in the blogosphere. Stay healthy. Smile and know that you are appreciated--and loved. Be well.

~may all beings know peace~

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Great Description of Dzogchen

From Lama Surya Das:

Dzogchen means the innate great completeness. It points to our own innate wholeness, our own true Buddha nature, our untramelled spirit, perfect and pure from the beginningless beginning. It is what we call the Buddha within -- not an oriental Buddha, not an historical Buddha, not one of stone, not male or female, but the Buddha nature within each of us, true and wise, loving and compassionate. We want to come back to that, awaken it, cultivate it -- that is what the path is about. We don't get it from outside, from someone or somewhere else, or even from our own ideas of what we are. The Havajra tantra says we are all Buddhas by nature but must, through our own spiritual work, awaken to ourselves.

Sometimes the spiritual or religious path seems like a jungle, a thicket of theories and practices and opinions. But there is at the center a sunlit clearing where all the teachings converge. The mystical teachings meet at this awakening to what is within us. It is also in everything around us, so our awakening isn't narcissistic. We see Buddha nature in the eyes and hearts of fellow humans and creatures in the natural world. It is there too. That is what we discover through these practices of meditation, self-inquiry, chanting, inner investigation, prayer, yoga, and so on.

I think our Dharma (spiritual) practice is an opportunity we should really treasure. It was a secret teaching in the East, almost unknown even to Tibetans. Many teachers have required ten or twenty years of preliminary study and monastic training before giving access to this teaching, but my teachers say this is the moment of Dzogchen. People have little time and the Dharma is fading in the East, but Dzogchen is something we can actually do here and now. With or without the Buddhist religious overlay, we can simply awaken with inquiry, awareness practice, and a loving heart. It is not obscure but simple. We can take great joy in that. This is the time of Dzogchen.

Emaho! (EE-MA-HO -- a Tibetan exclamation of cosmic delight)

Lama Surya Das

~Peace to all beings~

PHOTO: Dzogchen teacher Lama Surya Das picture from Snow Lion Publications

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