Hello all!
I feel like I just posted way back in February and I was hesitant to post since Susanne is the only who has posted since. I check this blog almost daily, along with the original Blog of Loki, and always look forward to reading what's new!
Mike and I had the opportunity to go see the Dalai Lama this weekend and it was amazing! Not only was it the most beautiful day, sunny and close to 80 degrees, but OMG the freakin' Dalai Lama!! OK, I won't sit here and act like I'm a wanna be Buddhist. Of course I'd heard of him but I was a bit fuzzy on the specifics. First off, aside from his simple, yet powerful words, he is adorable! Second, he has a great sense of humor, which I wasn't expecting. I'm not sure why but given what he has experienced, I assumed he would be much more serious and grand, dispensing his "wisdom to the masses" kind of man. But no, it was his simplicity, his humor and his frankness (even replying to "I don't know" to a question) What a great message.... We don't have to know everything! We can be honest in our ignorance but yet still be motivated to learn! Third, he talked about nonviolence, to dialogue for understanding and, one of my favs, "inner disarmament", not letting negative emotions like fear, jealousy or suspicion take control or get in the way of having compassion for others . He talked about the importance of family, the many roles it served when teaching compassion, having compassion not only for those people we like but those we don't (which sometimes might be family!). To see him bow to us, hear him say "six million beings are my ultimate source of happiness", how do you not get a bit teary!? The simplicity of his messages yet the magnitude...Wow! I would love to find a transcript of his talk to re-read when feeling like I don't have the energy to give compassion or am about to lose hope (which in our line of work can happen quickly!) All in all, it was a fabulous way to spend an afternoon!
In other news, which feels a bit odd to follow the Dalai Lama, but Mike and I are interested in getting a dog. So we have spent our last couple weekends at the Marymoor dog park, secretly scoping out all the dogs, looking for the "perfect" dog. Now, I realize, voyeuristicly checking out other's people's dogs isn't the best way to pick a pooch. But its pretty fun! Watching how dogs interact with their owners and other dogs of all sizes. Today there was a huge group of Great Dane owners (and dogs), I was squealing! It was a beautiful site, them prancing and playing like horses! Now whether or not we will get a Dane of our own is another matter. I'm still doing research into different breeds, taking into account temperament, activity level, ease of training, etc. Ultimately, it really doesn't matter what dog it is as long as its a good fit for us...
Janett
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3 comments:
I still check this blog...of course :)
I'm glad someone else has posted!!
I'm always curious what every one is up to.
Me too! Thanks for posting Janett. I also check almost daily and keep meaning to post....I will soon! Thank you also for the Dalai Lama report. I was wondering about that and what it would have been like to see him, so it was nice to hear about your experience.
I saw the Dalai Lama when I first came back to the Northwest after studying Eastern philosophy for several years. He was at the UW and it was so crowded the overflow had to watch him on TV in another room. A Chinese woman shouted at hime and was escorted out and he said something about having compassion for others, or pity for their ignorance, which has been one of the peaceful mantras I try to use when I'm irate about something. The neat thing about hearing him speak is how his unassuming style can be so endearing, and he says these really wise things that just sound like common sense, and come back to you for days, weeks, years. Also, I did want to chuck everything and become a Dalai Lama groupie, but he had this very intimidating posse of tall, handsome Tibetan bodyguards around, so I didn't go throw myself on the ground in front of him and beg to be a disciple. I do try to see him when he is in the Northwest, though. It is a special occasion!!
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