Espousing Peace
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 16:00
| Espousing Peace July 22, 2009  His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Matthieu Ricard and Eckhart Tolle will meet on Sunday, September 27, at the Chan Centre to engage in a discussion on World Peace through Personal Peace. Much has been written about the two elder world statesmen, the peace-mongering world-beloved spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Archbishop, a stalwart defender of human rights and masterful conciliator and mediator. Their own close relationship is renowned and many are moved by their spontaneous show of affection for each other. Tutu once commented on his friend, the compassionate leader: "Isn't it extraordinary, in a culture that worships success, that it isn't the aggressively successful, the abrasive, the macho, who are the ones that we admire. We might envy their bank balances, but we do not admire them. But we revere the Dalai Lama.” But what about the two other panel members – a molecular biologist turned monk, who has been dubbed the “happiest man in the world,” and a quiet individual, who at 29 experienced a profound inner transformation, which led to teachings that have, in turn, inspired millions searching for personal peace and greater fulfillment. What will they bring into the conversation, drawing from their life journeys and lessons learned? Ricard came from a privileged background, growing up among the personalities and ideas of Paris’ intellectual and artistic circles. He completed a doctoral thesis in 1972 at the Pasteur Institute under the supervision of Nobel Laureate Francois Jacob. He left behind the western world and headed to the Himalayas to become a monk, studying various oral and practice lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. In all, he studied with 50 great teachers, including Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The scientist monk, who is a best-selling author and photographer of stunningly beautiful images, has chosen to pursue happiness, both at a basic human level and as a subject of inquiry. The attainment of true happiness, Ricard has said, requires the same type of rigorous training and dedication that other serious pursuits demand. And it appears Ricard has achieved a high level of mastery of his chosen vocation. Neuroscientists at the University of Wisconsin say the French monk has the most impressive emotional balance ever recorded on a brain scan. Perhaps, his notable peace of mind is engendered by his engagement in various humanitarian projects in Tibet, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Or perhaps his commitment towards the preservation of the Tibetan cultural heritage is a positive focus that allows his happiness quotient to soar. Oprah Winfrey calls Tolle “the father of the now” and considers him a prophet, who has influenced millions of soul seekers. As a despondent young man on the brink of committing suicide, Tolle discovered a deep sense of peace and an awakening. He came to the realization that inner happiness was possible if one could remain consciously present. His bestseller – The Power of Now – explores the human tendency to rely on a “stream of thinking” that defines and limits a person and ultimately creates negative thoughts and feelings. His teachings encourage those desiring inner peace to seek freedom from the possession of the thinking mind. Transcending an ego-based state of consciousness, Tolle believes, is a prerequisite not only for personal happiness but also for the ending of violent conflict endemic on our planet. A sought-after public speaker, the German-born author travels extensively throughout the world. In addition to The Power of Now and A New Earth, Eckhart has written a book designed for meditative reading entitled Stillness Speaks. For more information on Matthieu Ricard, visit: http://www.matthieuricard.org/en/ http://www.karuna-shechen.org For more information on Eckhart Tolle, visit: http://www.eckharttolle.com The Vancouver Peace Summit is a four-day event, held September 26-29, 2009. Speakers from across the globe will gather to discuss education and compassion as a means of achieving peace. It is presented in collaboration with the Fetzer Institute www.fetzer.org  Media Sponsors:  For more information, visit our web site or contact us at info@dalailamacenter.org |
