Have Your Voice Be Heard

Did you attend the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit or watch it online? Has hearing the stories and wisdom of over twenty of the leading architects of change made a difference in your life? If so, the Dalai Lama Center wants to hear your stories of inspiration. Let us know at dalailamacenter@dalailamacenter.org.

AUGUST 25 - Last month, the Dalai Lama Center asked you how you look past all of the "awfulness" in the world and maintain a belief in a compassionate world. The question was inspired by words that Archbishop Desmond Tutu shared in a video recording at last year's Vancouver Peace Summit. He said:


"I have seen in the world a great deal of awfulness, but it is compassion for which we are made."

We were overwhelmed by the responses that you shared. They ranged from focusing on all that is not awful in the world to embracing the awfulness and finding ways to alleviate it. Your responses were both thoughtful and varied and we would now like to share just a few with you.

Jennifer says that she uses the Hawaiian practice of reconciliation to help bring her to a state of inner peace and love.

"I practice ho'oponopono. 'I love you, I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you'," she says. "I repeat this frequently throughout my day whenever I have a judgement about myself or others."

Others say it's where you find the "awfulness" that matters.  Farzi Dhanji says it's the "belief that every living being is perfect and that it is only their actions that are awful" that helps him believe in a compassionate world.

And some people feel that the "awfulness" comes from unfortunate experiences and thus can be forgiven. Arthur Ciaramicoli says, "I am able to look beyond because in my experience people are fundamentally good, have an innate capacity for empathy and concern beyond oneself. I believe those that commit awful acts have had their spirit tarnished or destroyed."

Arthur likens this innate capacity to a muscle that needs to be exercised. He says, 'If you do not recieve enough empathy to thrive, the capacity withers like a muscle unused."

Seeing the wide range of responses shows that there are many ways that we approach the issues we face in our life. Part of the Dalai Lama Center's goal in asking these questions is to convey the similarities and differences that we share when it comes to issues of peace, compassion and education.

In that vein, we're now excited to share with you our next question, this time based on the words of "the happiest man in the world", Matthieu Ricard. A Buddhist monk, author, translator, and photographer, Ricard has also acted as the French interpreter for the Dalai Lama since 1989. At the Summit, Ricard shared his thoughts on the strength that is required to act compassionately and we are looking forward to hearing how this strength has been required in your life.


You can find all of the responses to the last question here.


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