Compassion: The Key to Happiness, says the Dalai Lama
Last week I made a special commitment to myself to take time out to be present when His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama came to town. At the campus of NSU, this simple, humble man, preached an equally uncomplicated message.
“Don’t worry…Be Happy!”
I left the auditorium that day with that tune in my head and a smile on my face.
(I wonder if I was the only one?)
I expected this holy man to be somber, quiet and profoundly complex. And instead he was almost jovial, had a sense of humor that surprised me, and he spoke of basic human values.
Looking out across the audience, he began by saying:
“We are all human beings…we are the same, you and I.”
“Our fundamental ONENESS is we all want a happy life.”
He encouraged warm hearted compassion and acts of care
toward others, saying these acts would bring self confidence
immediately and remove barriers among peoples.
“The rest of the world is a part of you,” he said. “Don’t hurt…
Take care.”
He spoke about being a “practitioner”, and he encouraged us to be self disciplined, and to focus on good moral language and understanding, regardless of which religion, teaching or belief system we were utilizing.
“Just trust,” he said. “Submit to God.” (Whatever God you choose.
And if we had no interest in religion, he encouraged us to selflessly reflect on humankind.)
“Compassion brings a calm mind and physical health. We need a calm mind to carry out work, and to see reality clearly. When we practice peace of mind, true awareness, then our mental state becomes strong”.
And when our mental state is strong, we are prepared to deflect the negative emotions of anger, fear, and doubt. Extreme negative thinking is destructive and biased, he concluded.
So, how do we learn to keep our mental state strong?
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama answered, “with mindfulness, determination, time factor and practice.”
The best starting place is different for each person…according to the individual, he said. “Training is very individual.”
And where does this man of wisdom find his inspiration?
In many places, he replied. No, he does not have one inspiration, he said, and he told us stories of the various people and events that have inspired him recently.
Now a full week after the event, as I translate my scribbled notes into this blogpost, I remain profoundly affected by this
simple message, reminded once again, that by choosing to
live my life full of love and understanding I am happy after all.
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