I know. I'm a bad blogger. I've kept you in suspense and haven't been reporting my findings on the forgotten island of Australia. Honestly, I haven't been inspired to, which is more a reflection on me, than on the great land down under.
It's been an interesting leg of my trip so far, and a tough one personally. I'm fighting those little voices in my head that keep asking me, "what the hell are you doing?" (The answer is, "Jumping off the deep end, that's where the pearls are.") I'm trying to stay positive and enjoy the people and places that I visit, knowing that I'm trading in time and dollars to do this... So while I look out the window watching the world go by, I'm also formulating plans for world domination. I'll report more on that as appropriate.
But enough of that self-reflection crap, on to my post!
OK. Imagine you're me, randomly walking through a cold and rainy day - murmuring to yourself about how you could have stayed in Seattle for this type of weather. You trudge along and barely notice the line of Clydesdales standing at attention, or the brightly colored flags that encircle the domain.
But try as you might, you can't get past the business men with their smart umbrellas, or the couple with dreadlocks snuggled close to each other. You notice people from all walks of life: the Prada wearing women with tailored silk-blended wool coats, the back packers and their ripped jeans and loafers, the old man with his 1950's hat and tweed jacket... Everyone seems to be represented here. The question though, is what on earth would possess them to stand out in the cold and brave the rain?
Enter über cool spiritual leader with easy smile and infectious laugh. The Dalai Lama stands a mere 100 feet away from you, and you almost missed him. His Holiness was in Sydney on his Australia tour, and began by thanking the organizers for their time and their money. (Gracious and humorous!) There were many poetic and inspiring ideas and philosophies he shared- but here are a couple that stood out.
(These bullet points were taken from his Holiness's website - since I didn't write anything down while seeing him... I was too memorized.)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also spoke of peace on that cold rainy day. He preached that peace cannot be seasonal, fashionable or even defined as the lack of violence. Peace is the acceptance and love for yourself and those around you.
To all of you that I can friend, to all of you that I adore... May there be peace in your lives, and may your days be full of laughter and love. I've been selfish these last few months, thinking mostly about myself - happiness comes mostly from what you give, not what you get. Please tell me how I can enrich your life and how I can make you smile.
With affection from Australia,
Riani
It's been an interesting leg of my trip so far, and a tough one personally. I'm fighting those little voices in my head that keep asking me, "what the hell are you doing?" (The answer is, "Jumping off the deep end, that's where the pearls are.") I'm trying to stay positive and enjoy the people and places that I visit, knowing that I'm trading in time and dollars to do this... So while I look out the window watching the world go by, I'm also formulating plans for world domination. I'll report more on that as appropriate.
But enough of that self-reflection crap, on to my post!
OK. Imagine you're me, randomly walking through a cold and rainy day - murmuring to yourself about how you could have stayed in Seattle for this type of weather. You trudge along and barely notice the line of Clydesdales standing at attention, or the brightly colored flags that encircle the domain.
But try as you might, you can't get past the business men with their smart umbrellas, or the couple with dreadlocks snuggled close to each other. You notice people from all walks of life: the Prada wearing women with tailored silk-blended wool coats, the back packers and their ripped jeans and loafers, the old man with his 1950's hat and tweed jacket... Everyone seems to be represented here. The question though, is what on earth would possess them to stand out in the cold and brave the rain?
Enter über cool spiritual leader with easy smile and infectious laugh. The Dalai Lama stands a mere 100 feet away from you, and you almost missed him. His Holiness was in Sydney on his Australia tour, and began by thanking the organizers for their time and their money. (Gracious and humorous!) There were many poetic and inspiring ideas and philosophies he shared- but here are a couple that stood out.
- The Dalai Lama told people that inner values counted most for humans.
"Inner values, sense of community, sense of responsibility, sense of affection, sense of concern for the rest of society," His Holiness said.
"Human compassion brings us together."
- Compassionate minds were more balanced minds and helped people live healthier lives with stronger immune systems.
"Some scientists even say hatred is eating our immune systems,'' the Dalai Lama said.
"Wherever I go I'm always telling people that in order to be happy; happy person, happy family, peaceful society - that they should pay more attention to inner values.''
- His Holiness endorsed religious harmony through understanding.
"All of the major traditions have some potential to help humanity become more compassionate, with more loving kindness, so there is common ground,'' he said."Therefore it is very important to think of differences in the philosophical field.''
- Many faiths were different but with the same aim. Like medicine they suited different purposes for different people and during his journey of the past few decades he had acknowledged and embraced them.
"Some Christians consider me a good Christian,'' he said.
"Some Muslims consider me a good Muslim.''
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also spoke of peace on that cold rainy day. He preached that peace cannot be seasonal, fashionable or even defined as the lack of violence. Peace is the acceptance and love for yourself and those around you.
To all of you that I can friend, to all of you that I adore... May there be peace in your lives, and may your days be full of laughter and love. I've been selfish these last few months, thinking mostly about myself - happiness comes mostly from what you give, not what you get. Please tell me how I can enrich your life and how I can make you smile.
With affection from Australia,
Riani
7:58 PM
you can make me smile most by being you and being happy.
I and i knew i had the right sister when i asked about taking over the world. I'm also formulating plans for world domination.
that must have been cool seeing the Dalia Lama.
see you around traveling lady
2:55 AM
Riani, just continue writing when you feel something to share with your friends. I get just happy seeing when there is a new post of you.
Igor
11:09 AM
what can you give us? well that's selfish, since that serves your happiness and not ours! Shouldn't you ask what you can allow us to give you?
;-)
ironically yours,
A
11:10 AM
You are NOT a "bad blogger". You are are wonderful blogger, and I always enjoy your postings.
I recognized you put in a lot of time into your posts, but you never cease to amaze with your worldly knowledge! Of course, computers help. Can you imagine my youth, without computers?
Stay healthy, wealthy, and wise. Oh, well, two out of three is not bad!!!
Love you,
Daddy Townsend
11:18 AM
Riani,
How are you! I really liked your blog about seeing the Dhali Lama speak. I saw him speak in NYC and loved it. I have a month off and I just finished riding my bike 450 miles across Kansas and Missouri. It was a great time. A friend and mentor of mine is riding from San Francisco to Boston so I joined him for the states near my new home. I wish I had a little more time to talk, but I have to catch a flight. Take care!
Jim
4:54 AM
I just stumbled upon here courtesy of my friends Fazeli & Joe, but the blog is beautiful, and this post calmed my nerves for the day. Know that you do make a difference :)
11:48 AM
I'll tell you what Ria, you have just enriched my life with that post! The Dalai Lama sounds like a pretty cool guy. I love his comparison of different religions to different medicines. Great analogy! Thanks for the post. And hope you are having a great time down under.
-Zack
P.S. Bryan Espino is down there with you right now in Australia, somewhere. He is there all summer for his job. I wish I knew where he was or how to contact him and I would let you know. Oh well...
1:32 AM
when I saw the dalai lama, he closed with the most memorable quote ever:
"If you like what you heard here today, that's great - take it home, spread it to friends and family. and if you didn't like what you heard, then fuck it."
my mormon friend sitting next to me was in absolute shock, i think. :-)
anyway, hi from San Francisco! I'd be a bit worn out from travelling too, if I didn't have the fear of returning home, by when I'm supposed to figure out where I want to go to find a job. :-P
--Kayanna