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Memorable advice from The Dalai Lama
Siobhan McClory
Source: Ithaca Journal,26 July,2010

 Before the recent ceremonies in Ithaca honoring H.H. The Dalai Lama, I logged in to sign the global birthday tribute, at Avaaz.org and watched, in delight, as names from across the globe were registered, soaring from 101,000 to 105,000 in 15 minutes.

Last year, while on a trip with Namgyal Monastery, I had the incredible privilege of meeting His Holiness. As we prepared to leave, I thanked him for his commitment to world peace. With his characteristic warmth, he looked at me and said, "It's up to each one of us."

Those words, backed with an undeniable firmness, have been with me daily. It is so easy to feel disempowered, disheartened by the massive suffering in the world, and yet, when I think of how many people I interact with on a daily basis, whether in person, through e-mail or on the phone, it seems there is much that can be done. Our impact on others seems undeniable, so I wonder what the impact would be if we truly listened and saw each and every person who came into our lives. It seems so simple and yet ...

I am reminded of a discussion, years ago, with someone I barely knew. The conversation had, inadvertently, turned to the war in Iraq. Having grown up in Ireland, during a time of incredible strife, there seemed to be an almost cellular memory within me, as I felt my heartbeat race, tightness spread throughout my body and flashes of frustration, sadness and grief merged with anger.

I could sense within him a similar response, as his posture visibly straightened, and he leaned forward. I breathed deeply, feeling the winds of war brewing within, the sense of self that grasped at wanting to be right, to tell its story.

I breathed again, saying "we see things very differently, I can see that." As the tension within me gradually subsided, this seemed to be mirrored in him, and I inquired about what I sensed was a personal connection.

With that, he shared his experience of growing up in a multi-generational military family. It was a fascinating conversation, punctuated with quite a few laughs, as we moved into a discussion about human minds and the nature of conflict.

While the conversation ended, with us agreeing to disagree in some areas, I sensed openness in him. Within myself, I truly wondered at how different I might be, had I grown up within a different environment.

As His Holiness has said, "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves." And so, we continue, one step at a time, doing our best. As Mother Theresa said, "Do not wait for leaders, do it alone, person to person."

Together we can make a difference.

Siobhan McClory of Ithaca is a freelance photographer and Tibetan Buddhist student.
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