LESSONS FROM A LAMA AND A BAD ECONOMY
by Sally Hartshorn
A few weeks ago, I was on a backing trip in the Rocky Mountains, close to where I live. I finally had some time away from the musts of daily life; the have to's and the should's. There was no TV, radio, email or MP3 player. I went there to relax, smell the breeze, and hear the birds but “I” was still there no matter where I went. I wondered: "Are we so externally focused that we have to rely on geographical changes to relax?"
Sitting at the lake at the top of the majestic mountain with no email, no phone, no television or Netflix, my mind wandered back to last summer when my friend Lama was visiting Colorado for a retreat. Lama is originally from Tibet. He requested I don’t use his full name, as he is afraid if the Chinese ever read this article, they would torture the family he left behind when he escaped to America.
For many years, he helped run a large monastery. During that time, he was captured and tortured by the Chinese three times. He described being kept in a coffin type box for 2 weeks at a time with just an opening for his face. And yes he had to eat and defecate in that box. The Chinese also beat and tortured him. He ultimately escaped Tibet and now resides in the United States.
When he was in Colorado, Lama was waiting to hear from the INS to see if he was going to be deported back to Tibet. Going back would have been very dangerous. Lama knew if he was sent back, he would probably be captured and tortured again just because he was a Buddhist Monk.
During the retreat, he never mentioned his dilemma. He focused on chanting and reciting the Heart Sutra (a significant Buddhist teaching about truth and enlightenment). He was using a version with 8000 lines and his goal was to repeat it 112 times while he was waiting to hear about his deportation status. He dedicated ever recitation for the benefit of all beings and to relieve everyone’s suffering. I did not hear him once express fear or complain about the potential deportation. In fact he spent most the time chanting and helping us with our meditation practice.
This was an incredible lesson for me. Here was a monk with no money, waiting to hear if he was going to be sent back into the hands of the people who tortured him. He expressed no malice towards his torturers and even told me, it was not their fault as they didn’t understand the harm they are causing themselves by having such hurtful thoughts and behaviors.
Being around lama is like feeling a warm breeze on your skin for the first time. He is so present and still one is automatically brought into a non-distracted state in his presence.
Lama knows how to be his best friend. He doesn’t let external circumstances deviate him from his intentions, which usually are helping people see peace and happiness and themselves. He doesn’t rely on external circumstances to make him happy.
During this time of economic uncertainty and political turmoil, what can we learn from a man like Lama?
Become your best friend. Take full responsibility for your anger, depression and discontentment. Understand that these feelings are precipitated by thoughts so don’t take your thoughts too seriously. Think of what your life would be without negative thoughts. Oh my, there would be so much room for exploring ways to help make this world a better place to live.
Lower your expectations for yourself and others. Expect others to be human because they are. They will make mistakes and blunders. Have goals, but don’t expect everything to go your way because, I can guarantee it won’t.
Never assume others have the same needs or values as you do. Don’t be disappointed when they don’t.
Develop an attitude of gratitude, even for your challenges. Every night before you go to sleep, think of everything you are grateful for.
Let go of your conceptual limitations. Challenge yourself. Develop a positive intent for the day and stick to it.
Embrace change, yes even this economic turmoil the world is now in. I think this economy will have a great silver lining; healthier habits, more appreciation of what we have and better sense of community.
Some have of us have lost enough that we cherish what we have left, forcing us to spend less and rely less on material things for happiness. Personally, I have started cooking a lot more as I got out to eat less, and guess what? I am losing weight, eating healthier, and I have even expanded my organic vegetable garden. I now try to walk or ride my bike when I used to drive.
I have decided that if crime increases, I will start a neighborhood watch group. What a great way to develop community. These are all good ways to embrace change. Be creative. Think outside of the box and make changes that will benefit all beings, not just yourself.
During this time of economic stress, remember the Lama. One pointedly he stuck to his intentions. And guess what? This fall, a highly respected newspaper did a large article on all the good he is doing in his community.
Success is now. It is in the middle of crisis. It is in the middle of loss, It is in the middle of gain. It is there for all of us but we can only grab it if we develop our intentions and stick to them without distraction.
© 2008 Sally Hartshorn. All Rights Reserved. Republished by Sunset Spiritualist Church with consent of the author.