What an amazing experience to see, hear, and be a part of HH the Dalai Lama's visit to Sun Valley. His address on the 11th was so beautiful. As he stepped onto the podium, a peace fell over the crowd. His words were so soft and gently, yet powerful, and full of love. His energy was amazing. I can't wait to see the Children's Address today!
One thing that I love about HH is that he doesn't have a speel. He doesn't have a signature line or message or anything like that. He speaks from the heart, and while his message is always compassion, he always addresses it anew in each moment, for each situation, for the right here and now. He, in short, is a very real person. He spoke at the press conference about this, describing his outlook, whether it be a huge crowd or one person, that he always sees people as long time friends, and treats them as such. He also said that he thought people really liked his informality. We do. We do. In a world of talking heads, he is such a breath of fresh air!
About 20 minutes into his talk, I had an energetic experience. He was talking, and underneath his words I started to sense a deeper intention, as if his words were only one level of what he was doing, and of what he was here to do. I felt as if I was in a trance, or a very deep meditation. I felt pressure in my third eye. I felt as if he were sending that energy that Kiril has spoken so much about in his vision.
After preparing for this day for more than 6 months, it almost seemed surreal to have it happen, to have HH the Dalai Lama here, and to have his talk be over. I kept waiting for him to say something that would drastically alter the world, to reveal some new truth that would change the course of humanity. But, of course that didn't happen. I remembered the scene in “Kundun” in which Mao Tse-Tung was telling the teenage Dalai Lama that China was going to save Tibet, and HH from the course they were on. HH replied, “only I can save myself.” In Hailey he spoke of compassion, of its absolute power, and how it must come from individuals first before it can be shared all over the world. What an amazing experience to simply be in the presence of such a compassionate, loving, and REAL person.
I was surprised and saddened to enter the football field, however, and see the separation of “regular” people sitting on the grass and bleachers, and the VIPs who were cordoned off and sitting in chairs. They arrived through a separate entrance, as did the media. HH was on stage expounding on the need to decrease the gap between the rich and poor, between ourselves, and in front of him was this concrete example of separateness. It sent an alternative message to the crowd of exclusivity, privilege, and better-than-ness that often is seen and felt in this Valley, and in the world. It was very sad.
