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Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2010 > October > 22
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Dalai Lama speaks to my kid
I took my 14-year-old son on an educational adventure yesterday, and I even pulled him out of school to do it!
We got to hear the 14th Dalai Lama — exiled Tibetan leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner, humble Buddhist monk — speak at Miami University right here in Ohio.
Yeah, that Dalai Lama.
I read about his planned trip to Oxford months ago and thought, wow, that would be an experience. To be in the presence of such an inspirational figure, a real agent of change, would really blow my mind. I just knew it.
Then it struck me: Hearing this man’s faith-filled, positive message might further my son’s own path to God. Nevermind we’re not Buddhists. The Dalai Lama certainly wouldn’t try to convert us. He espouses tolerance and compassion — perfect lessons for any teen.
So I set about to make it happen.
After an initial ticket offering sold out to students in short order, MU scrounged around and came up with 300 extra seats. My nimble-fingered hubby — who had many years of practice scoring us rock concert tickets — procured us two great seats within 3 minutes of the box office opening online. We had the hottest ticket in town.
At that point I started to feel guilty that we could only get two tickets. Wouldn’t my 12-year-old daughter enjoy seeing him just as much? How about my Dalai Lama-loving neighbor friend, or my old Buddhist buddy over in West Virginia? Didn’t they deserve this little treasure more than me — a frazzled fortysomething soccer mom from Dayton?
But I overcame my Catholic guilt and didn’t sacrifice my ticket, and I’m sooooo happy I went. Enlightened even.
His quiet energy lifted my heart and recharged my mind.
Many times during the Dalai Lama’s 90-minute talk, he spoke to me directly. He kept coming back to the theme that all humanity craves affection, from the time we drink our mother’s milk. It’s like we have a need in our blood for a mother’s tenderness and devotion.
He said a loving bond between mother and baby is so crucial that it can set us up for a happy, successful future. By contrast, he said children who are robbed of that affection are scarred for life.
It reminded me of the importance of being the best mom I can be.
And much to my joy, my son was touched by the Dalai Lama’s grace and goodwill too.
After the presentation, I listened in as the teen gave his dad the highlights: He liked the idea of all religions being good and equal, all with a goal of harmony — and he agreed that greed used in the name of religion breeds hate and bloodshed.
Son also appreciated the concept that humans are basically good and ethical at heart.
But he was especially impressed with the Dalai Lama’s charming wit, and laughed as he recalled the DL joking that “If you think these points are nonsense, then forget it. I’m leaving to Canada, so your problems remain with you.”
I hope the Dalai Lama experience made my son realize that he has the power to create his own happiness and make the world a better place.
For a photo gallery from Dalai Lama’s talk at Miami University, click here.
Recommended viewing: “Kundun,” 1997, directed by Martin Scorsese. This lushly filmed biography follows the Dalai Lama through his youth, from an assertive 2-year-old farmer’s child to a budding 22-year-old leader who must flee his country amid the backdrop of the Chinese revolution. Rated PG-13 for violent images.
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