Presence

Hello.

It has taken the last few days for the experience in Edinburgh settle in.

It was another adventure in traveling; so many mix ups and last minute changes involving plains and trains and buses that you would have expected to see John Candy sitting next to me on the bench at some point. Many people, nice people, kind hearts, warm smiles. I continue to be surprised with my ability to adapt and survive in diverse environments.

Edinburgh was a really beautiful city. So much of Scottish history is centered here; as would be expected of a capitol city. I spent a day walking around the older part of the city. Up to a hill overlooking the city in the morning and then slowly making my way around the city up the royal mile to the Castle that so dominates the sky line. My experience there really ties into a later statement the Dalai Lama would make. I took a good long time and really got into the audio tour. I felt very humbled at the struggles for freedom, including stories of the American Revolution. They actually used Edinburgh castle as a military prison for some naval personal captured during the struggle. As the history progressed and it approached modern times I began to be less in awe and more sad. That feeling came to a head at 1:00.

Seems like an awfully specific and un-Mike detail to remember, except that Edinburgh castle is one of the last places in the world that has a "Time Gun", and they fire an artillery shot precisely at 1:00pm. Its an old thing that goes back to times of yore, and has to do with letting mariners and trains not be late or crash into each other, not the trains into the boats, but the trains, and the boats. Anyway they use a modern howitzer type artillery piece and the second it fired I jumped, even knowing full well it was coming, and then I started crying. I was overcome by the existence of such a thing as this in the world; the only real purpose of which was to hurt people and destroy. It was just too much for me. All I could think about was the suffering that such a piece of man made machienery brought to people throughout the world. And it hurt me deep inside.

From there I wandered around the city a bit more. Trying to figure out what was going on in my heart. I spent some time at a center for peace and justice. I spent some time walking the city in the dark. I spent some time on the Hostel couch finishing reading the Dalai Lama's book on Ethics. Spent time plugged into the old iPod. And tried to get some sleep.

I woke up early, put on some nicer clothes, and headed down to Usher Hall to see something I was so in need of. I spent the entire morning with tears in the corners of my eyes. Not from sadness but juat from pure emotion. Positive affect. Humility. Comfort.

The Dalai Lama is such an inspirational man. I am not going to recant much of what he said, most of it is summarized much better in his own words in the book, "Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the New Millennium." He basically talked about how we have outgrown the usefulness of war.

He has such a positive outlook on things, something refreshing to see in the oddly pessimistic field of peace and conflict transformation.

More important than what he said was his presence. You can read the words in his book but to see him, feel his love, laugh with him, share in his glow, and be at ease with his playfulness is to know hope. This man who has seen so much, too much, who has endured the loss of home and country sat on stage and spoke with genuine hope of return to his country all the while he swung his feet like a child, made jokes about China, and smiled that smile that makes me so happy I can't help but smile and cry. The event ended with him dancing on stage and clapping his hands as the Lothian and Border's Police Pipe Band blew "Auld Lang Syne".

He speaks with the wisdom of age and smiles with the wisdom of youth.

After the talk had concluded I watched him drive by in a bright blue BMW X5. I stood not ten feet from him and I felt as though all I wanted to do was to get a hug from him. Although the Buddhist principles of attachment and suffering may say otherwise I feel like he would have indulged me. He talks about how we can only do our best to be. And right now my best needs me a Dalai Lama hug, and a puppy.

I want to finish with the final words from his book:



...I would like to share a short prayer which gives me great inspiration in my quest to benefit others:

May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.