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His Holiness will be in Arkansas next week...
14 years ago
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be giving a few speeches at the University of Arkansas on the 11th of this month. Tickets, I believe, are sold out, but my mother managed to snag tickets for one of the morning speeches for me, Kody and herself.
We'll be heading out for Arkansas this weekend, Saturday the 7th and stop in London, AR where my aunt and uncle live to spend the night and celebrate my uncle's birthday; from there we'll be going to Eureka Springs for ghost touring and general frolicking; after that we're heading down to Fayetteville where the university is.
Kody and I began studying/practicing Buddhism about two years ago, but in the past year things have gotten hectic and we've steadily gotten away from it. I find myself easily depressed or angered as of late, and I don't want to be around even close friends. I'm preparing myself mentally to have my eyes opened again. After all, it was the Dalai Lama who got me interested in Buddhism initially, and it will be an honor and a privilege just to be in the same room as him.
We (Kody and I) have been talking about going back to meditation classes, which we used to do every Wednesday. Believe it or not there is a local temple out here where we met some nice people and the monks are so great too--always giving us food and gifts just because.
The other night I was talking over the internet with a monk who used to reside at the temple. He's a young monk and actually went to high school with Kody. Although he now lives in St. Petersburg just talking to him again reminded me of how beneficial it is to meditate and practice metta (loving kindness) on a regular basis. I don't know why but just talking to a monk, even digitally, seems to be peaceful and calming to one's mind.
I find myself always angry with people or worried about this or that. I try to meditate at home but it just isn't the same. Sumedho (the young monk mentioned above) pointed out that having a good environment to meditate in is one of the keys to good meditation, and I think he's right. Our apartment is small and cluttered and there's always someone around you making noise; it makes it very hard to meditate properly. I think regular visits to class again and visiting His Holiness is going to help me a lot as far as that is concerned. I certainly hope so anyway! :I
When I get back from Arkansas I will let you all know how the trip was! I'm excited to say the least for this rare and wonderful oppurtunity! :)
~Namo Buddhaya~
We'll be heading out for Arkansas this weekend, Saturday the 7th and stop in London, AR where my aunt and uncle live to spend the night and celebrate my uncle's birthday; from there we'll be going to Eureka Springs for ghost touring and general frolicking; after that we're heading down to Fayetteville where the university is.
Kody and I began studying/practicing Buddhism about two years ago, but in the past year things have gotten hectic and we've steadily gotten away from it. I find myself easily depressed or angered as of late, and I don't want to be around even close friends. I'm preparing myself mentally to have my eyes opened again. After all, it was the Dalai Lama who got me interested in Buddhism initially, and it will be an honor and a privilege just to be in the same room as him.
We (Kody and I) have been talking about going back to meditation classes, which we used to do every Wednesday. Believe it or not there is a local temple out here where we met some nice people and the monks are so great too--always giving us food and gifts just because.
The other night I was talking over the internet with a monk who used to reside at the temple. He's a young monk and actually went to high school with Kody. Although he now lives in St. Petersburg just talking to him again reminded me of how beneficial it is to meditate and practice metta (loving kindness) on a regular basis. I don't know why but just talking to a monk, even digitally, seems to be peaceful and calming to one's mind.
I find myself always angry with people or worried about this or that. I try to meditate at home but it just isn't the same. Sumedho (the young monk mentioned above) pointed out that having a good environment to meditate in is one of the keys to good meditation, and I think he's right. Our apartment is small and cluttered and there's always someone around you making noise; it makes it very hard to meditate properly. I think regular visits to class again and visiting His Holiness is going to help me a lot as far as that is concerned. I certainly hope so anyway! :I
When I get back from Arkansas I will let you all know how the trip was! I'm excited to say the least for this rare and wonderful oppurtunity! :)
~Namo Buddhaya~
One of the monks at the local temple has met him and said he has a good sense of humor. <3