M.J. Rose

(Michelle J. Wong / Noozhawk photo)

I find it interesting that the self-proclaimed number one in everything nation, the U.S., must look to other cultures for the type of common sense wisdom that the Dalai Lama hands out like spring petals on a peaceful morning. In a recent lecture on ethics at UCSB, he discussed compassion and commented that the economic crisis might be an opportunity for people to put some limits on material things.

Think of the universe as a perfect balance machine – when something strays too far to one side, nature’s correction is to tip to the other side and create a balance. This goes for the macro – the life and death cycle – as well as the daily things we experience in human terms such as too much consumption with not enough providing. It seems obvious, but for many Westerners, it’s just not second nature. We continue to watch and learn from the experts…

Dalai Lama Shares Wisdom on the Mind, Ethics and Economy
Tibetan monk finds a receptive and enthusiastic audience at two UCSB lectures

By Sonia Fernandez, Noozhawk Staff Writer

With a head cold and a sense of humor, the Dalai Lama shared his wisdom with thousands of people Friday during his visit to UCSB.

“My voice is unusual today,” Tibet’s exiled spiritual and political leader said as he settled cross-legged into a divan onstage, interpreter by his side.

Using Tibetan to explain his finer points and English to kid around with the audience, the monk broke down topics as heady as the primordial qualities of Buddha that he says we all possess.

“We have to know the ultimate nature of the mind,” the Dalai Lama said during a morning lecture on the mind. Through it we can control destructive emotions, he said.

In the afternoon, he discussed compassion in a lecture on ethics for today and commented that the economic crisis might be an opportunity for people to establish limits on material things… [the rest here, from noozhawk.com]

I can’t decide whether this is an optimistic statement for the tenacity of our species, or a pessimistic view on the fate of our world? What do you think?

American Stonehenge: Monumental Instructions for the Post-Apocalypse
By Randall Sullivan (Wired)

The strangest monument in America looms over a barren knoll in northeastern Georgia. Five massive slabs of polished granite rise out of the earth in a star pattern. The rocks are each 16 feet tall, with four of them weighing more than 20 tons apiece. Together they support a 25,000-pound capstone. Approaching the edifice, it’s hard not to think immediately of England’s Stonehenge or possibly the ominous monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Built in 1980, these pale gray rocks are quietly awaiting the end of the world as we know it.

Called the Georgia Guidestones, the monument is a mystery—nobody knows exactly who commissioned it or why. The only clues to its origin are on a nearby plaque on the ground—which gives the dimensions and explains a series of intricate notches and holes that correspond to the movements of the sun and stars—and the “guides” themselves, directives carved into the rocks. These instructions appear in eight languages ranging from English to Swahili and reflect a peculiar New Age ideology. Some are vaguely eugenic (guide reproduction wisely—improving fitness and diversity); others prescribe standard-issue hippie mysticism (prize truth—beauty—love—seeking harmony with the infinite)….[the rest, here]

Dalai Lama thanks India for 50 years in exile

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) — Cloaked in a traditional flowing red and saffron Tibetan robe the Dalai Lama took a deep breath as he began to express his gratitude to the country that took him in as a refugee 50 years ago. “I think in this country (there are) many other refugees,” the Dalai Lama reflected, sitting cross legged. “But we are I think (the) most fortunate and successful refugee community because of (the) government of India’s care and support.” His journey to India was a treacherous one. The year was 1959. Tibetans had staged an uprising against Chinese rule and the security forces reacted with force. The Dalai Lama’s followers, who consider him a living God — the latest reincarnation in a long lineage of revered monks — were worried about his fate under the Chinese. He was, after all, just 23 years old. On March 17 that year, the 14th Dalai Lama fled his homeland on horseback.

A half century later, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people recounted to CNN that day and the subsequent journey to India. “Most fearful sort of moment is… (the) night of 17 March 1959,” he said. The Dalai Lama and some of his followers were about to cross a river on horseback when they suddenly realized they were within sight of a Chinese army camp. “Soldiers, yes, we can see,” the Dalai Lama said, learning forward, his eyes wide and voice strong. “We are very much afraid.”

The fear, amplified by the harsh conditions. The bitter cold and thin air of the Himalayas assaulted their bodies as they slowly made the trek over the mountains…

[for the rest -and some video too- click here]

(Image source: http://klaudiamarrgallery.com/images/links/2288-Avedon_Lama_web.jpg)