Wow, it's my last day in Melbourne, and I feel like I just got my bearings. I have realized that, as busy as my life is at home, I live relatively quietly. We've been running from early morning to late evening, with almost no time to chill (I imagine I'll be chilling plenty as I re-enter Colorado's sub-zero temps!) or to really process. I'm actually looking forward to the extended home-bound air-time (well, almost looking forward to it) just to relax and review all that I have seen and learned and experienced.
Winding down feels good today, decompressing in preparation for the flight home tomorrow I've planned a few last shopping excursions, a short visit with the kangaroos and koalas, a last dinner with new friends, and packing. A perfect way to end the stay here. Mixed feelings as always, have grown quite fond of this city, and of course all the new people I've met...and I'm looking forward to returning to friends, family, felines, my own bed, AND a bathroom with shower curtains with a life-sized sink :) Been thinking too of my "beloved" Vita-Mix and starting the day with a delicious, fresh, organic home-made smoothie (it's the little things, ya know?)
Our Closing Plenary yesterday was almost beyond words. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama entered the room, crossed the stage, and giggled, I was moved to tears. His Presence filled the room with light and so much love...and as fortunate as we were to be in the 4th row, he radiated his special brand of peace and joy beyond the rafters.
The Dalai Lama had a powerful message for us, that we all will take home and act upon...in fact that WAS his message, ACT. He acknowledged the significance of our coming together to share ideas and connect on issues of global importance (climate change at the top of the list, as the Parliament overlapped the UN's Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen)...AND he urged us to take action at home, to follow up and follow through, to continue to work inter-faith and intra-faith in our communities, and make real sustainable changes in how we live. Inner peace leads to world peace, and I ask myself, and you, how can we not change?
And on the lighter side of this momentus closing ceremony, the Australian Elder, Auntie Joy (an Aborigine) greeted and hosted His Holiness while on stage, and when he first arrived, she presented him with a sacred animal skin. It was obvious to us he really did not know what to do with it, and while it was sacred to Auntie Joy and a totally appropriate greeting from her perspective, as you may know, Tibetan Buddhist monks are vegetarian and hold all life so sacred they would not kill another being, not even a mosquito (although I did hear the Dalai Lama admit years ago he would flick away a persistent one!).
At one point, he set the animal skin and gum-tree branch on the seat next to him, but it would not stay put, and he looked over to Auntie Joy, with a perplexed smile, and said "It's moving?!" They both had an extended fit of giggles, and we just roared. That alone was worth the price of admission.
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Thank you so much, Jill for this! I can imagine it. Wonderful writing; I almost feel present there!
ReplyDeleteDeborah Y-K
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insights from the conference. You are truly a blessing.
ReplyDeleteRev Mark Gilbert
Jesus Christ died on the Cross for all who would believe. Would thd dalia lama die for you? The answer is no. One day the dalia lama will die and stay in the grave.
ReplyDeleteShortly after his death his knee will bow and he will confess that Jesus is Lord. Since he will probably die in his sins, unless God shows him mercy and grace, his only destination is hell.
I understand this is not the wishy washy message from todays church this is what the Bible teaches. When the Gospel is preached it has (2) results; one being the edifaction of the saints and the other is the further condemnation of those that are perishing since they will think the Gospel foolishness.
Do not fall into Satan's lie of all religions being the same. Only Christianity leads to eternal life. ALL other man-made religions lead to eternal death and suffering.
My earnest hope is that you will repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and his perfect and complete life, death, and resurretion. For today he stands at the right hand of God the
Father making intercession for all believers.
"He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
NASB Acts 4:11-12
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
ESV Hebrews 4:6-7
One day you will die and one day I will die. That is just an absolute fact. How will you face Jesus Christ....redeemer or judge?