Inner Peace


Dalai Lama
Jody Williams
Inner peace is the ultimate goal on the inner journey of your life. The Dalai Lama hit New Jersey, a predominately Christian state, for the Newark Peace Education Summit on Friday, May 13, 2011. He casually ascended the platform wearing his signature deep red robe, where American activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams was also present. She strongly defended that there is such a thing as a 'just' anger and disagreed with some of the Dalai Lama's ideas. Specifically, the Dalai Lama's statements that people must attain inner peace in order to promote peace and that "too much emotion, attachment, anger or fear" hinders progress "did not sit well" with Williams, according to the New York Times. Detailing the ways American policy favors corporations and the wealthy and cautioning against "easy forgiveness," the world-famous anti-landmine activist likes to justify her inner turmoil as opposed to inner peace. Check out her book Banning Landmines. She politely suggested His Holiness, stop being so damn calm all the time. Williams explained:

Inner Peace
“I thought it was strange to be asked to be on this panel on inner peace, because I don’t have much. I’m still struggling with inner peace, and I’m not sure I’ll ever work it out. It’s anger at injustice which fires many of us. Shirin Ebadi is no wimp. His Holiness, fighting for the freedom of his people, is no wimp. Gandhi was no wimp. Martin Luther King was no wimp."

Christian Meditation
In turn, the Dalai Lama came to the defense of the United States, the country that helped him escape Tibet in 1959. “America, of course, a lot of drawbacks there, but I always feel, champion of democracy,” he said. “Now we get argument. Like children, a little quarrel here takes place, a fight. But to keep ill feeling is very bad." The two hugged it out, of course, though the Dalai Lama called Williams "quite blunt," before refraining from muttering expletives under his breath, while Williams laughed quietly to herself. The Dalai Lama, who is the Head of State and spiritual leader of Tibet, promotes the way of peace which also complements the teachings of Jesus Christ that love of God and neighbour is the way to true inner peace. This guided meditation MP3 download by Rhonda Jones called Christian Meditation & Relaxation is a great resource for achieving to inner peace.

On another occasion His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered a stirring message to thousands of followers in Melbourne, saying that while money may provide temporary material happiness, the key to true inner peace lies with Compassion and affection. Another great book on that very same message is 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, by Dr. Wayne Dyer.

During his talk on the true meaning of happiness, His Holiness advocated forgiveness, tolerance and patience; also claiming that the frustration and loneliness suffered by mankind was caused by the replacement of affection with greed, and that the way to create a happier world than the one we live in was to bring back that affection to society. Dalai Lama's words and message are very similar to what Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who pioneered the use of radio and television for preaching the Christian message, wrote 50 years ago in his book Way to Inner Peace.
He also spoke of the importance of instilling sound morals in our children "from kindergarten to university", asking his Australian audience to "please raise the next generation compassionately". In a televised interview with popular '7pm Project' presenter Dave Hughes on Tuesday night, the Dalai Lama also said that though his life was busy it was 'meaningful busy', and that made it worthwhile. Check out his book on How to Practice a Meaningful Life. Indeed, when you read his autobiography in his book called Freedom In Exile, his life has been and continues to be an ongoing stand for the rights of his people to have political and religious freedom. Even in exile he lives compassionately. His inner peace allows him to forgive those who ran him out of his country and  to be a voice for peace between nations and peoples. Without forgiveness there is no inner peace and no reconciliation with others. A personal growth counselor and psychotherapist, Philip H. Friedman, PhD, wrote an excellent book called The Forgiveness Solution: The Whole-Body Rx For Finding True Happiness, Abundant Love, and Inner Peace. Click here.
His message was well received by the people of Melbourne, who evidently found great comfort in his words. One audience member, a soon-to-be father, told journalists the experience had given him confidence for the future of his children, and that he hoped "to give my child a lot of affection and put them on a journey that they'll learn a lot from." In regard to the Dalai Lama, the man added that "he is a person that always transcends religion ... the things he says aren't just strictly from a Buddhist perspective, they're from humanity's perspective." Although he does not share with us our belief in the one true God his attitude and lifestyle connects very closely with the teachings of Christ.
Of all the Buddhist traditions (and there are many), it is the Tibetans who have most actively reached out to Christians. The Dalai Lama told us that while he is in dialogue with all the great world religions, he cherishes a special relationship with Christians. Read The Good Heart. In some important spiritual dimensions, we Christians have more in common with the Tibetans than with Zen or Vipasyana practitioners. Though Tibetan Buddhists do not believe in our God, they seem more friendly to the devotional sensibility of Christians, and in their Tibetan tantric practices more inclined to see the fundamental importance of the I-Thou encounter. Like us Christians, the Tibetans sense a deep relationality in their “emptiness”. It is in our "emptiness" that we open ourselves to the divine compassion and inner peaceCreating Inner Peace & Calm is an excellent audiobook for meditation.
Some Dalai Lama humour.
What did the Dalai Lama say to the hot dog vendor?
Make me one with everything.
The hot dog vendor said "that will be $2.50" and the Dalai Lama handed him a five.
And waited.
The Dalia Lama said "Hey where's my change?"
The hot dog vendor said "change must come from within"