How to Live Like the Dalai Lama
I’m not male. I’m not Buddhist. I’m not a monk. Hey, I have a husband – whom I occasionally snap at, so you it’s clear that I have little in common with His Holiness The Dalai Lama. I mostly wear sweats, while His Holiness goes about in his traditional maroon and gold robes. He is wise, I am working on it. He is enlightened, I am, well, not even close.
But, I do believe, like he does, that all of us sentient beings are connected. That if we look out for one another, take care of each other, we are also taking care of ourselves. I do agree with His Holiness that my quality of life, in fact, my very survival is directly dependent on your quality of life. That if we help each other out not only will we do better on this planet, but we will feel better.
The Dalai Lama has practiced this kind of tolerance and community for decades. Since he began his study as a toddler. It is his way of life. And, as I noticed when I saw him speak a couple of weeks ago, he exudes all that good energy. But, no matter how little we have in common with His Holiness, we can share these qualities. We can practice compassion, and tolerance, and make it our way of life too. We can greet the world with kindness and live a little more like the Dalai Lama.
It starts with practice and awareness and here three quick and easy things you can do every day that will make a ridiculously big difference in your health, your relationships, and your life.
Gratitude – Each day notice the goodness in your life. Go looking for it. Pause to notice it, give thanks and feel the positive feelings that come from gratitude. Soon, you’ll find yourself hunting for the good things and appreciating all that comes. Gratitude also yields joy.
Mindfulness – Pay attention to the present moment. Notice the physical sensations, observe your thoughts, become present to what is without projecting to the future or stressing about the past. Practice through meditation or by slowing down and giving your attention to your daily tasks. Next time you are wiping off the counters, become mindful by feeling the texture of the sponge and hearing the sound as it swipes across the counter. Smell the cleanser and feel the moisture on it’s rough surface. Each chore and every moment can be a mini-mindfulness exercise if you choose. Simply pause, take a deep breath and focus on what is in front of you right now.
Compassion and Kindness – Instead of judging others touch them with kindness. Be tolerant, patient. Connect through conversation and support. Offer what others need, not what you think they should have and be present in their pain. Often, the people who need our compassion the most are the ones that are angry and difficult. Be fair, and loving, and tolerant and accepting. Know, that everyone deserves our compassion; there is no criteria that must be met. Practice this with your spouse or partner by listening well, instead of interrupting, by responding with acceptance rather than criticism and judgment. Add some fun, by practicing random acts of kindness, or send a thank you note for a job well done.
Try these in-the-moment practices and soon you’ll be living like the Lama.
Image provided by: Tsemtulku.com
