After I went up to bed last night, I found myself flipping channels on the TV, looking for something—anything—to watch that wasn't baseball. The "Mom" list on our Dish Network Guide didn't seem to have much to offer until I happened to see a program on UCTV, Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet and the World.
It featured commentary by two notable gentlemen, although I only had a chance to see the segment with Dr. Robert Thurman, Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, and co-founder and President of Tibet House US. His talk covered quite a bit of territory, too much to regurgitate here, but I encourage you to watch this broadcast in its entirety on the UCTV website.
I've read several books written by the Dalai Lama, most recently, The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality.
I've often thought that our common perception which places science and spirituality (which is not synonymous with religion) at far different, diametrically opposed ends of a linear spectrum to actually be a misconception. Rather, I see the two philosophies as the conjoined ends of a circle—flawlessly and seamlessly entwined and in support of one another. I believe our connectedness to the Universe is a truth that will eventually be held up by scientific scrutiny.
The Dalai Lama is one of those rare individuals who has challenged the status quo with his willingness to embrace both in his quest for enlightenment. But he doesn't stop there. Through his travels around the world as an ambassador for the Tibetan people and in his books, he has done much to help open a dialog between the religious community and the academic science community. He also has the ability to express and share his wisdom on a level that even *I* can understand.
In the UCTV broadcast last night, I felt like Dr. Thurman had reached into my head, yanked out a jumbled mess of rambling, chaotic ideas and was able to organize and articulate those thoughts in a very logical, cohesive manner that actually made sense.
I eventually drifted off to sleep profoundly comforted by the knowledge that maybe—just maybe—I'm not so crazy after all.
~ Robin
It featured commentary by two notable gentlemen, although I only had a chance to see the segment with Dr. Robert Thurman, Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, and co-founder and President of Tibet House US. His talk covered quite a bit of territory, too much to regurgitate here, but I encourage you to watch this broadcast in its entirety on the UCTV website.
I've read several books written by the Dalai Lama, most recently, The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality.
I've often thought that our common perception which places science and spirituality (which is not synonymous with religion) at far different, diametrically opposed ends of a linear spectrum to actually be a misconception. Rather, I see the two philosophies as the conjoined ends of a circle—flawlessly and seamlessly entwined and in support of one another. I believe our connectedness to the Universe is a truth that will eventually be held up by scientific scrutiny.
The Dalai Lama is one of those rare individuals who has challenged the status quo with his willingness to embrace both in his quest for enlightenment. But he doesn't stop there. Through his travels around the world as an ambassador for the Tibetan people and in his books, he has done much to help open a dialog between the religious community and the academic science community. He also has the ability to express and share his wisdom on a level that even *I* can understand.
In the UCTV broadcast last night, I felt like Dr. Thurman had reached into my head, yanked out a jumbled mess of rambling, chaotic ideas and was able to organize and articulate those thoughts in a very logical, cohesive manner that actually made sense.
I eventually drifted off to sleep profoundly comforted by the knowledge that maybe—just maybe—I'm not so crazy after all.
~ Robin
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2 comments:
He seems like a very affable man. And very principled. We could certainly use more leaders like him in the world.
About nine months ago, Mike, I was watching a TV show where a group of American school children were performing for the Dalai Lama.
After they finished their song, he moved among them, shaking their hands. One boy, he looked about 8 years old, absolutely broke down in tears as he embraced him--which, of course, had me crying like a baby as well.
There is just something about that man that inspires awe and demands our utmost respect. And you're right, the world could use more like him.
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