amrita, 15 May 2006
India Himachal Pradesh

McLeod Ganj - Part IV

McLeod Ganj - Part IV (a message)


Well, I have been meaning to make a Part IV out since some time, what has been making me hesitate is how much what I have to insert now would be relevant for a travel blog. Now after much thought, I think, entirely. Hmm, travel exposes one to limitless stimuli and we quickly pick up those that appeals to our senses and each individual's senses are so differently programmed... anyhow the fact of the matter is that I got crazy after some lovely wall hangings being sold in some of the Tibetan shops with messages from The Dalai Lama. The messages - immensely powerful - to abide by, yes, difficult, but ones that make you instinctively know that if followed then - it can change your life for the good.

Anyhow, I picked up one such message and well, it gives me important reminders from time to time. These messages are printed on fairly thick jute cloth with Tibetan designs on the periphery and neatly stitched to two carved wooden sticks on the two smaller ends of the rectangular shape. The one that I picked up reads the following - it is a message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama -


"EVERY DAY, THINK AS YOU WAKE UP,
TODAY I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE WOKEN UP,
I AM ALIVE, I HAVE A PRECIOUS HUMAN LIFE,
I AM NOT GOING TO WASTE IT,
I AM GOING TO USE
ALL MY ENERGIES TO DEVELOP MYSELF.
TO EXPAND MY HEART OUT TO OTHERS,
TO ACHIEVE ENLIGHTENMENT FOR
THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS,
I AM GOING TO HAVE KIND
THOUGHTS TOWARDS OTHERS,
I AM NOT GOING TO GET ANGRY,
OR THINK BADLY ABOUT OTHERS
I AM GOING TO BENEFIT OTHERS
AS MUCH AS I CAN."


I am happy that this piece of writing hangs on the wall above my machine and reminds me how to add quality to my life. What else can I say...