Looking for optimism in today’s world

I happened to notice the web site called Optimism Apps today – I thinks from a first look it is for a mood chart and meant for people searching for optimism, wanting to feel optimistic.

This is a facinating subject to me and I check in on the this topic now and then. I know I am one of the lucky ones to feel this innately, and benefit from kindnesses given me by parents and friends.

I noticed a blog called “The Spirit Age: Stumbling Mindfully Through the Modern Age” and the writer covers the Dalai Lama’s optimism despite so much suffering for Tibetans in the past 50 years. Read his blog to see an interesting post and the essence of what I was searching for.

Compassion is traveling into your neighborhood

The Dalai Lama’s continuous travel around the world to talk about compassion is amazing. The awareness he has generated permeates so much in our Western world today, and it is growing. This is not specifically about continuting a Tibetan view but more about infusing the generic concepts of Buddhism into everyday culture and practices.

You can follow the Dalai Lama on Facebook. He says this week: “When we wish and seek to help others, our attitude is more positive and relationships become easier. We are less afraid and have less anxiety. Otherwise we remain shy and hesitant, and feel the need to take a thousand precautions before we approach people. When our intentions are good, we have greater self-confidence and are stronger. This is how we learn to understand how precious and valuable kindness is.”

Also note, “It is clear that inner peace is the principal cause of happiness. We can observe this in our daily lives. On days when we are calm and happy, even if difficulties arise or we fall victim to a mishap, we take it well, it doesn’t bother us unduly. But on days when we feel sad or have lost our usual calmness, the least little annoyance will take on enormous proportions and be deeply upsetting to us.”

The Dalai Lama visits: a time for reflection

This coming week is a special one – the Dalai Lama will be in Atlanta at Emory for a few days, and many monks, lamas, and other Buddhist scholars will be here for

Tibetan Buddhist monks create a mandala

a conference. I am looking forward to participating and volunteering with Drepung Loseling Monastery, Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Practice and Culture, where I study Buddhism.

On Sunday, the Dalai Lama will lead “Teaching to the Buddhist Community: The Nature and Practice of Compassion.” His Holiness will explain the nature of compassion and the practices for cultivating it as understood in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition—something to which His Holiness has dedicated his entire life.

The conference descriptions says: Having established itself and laid down roots outside of traditionally Tibetan Buddhist areas through the efforts of many teachers, and particularly His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the time has come for teachers and students of Tibetan Buddhism to consider its future direction, with an eye to ensuring that the tradition continues to grow as a beneficial force for the peace, well-being and happiness of humanity.

Coinciding with the three-day visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Emory University, this conference will bring together the preeminent leaders, teachers, scholars, translators, supporters, and students of Tibetan Buddhism from both traditionally Tibetan Buddhist areas and western countries to engage in substantive discussion about the current state of Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world and how best to move forward collectively.

Travels of the Dalai Lama for the greater good

I take a look at the Dalai Lama‘s activities now and then, and I am amazed at his schedule and his energy for talking about Buddhism’s role in the world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Regarding his visit to Japan this week he said,  “Japanese Buddhist practitioners should engage in dialogues with scientists to explore areas where science and religion can find a common ground in understanding universal values like compassion and kindness. In the last few years, secular dialogues between Tibetan Buddhists and Western scientists have attracted attention to the role of meditation in creating balance between mind and body.”

His approach to understanding in the world in a simple message, “Whatever the position or the identity, whether he is a king or some President, a business man or a beggar, we all have same mental disposition. Happiness that we derive from money and material goods are of temporary nature, we should seek for a lasting happiness which is comes from our inner value. This ultimate source of happiness based on satisfaction and inner value is the basis for a happy life. This promotion of inner value is of utmost importance in order to be happy.”

The work the Dalai Lama with The Mind-Life Institute is amazing. And his connection to Emory University via multiple channels such as the Emory-Tibet Partnership provides opportunities to better understand the importance of compassion in our world. Looking at the intersection of Buddhism and science is at the forefront of this relationship.

Emory’s web says, “By accepting this invitation, Emory has embarked on an historic initiative to expand the horizons of knowledge for Tibetan monks and nuns. The vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not only to give Tibetan monastics new tools for understanding the world, but also to give those monastics tools to contribute to the effort of translating time-tested Buddhist contemplative knowledge in a practical way that can help relieve suffering around the world.”