Through My Eyes

It was so good to travel to faraway places. Leave this reality behind and catch a wave of adventure. Forgetting our worries behind the gates of the border crossing and stepping into the unknown. We soon realised just how privileged we are in our country, just twenty kilometres from the border crossing, we encountered evil. Just our luck I guess but so desperately organised to extort and bully.

That 'welcome encounter' with the Moz police outside Ponta do Ouro made us ruthless and cautious, something we really did not want to be when trying to have a holiday, but alas! We survived and will not be re-enacting the episode (s). Just a very friendly reminder, be very careful when travelling in Mozambique, they will try and extort whatever they can, even if it's bottle of coke or a pair of slops - it's truly disgraceful but it is what it is.

On a more serious and heart breaking note - the recent allegations aimed at His holiness 14th Dalai Lama are so painful. For the Buddhist community around the world, it is one more indication how the main stream media distorts and lies to the ignorant masses and is turning us against each other.

The Dalai Lama is 87 years old. He has been living the life of a monk since China invaded Tibet (1950's); he has no earthly needs or possessions. He has been in exile most of his life, bringing the Buddhist wisdom and compassion to the western world. My faith in humanity is crushed when I hear ignorant journalists repeating uninformed and unfounded allegations against one of the purest human beings alive today.

Having personally been blessed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, I can personally attest to the fact that being in His presence is a holy experience and He is truly without ego. Anyone who dares to alter the narrative has never been in His presence.

As Utpal Kumar very well puts it: "The so-called modern mind is cursed with faithlessness. Ironically, it takes pride in it. It thinks faith is an antithesis to rationality. To add to it, it is also afflicted with a judgemental and know-it-all trait. Even the greatest of the souls can be judged, abused, and called names in no time." #istandwithdalailama

As we move into the second quarter of 2023, let us remember to honour the truth, as the truth will always set us free. No matter how harrowing things may look now, getting the truth out liberates us from the darkness of lies and deceit and if we can't share the truth, then maybe we should just keep our mouths shut.

Until next week.

"Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength." His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.