This October, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet will be coming to Vancouver. I could not be more excited. When I heard the news, my heart did a pitter patter – similarly to how it reacts when I hear rumblings of a new U2 tour. So I decided to do a little research on the Dalai Lama, and wanted to share 6 Ways to Channel Your Inner Dalai Lama.
1. Question your purpose in life
The Dalai Lama believes that his purpose in life is to be happy. What is your purpose in life? Make some time today, quiet your mind and think about this for a mere few moments. Why am I here? What is my purpose?
2. Live your life with love and compassion
His Holiness states “the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the ultimate source of success in life.” Read more about living life with love and compassion.
Photo credit: HerCampus.com
3. Wake up early
Did you know that the Dalai Lama wakes at 3 a.m. each day? He begins his day with a shower, prayers and meditation. Sleep experts say that if you go to bed earlier and wake up earlier, your body will be more in tune with the earth’s circadian rhythms, which offers more restorative sleep.
4. Care for the environment
“The environment is very important not only for this generation but also for future generations. If we exploit the environment in extreme ways, even though we may get some money or other benefit from it now, in the long run we ourselves will suffer and future generations will suffer.” – Dalai Lama
5. Live simply
I have to admit, this is one I struggle with living in Vancouver. Social media doesn’t seem to help me. I remind myself almost daily of the important things in life – my health, my children, my friends and extended family…not the new Michael Kors purse that I “really need” or the beautiful $1 million home that will make me much happier because of the bigger yard. No, the Dalai Lama encourages us to live simply.
“When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, ‘Oh yes — I already have everything that I really need.” – Dalai Lama
Photo Credit: QuotesFish.com
6. Be quick to forgive
“Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don’t usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. They can still play with that person the following day.” ― Dalai Lama
Ticket information for Vancouver Visit
“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be 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.” ― Dalai Lama
Featured image photo credit: KierstenRowland.com
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