I get wet in all the right places for a good quote. So after reading the following excerpt, I practically had to change my underwear.
When asked what surprised him most about humanity, the Dalai Lama replied:
Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present – the result being that he does not live in the present or the future. He lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.
When conveyed so clearly and concisely, the insanity of how many of us live our lives is painfully apparent. But so too is the treatment:
- Prioritize emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health above other pursuits
- Since 99% of what we worry about doesn’t happen (and worrying doesn’t prevent the other 1% from occurring), stop worrying – it’s a waste of energy
- Spend today enjoying today – not thinking about tomorrow
- Always remember that your days, breaths and heartbeats are numbered; do not squander them on what doesn’t matter
Preach on, Lama.
February 17, 2012 at 11:32 am
Great quote, Davey….. One of my favorites! If you ever want to learn more about this topic, send me email (I’ve written/published a couple books on the topic
Thats why I can say that James McKeon is sadly misinformed….the Dalai Lama is understanding of gays. (never heard of Allen Ginsberg, eh? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Ginsberg )The Tibetan Buddhist culture stresses self improvement, as the only “thing” that we have control over is our behaviors. So, like your quote eludes to, might want to make it smart instead of contradictory 
You will like my new upcoming book….as it incorporates buddhist practices into fitness. Its a fitness book, but guided by the inner spirit you are beginning to discover. More later 
February 17, 2012 at 11:46 am
Davey, I’m a big Dalai Lama fan as he has encouraged me to live today while I have something to say about what I’ll do. And if you need any help cleaning your wet shorts, give me a call and I’ll clean them for you, TODAY
February 17, 2012 at 11:47 am
Great post davey. At 27 I feel like I am just stating to learn this lesson.
February 17, 2012 at 10:14 pm
im 34 and im just starting to learn this lesson
February 17, 2012 at 12:02 pm
So, the quote is wonderful but why oh WHY must you always make things sound so filthy??? If you really think your readers wouldn’t be interested in reading your thoughts without you trivializing them by sexualizing them in the headline, then perhaps that says something about your readers. It also says something about how you put yourself out there. I’m not a prude by any stretch and it’s great to have you write about sex — just not when that’s not the topic.
February 17, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Filthier the better! Go Davey!!
February 17, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Grow up! The Dalai Lama and this blog deserves better. Your banner (and banter) detracts from his message.
February 17, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@Clay, David
Perhaps this is just DW’s way of getting the bottom feeders amongst his blog buddy cohort to view his message.
The end justifies the means?
Pingback: Humanity « and sure stars shining . . .
February 17, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Davey
A butt plug should help with your problem. It, also, is in the now.
February 17, 2012 at 5:11 pm
@Dr. Henry Hardon:
Every so often_every TOO often,in my opinion,some sphincter who mis-perceives her//him self as clever,and who usually both hateful and homophobic makes an appearance in the comments sections of BTI posts.You,Dr. Hardon,appear to making your debut as a sphincter.
February 17, 2012 at 6:55 pm
@Guillermo3
You have anger issues.
February 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm
We all are masters, we do not believe it, because this is a dream world, we have to practice seeing what we are, The feeling of knowing we are that ~ And let it go
February 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm
That really brings tears to my eyes. I’ve started practicing yoga. It’s a whole new experience for me and I’m taking it slowly with a personal trainer due to my health. Driving down the road the other day with a friend I was listening to him share his personal struggles with me. His concerns were valid but I’d heard them all before. As much as I love him my mind began to wander and before I knew it I was feeling my breathing and thinking about that moment in time. I was having a real moment of living in the present. I saw the trees more colorful and the sun was shining more brightly. Everything just seemed like it was meant to be the way it was. Thanks for all your sharing Davey. It eventually rubs off on us.
Hugs!
February 17, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Ha! This is funny…….and, probably true…..
“Author: bill(Guillermo3)
Comment:
@Dr. Henry Hardon:
Every so often_every TOO often,in my opinion,some sphincter who mis-perceives her//him self as clever,and who usually both hateful and homophobic makes an appearance in the comments sections of BTI posts.You,Dr. Hardon,appear to making your debut as a sphincter.”
Davey, did you know what you get into when you try to stand up as something good?? Don’t let the hacks, whoever they are, take you down. Tip: Try to not be disrespectful/shock value in posts….they don’t need you to give them ammunition
Also, did you notice the Chinese Govt hacks slamming the Dalai Lama on your post of this to your page? Here is an article on them…. http://www.danwei.org/the_thomas_crampton_channel/chinas_50cent_twitter_censors.php )
we have been battling them for many years…. So, bottom line? Its not enough to be good, do good, and make of yourself ‘a temple;’ you have to be prepared for those who try to tear good things down. Sux, but thats the real world…. I think you can handle it
February 18, 2012 at 12:26 am
@Dr. Henry Hardon:
Yes,”Dr.” Henry,
I have anger issues with distracting,fake,annoying dog feces like you.
Love,
bill
February 18, 2012 at 12:30 am
did you know if you google the word “davey” google’s intellisense lists davey wavey right under davey crocket?
February 18, 2012 at 4:19 am
Momento Mori. Remember your mortality.
February 18, 2012 at 4:21 am
@Dr. Henry Hardon Obvious Troll is Obvious…
February 18, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Very nice quote, and so real. Very good job… Kiss
February 18, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Hi Dave,
It surpises me that a liberal and open-minded sprit like you would utter his admiration for a homophobic and authoritarian choleric weisenheimer like the Dalai Lama. His aggressive and ridiculously dogmatic remarks on homosexuality, or sexuality in general, make the Pope look like a beacon of tolerance and understanding. According to the Dalai Lama homosexuality, masturbation, sex through orifices other than the vagina and sex during the day are all ethical misconduct.
Plus, this man argues for the reinstallment of a totalitarian despotic regime in his homeland. I am not on the payroll of the Chinese propaganda ministry but I think the spirit of socialism and the idea that all men are born equal will do more benefit to the poverty-stricken Tibetan people than another dark age of primitiv theocracy.
Another issue that angers me is that this man often claims to be religious leader of buddhism. this is shear arrogance and newspaper articles writing about him simply recite this nonsense uncritically . Imagine the pope declaring he’d be the supreme leader of all christians. Buddhism is far more heterogenic than christianity… And we should not confuse archaic Lamaism with the overcultured, refined Japanese philosophy of ZEN, whose tolerant spirit and all embracing coherency we often perceive as Buddhism par excellance . The Dalai Lama constantly snubs all other Buddhists with his hegemonial appetite and simple-minded naivity.
The institution this guy stands for doesn’t make me wet – it makes me vomit.
February 21, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Jesper….
Not sure where you have gotten all your anger an bitterness from, but try to throttle it back a bit. If you were talking about the current pope, I’d probably agree with you (I am Catholic, and lived through a few popes so I can say that. This one is dark.) Not all religious leaders are to be trusted, thats for sure….as many of them got there through nefarious means…..far and away from a spiritual grounding.
But this Dalai Lama? He is the real thing… I can assure you of that. Sure, the guy has a different perspective on some things….he is, after all, from a radically different part of the world. But I have been in his presence many many times, in different cities, different situations, etc… He doesn’t hold ill will towards anyone….and is very patient. Homophobic? Not at all…..he and his people have always been very respectful of me. He has made a clear statement on gay, saying (after learning from many of us what the situation is) that “I never understood the depth of the pain, and anguish gay people experience. We must help ease this, as we can.” The thing thats easy to misunderstand is trying to make literal (one for one) translations of radically different cultures. Some things just don’t translate, as peoples from different parts of the world have radically different situations to cope with (based on physical surroundings, political climate of other people intent on taking your stuff, and the unique cultures that grow up differently in the world as a result. ) In the case of sex, he thinks its a big distraction for everyone….str8 or gay. And, he is kind of right…..from his point of view. He endeavors to bring peace of mind, calmness, serenity to everyone….to reduce strife, anger, hate, and the resulting cycle born of violence. Perpetuating a cycle of pain and hurt towards others only helps to keep it proliferating
I know its hard to trust people’s sincerity….but some, a few, really are what they seem to be. I have spent most of my life looking for people/leaders that are worthy of ‘following’/emulating/admiring. There are very few….as most get corrupted by power, greed, ego, etc.. Often, people look good and aren’t…. This one is worth listening to… He is real. He will, rightfully, go down in history as the most honorable and clever leader of these two centuries in which he lived….and has influenced for the good.
February 18, 2012 at 8:24 pm
@Jesper
I’ll bet the Pope THINKS he is the supreme leader of all Christians, even if he has’t said so yet. The man/god supposedly is infallible, putting him well on the path to supreme world leadership (not just of Christendom) if, indeed, he is not already there…
February 18, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Another, of his many great quotes:
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
– His Holiness the Dalai Lama
February 19, 2012 at 1:20 pm
The Dalai Lama speaks some very wise words-its time to read a book on his writings.thanks for sharing.
February 21, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Jesper,
I’m not sure where you have gotten all your anger an bitterness from, but try to throttle it back a bit. If you were talking about the current pope, I’d probably agree with you (I am Catholic, and lived through a few popes so I can say that. This one is dark.) Not all religious leaders are to be trusted, thats for sure (as many of them got there through nefarious means) far and away from a spiritual grounding. But Buddhism is more a school of thought and daily practices towards achieving self improvement, than a religion. And, the Dalai Lama is VERY careful to make clear that he doesn’t represent all Buddhists….just Tibetan Buddhists, who have endeavored (successfully) to keep their ‘flavor’ of Buddhism as pure as possible (it helps when you are locked away for 900 years by Ghengis Khan’s sons for self protection
But this Dalai Lama? He is the real thing… I can assure you of that. Sure, the guy has a different perspective on some things….he is, after all, from a radically different part of the world. But I have been in his presence many many times, in different cities, different situations, etc… He doesn’t hold ill will towards anyone….and is very patient. Homophobic? Not at all…..he and his people have always been very respectful of me. He has made a clear statement on gay, saying (after learning from many of us what the situation is) that “I never understood the depth of the pain, and anguish gay people experience. We must help ease this, as we can.” The thing thats easy to misunderstand is trying to make literal (one for one) translations of radically different cultures. Some things just don’t translate, as peoples from different parts of the world have radically different situations to cope with (based on physical surroundings, political climate of other people intent on taking your stuff, and the unique cultures that grow up differently in the world as a result. ) In the case of sex, he thinks its a big distraction for everyone….str8 or gay. And, he is kind of right…..from his point of view. He endeavors to bring peace of mind, calmness, serenity to everyone….to reduce strife, anger, hate, and the resulting cycle born of violence. Perpetuating a cycle of pain and hurt towards others only helps to keep it proliferating.
I know its hard to trust people’s sincerity; but some, a few, really are what they seem to be. I have spent most of my life looking for people/leaders that are worthy of ‘following’/emulating/admiring. There are very few (as most get corrupted by power, greed, ego, etc.) Often, people look good and aren’t. This one is worth listening to… He is real. He will, rightfully, go down in history as the most honorable and clever leader of these two centuries in which he lived; and has heavily influenced for the good.
February 26, 2012 at 5:38 am
So the Dalai Lama goes into a pizza pallor and says “I’ll have one with all “
February 26, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Neal DeJong:
Sorry,Neal,but I’ve already told that one_Only it’s 12 Tibetan Buddhist monks [ the Dharma Dozen]
ordering an ice cream cone.
February 28, 2012 at 1:43 am
@bill(Guillermo3) it’s ok it’s just a jole.
So an irishman goes into a bar … I haven’t seen him since.
At Boy Scout camp we had this red dolly and called it the Dalai Lama and no matter what happened be it popped tire or bent 90 degrees it still did what we needed it to do
February 29, 2012 at 1:12 am
@Neal DeJong:
Amazing,Neal De,I would have thought it was a joke.
February 28, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Guys, I thought I was bad at telling jokes….
Its an very old joke…..buddhist humor, since many of them believe that being at peace is only achieved when someone is in harmony with everything….
Here is the original joke…
A Buddhist is walking down the street in New York, and meets a hot dog vendor.
The vendor asks him: “Hey buddy what can I make ya?”
“Make me one with everything,” replies the Buddhist.
This guy tried to change the joke to a Pizza….but forgot the setup line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GogjFO8GNEo
Not so smart. The dalai lama still smiles/laughs for him, nicely.
March 1, 2012 at 1:55 am
@Bill(Guillermo3) what the Irish part yeah it’s a joke but it’s Just a joke I don’t hate . Every nationality has flaws that make them um… different . A being different is what makes us who we are if we weren’t different the world would be dull ……. Wait? Or were you talking about the wheeled dolly ? I get of topic a lot .
March 1, 2012 at 2:20 am
@Neal DeJong:
Actually,Neal,I meant the pizza parlor[or pallor,as you had it] one,which you said was just a “jole”.
The Irish one is rather obvious,and perhaps cliche’d,and the red dolley didn’t make much of an impression_one way,or the other.
Sorry to ask Neal DeJ,but are you a little dyslexic? I ask,because a couple of times here,I’ve corrected/to my discredit gently mocked commenters whose remarks border on being incoherent.Turns out,both people were/are dyslexic.Embarrassing,shaming for me,because I know several dyslexics who are brilliant,but who grew up being told,and believing that they were stupid.
March 1, 2012 at 8:30 am
@Bill(Guillermo3) no I’m not a nd I’m so sorry for my grammatical errors Mr.GrammerNazi
March 2, 2012 at 3:55 am
@Neal DeJong:
Quite a response to my responses,Neal!!
I don’t know what an “nd” is,actually_nose doctor?
I thought that you might be dyslexic because of your frequent,often incomprehensible mis-spellings,
and was attempting o be sympathetic.
At any rate,I think “Mr.grammar nazi” is a bit strong,especially as it wasn’t your grammar to which
I was referring.I can,if you’d like me too.
March 3, 2012 at 4:07 am
@bill(Guillermo3)
I’m sorry it just 2. O’clock central time and I’m tired. Also I’m typing on my iPod and it doesn’t catch all of my input . I’m sorry for calling you a “Grammer-Nazi” . No I am not dyslexic and I understand you were trying to be sympathetic . But you got to understand people will make mistakes and it’s just best not to say anything if a word isn’t spelled correctly . That’s my opinion. And if I have offended you in any way I am truly sorry .
March 3, 2012 at 4:10 am
@Bill(Guillermo3)
I’m sorry . It’s just that it’s 2. O’clock central time and I’m tired. Also I’m typing on my iPod and it doesn’t catch all of my input . I’m sorry for calling you a “Grammer-Nazi” . No I am not dyslexic and I understand you were trying to be sympathetic . But you got to understand people will make mistakes and it’s just best not to say anything if a word isn’t spelled correctly . That’s my opinion. And if I have offended you in any way I am truly sorry .
March 4, 2012 at 2:56 am
@Neal DeJong [Dutch?]:
Thanks,Neal,
( I see you’ve had the problem[?] I’ve sometimes had:Your comment posted twice.)
for your apology_not necessary,but nice.You are right that I can be a little pedantically correct about both grammar and spelling[ironic,considering how poorly I spell],ad,for better,or worse,rather sarcastic,which,for better,or worse,I enjoy.
March 4, 2012 at 3:00 pm
@Bill(Guillermo3) yes it is Dutch. Thanks for understanding