Reality rhymes. Destiny dances. If you loosen your grip on life’s reins, She will lead you into your wildest dream. This is a lesson I continue to learn as I practice flowing with life, listening to the inner whisper—never knowing with full-certainly, but trusting in full faith—always stepping towards what feels most illuminated and away from what is dimming. Surrender is not a passive sport, but an active willingness to do what one feels most called to. And that requires action and often courage.

And that how I found myself in India to celebrate my 37th birthday in the same place I celebrated my 33rd birthday, in Dharamshala, India.

I remember the conviction for the 33rd birthday in June in India came in April. I determined I would go to India the next and see the Dalai Lama as well as ground my interest in Tibetan Buddhism with the actual Tibetan Buddhists.

Four years ago I remember realizing a few weeks before my trip that I had not even checked if the Dalai was even going to be around. So shortly before my flight, I checked HH’s website and wow—he was giving three days of public teachings over June 6-8. My birthday was June 7th. Destiny dances.

And four years later…

This current trip, I didn’t plan on having such synchronization to repeat, but came to connect with the friends made from the previous trip, and have the expansive state of mind I find as an anonymous traveler moving.

I checked the Dalai Lama’s online schedule and there was nothing planned. Then a few days after my birthday, the day before my Mayan birthday as it were, I overheard a woman in a cafe say that the Dalai Lama was giving two days of teaching on Lam Rim tomorrow (Lam rim refers to the gradual path of personal and spiritual growth). Reality rhymes.

And so of course I went. I waited joyfully for 6 hours in a line to get my pass. I met a seeking brother Daniel on the meditation path on the way when he picked me up in the cab, and found myself again in the crowded temple receiving teachings as I had four years prior. Life leads you to where you’re meant to be if you surrender to her flow.

In bullet point style, I share my notes from those two days of teaching. May it be of benefit to you on your own journey through the ever changing rhythms of life. These were translated from Tibetan in real-time via an fm radio and I have taken license to recreate my quick jots into complete phrases.

The scene

The scene around the temple was a crowd of some 6,000 people. Bustling to get through the security lines in the temples. The Tibetans wore their finest traditional cloths. It was a the kindest, gentlest crowd imaginable, all smiles and patience as people offered their space for others. Monks and nuns took to the task of service Roti bread and Tibetan butter tea. Everyone was efficiently served and the air exuded gratitude.

Notes on the Dalai Lama’s Teachings

“It’s important to check everything the Buddha said through reason and logic. Faith has its function, but blind faith is a cause of much human misery.”

“Because what the Buddha taught is based on reason and logic, it fulfills the intellectual desires of beginners, intermediate, and spiritually advanced people.”

When the Dalai Lama was served bread and tea he said, “I’ve already had a heavy breakfast and I’m fully full. But still, I will have this bread and butter tea with you. Let us bless the tea.”

“It’s important to study the great texts of the Indian Masters to understand the Buddha Dharma.”

“As a child I was not so interested in studying, but as an adult I came to see the importance.”

“Bodhiccitta, or the awakened mind perspective, is equal to exchanging yourself with others. The compassion of Bodhiccitta is grounded in sound reasoning. Every morning when I open my eyes, I think of Bodhiccitta.”

“The Chinese have tried to restrict us, but they have not been successful because the Tibetan system of logic is more profound than the Chinese communist philosophy.”

“We ourselves are refugees. I have been a guest of the Indian government. Some have said Tibetans are ruled by lamaism, as if just because someone is a lama they can do as they please. Modern Buddhism is based on reason, and it can go along with science. Even those who are not religious can benefit from Buddhism to better understand the workings of their mind and emotions. The Buddha dharma fulfills us in the short in the long term it is the king of kings of all instructions and doesn’t ask anyone to take anything at face value, but to incorporate these teachings into one’s life to see for oneself through one’s own experience whether or not they are true.”

“After coming into exile, we are able to see many people, exchange views with people around the world. Since coming into exile, I’ve been able to enjoy many different types of food. Because of our exile, we have been able to share the presage teachings of the dharma all over the world. Even people in China are now reading my words because of the Chinese invasion of Tibet.”

“Learning to be perfect in giving is the best weapon for cutting the knot of miserliness” (and sponsoring a child of the Integral Heart Family! 🙂

“Living with morality washes the stains of previous misdeeds.”

“Follow the teaching of Bodhichitta, living with loving affection, don’t seek effects from these practices within the world. Those seeking effects in this world do not have what it takes to transcend the world.”

“At the heart of all beings is a clear light mind, the innate mind, devoid of any subjective existence, this is what is left after our relative mind’s dissolution.”

“Tibetan‘s learn as kids to do no harm, not even to insects. This habit of not even killing insects helps develop a kind mind that wishes all beings well. Think of not causing any being harm, but instead think of bringing them to the limitless joy of bodhiccita.”

“All happiness comes from looking to make others happy, all suffering comes from seeking happiness for oneself.”

Hey there friend! Thank you for stopping by my blog. You can support this space by checking out my latest book “The Upwards We Could Still Climb“ Or check out my book of non-fiction travel adventures, “The Nomad’s Nomad“ Find me on Facebook at: Author Luke Maguire Armstrong IG: @AuthorLukeMaguireArmsrrong