Words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama

Mike Ivey  —  7/19/2008 9:01 pm

His Holiness the Dalai Lama touched on many issues during his public address Saturday at the Dane County Coliseum. Among them:

World peace: It must start with individuals embracing compassion for everyone else regardless of their beliefs. As more people are compassionate toward others, it creates momentum for happier communities. "Each of us has the potential to create a happy world."

Focus on family: Creating happy families translates into happy communities. "You will always have a few trouble makers in a community but they are easier to isolate if the rest of the community is happy."

Importance of mother: He cited studies where young monkeys separated from their mothers turned out angrier than siblings who stay with mom. "The most important person in your life is not teacher. It is your mother."

China and Tibet: He has nothing against the Chinese people, just its government. "Things are going to get more negative before they turn positive."

Healing powers: The Dalai Lama said he has none but would like to meet someone who does because his hand is still hurting after shaking hands with a Mongolian. "I would be a true test case."

The mind-body connection: Anger and hate eat away at a body from the inside and cause sickness, he said. "Fear and anger, very bad for our health."

Source of his personal strength: "Good sleep and good food."

Mike Ivey  —  7/19/2008 9:01 pm