freedom

freedom is a key need for every person, relationship or nation to evolve and develop. Inherent in freedom is respect for oneself and others. Basic in our interactions with others, we need to honor them as we want to be honored. This means taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions and giving others the opportunity to do the same.

‘We must recognize that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity. That the happiness of one person or nation is the happiness of humanity.’ HH Dalai Lama

Tibet has been under Chinese rule since 1959 when HH the Dalai Lama escaped. Many atrocities have occurred in Tibet over these 50 years and HH has lead the Tibetan government in exile. With the Beijing Olympics this year, there has been a wonderful opportunity for the Tibetan cause for Freedom to be highlighted all over the world.

‘In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.‘ HH Dalai Lama

‘It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefiting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.’ HH Dalai Lama

‘The rationale for universal compassion is based on the same principle of spiritual democracy. It is the recognition of the fact that every living being has an equal right to and desire for happiness. The true acceptance of the principle of democracy requires that we think and act in terms of the common good. Compassion and universal responsibility require a commitment to personal sacrifice and the neglect of egotistical desires. ‘ HH Dalai Lama

‘Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day.’ HH Dalai Lama

‘All people and things are interdependent. The world has become so small that no nation can solve its problems alone, in isolation from others. That is why I believe we must all cultivate a sense of responsibility based on love and compassion for each other.’ HH Dalai Lama

There are a number of ways that you can support the Free Tibet campaign that do not require scaling the Golden Gate bridge to hang banners:

http://www.freetibet.net/help.html

http://www.freetibet.org

Sign a petition http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/98.php/?CLICK_TF_TRACK

For further information about Tibet: http://www.tibet.org

A great film about HH the Dalai Lama ‘The Unwinking Gaze’ by Joshua Dugdale http://www.unwinkinggaze.com

This is a video of the Tibetan protest at Mount Everest to Free Tibet……

And now for something completely different ….. & funny, a blast from the past, Monty Pythons climbing Mount Everest….

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