His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Sorry about the blurry photo (we weren't supposed to be taking pictures)
Waiting outside in the cold, rainy streets of New York to see H.H. at the Beacon Theatre

It has taken me a while to comprehend all the events in New York and leading up to me being in New York. It all went so fast. It started when my teacher Christopher introduced me to Buddhism in a yoga teacher training session. I became fascinated with the Buddhist philosophy and ideals. I started reading Pema Chodron's "Start Where You Are" and "The Art of Happiness" by H.H. Christopher talked about his experience visiting the Dalai Lama and I knew it was something I must do in this lifetime. Shortly after I set the goal I was contacted by my friend Krya in New York saying I must come soon. I am have never been one to say no to an adventure, soon after I had my ticket to the big city. I was looking up the Dalai-man's sched. and found a date in New York at the same time I would be there! I was so excited I was running around telling everyone!! It didn't even feel real.

I arrived in New York and it rained the entire time. On the day H.H. was speaking at the Beacon Theatre I left Krya's apartment 3 hrs early to ensure time in case I took the wrong train (hey, it happens!). I walked up the subway stairs and wondered where to go now...until I saw a gigantic line of all sorts of different people weaving through New York's skyscrapers. This is it! Waiting for what seemed like hours in the cold rain, with no umbrella, I was overjoyed to enter the Theatre. There was a certain stillness in the air. Anticipation, excitement, and gratitude.

The stage was set up with a large beautiful banner on the back wall, a king-like throne in the middle, and twenty or so monks and lamas sitting and silently communicating. My heart was pounding as everyone stood up as H.H. entered. Gratitude filled my heart and my face grew wet with the excitement of the moment.

It has been a couple months now and ironically I don't remember the lecture as much as I remember the break. Break time came and it was still raining. I knew there had to be a Starbucks close because after all it is a city, so I headed to the nearest one to camp out for the hour. I sat down at the bar with my soy late and watched as a sea of orange robes flooded the streets of New York. It was beautiful. People's reaction to the monks were even more beautiful. Even though the monks did not speak english, I watched as strangers came up to them to ask questions and they communicated the nonverbal answers. The strangers that would have never even looked at another person on the street just came right up to them with no fear, only love and curiosity. It was like they were pulled in by a magnet. My theory is it was a magnet of love.

I know this because a group of five of the monks walked in to Starbucks and sat with me. Their energy and compassion was infectious. The moment they sat down, the monk next to me started a nonverbal conversion consisting of names, smiles, laughs, and nudges. He immediately offered me half his banana because he saw I had no food. I tried to say no thank you and that I already ate but he insisted I take it. True selflessness can be seen in even the most simple actions. As I sat with them I took notice of how people passing the window reacted to their presence. I saw smiles, some giggles, and even random people entering the Starbucks to introduce and talk with them like they were old friends. What a powerful gift that strangers feel automatically comfortable.

We laughed a bit more and then it was time to head back to the Theatre for round two. It was such an amazing sight to see those orange and red robes flooding Broadway. The energy was so pure and childlike. Even if I couldn't understand what H.H. was saying, I felt the impact all around and within me. I believe there is the foundation of love that connects all beings. In a city where the attitude is "eye for an eye", there is proof that the foundation is love. So even if it was just for that day, the streets of Broadway felt the affect of living in true compassion and love, coming closer to the ultimate goal of happiness together.