Guess what, guess what? I am going to see the Dalai Lama next week! Yay!!! I can hardly believe my good fortune on this one. The downstairs tenant in our house is a fabulous woman-- so intuitive and kindhearted. We live on an Indian reservation, and Sheryl works part time at the tribal center where Native American artists have been busily beading, crocheting, and quilting quilts for the Dalai Lama and his entourage. "His Holiness" (as all my friends in Kolkata liked to call him) will be hosting a very special meeting on the 13th just for the Native American people of our region.
Well, when Sheryl mentioned last week that the DL was coming to town for this program, I just about flipped! I wanted to go! I did a quick search and found out that the whole event (Seeds of Compassion) was actually being held in Seattle, and that there was a public gathering scheduled for the 12th. I was shocked and scandalized to learn that there were NO MORE TICKETS available, and that therefore I would not be able to attend. Dear Sheryl made note of my disappointment and without telling me, contacted her friend at the tribal center who is organizing the April 13 event. To make a long story short, I HAVE A TICKET NOW!!! I have a ticket to hear the Dalai Lama speak on the 12th about Compassion in Action, particularly on how we can nurture compassion in the hearts and minds of children. I am extremely excited. It will be at the Qwest Field, and nearly 40,000 people are expected to attend. That figure makes me feel a little dizzy, but it will be worth the crowd for this experience!
Today I had a wonderful time down at the beach. I tried Lectio Devina for the first time (I've done it "informally" before, sure. This is just the first time I've ever given it a fancy Latin title). Anyway, I wanted to experiment with some of the spiritual practices prescribed in the Campolo/Darling book. Since Darling said it was not good to worry too much about picking "just the right text," I just opened my Bible and picked the first line that struck me. It said, from 2 Corinthians 12:14, "I seek not what is yours, but you."
As I thought about this line, what emerged was the liberating sense that God is not particularly interested in what I have or don't have to give him in service. What he's concerned about is having me-- all of me-- me and only me. Once I am his he can do with me whatever he pleases. If I am found useful for some high-profile place of service, then there he will put me. If I'm found more suitable elsewhere, then elsewhere I will go. The bottom line is that I am his-- not my stuff, not my "gifts." He can make doers out of rocks if he wishes. Its my love that he wants. And love is a gift that no one is left unable to give. Maybe I can't sing, dance, preach, write, or inspire others, but I can always love. Love is the one and only gift that a creature can actually give to God. And in the end, loving is the way we give our whole selves.
Okay, to bed I go. Tonight I will dream of incense and saffron robes. What a lovely day!
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2 comments:
Oh, That's so wonderful! I am so happy for you and looking forward to hearing all about it. You're lectio Divina text is beautiful! I had to look it up to make sure it was really there. Thank you for sharing it.
Awesome! I love your insights! And SOOO cool about the Dalai Lama!
Here's my reply to your comment that I just posted on my blog:
Hey Rach! Don't worry...it's normal to feel a little weird at first about putting your thoughts on the net. But what I love about blogging is that you're not forcing anyone to read. If they feel like reading your thoughts, they'll read them; if they don't, they can navigate to another page. It's really a lot like having an article published in a magazine, only you get to talk about whatever you want without having someone edit out all the good parts. ;-)
I, for one, am looking forward to reading more of what you write! You really are an excellent writer!
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