His Holiness, the Dalai Lama
by Katherine Blake
On Saturday, May 2nd there was a Meditation and Psychotherapy Conference in Boston with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.
It was a real treat to see and hear him answer the questions of many of the most eminent Boston psychiatric and meditation scholars. There were many long, involved questions asked, which he answered simply, sweetly, and always with a laugh at the end – as if to say – these issues are complex ones, but don’t retreat into heavy, serious despair about them. Wise counsel to remember also when we view the current political, economic, and global turmoil on our TVs and computer screens every day.
Portal for Change has a similar way of engaging with the community. One could say that the issues here are complex and intertwining. We have chosen to direct our efforts to simple, but direct actions, e.g. celebrating Obama’s first hundred days in a demonstration on May 2nd in Market Square. This effort originated with the Democratic City Committee and we were able to join them with signs highlighting bills or actions of the President’s by which we have been inspired.
We are also committed to volunteer for a program sponsored by the Pettingill House in Salisbury which involves cooking and delivering hot meals to almost 400 people in Newburyport and four surrounding towns. This monthly effort began 10 years ago for a few dozen people who signed up to have a hot meal delivered to their homes and has multiplied many times over. We join several people who have worked for years on this project.
We want to do more. It keeps us hopeful and inspired with the same message of Barack Obama’s campaign, that is, the way we can be part of this country’s future is to participate on whatever level we can. The Dalai Lama has also been quoted as saying,” Change does not come from prayer and meditation. It comes from action” And as Barack Obama quoted from The Elders of Oraibi Arizona, “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
Please come join us …there is lots to do!