His Holiness The Dalai Lama
My life changed when I met him. I did not expect to even get close, but when my friend, Pema called to me one day,”’Linaji, Linaji, you must come with me!” I tuned to her from my dishes I was washing and said as usual, “Oh Pema, what now”? She was always grabbing my arm to show me something, a bug or a snake or some kind of amazing event that for me seemed rather on the mundane. I was in a dream state dish mode and wanted to get my job done. “Linaji, His Holiness is coming to give private audience to all the new monks, nuns and many new Tibetans coming over the mountain, you must be coming with me, you must”!
How could I say no? So I grabbed my skirt and threw on a top and we ran and ran and ran, I wanted this meeting. I had lived in Dharmsala already one time before this visit and I was wishing one day to meet him. Pema is a Nun and she is a beauty. She was beholden to me as one day the owner of our lodgings came to her door drunk and tried to push his way in. When she told me this, I hate to say it but I went rather Maa Kaali on him. Which means crazy. And I insisted she not pay rent for one month. He was smaller than me and when I am angry, I do believe I am possessed by a spirit like Maa Kaali.
We arrived and we were told that anything we wanted blessed by His Holiness we would put on the table. I did not do this. I wanted the Dali Lama to touch my malas, I had two, one was for my brother.
As it turned out, I was in the middle of the line after he talked for a while to all the monks and nuns and travelers from Tibet. When it was my turn to shake his hand, I tenderly reached for his with Mala’s in ready, and put his hand to my forehead. I looked into his eyes and saw a light so free and kind that I felt indeed blessed by the sun. One is not suppose to look into his eyes but I could not help myself. His kindness and his warmth took me. I knew he forgave me instantly if I had done anything to offend him or the ways of propriety.
He is all that is said of him. I have never seen eyes that shone like the essence of a smile. I gave my brother this gift of these beads. Lord Ganesh has them on my desk and sometimes I use them to meditate and chant. I am trying to write more every day, so I thought you all would enjoy this most auspicious time in my life.
Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Caroline Gorka
A man of humility and greatness :)
linaji replied
Hi Caroline, thanks!
navybrat
indeed a great man he is…...
linaji replied
thanks for the view J.!
Erhan OZBIYIK
“There is no coincidence in OUR lives”... :)
Good shot, good memories.. HUGS LINAJI
linaji replied
Sweet Erhan!! xox
Alessandro Pinto
So Nice Linaji..I really enjoyed the story !
linaji replied
Hi Elbambino!! appreciate you reading it!
Jaybe
One day I will meet him too – such a precious moment Lina…...extremely precious…...and a very moving story. Thankyou so much for sharing this, it’s special. xox
linaji replied
I close my eyes and see you right there dear friend!!
saleire
What a great moment to meet a man such as this. I loved the story Lina….but can’t help thinking you are already blessed with grace and a love that just shines out to all who know you. And we are blessed by you sharing this wonder with us.
linaji replied
Sal, your comment means the world to me. Just so thougtful and kind.. thank you Sal, very much.
angelfyre
Wonderful picture, I will only say this of my “ideas” anyone can be a great person of enlightment and beauty and warmth. I will probably get flamed up oneside and down another for this, but, sue me for my ignorance. One day I was watching the news, I had it muted as I was listening to one of my friends’ regale the events of 9/11 from the ground view after all the shit had died down(took awhile before phone circuits were free again to get a call in edgewise and not have your cell call dropped after two minutes) anyways, I looked up just in time to see the most kindest, gentlest man I had ever seen. His eyes…I swear I was looking at the second coming of Jesus himself. I am a very hyper and tense person and very rarely do I feel calm. But at that time I did. So I unmuted it, and when I heard what they were saying, all I could think was the bible saying the Anti-Christ will be a very beautiful and decieving Angel. It was Osama Bin Laden. As I said earlier, anyone can be filled with a light of kindness. But your picture IS amazing and I think you’ve lived a GREAT experience by meeting him! and the fact that YOU believe he has this ability…well, that’s all that matters. I’m just some dumb blonde from the US spouting off my usual arrogant nonsense that us Americans do when we think we know things! :)
linaji replied
Hi Angelfrye,
I know what I feel only. If I met you on a day you are feeling a kind Angel smile, and your day was divine, then looking at you and your eyes I would most likely feel the same toward you. If I met you on a day some pretty bad things were going on and you were very very moody, perhaps I would not feel the same about you. I think the devil himself has his moments with heaven and all of us indeed can choose what we would like to see in one another. I think the Dali Lama practices, and then it becomes so, even- tempered-ness and kindness. It shows in a person who has chosen to become aware of their thoughts on a daily basis. My life changes everyday and the more I become aware of my thinking, the more I can choose to think better feeling thoughts.
My meeting with the Dali Lama is rather like that 5 min of fame feeling..wow meeting ‘HIM’! But I was not dissapointed. I am not Buddhist nor am I any named religion. When I see love, for me that is a feeling of peace and tenderness and somehow it is a smile too all rolled up into one.
Perhaps even bin Laden smiles and feels joy at some point throughout his day that is not based on hate. I do not know him. I do not know if he is a devil. But I just wrote about a devil that was my father, and now he is not. He is a man that I was able to transform in my thinking and heart to a man who was a man and played an amazing part in molding who I am as a woman today. So who is the devil? For me it is my own wrost thinking.
Thank you Angelfrye, your comments are always welcome.
Linaji
Judi Taylor
IS IT POSSIBLE TO FAVOR THIS A MILLION TIMES???
I cannot speak or write Lina … Not through my tears …. I will bm you later.
linaji replied
Yes in your expansive heart Ms. Judi~!!xox I am outta here till P.M!
aspectsoftmk
i sit here and read…........and i breathe into this and smile in the thought …......of course you would look in his eyes….........i love this moment for you….xoxo
linaji replied
Terri.. we would have been in cahoots you and I!!
tuffcookie
what an incredible experience!! I am at a loss for words and the tears are welling up my freind. I am smiling inside and out my dear! wow!!! xoxox
linaji replied
You are an angel friend… in so many ways you shine just like him!! your tenderness shows.. all the insects, birds and animals adore you TC!
Amber Elizabet...
thsi is wonderful many many hugss to you linaji … I am very very upset canI email you today?? xx
linaji replied
Of course you can!!! I will be leaving soon.. so email away sweet Amber!!
lianne
What an incredibly moving story and just the most touching image. How blessed you were – and are – to retain such a memory and to share the peace that came with it. Too beautiful for words.
linaji replied
Hi Lianne,, you are a sweetheart.. appreciate you feeling what it was I tried to convey via the photo and the meeting. I did not take any more shots of him.. I was so enthralled.. I did not want to ruin my time and others around me.. by taking photos..no one else did.. I think I have a coulple more.. but I quit lickity split! xoxo have a wonderful walk and day friend!
Al Neaimi
wow Linaji you are so lucky that you met him , i am reading one of his books , that is a dream come true for many .. great story and great photo.
linaji replied
Hi Al-Neaimi.. yes luck played a huge part in my meeting him.. he gives talks every year on the teachings but most of the time he is behind the temple doors and hundreds are there. perhaps only 100 where present that day.. It was not planned.. I am happy you enjoy his books!! thanks for the view!
linaji replied
Hi dear friend.. I just thought of you.. I know you are doing your amazing work.. and again cannot wait!! but here is a group I thought you may want to join as some of your work does have writing alongside the shot.
photowriting
aspectsoftmk
oh absolutly….....lolol
linaji replied
Hi Dar.. new group.. but right up your alley.. photowriting
Cora is a doll!
dawndavies
fabulous and lucky you,dawnx
linaji replied
Dawn.. I like to be lucky,, I am willing to participate in more of it!! tee hee.
aspectsoftmk
the dialog between you and angelfyre i wonderful….......
linaji replied
just like coffee talk sweet friend!! xox
margpie
L I have to tell you i too am not of any particular religious belief, but, last year I had a terrible time and i found this book in the library called ‘The little book of Buddha’ I read it from cover to cover and it touched me, not because i could live a totally pure existance like that but, because of the powerful thought that i could change my life if i just tried to be a bit purer in thought and a bit kinder to others. Since then i have gained many friends in life, not aquaintances, but, honest to goodness friends that like me for who i am, I can really understand what you are saying here, i would have felt the same, that book and Buddha changed my life :)
linaji replied
Hi M.. It is a wonderful moment when we can look at ‘moments’ in our lives and see how ‘lucky’ we are! Ask and it is Given… when we desire answers to why our lives do not feel right, and we want to feel better, we will receive the ‘luck’ we need to address our desires..
Love to see you and hear your stories so much M.
xox Lina
russell lee klika
What a moving image..VERY..well done…
linaji replied
Your comment I cherish.. appreciate you~ and your work is simply beyond belief.. Thank you Russell.
Sensiworld
Beautiful shot and a wonderful moment for you Lina !!! x
Abeona
WOW what an honour.
kjgordon
the great Kahuna
Judi Taylor
Now we have all looked into his eyes … thank you … AND
Wanishi.
- Judi
linaji replied
Hi darling new group.. going back here as I submitted and you bought this piece.. thought you would like to know.. as it is right up your alley..photowriting
C J Lewis
How lucky you were to have such a wonderful experience linaji. Have read a few of his books too and find him a very humble, enlightened and free individual…although have seen that light in another man’s eyes…my father :)
Agree also with what you said above: So who is the devil? For me it is my own wrost thinking. That, I believe, is the devil is all…our own ego mind whose temptations we can easily fall into if not aware of our own doings.
Thanks for sharing my friend. xox
linaji replied
HI CJ.. GETTING BACK TO THIS ONE.. I took time off after the upload of this.. want you to know.. espically today.. how much meeting you and working with you and being inspired by you has been for me here.. I love to see your replys.. they are detailed and full of wonderful observation.. xoxo thank you CJ.. you also have helped me perfect my work!
C J Lewis
The above should say: That, I believe, is the devil in all ... darn…another typo…lol
Geir Floede
WOW! So fantastic.
Joanne Bradley
Excellent capture!!! What a wonderful experience. Thanks so for sharing linaji!
TeriLee
This gave me goosebumps!!!
linaji replied
You up yet? xox
nkbellani
You make me feel so tender with your reference to Maa Kaali and Sri Ganesh…so happy to know that you have Sri Ganesh Ji on your desk…his painting is just on my right on the wall…I have painted them as well as you know ‘The Danavi’ and ‘Ganesha Says’...love your picture of The Dalai Lama…We did go to his temple in McLeod Gunj, Dharamsala…had an audience with the ‘Big Buddha statue of beautifully crafted brass…turned the Prayer Wheels/Barrels outside the temple…you are so lucky to have had an audience with His Holiness himself…you are a blessed one dear!
linaji replied
YOU ARE A LOVE..and remind me that I need to change the name in the text to more respect for Kaali Maji!!
Thank you Kumarji.. I do so adore this Paragraph!!!!
How lucky I feel today Sir!!!!
Mechellerene
What a precious photo! His kindess overflows the screen. Great capture of his essence, lina… I can feel your love for him.
binjy
What a wonderful experience- and how his love and warmth is now being brought, by you, to us :)
Thankyou.
linaji replied
Hi binjy.. hope all is well.. Your last body of work was simply stunning.. how much we jump by leaps and bounds here..xox
Kelsey Williams
A beautiful man, as you are a beautiful woman. Blessed be,
-K
linaji replied
Hey kelsey D!! Thank you again!! I am off to view a few of your written works.. is that not how you started out here.. writing..? so much inbetween ..xoxox
Joanne Bradley
Had to look again! He has such a great essence of calm and caring about him and it truly transcends even this medium!
linaji replied
Hi Joanne,
put him in a new group called photowriting.. you may be interested!! xox here
nkbellani
:-)xo
Lori Peters
Very moving. A great picture.
Nala
A fantastic picture to go with such great times . . its a woderful feling meeting some one like this i am sure it wil be your guide for a long time . .
Alan :-)
Prasad
Thanks you shared this one, here! Very moving capture.
Jing3011
Fascinating story. Much better than washing dishes.
Paul Gibbons
A real moment to treasure and a great shot of a remarkable man. Superb
DaveBassett
What a wonderful experience – I have always greatly admired this man.
Manuel Wieczorek
what a wonderful moment for you. he really is a special person. wise and filled with warmness for the hole world.
mikepaulhamus
excellent capture, and wonderful story of your meeting. Life lasting beautiful experience.
Kelsey Williams
You’re so welcome hun! And thanks! I actually started off with a few photos, than a few written works, than more photos, etc. :-)
C J Lewis
Thanks for your lovely comments above lina…I do appreciate you and love seeing your amazing progress over the last few months…you have SO much to give from your heArt as well as an amazing understanding of life’s process (the insights thereof) which I must admit a lot are still asleep too…however, with more around like you it all helps to waken others up quicker for the making of a better world for all. Have been very busy of late…making videos so comments on others works have slowed down somewhat…will get around to them again soon.
A Voyage With Art Video here if you’d like to watch it :)
Have fun…keep smiling…CJ xoxo
linaji replied
CJ.. I JUST NOTICED.. did I let you know I loved your video? did you make a new One? let me know.. xoxo thanks so much for this morning..
Photographer
Thankyou so much for sharing such a beautful moment, be well be happy.
james
Heloisa Castro
excellent capture
Antanas
Great capture…..
David Clark
Hi Linaji – thanks for putting this back up on your front page – - his health the last several weeks has been unsettling and I (and millions of others) have been praying for him—such a great photo – and so fortunate your circumstances to meet him – dave
solareclips~Ju...
Absolutely spellbinding photo Linaji, and the recount of your encounter was captivating!!! ;-)))
Cora Wandel
Linaji, a truly great photograph and story. Thank you very much for this one. – Cora
C J Lewis
NO…so thank you…fun making them. Have done 3 now…all accessible from the link above..am thinking of another but like to put a theme to them…so will have to look at what is in the folio. Welcome for this morning…did you have a coffee for me?? Mind you I am so wired up on coffee at the moment…nowhere near feeling sleepy and its 4.07am here :))
Cora Wandel
Your hosts,
Anne-Marie and Cora
linaji replied
I AM TOTALLY HONORED CORA!!
salsbells69
I cannot beleive i had missed this image Linaji! I have alot of respect for this man and what he stands for and what he spiritually fights for! Fabulous image and my hearty congratulations on your feature :)))
linaji replied
SWEET SAL!! I JUST FINISHED WATCHING THE 10 QUESTIONS TO THE DALI LAMA.. HOPE YOU CAN CATCH THIS ONE.. AND THANKS SO MUCH!
David Clark
hello Linaji
- so great that this is featured today – the photo is of course amazing and the narrative gives it all such great meaning -– and – it is nice to be featured with you (if you look below your photo there is my photo of wadi mud – certainly a world away from the intensity and meaningfulness of your photo) —davelinaji replied
i would love to have a view of your wadi mud.. and I wish it were right next to me.. I so love your work David..xox
amarica
Great work dearest Lina…wanted to say, congratulations on having this fine work featured in the Photo/Writing group!!! Well done Sugar….hugzzzzzzzzzzz
linaji replied
Oh darling Ann.. thanks so very much!! almost bedtime!
Sally Omar
Lina, To be in his presence must be mind-boggling and a definite life-change…and to have
him touch you must have completely shaken your world…Love & Hugs, Sally xxxxxooooo
linaji replied
Hello wonderful friend!! xoxox I have been moving and gone so really appreciate your support!! Ps.. It was a life change..for some reason..I began my journey towards.. me!!
Joanne Bradley
Congratulations linaji! This is an exceptional photo and such a wonderful story!
RiSH :
Great shot of a great person!!! But please change the spelling fro Dali Lama to Dalai Lama
Steve Buffington
Great people shot. He commands my utmost respect.
avalyn
wonderful story linaji…...and without trying to DO anything!......certainly a blessing of LOVE from the great heart of Existence… beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
KcranmerArt
Such an exquisite capture Lina…I see the Dahli as a powerful being and I can see why he changed your life when you met him, wonderful candid moment you caught!
NordicBlackbird
what a magnificent image, lina – so much serenity and stillness in his gesture :))
how priviledged you must have felt to stand so close :).
xoxoxo
helene ruiz
nice!
Lucindawind
that must have been awesome to meet him ..wonderful shot
Chetan Raghuram
wondeful
linaji replied
thanks so much Chetan!
michael byerley
a truly beautiful portrait !!
photoloi
My friend’s name is Pema also:) Wow, you got very close, I know so many people that want to be in the same village as His holliness. I might get my chance to visit this summer, lets hope.
Namaste
linaji replied
Hi Photoloi.. sorry I did not see this.. and I wish you best of luck!!
taiche
Wonderful experience that you have detailed and a wonderful picture you captured. Hi 5’s to you on all counts!
~ Butterfly ~
What a wonderful experience and a beautiful shot of a beautiful man ! xox :0)
Judith Oppenhe...
wonderful story and image
Jeff Stroud
Wondrous image! Great story! Thank you for sharing it… adds to the spirit of the photo!
Ann E. Chapman
I love this Lina!!!! I love your words they fill the HEART…......
ambient-1
Wow! You met His Holiness! I adore him! Thank you so much for the photo and most definitely the background story! That is amazing! I’d be too tempted to look into his eyes, too. hehe