One of the most learned and highly trained American-born lamas in the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. He is a meditation teacher and author.
We’ve been selected Time’s Person of the Year for our contributions to the new mass media, which can do so much to shape our perceptions and our reality today. Regarding this choice, Time Editor Lev Grossman writes: “It’s about the many wresting power from the few and helping one another for nothing and how that will not only change the world, but also change the way the world changes. The tool that makes this possible is the World Wide Web….This is an opportunity to build a new kind of international understanding, not politician to politician, great man to great man, but citizen to citizen, person to person. It’s a chance for people to look at a computer screen and really, genuinely wonder who’s out there looking back at them.”
This makes me reflect upon what exactly are our contributions, how much we are giving and contributing — to others, to those in need, and towards leaving this world a better place for our children, and their children too — and to wonder how the generations to come will remember us. For we are the ancestors of those future generations.
In this great information and communication age, what are we ourselves each contributing towards closing the yawning gap between rich and poor, redressing the environmental crisis, dealing with the AIDs pandemic and the prevalence of violence and fanaticism in our time, or other equally pressing problems? We must think globally as well as act locally, beginning with awakening and inspiring ourselves and each other. Love is as love does. We must accomplish this important work together.
From those to whom much is given, much is expected. I expect a lot of you.
So what are we going to do, you and I, and our entire community– for the betterment of one and all? I think this is our biggest challenge today.
Surya Namaskar and hello to all,
When I first read this I was like, “holy cow, Lama Surya was chosen as Time’s Person of the Year and I didnt even hear about it.” This would be entirely possible, because I rarely read Time magazine. So in my shock I went to the website handily provided by the Lama and saw that I too had been chosen. We all have- very cool. That’s democracy for you.
Hello everyone, and a merry new year to you all. It is my firm belief that before we look outside at what needs to be done it is important to look inwards. If we live a good life there is a good chance that the goodness and light will spread outward, even with small things like a smile or a kindness to a stranger.
Namaste
What am I going to do? I am going to maintain my organic sattvic diet and try to encourage my friends and coworkers to do the same. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I, alas, won’t have any kids or grandkids myself, but I hope to inspire the next generation to set aside energy convention and try to pick up ways of life that are in tune with helping the environment and helpful of the developing world.
Thanks for all you wonderful and inspiring words. Every time I read your books or entries on this website I am deeply touched by it. Your book “Awakening the Buddha Within” has become like a bible to me and a shining light on my path. Death is indeed an opportunity to live as I have experienced.
Luuk, (the Netherlands)