When I’d read aloud my intention to meet the Dalai Lama to my friends during our [my husband, Steven, and me] New Year’s Eve ceremony, I felt in my gut that it would happen. So I was thrilled to learn that he was appearing at the University of California, Irvine campus near my home. I immediately purchased tickets to the event.
I researched the protocol for meeting the Dalai Lama and discovered that it was traditional to present him with a special white silk scarf called a kata. I purchased two katas through an online Buddhist-supplies store, one for myself and one for Steven.
At first I tried to arrange a private meeting with His Holiness. I contacted his office to interview him for this book, and the Hay House publicity team did the same. We were told that His Holiness was definitely not giving interviews on this tour—yet I knew I was going to meet him. I had no choice but to turn the whole thing over to Heaven and trust that it would somehow happen.
The afternoon of the Dalai Lama’s talk, I put on a pretty but conservative dress and placed the katas in my purse. I had no doubt that I’d meet him that day, and saw myself presenting the kata to His Holiness.
As we drove to the Bren Events Center at the university, I was amazed by the crowds jamming to get into the building. Security guards lined the streets and checked each person. Cell phones weren’t allowed inside and had to be left at a special security stand outside, where you were given a claim ticket to retrieve your phone after the event. Since virtually every person in Southern California is plugged in to technology, the cell-phone security line was long and slow-moving. Fortunately, Steven and I hadn’t brought our phones, so we sailed through the metal detectors and into the arena.
A hush settled over the audience as the Dalai Lama entered and sat in a beautifully carved chair center stage. I noticed his beautiful violet and emerald green aura, mixed with some yellow. These colors showed his spiritual gifts of healing and a clear connection that enabled him to receive messages from the Divine. The yellow indicated some stress connected to his mission, which required him to travel ceaselessly as a spokesperson for Buddhism, as well as Tibetan freedom.
The Dalai Lama’s easygoing countenance showed his devotion to meditation. He appeared to be someone who didn’t think much about materiality, as all of his needs were met. I could tell that he lectured because of an inner calling, coupled with his sense of loving duty. The Dalai Lama’s English was charmingly stilted, so an interpreter translated his words for the talk.
The Meeting and the BlessingAs the presentation ended and everyone stood to give the Dalai Lama their enthusiastic ovation, I told Steven, 'Okay, time to go meet him. Are you coming with me?'
'It’s not happening,' he replied. 'There are too many people here.'
'Okay,' I said, stepping over Steven’s legs so I could walk down the aisle toward the stage where His Holiness was exiting.
I opened my kata scarf and walked in a direction intersecting with him as he walked offstage. I held up the kata to the security guard and said, 'I’d like to give this to His Holiness,' and the guard moved aside to let me through.
Continued on page 2: The Dalai Lama walked straight toward me... »
