The Dalai Lama is an interesting guy and a blessing to the world. However, I think he might be too smart and spiritual for me to fully comprehend.
One popular quote that is often repeated deals with his thoughts about humanity:
“Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
I greatly admire the Dalai Lama, but I’m not too sure about this point of view. Most of my successful close friends did not sacrifice their health to make money. They worked diligently toward a noble goal or mission. Often, money and recognition followed. In their senior years, they seem not to be anxious but content and humble. All of my elderly friends accept they will die one day, knowing they made a loving and worthy contribution within their circle of influence.
I guess the Dalai Lama and I hang out with a different cast of elderly characters. I’d like to sit down with him and chat about it.