Hatred and Violence

My friend was describing a Buddhist ceremony held by the monk followers of the Dalai Lama. "There were only about 15 people in the audience. I sat at the very back. They were doing many different initiations/prayers, I only remember the word green and some initiation for a long life. I felt like a I had very

powerful blessing that filled up my whole chest area...but I don't know which initiation that was…."

The awareness that is so vital to nonviolence is not about words.  A blessing is not in what people do or say.  It is not external.  You feel it.   Talk and ritual can be easily distracting.  The inner feeling of her chest at that time should be much more helpful."

 I know that when I am even in a movie presence of the Dalai Lama, I calm down and come to myself. 

I am very upset by violence and evil.  It gets worse every year.  For example, I saw a movie of the Chinese take over of Tibet.  They were machine gunning monks and I was ok.  It was just amazing.  I usually feel like vomiting and get diarrhea.  Movies are terrible for me.  Physically as well as emotionally. 

I later read a book where the Dalai Lama described of a monk who had been in a Chinese Prison who he deeply admired.  The monk was shaking as if he were presently being assaulted.  He was recounting the tourture of a young boy whose father had opposed the take over of the government of China in Tibet.  He said, he so feared that he would hate of the Chinese prison guards and that would affect his awareness of loving kindness.  (I am repeating from memory, but the idea is right.)  The issue was not the Chinese or their actions.  The issue was his self awareness.  This perspective I have made my own.  It does not help me with movie violence and evil.  I have a long way to go.  But, it does help.