The Eastern cultures are ancient compared to the juvenile nature of the USA. By valuing their way of life and their self reliance, we have learned a great deal to enhance our own cultures. The cultures of China have added to The West's quality of life, as has the cultures of the Japanese and all Eastern countries. Through their long existence, these cultures have matured in their ability to achieve higher forms of human condition than we could ever achieve.
In the USA we use mechanization and technology in our personal lives as an expression of 'status.' That isn't status and the larger the High Definition Digital Set the more status one can claim. Somehow, being able to lock elbows over a beer belly during the half time of Monday Night Football is actully supposed to mean something, when all it means is that one more day has gone by that Americans are contributing to their 'economy of entertainment.'
The 'mindful' cultures of the East have taught us more about our own state of mind, or lack thereof, then any other aspect of Earth's resources. They reach beyond the 'idea' of war and realize 'peace' is a choice that is valuable and attainable. The Eastern cultures have a powerful message, but, one that has brought them a modern day reality they seek to avoid, that they are the most vulnerable to terrorist networks that operate on 'hate' of those 'weaker' than the automatic weapons they covet.
China needs to value all its people as well as those that can enhance its economy. The economy of 'mindfulness' has been a great asset to the USA and you can ask many cancer survivors about their reality due to 'Alternative medicines.' I call on China to protect its Tibetan people and allow them 'freedom of expression' while they find a way to remain a valuable aspect of China's rich and thriving nation.
We are all grateful to the Dalai Lama for him and his work that have contributed to the spiritual awakenings of so many. We value the work of the people that are his followers and hope they continue to find contentment in their piety of life's richest resources and that is the human soul and human spirit. The Tibetan culture is one of the most valuable among us and we cannot thank them and China enough for its continued existence and freedom of developement and worship.
Dalai Lama shores up support for talks with China by warning of failure (click here)
The Dalai Lama has seen off a challenge to his moderate "Middle Way" diplomacy with China after warning that a confrontational approach would lead to the failure of the Tibetan cause within 20 years.
By Rahul Bedi in New Delhi
Last Updated: 4:11PM GMT 23 Nov 2008
Although the 73-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate was unusually critical of the Chinese leadership, he attacked calls for fresh approach, centred around demands for independence.
"Total independence is not practicable" he told a conference following week-long deliberations by nearly 600 Tibetan exiles in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala. "In the next 20 years we must be careful in our actions and planning. Otherwise there is great danger to the Tibetan community."
"A majority of views have come up supporting the 'Middle Way' path to the Tibetan issue which is right," the Tibetan spiritual leader told the conclave at Dharamshala where he established a government-in-exile in 1959 after fleeing Lhasa following a failed uprising against Chinese occupation.
Tibetan exiles after the meeting said they could initiate more radical protests and demand independence if China did not respond to the leadership's overtures. But they did not indicate a deadline, saying that would be guided by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan parliament-in-exile....
