Man in the Mirror

Michael Jackson released a beautiful song in the 80’s that was deeply profound and incredibly meaningful. Not that “Bad” wasn’t moving, but “Man in the Mirror” had a clear message. It spoke of change, of taking responsibility, and often I find myself humming the lyrics to that song as it reminds me constantly of so many lessons. My friend Paul even managed to play this song for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Kalachakra (check out the link below to see it) A pretty amazing occasion. So many people came up to him after and commented that it was a perfect song for such an event as the Kalachakra was dedicated to world peace. And when we talk about peace, it doesn’t simply mean that the Obama’s of the world own it, although they certainly have a substantial amount of influence, but what His Holiness often teaches on is how we can take responsibility for our own worlds. We own our own peace; we can and should live a life with compassion for all sentient beings. 

This song is speaking volumes to me this week. Daily I walk the streets of McLeod and today I walked the Kora around the temple. In India you are always greeted by beggars, especially on the Kora as they know the score, Buddhists will typically give to them. I have become immune. I walk past the cripples, the limbless men and women, the blind man that can sense you as you walk past and will greet you with “Namaste”. The starving children, the mothers with their babies, the down and out and the destitute. I walk past, avoiding their longing gaze, their pleas for money. It is harsh, but when it is a daily occurrence you begin to protect yourself. It feels like the only way. Until this morning. I walked past the same man I often see, he is missing part of his leg, and a hand. He sits patiently in the cold each day, hoping for a few small coins. Today I looked at him. I saw his wounds, I saw the pain he must be feeling. I realised I have been avoiding doing this, as it is too much for me too bare. If you have been to a poor country, you will know the feeling. It is overwhelming. So you protect yourself, you look away, you don’t acknowledge that these people are hurting, they are hungry, they are cold. You can’t save all of them, so you don’t save any. The lyric from the song came to me “who am I to be blind, pretending not to see their needs?” I have been blind. Protecting myself. 

There as always someone putting their hand out in India

 In a community that is currently mourning, as people in Tibet continue to self immolate in protest to the Chinese, I am stuck for words at how the world can stand by and allow the persecution to continue. I am not well versed on the political situation, and don’t feel equipped to enter a debate on the issue, but when you live here, amongst the Tibetans, it is unavoidable. When I see the pain and anguish of my friends that have no country, I can not help but wonder if like me on my daily walk, the world is pretending not to see what is happening, protecting ourselves in our little cocoons of safety and security as “it is someone else’s problem”.  But in the words of the famous Mahatma Gandhi “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” - maybe Michael was on the same page as the great man himself -  I encourage you to take at least read about what is happening to the people of Tibet and decide for yourself, and rather than sit back and wait for someone else to do something, take a stand and show support.  

Can we Save Tibet?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QBsVcxFIARQ#t=2479s 

To see my friend Paul perform for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Kalachakra

http://unitednations4freetibet.com/unfft/ 

For more info on the situation in Tibet

And from Michael.....

I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go
That's Why I Want You To Know

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize

That There Are Some With No Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not Alone?

A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With Me