Dalai Lama Urges a Calm Mind and Compassion

 The Dalai Lama’s visit to Western Connecticut State University has finally happened, and people are already starting to think over what it means.

"It's great for Danbury," said Monika Nagarsheth, of Danbury, who went with her husband Shay. "It's great for the university. He speaks in a way that every human being can relate to."

The Dalai Lama emphasized maintaining a calm mind to achieve happiness.  There are too many people who have a self-centered attitude and do not care enough for others.  To achieve world peace, having compassion for others is vital. He spoke at Western Connecticut State University's O'Neill Center Thursday and Friday.

"It's a great honor for WCSU," said Deb Nolan, who attended Friday's lecture with her husband Mark. "This is a great opportunity the city had and the region."

 Kristi Sullivan, a woman who attended the show, said, “I found it very moving.  It was incredible that he was able to come here.  Things are shifting and people are becoming more passionate.”

 Christine O'Leary, a former social worker and a comedienne, said this visit signals it is time to end Danbury's inferiority complex.

"He didn't go to Sherman. He didn't go to Ridgefield. He went to Danbury," said O'Leary. "It's time for us to put away this 'Debbie Downer' on Danbury. Start Bragging, 'This is Danbury.'"

The Dalai Lama’s ideas on trust and forgiveness were themes.  He said that having and showing anger is a sign of weakness.  One should not let people hurt them; however, one should not keep negative feelings toward any person. 

     “It was inspiring.  I was glad to experience something so eye opening.  The energy coming from one individual to touch so many people is amazing.  I hope that His Holiness comes back to visit Western very soon,” said Melanie Lombardi, a 20-year-old volleyball player at WCSU. 

     19-year-old Heather Williams, a sophomore at WCSU, said, “The Dalai Lama coming to WCSU was a big deal.  His speech made me think about how I think and do things in my own life that I could change.  He was inspiring to all ages and religions.”

    (ED. Note: Jennifer Hogan, a student at Western Connecticut State University, contributed to this story.)