A Lifetime Experience: Meeting the Dalai Lama

Each week, a notable person in the community tells what's on their mind. Dr. Deb Carlin, Partners In Excellence, LLC has the most unusual story to tell.

A few weeks ago I was invited to meet one of the greatest leaders in our time today. A global peacemaker, inspirational trailblazer, and respected diplomat; yes, I met the Dalai Lama. To say it was an awesome experience is an understatement. When you sit in the presence of greatness, you can only hope to absorb at least a fraction of his teachings.

One core practice that I learned from my time with the Dalai Lama is that he insists on a calm mind. There is nothing positive that results from frenetic, not in the long run. It is with calm that we see with wisdom, experience, intellect, clarity, and heart, from which good decisions follow.

To calm the mind is easy; carve out time for yourself, even if it is only moments. Be quiet, think, breathe, and control the direction of your thoughts. I first learned this practice from Dr. Herbert Benson, a world-class cardiologist at Harvard who created The Relaxation Response – he westernized the Buddhist exercise. I’ve taught this technique to thousands of people from executives, to educators, to law enforcement, and healthcare professional.

The outcomes are consistently productive – for the mind and for the body. Train your mind and you might just say goodbye to high blood pressure and headaches alongside anxiety and anger.

Once you learn this technique, it becomes second nature and others take notice, feeling they are in the presence of something unique.

You’ll find credible tools on our website to help you access your calm mind at www.drdebcarlin.com.