Dharamsala | Meeting Delai Lama

As you can imagine I met many, many people during my travel around the world. Nothing compares however to meeting Dalai Lama - the man I respect and admire like no one else for his contribution to peace, the world and humanity in general. I dedicate this part of my travel blog to him.

Dalai Lama encounter wasn't the longest or most adventurous but the most memorable and spiritual because it was a fulfillment of my dream. After all how often do you meet with Noble Peace Prize Winners which his Holiness Dalai Lama - the spiritual leader of Tibet is? I have repeatedly tried to schedule an appointment via email with Dalai Lama secretaries, unsuccessfully unfortunately. Not giving up I decided to meet the secretary personally. That's why I made Dharamsala a focal point of my travel to India.

My invitation was as follows “Be here at 12 :30 in front of the office of the government in exile; we will take you inside the residence and you can meet the Dalai Lama for several minutes. Understand that this won’t be a private audience; it will be a very informal meeting.”

I was afraid I will not be able to speak. But the whole meeting came in the relaxed atmosphere. Dalai Lama asked about my hitchhiking travels, where I started and I gave him a quick summary of what I'm doing. The secretary added that I lecture in schools and universities along the way and that I help spread Dalai Lama's message of 'universal responsibility.'

I received a white silk scarf (kata) as a gift which symbolizes purity of intention in the Tibetan tradition. This was very magical to me. So was the handshake we exchanged.

NO doubt I will remember this short but intense meeting forever.