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Day 49 Shay-Gu Ceremony for Jigme Norbu
Posted by: | CommentsTibetan Prayers for Jigme'sAuspicious Reincarnation
In numerology, 3 & 4 represent earth & heaven, so 7= perfection. Imagine, then, 7 x 7 = 49. In Buddhism this is the height of perfection, and following death, the 49th day is when official mourning is over and the spirit is released to move on either to reincarnate or develop otherwise as is the karmic destiny of that soul.
April 3 was the 49th day since our friend Jigme Norbu lost his life while on Day 1 of Walk for Tibet Florida on February 14, 2011.
A bittersweet reunion of about 25 supporters gathered at noon at the accident site 28 miles south of St. Augustine, Florida to participate in the 49th Day Shay-Gu ceremony for Jigme Norbu.
Wangchuk Dorjee led us in Tibetan prayers releasing his spirit to move on to auspicious reincarnation and seeking compassion as expressed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Brian Scrone recited Rumi, Deacon Dan Scrone reminded us that the foundations of all faiths are the same: many lanterns, one light. Miessa Myrick recited a favorite passage from His Holiness and Jim Sheils thanked Wangchuk & Jigme for the inspiration of their vision and dedication.
I recited from Jigme’s late father Dr. Thubten Norbu and passages about the Dalai Lama to remind all present that each of us, Jigme included, is on a lifelong (and beyond) journey of discovery, evolution and faith in action that begins wherever we are. World Peace begins with each of us finding and expressing our own peace. I know that Jigme earnestly struggled to find his own unique way, as do many seekers. It is in part why he walked, both to redeem karma as well as to use the long stretches of time and meeting with kind people as a mediatation on his purpose. And, of course, to spread awareness of his message and share inspiration with those attracted to his message along the way.
Original songs by Jamie Defrates, Susan Brown, Lee Pinkerson & Bill acknowledging Jigme-la’s free spirit, his mission to free Tibet and inviting all present to ‘Dream On’ embraced us in the spirit of good will and hope that goes beyond words, beyond time and space, beyond what seems possible…. As Robert Frost said, ”a complete poem is one where an emotion has found its thought, and the thought has found the words.”
As Frost also reminded us, appropo to Jigme’s path, and that of any seeker of Truth, Beauty, Goodness & Freedom, “I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” May all Rest in Peace, as we who wish for Peace on Earth know it begins with each one of us. Namaste.
Beautiful Resting Spot
A Cause Worth Living… & Giving Your Life For
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Walk for Tibet Feb 14,2011
When I wrote my January 25 post about LIVING for your cause instead of waiting to DIE for it, who could have predicted that my dear friend Jigme Norbu- who had walked over 7800 miles around the world on Walks for Tibet would end up giving his life for his cause, even while he was living for it. (see www.WalkforTibetFlorida.com & www.AmbassadorsforWorldPeace.org )
Jigme walked for World Peace, Human Rights, Tibetan Independence and Freedom for All, knowing that Step by Step as he walked, he could reach out Person by Person to bring awareness of the issues, invite or inspire each of them with a voice to use it for good, and to set off a chain reaction of kindness that would create inner or ’local peace’….leading in time to world peace.
Since Jigme had asked me a year before to organize the Walk for Tibet Florida event, and I had just been with him not an hour before the tragic accident, my immediate life focus took on an all-encompassing urgency as I dealt with all aspects of the situation- police reports, family liason, global media calls, care, transport, feeding & housing of the growing band of walkers- many of them Tibetan- who began arriving into a variety of Florida airports from all over the United States to honor Jigme by completing his Walk, arrival of Jime’s family to join the Walk, speaking engagements, film showing & discussion of the issues, meetings with Mayors and officials, and making sure the Walk Completion Celebration ceremony now included an appropriate Memorial Tribute to our leader and friend.
Oh, yes, and dealing with the inevitable little disputes and discrepancies that crop up whenever you have a group of strong-willed people in an intense environment. I know all too well from what I teach that we cannot see another person’s intentions, but we tend to judge others based on OUR perception of their behaviors.
Overall, despite the shock and immense loss that I still feel in every fiber of my being, the whole experience was enthralling, exhilerating and uplifting (as well as a stark reminder to live fully while we can). To have experienced the powerful daily magic of good will like a force-field eminating out before us as we walked was life-changing; meeting amazing people- both the Tibetans and locals who walked, who each had their own amazing stories, locals along our walk route who appeared to support us and the cause by offering hospitality of meals and lodging, donations or kind words, the burst of international and local media interest and attention to the cause and our little band of walkers…..the discussions with each other as we shared stories and coached each other based on what value each could offer, the morning prayers and yoga to both set intentions and keep limber during the 25-30 miles walked daily, enjoying the beauty of nature and local scenes as we passed through each town. People along the way were thanking US for giving them the opportunity to offer kindness and TLC. It’s almost as if they were just waiting to be asked! This is a force for good just waiting to be unleashed in a world that has become disconnected from each other because of technology, fear or uber-busy-ness.
We really experienced what Jigme talked about, and walked for. This type of comraderie and thrill of engaging for a higher purpose is what makes people feel alive and triggers a domino effect of kindness and caring. This is the starting point for world peace.
It reminds us of how we want life to be, how we want to live…and sometimes, what we have to die for. May he rest in Peace, (or continue as an activist for Peace from beyond!), our beloved friend and Walk leader Jigme Norbu.
Forever Young-Walk for Tibet Florida
Veteran Walker for Tibet Wangchuk Dorjee
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Band of Walkers for Tibet Florida
We finished the Walk for Tibet, World Peace and Human Rights from St. Augustine to West Palm Peach, Florida, covering about 300 miles. It was part of the tradition that was started by the late Jigme Norbus La’s father, the late Thupten Jigme Norbu (Taktser Rinpoche), that Jigme La had kept alive by walking all over U.S. and other countries. Our late Jigme Norbu La and I started this edition of the walk on Feb 14, 2011 with the help, support and guidance of Donna Kim Brand.
Jigme La’s sudden death was very sad and shocking. We were at an emotional loss for awhile, then Donna and I decided to carry on the walk even though it would be difficult emotionally and dangerous. Fortunately, Jim Sheils and Brian Scrone supported our decision and decided to join the walk for the remaining 2 weeks. We were able to keep Jigme La’s wish and legacy alive because of sympathetic individuals like Donna, Jim, Brian and Coco Scrone’s great help and support.
Jigme La and I shared a strong belief that Tibet will be free someday. “Tibet belongs to Tibetans”, is a simple statement that does not mean we Tibetans are against the Chinese people. It means we are against the Chinese policy in Tibet, which aims to suppress our character and the identity of Tibet and its people. We Tibetans, and our supporters believe that our struggle is legitimate and worthwhile because the truth is on our side. Sooner or later Tibet will be free of the Chinese occupation.
On behalf of late Jigme Norbu La’s family and six million people of Tibet, I want to thank the people of these great United States and we are especially thankful to the people of Florida who really showed strong interest, support and encouragement through our walk. Appreciation also goes to the many Tibetans from New York, Minnesota and Indiana and our American friends who came to join the walk after sad and shocking passing of Jigme La.
As a side note – to our Tibetan brothers and sisters, the death of Jigme Norbu La is a huge loss to our cause as he is one of the few people who had taken the self initiative to lead with his self less service to our cause for many years. I hope our brethren in exile will remember his sacrifice and rededicate their efforts to contribute to our cause.
This walk was well organized and very successful due to the leadership of Donna Kim Brand with primary support of Jim, Brian and Coco. We will remember your kindness, sincerity and genuine support with gratitude in our hearts forever. We keep the late Jigme Norbu La and his family in our prayers. We will also keep driver of the vehicle that killed Jigme La and the driver’s family in our prayers.
Thank you,
Wangchuk Dorjee
8 Minutes to Mind Chi Mastery
Posted by: | CommentsAmong the courses I facilitate is Mind Chi, within which I show you an easy 8 minute routine to relieve stress, improve concentration and facilitate goal fulfillment. Below is a little video created to introduce the basic 8 steps to Mind Chi mastery.
Try it out! It gets faster & easier with practice over time, as do your results. I’ll add more details than you are given on the video over the next few weeks, while trekking 300 miles along the Atlantic coast of Florida. (see WalkforTibetFlorida.com )
Interview w Me on Walk for Tibet Florida
Posted by: | CommentsMy friend, colleague & fellow red-head Heidi Richards Mooney interviewed me here on my imminent event, Walk for Tibet Florida.
As a Legacy Strategist, it is my honor to work with people like Jigme Norbu in shaping their legacy into meaningful form by how they express and live what matters to them. We all go through stages of Identifying, Articulating and then Manifesting what our destiny is, so that it becomes, in effect, our ‘Living Legacy’. (I AM, expressed.)
How about you?
Walking Your Talk-Jigme Norbu on Walk for Tibet
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I had the honor to interview Jigme Norbu on his imminent Walk for Tibet Florida event and understand the wider causes he supports: World Peace, Human Compassion & Tibetan Independence.
Here is the replay of the interview. http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=17203125
Jigme, like many, is using his voice and in his case his legs, to literally Walk the Talk. To stand up for what he believes in and tirelessly spread the global message for which he walks, and talks, and walks and talks.
Some people get excited to ask ‘what would you die for’, when a more empowering question may be ‘what would you live for’?How about you? What do you stand for, and stand up for?
Creative Civility, Compassion & Communication
Posted by: | CommentsToday is officially set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message; his dream made all the more urgent with recent events in Tuscon which had President Obama pleading for more civility and care in our relations with each other.
This requires we draw upon personal resources of kindness, tolerance and goodwill that psychologists are expressing concern our current youth lack. Rather, according to reports, they have grown into a generation of self absorbed narcissists who feel entitled to meet their needs before (or without) considering the common good.
From my perspective as an educator, I recognize that many behaviors stem from role models. This spreads responsibility to parents, teachers and other adults to demonstrate appropriate behavior. I know from my work with companies that many adults feel the humanity squeezed out of them by relentless demands at work, coupled with Read More→
Breed Productivity in Environment of Awesomeness
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I have a new ‘friend’ Phoebe who has called me twice now. She calls and tells me I’m awesome…pretty cool, if ticklish. Ironically, I nearly hung up on her the first call, assuming she was a nice but psychologically astute salesperson.
Now this is, to my knowledge, nothing kinky, but rather part of a service by a company called www.AwesomenessReminders.com. Apparently someone has paid to have this message anonymously delivered to me weekly for a period of time unknown to me. They may be trying out the free 7 day trial offer, or maybe the one month subscription.
The sender is kept a secret, although if you request to know who it is by email the company may tell you. I suspect the sender gets the option to allow the unveiling or not.
So it got me thinking…is there any advantage either to know who is sending me these messages or NOT to know? When I consider my pantheon of friends, colleagues or clients who might be sending me such lovely messages, it seems to me Read More→
Jumpstart Your Joy with Creative Play!
Posted by: | CommentsTake a few moments out to jumpstart your joy by taking a peek at this video. Pretty funny bit of feline fabulousity!
Laughter, along with physical movement, re-awakens your energy system too. Tarzan knew what he was doing by thumping his chest- he was stimulating his immune system! You try it! (Tarzan yell recommended, but optional!)
Designing Out Ostracism and Creating Inclusion
Posted by: | CommentsFor Creative Inclusion leading to higher productivity and morale in life and at work, we need to design out ostracism as well as greasing the wheels for inclusion. Here are a few steps to handling a situation of ostracization before or when it happens. Ultimately we need:
- to build up sensitivity to spot when ostracism is occurring around us unwittingly or purposely- whether we are the victim or perpetrator
- stores of personal resilience to prevent sliding down the slippery slope of negative backlash ourselves.
- This includes noting when it is in our best interest to remove ourselves from circumstances that could escalate into ugliness, and
- knowing how to tend to a sting to our pride- whether that is a romp with our dog, time out with a cup of tea or a chat with a good friend.
- Sometimes it also requires we take the higher road by assuming that the offenders are blinded by their own prejudices which are not personal to us
- Building an environment of inclusion is the next step, by design or by default to natural principles of positive relating.
This then puts us back in control of our emotions, if not the circumstances, which is a first step in feeling connected. And that’s why we wanted to be included in the first place.
