A young man in search of enlightenment had traveled to Tibet at great expense and more than a little consternation amongst his family and friends. It was a week before he was allowed to speak with a red-capped administrator of
Dalai Lama's personal staff; in meantime he enjoyed wondrous sights of Himalayas. The people of countryside had welcomed him and he was learning their language slowly. They had made it clear no one got to talk to Dalai Lama and ask a personal question unless they had waited a long time and shown proper respect and intent. His feeling was that a university graduate of philosophy with his Master's and a teaching certificate should be allowed some consideration. As he discussed matter with administrator he saw it didn't seem to be a positive factor that he had studied Kant and Nietzsche or convoluted Hegelian politics of Fukayama. The administrator went on about clarity of purpose and concentration or convergence with harmonizing forces. It was made abundantly clear that great man was kind and generous with his love and time; but that he was a man with many people to care for and guide towards their spiritual purpose. He told red-capped Lama that he would pay any amount of money (within reason) or work for temple for a year. Nonetheless conclusion reached was that he would have to contemplate his one question for five years! "I don't know if I can afford to waste that much time!"
"We are our own masters and I hope you appreciate passing of life; no matter what your choice will be, my son." The administrator spoke softly as he rose from lotus position and re-arranged his red-orange garments. The young man sensed a real wisdom in man and his response. He was impressed. Then he recalled a professor who had always seemed wise to him while he had taken his courses at university. He had a similar reaction to this man and knew it was more that he did not wish to argue about length of time, and that length of time had little to do with shortages of Dalai Lama’s time. Maybe he had approached whole thing too arrogantly and he could take another approach later.
"I feel your warmth and compassion in ways no one else has been able to touch me. I'm not likely to wait that long but I do enjoy country and will meditate on matter some before making any decision."
A month went by and he was becoming agitated and frustrated other than his studies at temple, where they had a lot of books. The local people weren't able to see logic of his arguments about his long studies in America. Some times he swore he would leave and other times he convinced himself that once he knew how to speak their language better they would agree he shouldn't have to wait that long. After a couple of months he got a letter from his girlfriend making it clear she wasn't coming to join his 'idiotic quest'. His father was equally dubious about merit of such a simple quest and felt it 'was more of same old need to be different', and wondered when he might 'grow up'.
During first year he learned language well enough to display his eloquent grasp of most things philosophical. The others, who had been waiting to speak with Dalai Lama when he got there, had all received their audience and none of them were disheartened by words of insight renowned man had shared with them. It annoyed him that everyone who was waiting to see Lama was getting to go ahead of him. He was homesick and enjoyed words of his mother who always seemed supportive, despite apparent lack of understanding from his father. Their letters always proved a highlight in whatever month they arrived.
"Am I allowed to go home for a week or two?" He asked restaurant owner who had become his friend.
"Clearly you have no commitment to your cause and aren't even on road to knowing what question to ask."
"I have many good questions in mind!”
"That seems to be your problem.” The man smiled as he served him a meal of his best vegetarian preparation. His son brought a glass of water and sat at young man’s table, as he often did.
"Chandra, what do you think I should do?" The young man asked child of six, in a half joking fashion.
"Don't patronize my son. He doesn't need any complex rationalizations to confuse his heart, please." The father spoke with a note of sharpness young man seldom heard.
"You know I value your son and his precocious nature. I hope it wasn't patronizing in any way!"
On his way to a railroad station while thinking about going home and knowing he would not come back if he left; young man stopped at his favourite pond with thoughts screaming through his mind. He could imagine what kind of response his father would give and it brought warmth to his cheeks. A hug from his mother would be great, but how could he quit. He knew his family wasn’t known to EVER do that. He thought about what his literary guru Jack Kerouac had written about case of sorrow, and waited until words of his friend had cleared his mind.
The moment seemed right for a cleansing ritual he had read about in one of books on Yoga. It was a delicious feeling as soil and seaweed moved between his toes while water from brook that fed pond brought new energy to pond past his legs. Logic and all reason in world couldn't give him purpose to continue his stay in this lush, pristine environment but then, a purpose came to mind. He would become an 'expert' on Eastern religion and read all books in nearby temples. Surely there was more to it than all this 'busy-mind' or 'sangsara' stuff. He was smiling broadly without intent as he returned with his knapsack to room above restaurant.
"You seem a lot more relaxed today, my friend. Did my words have anything to do with it?" His friend asked with a sense of pride.
“Yes, but not in way you might think. I have determined to learn all there is to know about Lamaism and other Eastern philosophies."
"That will not be possible unless you find Nirvana, in your soul."
"I am already well on my way, I assure you... You can ask me any question and test me, if you like."
"Let me think about that… I should be able to come up with a good one for you. The mental aspects of knowledge aren't all there is, you know.”
The next day while he was having dinner after doing a little tour guide work for an English couple, restaurant owner listened as his son asked: "Do you believe in destiny?"
