Despite his association with the likes of Richard Gere and other Hollywood elites, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama is still recognized as a pretty good guy with a great deal of wisdom to share. Based on his reputation, I recently picked up a copy of “Live in a Better Way,” which is a compilation of different reflections of the Dalai Lama himself.

I’m not a Buddhist, so the earlier chapters in “Live in a Better Way” didn’t apply to me as much as they would to those following the Buddhist faith. However, I’m glad that I kept reading because His Holiness has plenty of other little nuggets of wisdom to share that apply to everyone, regardless of their personal faith.



I especially appreciated the Dalai Lama’s statements regarding personal responsibility and the importance of affectation; according to the Dalai Lama, an infant can’t survive without affection. Children and adults need affection to thrive as well.



The Dalai Lama also suggests that the most intelligent amongst us have a greater responsibility both to themselves and to others because of their extraordinary abilities. He believes (perhaps naiively) that those who use their great intelligence to manipulate others for power and personal gain come to regret their actions eventually.



He believes that love and compassion are not moral issues or related to any particular religion, but are imperative for our growth as human beings. His Holiness the Dalai Lama further believes that true happiness must come from within and that it does not rely on external factors; again, I believe that his view is perhaps a bit naiive. If someone is hungry, lacks water, or basic shelter or is suffering from an addiction, it’s hard to argue the case that those external factors don’t significantly impact that person’s ability to be happy.



While I don’t agree with everyone that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has to say in “Live in a Better Way”, His constant plea for compassion from others is something that resonates strongly with me. I feel that a call for compassion should be a rallying cry within our society as I see people struggling while others seem almost oblivious to their pain.



His stress for a greater sense of social responsibility, especially for those who have the means or the intelligence to do so, transcends all faiths and political beliefs. I have a feeling that the Dalai Lama could be the best volunteer coordinator ever since President Barack Obama.



http://www.amazon.com/Live-Better-Way-Reflections-Happiness/dp/0670896713