What is the Meaning of Life
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 the Dalai Lama's personal
staff; in the meantime he enjoyed the wondrous sights of the
Himalayas. The people of the countryside had welcomed him and he
was learning their language slowly. They had made it clear no
one got to talk to the 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 the matter with the administrator
he saw it didn't seem to be a positive factor that he had
studied Kant and Nietzsche or the convoluted Hegelian politics
of Fukayama. The administrator went on about clarity of purpose
and concentration or convergence with the harmonizing forces. It
was made abundantly clear that the 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 the red-capped Lama that he would pay any amount of money
(within reason) or work for the temple for a year. Nonetheless
the 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 the passing
of life; no matter what your choice will be, my son." The
administrator spoke softly as he rose from the lotus position
and re-arranged his red-orange garments. The young man sensed a
real wisdom in the 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 the length of time, and that the length of time
had little to do with the shortages of the Dalai Lama