The Power of a Whisper

Or, what I learned from going to hear the Dalai Lama

I swear, that's him on the chair there!

I can’t even being to tell you all that the Dalai Lama said and have decided I won’t even try. His message was that by developing a sense of inner peace and calmness we can approach the world with trust and unbiased love and this is the way to peaceful families, to peaceful communities, to a peaceful world. I left feeling invigorated and optimistic and with a firm sense that I can make a difference.

What I wanted to share with you was what happened at the end, after the Dalai Lama finished speaking. We’d gotten to a late start and so as soon as he left the stage, some people started leaving. I’m sure they had places they needed to be; no snark, I’ve been there myself. However, there were three musicians on stage. I’m not sure who they were but one I believe was South African and had the most amazing voice (you can see him here) and another was a really good singer and had a drum and the third had some sort of flute. I really enjoyed the performance.

When it seemed like they were done playing, more of the crowd got up to leave and the flute player walked up to the microphone and started changing

Be Kind To Each Other

And people were listening, but gathering up their things and heading towards the exits and instead of becoming louder and more insistent, his voice got quieter and as it dropped to a whisper, everyone stopped and was still.

be kind to each other

And I think that’s when we finally really heard and it transcended beyond a platitude to become a real message, one that we would hold our hearts. The whisper told us, stop, pay attention, this is important. A whisper invites you in. A whisper keeps you in the moment.

I wonder how many times I have failed to get my point across by shouting instead of whispering.

Tagged as: Dalai Lama, Memphis

http://www.patriciaswisdom.com/ Patricia

Oh I so liked this post and your ideas…whisper is so lovely and music and then the Dalai Lama…what an event to share – Thank you
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..DIY* Healthcare Plan: Skin Care =-.
http://www.patriciaswisdom.com Patricia

Oh I so liked this post and your ideas…whisper is so lovely and music and then the Dalai Lama…what an event to share – Thank you
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..DIY* Healthcare Plan: Skin Care =-.
http://www.stickyfingers1.blogspot.com/ Tara@Sticky Fingers

I hear you loud and clear.
A wonderful code to live by or at least strive for x
.-= Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: The cost of pure joy? $10 (and change) =-.
http://www.stickyfingers1.blogspot.com/ Tara@Sticky Fingers

I hear you loud and clear.
A wonderful code to live by or at least strive for x
.-= Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: The cost of pure joy? $10 (and change) =-.
http://www.aweightlifted.com/ Marsha @ Green Mountain at Fox

I realized the power of a whisper when raising my children. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting it, too. Wish I could have been there with you!
.-= Marsha @ Green Mountain at Fox Run´s last blog ..Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes — One Meal at a Time =-.
http://www.aweightlifted.com Marsha @ Green Mountain at Fox Run

I realized the power of a whisper when raising my children. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting it, too. Wish I could have been there with you!
.-= Marsha @ Green Mountain at Fox Run´s last blog ..Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes — One Meal at a Time =-.
http://wildaboutlife.org/ brigid

We all tend to get into our own headspace, even after being to see a man like the Dalai Lama!! Its amazing how resilient we can be in our self importance.
A beautiful message
and one I will strive for
BE KIND TO EACH OTHER ……..seems so simple and definitely loses its power if yelled!!
Thanks
Brigid
.-= brigid´s last blog ..The Journey of a Serial Vegetarian =-.
http://wildaboutlife.org brigid

We all tend to get into our own headspace, even after being to see a man like the Dalai Lama!! Its amazing how resilient we can be in our self importance.
A beautiful message
and one I will strive for
BE KIND TO EACH OTHER ……..seems so simple and definitely loses its power if yelled!!
Thanks
Brigid
.-= brigid´s last blog ..The Journey of a Serial Vegetarian =-.
http://momgrind.com/ Vered – Blogger for Hire

Powerful post.

I agree, and by the way, I find it works exceptionally well with children.
.-= Vered – Blogger for Hire´s last blog ..A Warning Label for Retouched Photos =-.
http://momgrind.com/ Vered – Blogger for Hire

Powerful post.

I agree, and by the way, I find it works exceptionally well with children.
.-= Vered – Blogger for Hire´s last blog ..A Warning Label for Retouched Photos =-.
MadFab

The sounds of silence. Lovely.
MadFab

The sounds of silence. Lovely.
MadFab

By the way, I know we’ve talked about this personally, but I’m reminded of Ubuntu, which Rev. Desmond Tutu talks about with such eloquence. Your post comes at a time when I’m trying to be much more cognizant of living by that principle daily (hourly, minutely, secondly). Thank you for that reminder. I’ll carry it with me.
MadFab

By the way, I know we’ve talked about this personally, but I’m reminded of Ubuntu, which Rev. Desmond Tutu talks about with such eloquence. Your post comes at a time when I’m trying to be much more cognizant of living by that principle daily (hourly, minutely, secondly). Thank you for that reminder. I’ll carry it with me.
Times

Thanks for this. That’s the whole answer, isn’t it?
Simple, but so difficult.
I’d love to hear him speak some day.
Times

Thanks for this. That’s the whole answer, isn’t it?
Simple, but so difficult.
I’d love to hear him speak some day.
http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/ Barbara Swafford

Hi Tracy,

This is such a powerful message. It’s amazing how we can be heard better if we whisper, instead of shout.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..When Real Life Friends Don’t “Get It” =-.
http://bloggingwithoutablog.com Barbara Swafford

Hi Tracy,

This is such a powerful message. It’s amazing how we can be heard better if we whisper, instead of shout.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..When Real Life Friends Don’t “Get It” =-.
http://writingtoexhale.com/ jan geronimo

I’m reading this post in my reader, but I just have to come over to say my thanks for this wonderful post.

Love this line: I wonder how many times I have failed to get my point across by shouting instead of whispering.

Guilty. Okay, I own up. Gee, I’ve always thought I was just being passionate. That’s a good question to ask, “Am I communicating or am I just shouting?”
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Surefire – But Often Ignored – Trick to Superb Writing =-.
http://writingtoexhale.com/ jan geronimo

I’m reading this post in my reader, but I just have to come over to say my thanks for this wonderful post.

Love this line: I wonder how many times I have failed to get my point across by shouting instead of whispering.

Guilty. Okay, I own up. Gee, I’ve always thought I was just being passionate. That’s a good question to ask, “Am I communicating or am I just shouting?”
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Surefire – But Often Ignored – Trick to Superb Writing =-.
Times

Great post, Tracy.
“Be kind to each other.”
That is the whole secret, isn’t it? So simple, yet so difficult.
Times

Great post, Tracy.
“Be kind to each other.”
That is the whole secret, isn’t it? So simple, yet so difficult.
Pingback: Giving Good Loving To My Top Follow Friday People
http://www.tumblemoose.com/ George Angus

Hi Tracy,

The Dalai Lama has got some wonderful things to say. I just finished reading one of his books and he has an enlightened, practical way of looking at things. He certainly is one to be emulated.

George
.-= George Angus´s last blog ..Buzzing Around the New Blog of the Week =-.
http://www.tumblemoose.com George Angus

Hi Tracy,

The Dalai Lama has got some wonderful things to say. I just finished reading one of his books and he has an enlightened, practical way of looking at things. He certainly is one to be emulated.

George
.-= George Angus´s last blog ..Buzzing Around the New Blog of the Week =-.
http://ihatemymessageboard.com/ Tracy

Jan, that’s me, too. I can be very vocal in expressing my opinions and while I like to think I’m civilized about it and don’t shout people down, perhaps I am shutting down conversations before they start. It’s food for thought.
http://ihatemymessageboard.com Tracy

Jan, that’s me, too. I can be very vocal in expressing my opinions and while I like to think I’m civilized about it and don’t shout people down, perhaps I am shutting down conversations before they start. It’s food for thought.
http://www.projecthappilyeverafter.com/ Alisa Bowman

So true! Especially with parenting, I’ve learned that dropping my voice is a lot more effective than yelling. My husband never yells, but he has such an effective “stern” voice. Stops me in my tracks whenever he uses it.

Also love the message. I’ve been trying to live it, sometimes more successfully than others. That Dali Lama knows of which he speaks.
.-= Alisa Bowman´s last blog ..It’s official: I’m that soccer mom =-.
http://www.projecthappilyeverafter.com Alisa Bowman

So true! Especially with parenting, I’ve learned that dropping my voice is a lot more effective than yelling. My husband never yells, but he has such an effective “stern” voice. Stops me in my tracks whenever he uses it.

Also love the message. I’ve been trying to live it, sometimes more successfully than others. That Dali Lama knows of which he speaks.
.-= Alisa Bowman´s last blog ..It’s official: I’m that soccer mom =-.
http://www.adventurouswench.com/travel/ Adventurous Wench travel store

Wow! Things we always take for granted…
Our ears have grown accustomed to blasting noise around, loud music in earphones that we forgot the power of a whisper.

Is there a video of this youtube, somewhere?
http://www.adventurouswench.com/travel/ Adventurous Wench travel store

Wow! Things we always take for granted…
Our ears have grown accustomed to blasting noise around, loud music in earphones that we forgot the power of a whisper.

Is there a video of this youtube, somewhere?
http://ihatemymessageboard.com/ Tracy

Oh Adventurous Wench I am so glad you asked, because I looked on YouTube and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWSZvckJVng
http://ihatemymessageboard.com Tracy

Oh Adventurous Wench I am so glad you asked, because I looked on YouTube and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWSZvckJVng

The Power of a Whisper

Or, what I learned from going to hear the Dalai Lama

be kind to each other

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