Dalai Lama visiting Emory this Weekend

The XIVth Dalai Lama is in town this weekend to accept a professorship at nearby Emory University. The Dalai Lama is the secular and religious leader of the Tibetan people and continues to strengthen his long-standing relationship with the Emory-Tibet Partnership.

So, why would a cycling blog post about the Dalai Lama? I'm glad you asked ;-).

Key to the Dalia Lama's teachings are the concepts of compassion and tolerance as paths to achieving lasting happiness. We are reducing conflict and strife in the world by improving our ability to give others a little more space. Like all big changes, world peace requires small steps.

Compassion and tolerance doesn't mean we can't bump into each other or that we don't compete for the same resources, but it does mean we face our conflicts with the human capacity to reason rather than responding with anger. If we treat our adversaries as if they do not deserve to pursue their own happiness, then we cannot find peace. Only by using our higher human capacities -- reason, compassion and tolerance -- can we treat our adversaries with the respect we would like to be shown. In this manner, we avoid strife and find peace.

On my daily commute, many negotiations over the use of the roadway occur. Each is an opportunity to display either an understanding of the right to pursue getting to our destination on time, or an opportunity to react poorly and with anger. By controlling our anger, we allow ourselves to walk in our fellow man's moccasins, and realize they are seeking the same happiness we seek.

Sometimes we find people whose skills are not as developed as we would expect. Should we take this opportunity to increase their skills? This is tough, because I know myself that I am not always receptive to improving my skills. We learn at our own pace and a compassionate environment increases that pace.

Cycling affords more and better opportunities to practice. Two drivers in automobiles are isolated by their cages. The cyclist is out there in the open and the interaction is open as well. Cycling is a better opportunity to use our higher human capacities.

Fortunately, when I ride my bike, I'm in such a good mood that compassion and tolerance come easy. Even getting drenched during a rainstorm when a motorist splashes a puddle up my nose brings a big smile. (It is pretty funny, after all.)

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 17.7
Number of Cyclists seen: 11 including chainstretcher who I have seen on every commute since last Wednesday.
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH
Out-bound Route: Emory via Clifton
Weather: Raining in the morning. Only two cyclists (both looking very serious) on the inbound trip.