Never Give Up

By Rosanne Bane

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama encourages us to never give up

Last night I saw “The Buddha Prince: A walking play through the extraordinary life of His Holiness, the 14^th Dalai Lama” in Powderhorn Park. I wish I had seen it on its opening night, instead of its closing, because I would have urged you all to see it, too, even if it meant flying to Minneapolis on short notice.

Instead, I urge you to visit http://www.buddhaprince.org/ for more information about the play’s mission, touring options and a collection of marvelous photos that will give you a feel for the magic of this production. I don’t think anything but seeing and participating in the play will give you the emotional power of this production, so be on the lookout for opportunities to see it or even bring it to your community.

Today’s post is a quote, a message to you personally if you will, from Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama. It’s a message for all Americans, yet it seems to have a second meaning tucked inside for writers and other artists. I invite you to read it on both levels: as an American wondering what you can do to promote peace and as an artist facing resistance and wondering if your creative work matters to anyone outside your circle (even those of us who publish books, even those who publish best-selling books, have a relatively small circle compared to the whole of humanity).

Never give up.
No matter what is going on,
Never give up.
Develop the heart.
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind,
Instead of the heart.
Be compassionate,
Not just to your friends,
But to everyone.
Be compassionate.
Work for peace.
In your heart and in the world,
Work for peace.
And I say again
Never give up,
No matter what is going on around you,
Never give up.

– His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama