How I did it: i didn't meet him, but i saw him speak in person today and was sitting just 50 feet from him. since i live in los angeles and don't have the means to travel to india in the foreseeable future, i am satisfied with this as a more realistic alternative to meeting him. he talked for about an hour and a half and it was truly amazing. he talked about cultivating compassion and was so hopefully. and humorous - he doesn't take himself too seriously which is simultaneously awesome and humbling. he answered questions at the end, some of which were bouncing in my head. i really wanted to ask him how he handles fear and uncertainty, and he addressed that in his talk - so i felt like i had gotten to talk to him directly. i felt so lucky to be there - if only everyone could hear his simple, common sense, compassion-based teachings, our world would be a much better place. 

Lessons & tips: keep an eye on his schedule (google it like i did). he'll be in the bay area later this year, and if you can affiliate yourself with the group hosting him, you may get to meet him. he came to LA on behalf of a children's charity, so many who work with the charity had the opportunity to have lunch with him yesterday. even if you don't get to meet him personally, i recommend seeing a talk... he is absolutely fascinating and so right on about the human condition. 

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Feb 21, 2010, 07:42PM PST | 0 comments | 4 cheers