From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2008

I cannot possibly imagine the feeling of foreigners coming, taking my home away, and not allowing me to come back. And then, not even cherishing my home for what it is, but thoroughly destroying it. I battled a severe case of homesickness during trek, but if I truly wanted to, had every freedom and right to go home. This is nothing, nothing at all, compared to the feeling of the Tibetan people in exile.

The pain of the Tibetan people, I felt, and still feel. At the pit of this cold, hollow feeling in my chest, however, there ignited a tiny flame, which has grown exponentially ever since. There grew a real sense of urgency to do what I can as a privileged, free American to help those who cannot do anything and everything to help themselves. Tibetans in exile are not allowed back to Tibet. Tibetans within Tibet are under so much Chinese oppression that they would risk jail, containment camps, and death if they spoke out. The Chinese are destroying Tibet, culturally, politically, but most importantly to me, environmentally.

Just an hour ago, we ended a discussion with a woman named Chukyi-la. She works for the Government in Exile in the Environmental section of it all (again, I do not know proper names…yet, so bare with me). I was on the edge of my seat with the information she was feeding us. I was thoroughly interested, appalled, excited, and motivated. It is hard for me to explain all that I feel on this issue, partly because there is so much, and partly because I just exhausted every idea and whatnot in a discussion with Justin, Tracy and Peter right after our talk with Chuki. But, to sum it up, I feel, for the very first time, a sense of direction. I have found a passion that helps a vaaaaast group of people, and the world as a whole. I have found a career path. I have also found something that makes me feel, so deeply, and care for the survival of others, not just myself.

I am not quite sure what to make just yet of all that is happening in my mind and my heart, but it is vast, and it is vital, and it is fantastic.

And the best part… I am already doing everything in my power, right now, to help. I am learning. In living with a Tibetan family, in meeting with speakers every night, in just being here in Dharamsala, I am learning. And that is the greatest gift I can give as of yet.

Man, yea. Ok. This is very brief, this is not very concise, and maybe some, or a lot of you, will be thinking “What is she talking about…” but this is what has come out for now. Don’t worry, everybody back home, you will all get intense descriptions upon my arrival back in New York… As I am sure you are all anticipating. I miss you all, I love you all so much please know that. I hope you are all well, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. I hope all is good and calm and peaceful….

Especially because, oh yeah, we have a new president, by the name of Barack Obama.

All of my love,
Mirise.