Michael de Laine

By Michael de Laine, The Copenhagen Voice, 30 May 2009

Today I shook the hand of the Dalai Lama – or, rather, he shook my hand.

His Holiness is visiting Denmark again and my brief personal physical contact with him was at a news conference held at the Hotel D’Angleterre early this morning.

This modest man, dressed in simple red monk’s clothes, exudes serenity. He is quiet-spoken – unless he breaks out into a laugh, which he does suddenly, or when he discovers that he is running late, which leads to a loud “Oh, I must be elsewhere.”

Both occurred during today’s news conference, which was short statement followed by a question-and-answer session – see and hear the Copenhagen Voice recordings.

The Dalai Lama spoke of developing and possessing an inner calm and beauty, perhaps more valuable and certainly cheaper than external tingle-tangle bought with hard-earned cash, of living in a world where political realities are not necessarily what the people desire.

Yet what the Dalai Lama stands for as a religious figure and as the figurehead for Tibetans who do not live in what should be their home country because of the overwhelming influence of China means political, church and business leaders, as well as ‘ordinary people’, want to meet him – sometimes in private, as some politicians will do to avoid problems with China, sometimes publicly.

And the aura around him infects you – perhaps this almost indescribable feeling is what the followers of Mohammed and Christ felt those hundreds of years ago. Combine this aura-infection with meditation and I can understand a little how people of faith (whichever one it is), true believers, can find an inner calm in a stressful life.

It is difficult to say whether the Dalai Lama’s aura really stems from his humble spiritual life, his knowledge of being the chosen one, or is marketing hype over the years in a long-draw-out battle with the Chinese.

But, as I say, it infects you. I left the news conference with a smile on my face, happy and chatting.

I shook the Dalai Lama’s hand – the feeling of being with him rubbed off on me, stuck with me for a little while.

Maybe it will leave a permanent impression, who knows.