Completing the Task

Last night, I was watching His Holiness, the Dalai Lama on Fareed Zakaria GPS. Near the end of the interview, he asked the Dalai Lama directly about his next reincarnation. The exchange is interesting (read full transcript from CNN here);

"ZAKARIA: How will your successor be chosen? Because the Chinese government, as you know, claims that they have the right. There have been some reports that you may try to preempt the situation by actually initiating the process yourself.

DALAI LAMA: I made very clear that because of reincarnation -- the purpose of reincarnation is to carry the task which started by previous life. So logically in case I die outside (INAUDIBLE) some work not yet accomplished so that my resignation logically appear outside in free world, that's clear.

ZAKARIA: But do you think the next Dalai Lama must appear in the free world?

DALAI LAMA: Yes, I think. Why not? Look very purpose of reincarnation, not just for previous life's work -- must follow previous life's work, logically."

Reflecting on the words, if you consider what's said, it's a startling exchange, on many levels. In particular when H.H. The Dalai Lama said, "The purpose of reincarnation is to carry the task which started by previous life." He was so matter of fact and certain about it, that threw me off a little. For me, I've never thought about it deeply, except that a long time ago, I heard a teacher say, "You (e.g. personality) don't get to so-called reincarnate. What continues on, is your karma... your actions."

The obvious question on is, "Does that apply to me too? What is the task that I am trying to bring to completion? After forty-three years have I bonded and connected to that task or will I miss my appointment with it?"

Personally, I'd like to think that I'm making an effort to "complete my task." There's an old expression that I like from the Alcoholics Anonymous Program, "To thine own self be true." To so-called complete the task, it fully requires being true and honest with oneself and "following the signs," if you'll allow for he expression, so that we can notice the task and then complete it. That process requires me to observe, listen, be attentive and aware.

To get to that place of completing, we have to make some choices. Do I live and get by, squarely focused on "money, property and prestige," or some larger purpose with less tangible marks of success that society usually grades by? When I put it to myself like that, I don't actually care about so-called "reincarnation." What I'm interested in is fulfilling my purpose and take in this lifetime. The next, if there is a next will take care of itself.

As for H.H. The Dalai Lama, I do hope for the sake of all sentient beings that his work during and after this lifetime, continues forward. As Bassui articulated, "If you don't come to realization in this present life, when will you? Once you have died you won't be able to avoid a long period of suffering in the Three Evil Paths. What is obstructing realization? Nothing but your own half-hearted desire for truth. Think of this and exert yourself to the utmost."

My focus for today is to be diligent in working towards completion of my task.

Practice Well,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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