Serendipity in the Shadows of the Himalayas: My Unexpected Journey to Mindfulness during Sabbatical
WELLNESS COMMITTEE
Al’ai Alvarez, MD FAAEM*
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eflecting on the past year, I frequently find myself thinking back to my sabbatical in Dharamshala, a meaningful retreat I earned through years of service at my institution. This reflection brings a mix of emotions. I take pride in my achievements, but also regret unfinished or failed projects, missed opportunities, and tasks from 2023 that remain incomplete. I also feel grief for lost loved ones and dear friends.
Unfamiliar with the process and relying on advice from new acquaintances in town, they suggested I sit behind the main gompa, a path known to be taken by HHDL. However, I reevaluated my initial seating choice and shifted to a location I assumed offered a better view, directly facing HHDL’s anticipated seating area. Unfortunately, this move placed me on the opposite side of his expected path, leaving me filled with a sense of regret and longing for what could have been. Despite this initial disappointment, I reminded myself that a few months prior to this, I never would have thought I’d be attending an event taught by HHDL himself and that this time last year, I didn’t even consider being in Dharamshala. This reminder brought a profound sense of peace, affirming that I was exactly where I needed to be. As HHDL’s teaching concluded, the procession resumed. This time, instead of returning to his initial entry point, he walked towards the elevator near my seat. Feeling a mix of excitement, gratitude, and awe, I watched him pass by, pausing to acknowledge and bless people. Observing his gestures, I whispered in amazement, “This is really awesome,” and the woman next to me tearfully chimed in agreement, “Yes. It really is awesome.”
Author meeting and receiving the blessing of HHDL.
Three months have passed since my return, but December’s looming deadlines make my time in Dharamshala feel like a distant memory. I recall the early days of planning this journey back in January, motivated by a desire to enhance my grasp of mindfulness and meditation directly from its daily practitioners, the Tibetan Buddhist monks. Also embedded in this aspiration was the hope of meeting His Holiness, the Dalai Lama (HHDL), considering Dharamshala’s importance as both the home of the Tibetan government-in-exile and HHDL himself. My journey to Dharamshala unfolded with a sequence of serendipitous events. One month prior to my trip, I discovered that HHDL would be teaching for two days during my stay in town. This exceptional chance required handling logistics in a language not supported by Google Translate. This process entailed arranging the necessary paperwork for background checks and securing the best seats a day or two before the event.
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COMMON SENSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
Weeks later, I had the privilege of attending a morning event with HHDL, culminating in a brief personal audience and receiving his blessing. As an agnostic who had not delved into Buddhism before, I found this experience deeply moving. Despite my personal beliefs, the unmistakable positive impact HHDL has made on numerous lives struck me, reflecting his extraordinary humanity and presence. On my final day in Dharamshala, an unexpected flight delay prolonged my stay. Throughout the past month, I had deliberately avoided emails to fully engage in my sabbatical. The delay led to a stream >>