An Ignite Moment with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

BY LADY JB OWEN

We all have those moments in our lives that define and redefine us. Those pivotal, magical, profound moments that inevitably spark something new. I like to call them Ignite Moments™.

For many of us, our Ignite Moments are ground-breaking, almost earthshattering, as they shift our thinking in such a way nothing will ever be the same. If you ask a person what that moment when everything changed was, they can often remember it right down to the second. They know precisely when their life was ignited toward who they were destined to become.

We all have Ignite Moments, many in fact. When it comes to work, relationships, faith, parenting, health, and happiness, most of us have a time in our lives when something unfolded so precisely that it ignited a whole new version of ourselves.

Although many Ignite Moments are challenging and difficult, they all have a silver lining. They are laced with wisdom and infused with learning that becomes the ignition point toward something powerfully new.

Recently, I had an Ignite Moment.

I was sitting in Dharmshala, India, waiting to meet His Holiness, the XIV reincarnated Dalai Lama of Tibet. I had been waiting seven months for this meeting, and many things had to unfold to have that meeting occur; background checks, numerous emails, appropriate paperwork, and a deep understanding of why I needed to meet Him. My mission to Ignite Humanity™ had to be explained, and the effort I was making to achieve such a goal needed to be understood.

A year prior, still under the effects of the pandemic, I noticed a fearful fog in the attitudes of my three teenagers. They each showed signs of uncertainty, concern, and a lack of hope for their futures. They were burdened by the prospects of what the world was going to be like as they stepped into adulthood. Despite my continuous efforts to soothe their concerns and assure them of brighter days ahead and greater opportunities, they felt concerned and worried that life would never be the same.

I will admit, in my mind, I also felt life would never be the same, yet I chose to believe that the effects of the past two years were the beginning of something better. I decided this was the ignition point of new possibilities, a brighter future, and a chance for humanity to come together and improve our conditions for a better world. I felt that from hardships comes great growth and inner fortitude.

In a moment of optimism, I Googled™ women igniting humanity. I wanted to find which woman was doing her best to uplift humanity and inspire global transformation. To my surprise, I found no one. Not a single post on the search engine recognized a woman igniting the planet. I could see references to men hailed as igniting a difference, but nothing was listed about a woman inciting a massive change for humanity.

That night I went to bed feeling frustrated there wasn’t a woman making that kind of impact, or somehow it wasn’t listed. I had to ask myself, why wasn’t there a woman committed to igniting humanity? Who was going to step up? Who would make it her mission to Ignite hope, change, and a greater experience in everyone? What female leader was willing to ignite positive change not just in some people but in ALL of humanity?

That was the beginning of an Ignite Moment smoldering, kindling, and becoming a roaring fire within me. I awoke the next morning hearing a voice that said, “the woman to ignite humanity is you!”

As an entrepreneur for the majority of my life, when I see a problem, I want to find a solution. I look for creative and collective ways to work toward solving or improving things. Before I knew it, my mind was racing with ideas to help and use my words and resources to make a difference in Humanity. That decision sparked the next idea and then the next, and before I knew it, I truly felt like I was on fire!

Soon enough, I was making phone calls, lists, spreadsheets, and plans on ways to ignite each and every person on the planet. I began thinking of what it will take to bring our hearts and minds together. What is the one thing all people have in common? What is something we each can connect with and relate to that transcends our differences?

I knew immediately it was Ignite Moments. No matter our nationality, background, or religious beliefs, we all have an Ignite Moment. And it does not matter if you live on the street or in the Taj Mahal, poor or rich; your Ignite Moment matters.

Within seconds I knew that Ignite Moments would speak to hearts, awaken minds, and allow us to truly understand one another. As the idea grew in proportion and the need felt critical, I asked myself who else was bringing people together; without any prodigious or limitations. Who speaks to all people and is raising the consciousness amongst all nations? I immediately thought of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

They say when you know, you know, and when you are called, you must answer the call. Sitting in a beautiful courtyard on a sunny day in November, I awaited my Ignite Moment to meet His Holiness and share what I was called to do. To ease the butterflies in my stomach, I closed my eyes, took in the smells of the blossoming flowers, and turned my face toward the shining sun.

Many moments had accumulated to get me there, and many moments had transpired to bring me to that exact spot with my mission blooming in my heart. I kept playing over in my mind what I was going to say; how I would explain my desire to Ignite all of Humanity.

When my time came to meet His Holiness, it was both powerful and humbling. Holding His hand, I felt solidified in my purpose and capable of achieving all I envisioned for a greater, more peaceful humanity. I felt the compassion, connection, and collective desire within His Holiness gifted to me. And I knew at that very moment that everything I wanted to accomplish was waiting for me to achieve it.

What I wanted, wanted me. Humanity wanted me to be determined, brave, and resolute. Humanity needed me to be focused, strong, and devoted. That was the defining moment that confirmed I needed to do everything possible to ignite not just myself but all of the people on the planet, including you.

Inside of you is a desire sparked by an Ignite Moment from your life. Somewhere in your journey, you have been dealt a handful of cards that you get to decide how to play. You get to choose how to think, act, and what to believe in. You get to take what has been given to you and decide how to make a difference in your life and then the lives of others.

We all have a stake in where humanity is headed. We each have the possibility to impact change, create solutions, and give all that we can. As someone who wishes to ignite the planet, I ask that you join me in igniting others because when you ignite your dreams and desires, that will ignite someone else.

When you live in your greatest potential and go after your mission, you inspire others to do the same; you ignite them! I believe Ignite Moments will heal humanity if we each use our Ignite Moments to nurture ourselves, our communities, and our countries, to create deeper connections, collectively, with care and compassion for the future of all of humanity.

Share your Ignite Moment with others and find the lessons and blessings within them. Let them not define you but refine you and allow them to be the catalyst for you to become the greatest version of yourself. You being you will ignite someone else, creating a ripple effect that will truly Ignite Humanity.

About the author:

Lady JB Owen is a fearless female leader who believes in the power of empowerment. Her true focus is on helping others, which is why she started Ignite Publishing™, the leader in empowerment publishing, in 2019. She is a world-class speaker, 20-time bestselling author, and powerful business owner committed to raising the planet’s vibration and Igniting the lives of every person on the planet.

Motivated by the opportunity to assist individuals in breaking through their limiting beliefs and experiencing their own Ignite Moment™, she aims to change their perspective and positively alter the course of their life. She was knighted by The Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen as Lady JB Owen for her entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors.