Dinner with a Profound Leader

Something interesting turned me towards Meditation and Eastern Philosophy 25 years ago. At the age of 20, somehow, I was in the right place at the right time. A friend of mine says I live the good fortune of discovery and serendipity. While living and studying international relations in Geneva, Switzerland I took a weekend trip to Paris to see friends. At that time, the Dalai Lama was in Paris, and came to visit the family where I was staying.  It was a mesmerizing experience for me to be in his presence. I experienced true silence, a raised level of awareness and witnessed deep listening. I was captivated, my whole self was tuned into a field of calm presence. I took note of each flowing word of kindness. It was a peaceful and joyful sensation I have never forgotten. The exposure to such a profound leader at an intimate dinner table left a remarkable lasting impression and sparked my early interest in exploring meditation.