I had the wonderful opportunity of hearing the Dalai Lama at the University of Portland on Thursday! What a gift! Though my untrained ear missed many of his words, his presence, his manner and engaging respect, pure interest and acceptance of everyone spoke eloquently of his care and oneness with human beings everywhere.
At one point in the day-long conference, he stopped for a moment and said, “if the Buddha was here I would be asking him what to do about the global issues. But he isn’t here. So I have to think about these things myself and trust what comes to me in here (pointing to his heart).” I thought YES, this is what disciples do. What other choice do we have if we are sincere and authentic but to ponder our questions then continue walking toward our answers on the path of our own integrity?
This is what the disciples of Jesus faced when he left them gazing into the heavens where he vanished into thin air. They had depended on him to continue teaching and answering their questions since he was continuing to appear to them. They expected him to step into the Messiah’s role and free Israel from Rome’s captivity. It was all different but somehow also the same as before he died. So they had no real thought of taking on the work he’d begun, especially without HIM. They saw themselves as followers, not as healers and teachers with authority of their own.
Jesus and the Buddha had to leave so their disciples could fully live into their own calling, their mission and potential. All of us must learn to live from that place of integrity within in order to become who we are meant to be, and carry forward God’s intention of a world and a people at one with each other, with all of creation and with the Creator.