My first meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in the ’70s in Dharamsala, India, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. I had been working in the Kathmandu Valley running courses for Westerners to learn Tibetan medicine, but during those years there were only a dozen or so Tibetan doctors who had escaped Chinese occupation. It was challenging to secure instructors at times, so my Tibetan teacher suggested we go speak to His Holiness to ask for support.
His Holiness looked me square in the eye, pointed his index finger and asked, "How do you propose to teach Tibetan medicine to Westerners?" I was all of 19. Trembling, I explained that the courses first offered a foundation in Tibetan culture and philosophy and an opportunity to learn basic meditation. The morning lectures given by the Tibetan physician and translated by a young missionary were later discussed and analyzed in a cultural context. Students were invited to observe treatments in a makeshift clinic, and those who wished could also receive care firsthand.
Stroking his chin, staring into the distance for what felt like an eternity, His Holiness finally turned his gaze back upon me and said, "Good scheme, very good scheme, I think we can help." That moment crystallized the vision for my life’s work in integrative medicine, which strives to bring together the best of modern medicine and traditional healing arts with cultural sensitivity.
I could have never imagined that 35 years later, His Holiness would come aboard the Hokule‘a to give his blessings for the worldwide voyage. Ingrained in my mind is the image of him standing on the deck, offering a traditional white prayer scarf to the crew Sunday. At his behest, a powerful Hawaiian wearing his malo climbed up the mast and tied it on. "Your bones are our bones," his native hosts affirmed as the scarf wafted freely in the trades.
As a candidate medical officer for Hokule‘a’s worldwide voyage, I learned that the foremost requirement of our rigorous training is heartfelt dedication to the canoe’s purpose and mission. Hokule‘a connects us to the ancestors and is at the center of the revival of Hawaiian culture and values. Like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Hokule‘a is an emissary that transcends national boundaries in the spirit of mutual respect among the many peoples of this earth.
"Different continents, different countries, different religions, they are secondary," he said as he reminded us that "we’re the same, you and me, mentally, emotionally, physically."
Both entities also carry an awareness that the planet we share is under a profound ecological burden, one we have created and only we can solve. On Sunday, after his talk at the Stan Sheriff Center, we all watched His Holiness warmly embrace a young child who was onstage with others dancing hula for him. We have a tremendous responsibility to each other, to our children and to future generations. Our greatest challenge is to foster sincere motivation to respectfully steward our natural environment and to live with wisdom and compassion in our relations.
This also applies to healthy business practices and perspectives. True wealth is not a function of hard assets, but of inner peace. Success in business depends so much on healthy relationships. According to His Holiness, "the only way to deal with problems is by logic, through reason, through the basics of dialogue."
Shortly after the blessing, His Holiness departed the islands, and Hokule‘a sailed for the Big Island, the first destination of its six-month statewide sail in anticipation of the worldwide voyage, which begins in less than a year. It was an amazing week for our island community. There is much cause for joy and much yet to do.
Ira Zunin, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., is medical director of Manakai o Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com.
