Here are a 30-year old airline ticket and boarding pass; the name shown is my given family name. That was the first time I ever flew with my guru H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche. What a joyful time! Today, I’m flying again but alone. All the teachers will eventually leave us. So, be grateful and treasure them all.

A neuroscientist and I discussed the relation between the brain and consciousness. His view is that, based on the current research, the brain alone cannot explain the nature of consciousness for two reasons: first, so far the brain has proven too complex to understand it fully, and second, it has been found that in reality there are some mental phenomena that cannot have been produced by the brain.

The second time I was at the University of Virginia, I had discussions with three scientists, Dr. Jim Tucker who researches reincarnation, and two others who research near-death experiences and paranormal phenomena. Dr. Tucker said he has more and more faith in his research findings, believing that there exists spiritual world besides the physical world.

Here, I come searching for the true self, whose friendly, real face that I so wish to see, as I grow weary of this virtual self!

I spoke to a group of medical professionals at a California hospital about how to cultivate loving-kindness and compassion. A great deal of scientific research done in the U.S. has shown that such training is greatly beneficial for both medical personnel and patients. This is why some hospitals try to introduce the Dhyana (Zen thinking) of compassion in their medical treatment systems.

The old church added something new, thanks to God’s accommodation.

In my hand is a real human brain. A few years ago, a lady donated her brain for scientific research. The brain is a tool of consciousness. That is, consciousness uses the brain to sense the outer world. Consciousness is analogous to a computer user while the brain is the computer; the two are not one and the same. So far, there has not been enough scientific data to back up the idea that consciousness comes from the brain.

Meditation is very popular among people in the U.S. and other Western countries. While the source of their meditation practice is Buddhism, nowadays Buddhists and non-believers alike practice meditation, and even children in the primary schools have started to meditate. Mostly, their purpose is to maintain a healthy mind.

I believe that Lord Buddha’s wisdom can provide a great many people with the feeling of resplendent sunlight shining from within. Thank you, Seattle, for the bright sunshine. Each time it lets me see you at your most beautiful.