that is the nature of the world

Apprentice I spent the first 32 years or so working out a reason to live. What was the point when people were being shot and blown up. Death and misery were a daily theme.

Lamas Yes. That is the nature of the world – it is just that some people become aware of it faster than others. Others try to hide from it.

Apprentice What made it worse was most of the people around me were oblivious – or were they?

Lamas A good question.

Apprentice It was a bit like the scene from Carry on Up the Khyber (sorry, best visual reference I could think of), when the officers were having dinner while the locals were shelling them. Rubble was getting in the soup but they just carried on as if nothing was happening.

Lamas Life can be like that.

Apprentice I abused alcohol and drugs before taking responsibility and making changes.

Lamas It is good that you have tasted some extremes. This could well be extremely valuable to you in terms of Vajrayana.

Apprentice These changes took place around my mid twenties and I put most of my new found energy and focus into work whilst searching for wider meaning in spiritual areas. Maybe this is also where the ‘personal process’ idea has some roots.

Lamas Yes – we can see that.

Apprentice Apologies if this was the dreaded emotional dump.

Lamas Think nothing of it. Emotions are nothing new to us. We are happy to be helpful – and as long as we are being helpful, we are happy. Actually we are happy anyway.