Seeds of Compassion: His Holiness the Dalai Lama + Dave and Tim - Key Arena (Seattle, WA; Apr. 11)

Only after re-arranging my work schedule three times, hearing co-workers lament “I’m jealous, that’s so cool you are going,” and explaining to one of the four-year olds I work with, “He’s a special man, not an animal,” did I finally find my seat among a packed house for a Seeds of Compassion event with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After several introductions from various organizers of the event, an extra-twitchy, obviously nervous Dave Matthews opened the informal discussion with a question about the relationship between compassion and music by proposing that music is a way to enhance compassion beyond mere words alone.  His Holiness, sporting a red visor tilted sideways, answered in the style of a true philosopher, referring in more abstract terms to the difference between learning through the head and feeling with the heart.

Reporter Anne Curry addressed several question to His Holiness as well, at one point asking, “How, in the face of all the suffering we see on TV and in the world, can we look within ourselves and have compassion for these people? I don’t think we want to look because its so hard to see what is happening in Darfur and Tibet and all of these places.” [paraphrased] His Holiness, after occasionally conferring with his interpreter, discussed reflection and compassion for oneself that can then lead to the most difficult task of compassion for one’s enemy. Matthews at this point chimed in that he has several good friends who had once been his rivals and later became his best friends, perhaps because of the journey it took to overcome his notion of them as different and realize they were much more alike. His Holiness also stated that we need values of goodness and a sense of right to become more compassionate individuals and that this comes through faith. He recognized that while, historically, this has come through religion, it can and may need to come through a more secular channel in order for everyone to practice compassion in today’s world.

On a larger scale, the discussion turned loosely political when His Holiness responded to a question from Curry about where he sees us moving and his optimism for the future. He summarized several centuries by noting that we are moving away from a history that began with a fight for mere survival, moved to a society ruled by those with power and progressed to a society focused on knowledge. Now, he said, we may enter a new era, where we must focus on ethical concerns and let these issues be a deciding factor. His short answer for how to find a compassionate leader? “Well, females tend to be more intrinsically nurturing, more compassionate. We could use some women in leadership roles.” [paraphrased] As you can imagine, this drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

I would guess that the at-times halted progress of the translation—His Holiness responded mostly in English but at times paused to clarify with his interpreter—and the necessary rephrasing of an idea or question left some of the audience (dare I say those really there for the Dave and Tim show) confused or distracted from what was occurring on stage. Nonetheless, I felt quite grateful to have been part of this event, admittedly to have been able to see the Dalai Lama in person and also to have contributed to such a positive cause.

Attempting to make my way out to the restroom and to get some food, I had to summon my own compassion, or maybe it was just patience, trying to wade through the enormous crowd waiting for beer and snacks in the crowded walkways outside the arena to repress my urge to comment, “Wow, you need a beer that badly?” Still, the throng remained relatively respectful and the break did give me time to discuss and make sense of what wisdom His Holiness had to offer.

Oh, and then there was several hours worth of concert.

I missed the very beginning of Death Cab for Cutie’s surprise set returning from enjoying our first day of spring outside, but followed along through the rest of their acoustic set, particularly enjoying the presence of a real piano. They played a new song, “Talking Bird,” along with several older tunes. I found their closing song “Soul Meets Body” a fitting topic in the presence of a spiritual leader.

And then Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. What to say about a man and duo I used to listen to constantly but have scarcely listened to in the past 5 years? A few quick thoughts. I still love the combo of the two: I love Tim’s presence and his ability to make it sound as if more than 2 men are sitting on the stage. I was thrilled that he drew some of the largest cheers of the evening with his solo work and flourishes. Dave still does his odd banter to himself—rhetorically?—and a slightly better behaved than usual crowd laughed at every joke he threw out. I was particularly hoping for, and pleased to hear, “Cry Freedom,” a song about humanity that I believe was inspired by Matthews’ time living in the presence of South Africa’s apartheid. Their standard cover of “The Maker” was another favorite—I really love what Dave’s voice brings to the lyrics, although I miss the raw sound of the Lanois original. My favorite story was Dave recalling walking on the beach with his daughter beating his head composing one of his latest songs, inspired by the bushman of Africa. When it was over, I was both entertained and slightly nostalgic for a period when I would have been just like the girl next to us, a huge grin on my face through the whole show. It was a different experience to be somewhat objective of someone I used to be so familiar with. For example, I lamented at the time that an inside arena venue is no place to “look up at the sky” in comparison to the open expanse of the naturally beautiful Gorge amphitheater. Overall, however, I was very happy I was able to attend this event and I admire Dave Matthews for being the philanthropist he is.

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