Tibetan book reading

This is the worst photo I've ever taken--looks like a game of 3-card monte in the conference room of a Ramada Inn--but it's all I've got to chronicle today's event: a children's book reading at the Tibet Center.

I know what you're thinking: "Todd, you're always hanging out at the Tibet Center."

Samuel and I were invited to help read a series of children's books inspired by the ancient wisdom of--well, some ancient guy, and endorsed by the Dalai Lama.

(Side bar: How about a children's book called "You Can Pet a Dolly Llama, But You Can't Pet the Dalai Lama"? Or is that totally blasphemous?)

After the readings, everyone had to stand in a circle, hold hands (I got an old person instead of a toddler--eww!), and say "One thing I know is..." followed by some bit of wisdom like "The universe is peace," or "We are all one," or "It creeps me out to hold hands with strangers."

It was an interesting afternoon, and I hope they sell lots of books. As for me and Samuel, we remain uptight Western snobs out of touch with our inner karma. And I am at peace with that.