She remembered her past life: Shanti Devi

(Sneaky Sushii) Reliving Past Lives by Helen Wambach

• Who was Shanti Devi? Proof of past lives

Dalai Lama live over the holidays (webcast)

Mara Schaeffer, Wisdom Quarterly

Here's hoping everyone's holidays are fun. For me this series of talks by the Dalai Lama is the best thing going. Enjoy the winter solstice, the Mayan New Age and, of course, "The Big Day" in India, a celebration of all religions.

• Webcasts: Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life"

Great seasonal/perennial teachings from the Dalai Lama with two sessions over four days to live stream or download (video/audio) later, Dec. 24-27:

• 8:00-10:00 pm PST and 11:30 pm-1:30 am PST 
• (9:30-11:30 am and 1:00-3:00 pm IST)

New Delhi carolers (Julie McCarthy/NPR.org)

This is really interesting for many who enjoyed the broadcasts of Pema Chödrön discussing Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" and/or her book: Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions. (DalaiLama.com/webcasts)

Parable: "No doors in our monastery"

"We have no doors in our monastery," Shanti said to the visitor, who had come in search of knowledge.

"And what about troublesome people who come to disturb your peace?" the visitor asked.

"We ignore them, and they go away," answered Shanti.

"But what do you do about stupid people," the visitor asked, "do you just ignore them as well?"

Shanti did not reply.

"I am a very learned man who has come in search of knowledge!" insisted the visitor, as he repeated his question. Seeing that he got no response, he decided to go and find a teacher who was more focused.

"You see how well it works?" said Shanti to himself, smiling.

Shantideva Quotes

• warriorofthelight.com
• Lotsawaschool.org
• Rinpoche.com
• Gaia.com