“When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find ways to do it.” – Dr David Schwartz
Ever had a vision for a project you are working on but you had no idea how you were going to make it happen? Or experienced a knock back yet still believed you could do it as you held true to your dreams?
We have recently completed our trailer video for our tours to visit the Dalai Lama in Indiaand there is a wonderful tale of unexpected magic behind it that we hope will inspire you to believe in the purpose of your life’s work as you make it happen piece by piece.
Upon creating these tours I was faced with the realisation that video was an essential way of communicating what we do to the world at large yet I had no resources or ability to deliver it myself. I also learned that getting a travel writer to accompany us on a tour can give great media coverage too so when I found the person who could do both I can assure I felt very excited! With the offer of our very own youtube channel and exposure in a leading publication expectations were high.
However little did I realise that I was walking into a situation where strong willed business people would view my tour as a first class ticket to India so they can work on other projects rather than a means to help others improve their lives and all the delicate considerations that essentially go with that. Hell bent on getting the free ride I was faced with an agent who was determined to fill my tour with everyone and anyone she could get her hands on by her specific date. My natural instincts was to recoil and remove our tours from this unfortunate situation and upon doing so I was threatened with unfounded legal action which only confirmed my suspicions all that more.
Suffice to say I was a reluctant to follow that path any further and gave up on the idea of involving the media for the time being. But what I did not give up on was the idea of a video for our tours. As a regular attendee of my local Buddhist centre in London I am privileged to be part of a wide community of talented and openhearted people. The Dalai Lama says his religion is kindness and from my firsthand experiences of a Buddhist community in action I would say that sums it up quite nicely. So why do I say that? I discovered that one of my friends Chico at the centre was a professional filmmaker and photographer who was willing to come to India to do a video. Money was the next hurdle and one that was impossible for me to jump over at that point in time so I parked that dream in the back of my mind but little did I know what magic was about to unfold.
The next time I was in India on one of my tours I received an unexpected email from Chico telling me he would be arriving in Dharamsala, the place of ourspiritual tours in India, in two days time on the overnight bus. He had spontaneously decided to take a pilgrimage to India to attend teachings by theKarmapa and to shoot footage for a documentary he is making on Akong Rinpoche which meant he had all his camera equipment with him. Two days after his arrival he told me he had a business proposition for me and consequently offered to shoot a video for our tours at a price that could only be described as the best ‘mates rate’ ever! Needless to say I jumped at the chance and the following day we found ourselves climbing up the hills of Dharamsala in the wee hours of the morning with all the camera equipment in tow.
In the making of this movie the luck I had encountered by the arrival of Chico continued to be on our side all the way through. Chance meetings with local Tibetan people that we knew meant we got access to all the areas we needed to film. Yet as we wove our way in and out of the Tibetan culture from behind the camera lens a certain cultural sensitivity was needed. The Tibetan people are shy upon first meeting yet incredibly curious and welcoming underneath it all. So a balance was necessary in how we approached each and every situation, which Chico being on the spiritual path himself was able to do naturally. Upon reflection on this I realised that had I gone with the initial filmmaker I had found the video may not have captured the magic of this sacred place so well.
As upsetting as it was to have the bad experience with the original media team, by not getting attached to them being the people to help me and having the courage to say no when it took a turn for the worst what I got in the end of it all was real magic. A beautiful film at a price that worked with a conscious producer who has now become a dear friend.
So for those of you working on your own dreams I would say this. Believe in what it is that you are doing, let go of what your ego thinks it should look like and listen to the wisdom of your heart for guidance rather than the voices of those who perhaps don’t understand what it is that you are doing in the first place no matter how loud they seem to shout.
And here is the completed video…enjoy!
An enchanting video that brings to life the magic that awaits you on our Tibetan Path Tour to Dharmasala, India. Hosted by Tibetan monks who take you to attend public teachings by the Dalai Lama and then we go on to do a 10 day meditation retreat. To book or learn more about this tour you will find us at www.spiritualquestadventures.com.
If you would like Chico to help you with a film you will find him by clicking here.
