17 June 2011 (Photographs courtesy of Rusty Stewart/DLIAL)

His Holiness met with scientists at the Happiness Conference, addressed a luncheon for business leaders, blessed flood victims and spoke to thousands of ordinary people - all in one day. And he had pretty much the same message of love and compassion for everybody.

This, he did, by tapping into our inherent positive human nature and intelligence. “We are all human beings. We have the same desire and right to be happy. Today’s new reality is that we are all deeply interdependent, therefore it is our responsibility to care for each other.”

I think it is this logic and clarity of his message that resonates with all levels of our society. This must be the reason that 8000 flocked to the Botanic Gardens in Brisbane yesterday on a sunny afternoon to hear what the Dalai Lama has to say on life and living. Boy! Many opened their hearts and shared their worst fears.

Instead of worrying what would happen to her disabled daughter after her death, a woman asked His Holiness how she could live in the moment and enjoy being a mother. Another asked how one could embrace one’s own mortality. The most fortunate of all yesterday was a woman who has undergone nine brain surgeries. Sobbing, she wanted to know from the Dalai Lama how she could cope with her sense of isolation. His Holiness asked her to come on stage, gave her a warm hug and said the most remarkable thing. “As human beings, we have the capacity to share others’ suffering. You are not alone - you are one of the six billion human beings.” As he was leaving Brisbane the next day, he asked her to take his address and write to him about her condition. “Any complaint, you are most welcome,” were his parting words to her. The woman sobbed and smiled at the same time.

Travelling with His Holiness for the past ten days, I have witnessed many beautiful moments like this. What is special about him is he shows his love and compassion openly and effortlessly. He makes people around him comfortable by his simple gestures like holding their hands, looking into their eyes with a genuine sense of concern, readily accepting their request to take a photograph, asking them to join him on stage and sit on the same couch and having a good laugh.