The Tibetan Monk

A couple of years ago when I was working at the Dunlop Art Gallery, I had the honor of meeting and working with a Tibetan monk named Lobsang Sampten.
He was doing a sand mandela at the Dunlop as well as leading a two day retreat at a place outside of Regina.
I went on the retreat and brought my mom as a mother's day present for her.

It was a Tibetan Buddhist retreat and when we first arrived, we were told it would be as close to a silent retreat as possible (meaning you talk only when you ABSOLUTELY have to). We were also told it would get up everyday at 7:00am and that we would meditate almost all of the day.
I actually didn't think I would be able to go through with it. I had never meditated, let alone gotten up at 7:00am before. I couldn't imagine going to bed early and not going out for two whole nights.
But, needless to say, it was one of the best experiences of my life. It will sound cheesy to anyone who has never met a Tibetan monk.
Lobsang was one of the sweetest, most loving people I had ever met. Something about his eyes and smile completely melted away every cynical and sarcastic tendency I have within me.
Lobsang was an example to me in his patience and acceptance. He had opinions and like just as everyone else does, but he always gave a feeling of acceptance to everyone around him.

The retreat was great and the sand mandela he did at the gallery was beautiful and inspring to the people who came to see it.
Another reason why the Dunlop Art Gallery should not close.
How many people in Regina would have been able to meet a Tibetan monk and see a sand mandela being created if it wasn't for the gallery... the closing makes me furious.