True giving comes from presence, not possession.
It was 2014 in Vancouver, Canada.
I stood just offstage, wearing my monk robes. In my hands, I held a glass Buddha statue — not for display, not for myself, but for something far greater.
At the time, I was ordained as a Buddhist monk, serving quietly with my fellow monastics at an event where His Holiness the Dalai Lama was speaking.
After the talk ended, he walked off stage and came directly to the statue I was holding.
With deep reverence, he placed his hands in the Buddha’s lap and bowed three times.
And in that still, sacred moment, I offered it to him.
He accepted.
I Wasn’t Expecting That
I hadn’t planned to give it to him. I wasn’t seeking a moment of recognition.
But as he stood before me, there was nothing to think about—just a clear knowing:
Offer it. Let go.
There were no words. Just presence.
And an indescribable sense that something much greater was happening.
What That Moment Taught Me
That day reminded me of something I continue to teach in coaching:
The most powerful offerings come from sincerity, not strategy.
There was no ego in that moment. No attachment.
Just service, humility, and trust that the gesture mattered more than the outcome.
Why This Story Belongs Here
When I coach someone, I’m not showing up with all the answers.
I’m showing up with presence, with space and with deep listening.
The same way I offered that Buddha—with reverence, honesty, and no need to control the result—is how I approach transformation:
- Not by force
- Not by perfection
- But by showing up fully, and letting truth take the lead
“True giving comes from presence, not possession.”
And that’s how real change begins.
Ready to Begin Your Own Journey?
If this story resonated with you, it’s probably not by accident.
Let’s explore what might open up when you step forward from a place of clarity and courage.