I feel compelled to tell the story of the Tibetan diaspora because of a parallel to my own refugee journey. As a student of Tibetan Buddhist teachings and its meditative practices, I was able to use my studies to show how Tibetan culture has evolved and changed in response to exile and contemporary society. But above all, I am captivated and deeply moved by the warmth and calm strength of the Tibetans in exile and inspired by their unwavering dedication to maintaining their cultural and spiritual traditions.
The Dalai Lama has taken a special interest in this project and granted access to ceremonies and spaces largely unseen by the public.The beginning of what was to become my passion started as simple as learning that the Tibet Fund wanted to make a photographic documentation on the world-wide Tibetan diaspora. This project appealed to me since I had worked as a documentary photographer for nearly ten years, was a student of Tibetan Buddhism and had integrated Tibetan Buddhist philosophy into my work as consultant and executive coach for international multi-cultural businesses. I knew it was time for me to give something back to the Tibetan people, so I happily volunteered.
When I began my travels in 2009 I had no preconception. I traveled alone to all of the 24 major Tibetan Settlements in India and Nepal as well as to other cities and towns in India, Nepal, Europe and North America where large numbers of exiled Tibetans live. I stayed in all kinds of accommodations, including settlement guest quarters, guesthouses operated by Tibetans, a monastery, private homes, and even in a nomad tent. I shared the refugees’ everyday lives, including food and even some power outages.
