With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

We have just witnessed the extraordinary visits of two extraordinary men. Pope Benedict XVI visited Washington, D.C., and New York City, appearing at Yankee Stadium before more than 50,000 of the faithful.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Seattle and was a guest at Mayo Clinic here in Rochester, Minn., exploring the mind-body connection. So, we have two spiritual leaders from two different cultures, from two different parts of the world, from two different belief systems yet offering a consistent message. A message that resonates with some of the comments from our blog community. In particular I heard three themes that I would like to share.

1. The notion of compassion. Each of these spiritual leaders underscored the notion of reaching out and caring as one attempts to decrease some of the suffering that surrounds us. Each of us regardless of our titles or education or checkbooks is struggling with some issue.
2. The creation of an inner peace and serenity. The pope is obviously struggling with the challenges of Catholicism, and the Dalai Lama is dealing with the difficult issues in Tibet. Yet, each has an outward serenity and grace. It is their belief in a power over and above themselves that somehow gives them the fortitude to move forward in the face of overwhelming issues.
3. A notion of caring for themselves. Each of these gentlemen is in his 70s or 80s and has an incredibly challenging schedule. Yet, there is time for rest, there is time for exercise, and there is time for quiet introspection. They have learned what many of us have somehow neglected; we are not built to run nonstop, and if we do not take time to care for ourselves, we will quickly run of energy.

So, what other dimensions of wellness can we distill from the words and the actions of two spiritual leaders?

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