World Happiness Foundation Response to “A Call for Peace: The End of Wars and Respect for International Law”
By Luis Miguel Gallardo – Founder & President of the
I write these reflections from Dharamshala, nestled in the Himalayas under fluttering prayer flags and the gaze of snowy peaks. In a few days, I will leave this sanctuary to begin my PhD at Shoolini University, diving into the study of yoga, consciousness, and non-duality. The transition feels like the turning of a great wheel in my life’s journey – a Wheel of Time of my own. Each sunrise in Dharamshala has been a meditation on impermanence and possibility. As I prepare for this next chapter, I find myself drawn deeply into the teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra, the mystical “Wheel of Time,” and how it informs my evolving perspective on enlightenment and inner transformation. My days here have been filled with quiet self-inquiry, pondering the non-dual nature of reality and the cultivation of a fundamental peace that could radiate to all beings.
Kalachakra (Sanskrit for “Wheel of Time”) is a rich symbolic system at the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Its very name evokes cyclicality and wholeness – a wheel turning through past, present, and future, embracing all of existence. In the Kalachakra teachings, time is not a linear arrow but a sacred circle, without beginning or end. The Kalachakra Tantra describes three levels of this Wheel of Time: the Outer, Inner, and Other Kalachakras. The Outer Wheel refers to the cosmos – the cycles of planets, seasons, and cosmic ages that frame our external world. The Inner Wheel refers to our own human body and mind – our inner “cosmos” of subtle energies, breath cycles, and consciousness. Finally, the Other Wheel (or alternative Wheel of Time) refers to the tantric spiritual path itself – the initiations and yogic practices that transform the practitioner’s body-mind continuum into the enlightened reality of a Buddha. In essence, the Kalachakra view maps the macrocosm and microcosm onto one another: “as it is outside, so it is within the body”. The movements of stars and the movements of our breath mirror each other in a profound correspondence. Thus, the cosmos and the individual are nondual and mutually pervasive, intimately interconnected and influencing each other. This elegant symmetry teaches me that my inner work is never in isolation – it is harmonized with the larger rhythms of the universe.
Standing before a Kalachakra sand mandala in Kalachakra Monastery here, I am struck by the layers of symbolism encoded in its geometry and colors. In its intricate design I see a blueprint of both the world and the self – a map of enlightenment. According to Tibetan monks, the very construction of the Kalachakra mandala is an act of prayer for the world’s harmony: the mandala’s presence is said to impart peace and healing to all beings and to the planet. Grains of colored sand coalesce into celestial patterns, only to be swept away in a reminder of life’s impermanence. This sacred art speaks to the heart of Kalachakra’s message: that all phenomena arise, dance, and dissolve in time, and that true peace comes from understanding the timeless emptiness at the heart of this dance.
The Kalachakra Tantra is renowned as one of the most advanced teachings in Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism). Embracing the tantric path means seeing every aspect of life – even what we conventionally call passion or pain – as raw material for transformation into wisdom. Kalachakra’s teachings, in particular, weave together cosmology, meditation, and ethics into a single fabric. One key aspect that inspires me is the non-dual insight it embodies. The mandala’s central deity, Kalachakra (in union with his consort Vishvamata), represents the inseparable union of wisdom and compassion. In tantric terms, this is the union of prajñā (transcendent wisdom, often symbolized as the feminine principle, realizing emptiness) and upāya (skillful means or compassion, the masculine principle, active in the world). His Holiness the Dalai Lama succinctly describes enlightenment itself as “the non-duality of perfected form and perfected wisdom” – a state where compassionate action (form) and profound wisdom (emptiness) are no longer two separate things. Kalachakra artfully encodes this truth: the deity’s two aspects – temporality and timelessness – are conjoined, just as the wheel (chakra) has no beginning or end.
In my own practice and studies, I approach this union through self-inquiry and meditation. Self-inquiry, in the style of asking “Who am I?” or observing the arising of self-centric thoughts, gradually reveals that the solid “I” we cling to is insubstantial. The Buddhist lens would say it is empty of any fixed essence – yet that emptiness is not a nihilistic void, it is full of potential and is the space in which compassion naturally arises. Kalachakra’s non-dual teachings affirm that ultimate reality is beyond all dualities of self/other, good/bad, time/timeless. They point to a state of mahasukha – great bliss – born from the realization of emptiness. This is not a fleeting emotion, but a fundamental peace that underlies all experiences once the mind is liberated.
Importantly, the Kalachakra system provides very concrete methods for approaching this lofty realization. It teaches about the subtle body – channels, winds (prāṇa), drops – and how the cycles of the cosmos mirror the cycles in our own psychophysical system. Through pranayama, visualization, and yogic exercises, the practitioner learns to harmonize the inner winds with the outer cosmic winds, gradually purifying the mind and body. As I contemplate these teachings, I see a profound resonance with the non-dual philosophies of yoga that I will research for my PhD. Whether one speaks of Kundalini and chakras in a yogic context or winds and chakras in Kalachakra, the underlying principle is that transformation happens by turning within – by aligning our inner world with the deeper reality. Non-duality, in both contexts, means that the individual self and the universal consciousness are one continuum. Likewise, Kalachakra boldly states that the basis of reality (“time”) and reality itself (“wheel”) are an all-inclusive unity. It encourages me to experience life as a seamless whole, where my spiritual practice and daily life are not two separate arenas.
One misty morning a few days ago, I had the immense honor of a personal meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his residence in McLeod Ganj. Entering his humble home felt like stepping into a field of loving presence. We sat together in a simple room adorned with thangkas and warm sunlight. In the quiet of that space, I felt time slow down – a single, lucid moment in the flow of the Wheel of Time. I offered him a white khata scarf and explained my initiative, “10BillionHappyby2050,” a vision to cultivate global happiness by the year 2050. His Holiness listened with a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eyes that conveyed both compassion and wisdom. To my surprise and joy, he pressed his forehead to mine in a spontaneous blessing – a moment of wordless connection I will cherish forever. He then handed me a letter of support, a beautifully scripted message bearing his seal.
With gratitude and trembling hands, I read his words: “Dear friend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is pleased to support your initiative, 10 Billion Happy by 2050, a global movement dedicated to cultivating happiness, compassion, and the welfare of all beings… He firmly believes in the oneness of humanity, so it is clearly in our common interest to promote friendship among all our human brothers and sisters… His Holiness sends his prayers and good wishes to you and your colleagues.”. Tears of joy gathered in my eyes as I absorbed the blessing. The Dalai Lama’s message echoed the very heart of the Kalachakra and of all Buddhist teachings – the oneness of humanity and the natural wish of every being to be happy and free from suffering. It struck me that this oneness is essentially the recognition of non-duality on the level of humanity: beyond our superficial differences, we are truly one human family. In that spirit of oneness, the happiness of 10 billion individuals is not an abstract dream, but a collective destiny we can shape together.
His Holiness has often taught that world peace must develop from inner peace – that lasting peace is not merely the absence of violence, but the presence of compassion in our hearts. Holding his letter, I felt a profound affirmation: the work of inner transformation (through meditation, self-inquiry, studying Kalachakra, etc.) is directly linked to the work of outer transformation (spreading happiness and peace in the world). There was a beautiful synergy between the personal and the global. I realized that my research journey and my global happiness initiatives are two facets of one path, like wisdom and compassion united.
The Kalachakra Tantra carries an implicit promise that aligns with the 10BillionHappyby2050 vision: the promise that individual awakening contributes to collective well-being. In Kalachakra lore, there is the prophetic vision of Shambhala, a hidden kingdom where the Kalachakra teachings are fully realized, and which will one day manifest as a world of peace and enlightenment. While some interpret Shambhala as a literal future event, many teachers (including the Dalai Lama) suggest it can be understood as a metaphor – the true battle of Shambhala is an inner war against ignorance and hatred. In other words, each of us must become a warrior of peace within our own hearts. Only by conquering our inner enemies (anger, greed, delusion) can the outer world reflect peace. This resonates deeply with the idea that by 2050, if enough of us have turned the wheel within – achieving even a measure of inner peace and non-dual understanding – we could see the dawning of a more compassionate era for humanity. The Kalachakra principles of interconnectedness and non-duality teach that we do not have to wait passively for a better world; we actively create it through our consciousness. Each time I cultivate compassion in my heart or clarity in my mind, I am contributing to the subtle field of collective human consciousness.
The Dalai Lama’s support for our initiative is a reminder that this vision is practical and urgent, not just idealistic. “We all want to be happy and none of us wants to suffer,” he wrote, reaffirming that this simple truth can be a guiding light for global change. Kalachakra’s holistic worldview reinforces that achieving widespread happiness isn’t about material wealth or technological progress alone, but about an evolution of consciousness. It starts with individuals waking up to their true nature. In my studies of yoga and non-duality, we often speak of the shift from identification with the limited ego to identification with the universal Self or pure awareness. In Buddhist terms, it’s realizing emptiness and Buddha-nature. When a critical mass of individuals undergo such inner shifts – finding contentment, empathy, and wisdom within – the outer world will naturally transform. This is why I often refer to the Kalachakra mandala as a map for global happiness: its every symbol and deity represents qualities to cultivate on the path (from mindfulness to loving-kindness), and its very structure insists on the unity of all life.
One aspect of Kalachakra that I find especially relevant to global well-being is its emphasis on compassionate action rooted in wisdom. The union of compassion and emptiness means that our compassionate deeds are guided by an understanding of the real needs and interdependence of beings, free from egoic attachment. Imagine politics, education, or economics approached with that kind of enlightened compassion! We would design systems that genuinely promote the happiness of all – humans and the planet – because we’d see others as not separate from ourselves. This aligns perfectly with the goal of 10BillionHappy: not a fleeting, superficial happiness, but a deep, inclusive well-being that arises when humanity realizes its interconnection. It also aligns with secular ethics movements and the Dalai Lama’s message of universal responsibility. He often emphasizes that scientific research and ancient wisdom can together help people train their minds towards positivity, kindness, and resilience. I feel my upcoming academic research, as our ongoing practical programs, will contribute to this convergence, investigating how contemplative practices (like those from Kalachakra or yogic traditions) can foster measurable improvements in well-being.
As I conclude these reflections, a cool dusk breeze sways the prayer flags outside my window, carrying mantras into the twilight. In this moment, I understand the Kalachakra Wheel of Time not just as a grand cosmic concept, but as an intimately personal guide. It teaches me that each moment is a turning of the wheel – an opportunity to advance in self-inquiry, to realize non-duality, and to sow seeds of peace. My time in Dharamshala, under the compassionate guidance of teachers like the Dalai Lama, has prepared me for the path ahead. I will carry the quiet strength of the mountains and the profound wisdom of the Kalachakra Tantra into my life at Shoolini University and beyond.
Enlightenment, I have come to see, is not a faraway goal but a continual unfolding – like the petals of a lotus slowly opening to the morning sun. It unfolds in the timeless now even as we move through time. By embracing the Kalachakra’s insights on non-duality, I find that the boundary between inner and outer happiness dissolves. My personal quest for liberation is inherently tied to the liberation of all beings; my peace is the world’s peace. With this understanding, I set forth on my PhD journey not merely as an academic exercise, but as a living practice of the Wheel of Time teachings. I am inspired to integrate knowledge with wisdom, analysis with meditation, and personal growth with altruistic service.
His Holiness’s blessing reminds me that the aspiration to make 10 billion people happy by 2050 is not quixotic – it is a natural extension of the bodhisattva path that Kalachakra encapsulates. It calls for patience (recognizing that change unfolds in cycles, just like Kalachakra’s cosmic cycles) and for urgency (knowing that now is the only moment we ever have to plant the seeds of change). As the Wheel of Time turns, I remain committed to turning the wheel within – again and again – aligning with the non-dual truth of who we are. In doing so, may we inch closer to the day when the dawn of Shambhala is realized in the hearts of humanity, and fundamental peace prevails across the Earth.
In gratitude, I bow to the teachers and the teachings that light this path. The journey continues, the wheel keeps turning, and with each turn I pray: May all beings be happy. May all beings be free.
*A traditional Kalachakra mandala (Wheel of Time) depicts the cosmic palace of the Kalachakra deity. Such mandalas symbolize the entire universe and the mind within it, imparting peace and healing to all beings.
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By Luis Miguel Gallardo – Founder & President of the
There are moments that seem to collapse time into a
Dharamshala invites contemplation. This place—home in exile to the Tibetan
