Dechen Shak-Dagsay: Day Tomorrow

And when I left the company because my singing career took over, I remember I had my one boss who was so sad that I was leaving. He said that “Oh, Dechen, you know, I really hope you will be so unsuccessful with your singing career so that you will come back.” And I thought this was a really nice compliment.

Victor Fuhrman: It is. That’s amazing. We call that a backhand compliment, where he’s wishing you nonsuccess on one hand so that he maintains you and because he loved your presence in the company. What a wonderful thing to say.

Dechen Shak-Dagsay: Yes. And of course, now with my singing, I don’t really like to call it a career, because a career sounds like I really want to be so successful. It’s a calling. It’s a beautiful privilege that I have, to be original with my Tibetan voice, singing the mantras for the benefit of really a lot of people.

And I am so touched, because wherever–it doesn’t matter whether it is here in Europe or whether it’s in Asia, in America.

These mantras seem to go really right into the hearts of people and give them so much peace and inner balance and happiness.

It’s really extraordinary. I am very, very blessed to do so. And of course, I have my amazing musicians who help me transporting, actually, the message with the modern–with the tool of the modern music that connects us all.  Sometimes I meet people from my old work, work colleagues. And they are the first ones that–to congratulate me whenever I have a new album out or when something beautiful is happening. And they just say that “You know, Dechen, you are so lucky to be doing this because that is so meaningful.” And they wish they could do something like that too. So, that’s lovely.

Victor Fuhrman: You had the honor and the privilege of singing for His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Please describe to us what that wonderful experience must have been like.