The Profit Generator

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate release
Issued 11 November 2009

For Release: Immediate

For Further Information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Grant McDuling 0400 261 149 or (07) 3376 2682.

The Dalai Lama Inspires Stranger To Become An Author

There are probably as many reasons for becoming an author as there are authors, but for Melbourne's
Tracey Stranger, encouragement came from none other than the Dalai Lama.

It all started a little more than a year ago when Tracey heard a close family friend was suffering severe
depression. She rushed over to offer support and when she arrived, she was shocked to see how much
pain her family was in.

“Soon after this episode, I heard of two suicides connected to friends of friends, and became aware of
the everyday moods of frustration, pain, anxiety and stress that seemed to be escalating, given the
current turbulent and changing times we were going through with the advent of the Global Financial
Crisis,” she explained.

“I felt compelled to share what I learnt as a microbiologist and natural health professional to help
people beyond my circle of family and friends. You see, I work as a consultant in the natural health
industry and am a time line therapist, have taught meditation and Taoist self-healing exercises and am a
health writer.”

Tracey decided that the best way to share what she had learnt was by writing a book.

“I felt inspired to interview six natural health experts and five everyday people, the results of which
would form part of my book How To Overcome Stress Naturally. And I wanted the foreword to be
written by none other than His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.”

Most first-time authors would never think of approaching someone as eminent as the Dalai Lama to
contribute to their book, so how did Tracey pull it off?

“My passion is to help people in this dramatically changing time,” she explains.

“I meditate daily, I practise mindfulness and I continually strive to live with greater compassion on a
daily basis. Our state of mind has such an influence on our health that I felt compelled to asked His
Holiness because of his message of love, peace and compassion. So I got in contact with him and
asked. When I heard from the the Dalai Lama with his blessings for my book, I was awestruck with
thanks and gratitude. It was my clear intention to ask, I did and I held that focus. I didn't for a moment
think that he would not; I was more amazed how quickly he responded.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, “Compassion contributes to good physical health. Without question,
anger and agitation make us more susceptible to illness.” Tracey agrees. She has found that if stress is
prolonged, it can lead to serious diseases.

“My passion is now to help people overcome stress naturally before it leads to more serious health
problems, including depression.”

Tracey says that the Dalia Lama now inspires her on a daily basis.

“Here is a man who, at 16, lost his freedom, at 24, lost his country and during the past 50 years has
heard a lot of heart-breaking news from his own land. But he doesn't let that depress him. He says that,
comparatively, his mind is quite peaceful because of the seed of compassion he received from his
mother, his Buddhist training and the experiences he has had meeting a lot of people.”

Tracey now focuses on love, connection and compassion, rather than on the differences between
individuals. She says that compassion with ourselves, being kind to ourselves, not judging ourselves,
and to love and accept ourselves is a great place to start.

“When we are happy within ourselves we are more likely to be gentle and loving, rather than
judgemental to others. I know when I am responsible for my thoughts, emotions, actions, I can make a
difference. For a start it makes a difference in me, and in turn that makes a difference in those I meet.
I use the events in my life each day to change my thoughts and my behaviour. I am conscious of being
mindful, catching thoughts that are judgemental, non-loving, non-caring, and non-compassionate. His
Holiness the Dalai Lama says developing compassion is not at all easy. He also emphasises that it is
within our power, given patience and time, to develop compassion that is gentle, peaceful, soft, but
very powerful.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is visiting Australia for the 3rd year in a row from 1st – 10th December,
2009. The theme this year is “Our Future. Who is Responsible?” To book, go to
www.DalaiLamaInAustralia.org.

... ends

For more information, photos or to arrange an interview, contact Grant McDuling on 0400 261 149 or
mcduling@optusnet.com.au. Tracey Stranger can be contacted on 0409 879 271