Breakfast With Buddha

After a long day on the road, Otto and Rinpoche arrive at the General Sutter Inn in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The historical inn offers Otto a welcome change from the sterile environment of chain hotels, and he appreciates its antique charm and the comfort of a real key. Although he invites Rinpoche to join him for dinner, Rinpoche declines, opting for rest instead. Otto calls his wife, Jeannie, to share the day’s experiences and tell her about the unexpected company of Rinpoche. Their conversation is lighthearted and filled with love, yet Otto’s frustration with Cecelia’s decision and Rinpoche’s cryptic nature is evident.

Dinner at the inn provides Otto with a moment of solitude and reflection. While dining, he engages in conversation with Aliana, a waitress, who shares her desire to find meaning and purpose beyond the material pursuits of her parents. Her perspective resonates with Otto, sparking further contemplation about life’s deeper meanings and his own fulfillment.

Later, in the tranquility of his room, Otto writes a heartfelt letter to his daughter, Natasha, expressing his love and the desire to connect more deeply upon his return. The letter is a candid and emotional reflection on the importance of family and the challenge of conveying the depth of parental love.