Australia's tour of India has been an often tense and fractious affair, with accusations and rebuttals, rumour and recriminations flying back and forth between the camps.
But one day before the deciding Test, the Australians left all such tension behind to spend the morning with one of the world's leading advocates for peace and harmony.
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, hosted the Australians in his residence and temple complex in McLeod Ganj, which sits just above Dharamsala at the foot of the Himalayas. The complex is also the seat of the Tibetan government in exile.
It was a welcome and relaxed time out for the squad ahead of a Test that could result in them becoming the first Australian side to win a Test series in India since 2004.
The Australians have been trying not to let the significance of such a result overwhelm them so it was, perhaps, timely that they received a dose of perspective before the Test begins - although whether or not that translates to relations on the field remains to be seen.
"Yeah it was great. I asked him a question about sleep and how he could help me and he gave me his blessing," said Australia's captain, Steven Smith. "We rubbed our noses together and gave me some blessings, so hopefully it'll help me with my sleep over the next five days.
"It probably just relaxes us a little bit," he added. "He's all about compassion and oneness for each and every human being. It was great to hear something like that from someone as prestigious as the Dalai Lama.
"It was a great experience for all of us, and I guess if we can learn anything from it, it is perhaps sometimes we get a bit over the top when we are out there playing cricket.
"It is a tough game and things like that. But at the end of the day it is just a game and you need to realise that at times. I think that's something this team can perhaps take from meeting with the Dalai Lama."