BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Two men have embarked on an unusual journey in southern Indiana with hopes of meeting the Dalai Lama.

Rob Foster and Chris Deutsch are willing to go the extra mile to expand their business. Actually, they're willing to go the extra 100 miles.

The two friends from high school are traveling on foot for seven days and seven nights in hopes of meeting with the Dalai Lama for seven minutes during his trip to Indiana this week.

"I think we are guaranteed to have a little contact with him because we are going to the teaching," Deutsch said. "I feel pretty confident he will want to sit down and at least just hear about our story.

Foster and Deutsch, who hail from Washington, D.C., are walking from Hope, Ind. to Buddha, Ind., then to Bloomington, where the Dalai Lama will visit.

"We have met some of the nicest people in the world. We really have had an extremely warm reception in every town we have been to," Deutsch said.

They have not showered, sleep in tents and walk as much as eight hours each day. It hasn't been easy, but they hope it is worth it.

Rob and Chris want the Dalai Lama to support their inspirational daily text message company, called I Live Inspired.

"We have messages for people going through cancer treatment. We have messages for parents, for teachers … for any number of communities," Deutsch said.

Foster and Deutsch would like their next category to come from the Dalai Lama himself, but the trip isn't just business, it's also personal, 6News' Emily Gimmel reported.

Two years ago, Foster struggled with alcohol addiction, but has since pulled himself out of that addiction.

Foster and Deutsch aren't Buddhists, but they said everyone can learn a little from the Dalai Lama.

"We can incorporate teachings of compassion and love, because that is something that is basic to every human," Foster said. "If you really go out there and try to care about other people, you are going to feel a lot about yourself."

Foster and Deutsch have been updating the progress in their adventure on their blog.

The Dalai Lama arrives in Indiana Tuesday. During his six-day visit, stops are planned in Bloomington and West Lafayette.