For many of us, the day of cremation of Shamar Rinpoche was unlike any other we have, or may ever experience - surreal and raw, for those present and from across the world, as we watched the final stage of our teacher's body passing from this world. The energy and view from the top level was intense to say the least, as the sun blazed down on us, as the smoke poured out, as the fire grew, there were moments when my legs simply stopped accepting my weight, my heart gave way, and, letting go I crumpled to the ground, unable to continue.
During these moments I would try and catch my breath, try to focus on something that would pull me back up, allow me to gain my ground again and to continue. It was during one of these moments, when things were heavy and bleak and as my body and mind - beyond exhausted and disheveled from the last seven weeks on the road following the Kudung and the unbearable heat and emotion that was flying all atop the Shar Minub rooftop, I caught a glimpse of His Holiness that stopped me clean in my tracks. Despite all that was transpiring around him, all the chaos and mayhem, noise, emotional turbulence and furnace like heat, despite the passing of his teacher as well as mine, all of ours, despite the crowds that will now depend on him more than ever before - he was so calm and focused, completely absorbed in his practice. A sense of pure determination on his face, giving me a single moment in which my mind was allowed to calm and settle, a single breath in and out, and I was back, my body and mind giving me a second chance - a single moment I will never forget.
This photo was originally posted on His Holiness' Facebook page, with the quote "The Buddha is in your hands" and I feel it fits the image quite well. From my perspective, on the day in question, that while we all can have the buddha in our hands, I was so very fortunate to have it in his as well, guiding me along, forever helping me and all others, keeping me on the path no matter how difficult things may be, and however bleak and empty we may feel - the Buddha is in our hands.
During these moments I would try and catch my breath, try to focus on something that would pull me back up, allow me to gain my ground again and to continue. It was during one of these moments, when things were heavy and bleak and as my body and mind - beyond exhausted and disheveled from the last seven weeks on the road following the Kudung and the unbearable heat and emotion that was flying all atop the Shar Minub rooftop, I caught a glimpse of His Holiness that stopped me clean in my tracks. Despite all that was transpiring around him, all the chaos and mayhem, noise, emotional turbulence and furnace like heat, despite the passing of his teacher as well as mine, all of ours, despite the crowds that will now depend on him more than ever before - he was so calm and focused, completely absorbed in his practice. A sense of pure determination on his face, giving me a single moment in which my mind was allowed to calm and settle, a single breath in and out, and I was back, my body and mind giving me a second chance - a single moment I will never forget.
This photo was originally posted on His Holiness' Facebook page, with the quote "The Buddha is in your hands" and I feel it fits the image quite well. From my perspective, on the day in question, that while we all can have the buddha in our hands, I was so very fortunate to have it in his as well, guiding me along, forever helping me and all others, keeping me on the path no matter how difficult things may be, and however bleak and empty we may feel - the Buddha is in our hands.