I have never doubted the great heart, never ending willingness or abundant compassion of Karmapa, I have been privy to such amazing displays of all of this the past few years day in and day out all across the globe though it never ceases to amaze and inspire me.
When he is present the change in the environment is palpable and real - people seem to be their best around him without even knowing it, or even trying, as the wave of his presence crashes on us all and we are forced to see with eyes wide open and hearts that seem to almost burst in joy. We may have planned on what we wanted to say or do when he walks by, that instant when we may have the chance to ask a question or simply say hello, and I witness it over and over the gaze that brings all the details to a halt, preconceptions and ideas out the window in an instant, and the present moment seems to just carry people away. His smile seems to warm the cockles of even the coldest and most distant heart, you may be having a hard time or be burdened with decisions or stress, but in that glowing moment things just seem to come into focus, clear as day. For me the endless inner ramblings of my overly active mind always drive me crazy, and yet here they seem to come to a halt, space is created, and the cloudiness clears away. This is the feeling that a true bodhisattva brings, where your own mind is actually made clearer and you are able to see things and feel things in a way you may never have thought possible, and not by some glowing angel, but a very real and very present extraordinary human being. When tiredness or boredom, hunger or day dreams take even the best of us, he is still seated on his throne, smiling, ever present and calm. Today has been a very special day, as we have received teachings on the bodhisattva vow, from a true bodhisattva in the flesh, live and in person. To me though, the best example and teaching I can hope to receive is one made by example, to see it clearly with my own eyes, to experience it in my heart and soul, something that is beyond description or even logic somehow - and this was a gift I was able to receive today.
We have expected heavy rain and intense heat for the past two weeks, and as I woke this morning the rain was already pouring down, and yet just a few minutes before Karmapa walked out of the Lama house the sky cleared and a beautiful blue sky and perfect weather has blessed us all for the entirety of the day. It seems that even if the weather had other plans they have been thwarted and removed, nothing could come between us all and a perfect day with Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje back in Dhagpo Kagyu Ling again. The day started early, with a consecration puja for the statue filling, led by Karmapa himself. Afterwards we all made our way to the big tent for the opening ceremonies, a mandala offering by the Dhagpo community, and a brief talk by His Holiness which was continued in the afternoon session, leading to the opportunity to take refuge. Even when the lines of people extended around the tent twice the smile on His Holiness’ face was priceless; beaming, warm, completely transfixed on each and every person who made their way up to him, to offer a katak, to get a refuge name and blessing, not even a single wink of protest or even acknowledgement that the line was extending to forever and back. When the wind picked up and beat at the walls of the tent you could see him take a moment for it to die down again, waiting patiently as if there was absolutely no place he would rather be, and in no rush at all. The awakened presence is one that is never changed by its environment, no matter what happens, somehow always just in the moment and seemingly beyond content to be doing so. It is somehow hard to explain exactly what it feels like to be in his presence - it is very raw, even scary, but open and warm at the same time. Sometimes time seems to stop moving, other times it flies by as if we have left the space time continuum in the proverbial dust. Everything I thought I knew has a way of dissolving into space. One thing I know for sure, looking through the lens I seem to feel differently, like I can somehow peer more deeply into the world he has created for us, without words or descriptions, and just be there and stop worrying about trying to put a name on it. Today I was in a bodhisattva’s presence, a true bodhisattva with unlimited and unending compassion for all things. This presence is so precious, so rare, and I can only hope that my impressions from the other side of the lens can be but a glimpse into this world he created for us today.
When he is present the change in the environment is palpable and real - people seem to be their best around him without even knowing it, or even trying, as the wave of his presence crashes on us all and we are forced to see with eyes wide open and hearts that seem to almost burst in joy. We may have planned on what we wanted to say or do when he walks by, that instant when we may have the chance to ask a question or simply say hello, and I witness it over and over the gaze that brings all the details to a halt, preconceptions and ideas out the window in an instant, and the present moment seems to just carry people away. His smile seems to warm the cockles of even the coldest and most distant heart, you may be having a hard time or be burdened with decisions or stress, but in that glowing moment things just seem to come into focus, clear as day. For me the endless inner ramblings of my overly active mind always drive me crazy, and yet here they seem to come to a halt, space is created, and the cloudiness clears away. This is the feeling that a true bodhisattva brings, where your own mind is actually made clearer and you are able to see things and feel things in a way you may never have thought possible, and not by some glowing angel, but a very real and very present extraordinary human being. When tiredness or boredom, hunger or day dreams take even the best of us, he is still seated on his throne, smiling, ever present and calm. Today has been a very special day, as we have received teachings on the bodhisattva vow, from a true bodhisattva in the flesh, live and in person. To me though, the best example and teaching I can hope to receive is one made by example, to see it clearly with my own eyes, to experience it in my heart and soul, something that is beyond description or even logic somehow - and this was a gift I was able to receive today.
We have expected heavy rain and intense heat for the past two weeks, and as I woke this morning the rain was already pouring down, and yet just a few minutes before Karmapa walked out of the Lama house the sky cleared and a beautiful blue sky and perfect weather has blessed us all for the entirety of the day. It seems that even if the weather had other plans they have been thwarted and removed, nothing could come between us all and a perfect day with Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje back in Dhagpo Kagyu Ling again. The day started early, with a consecration puja for the statue filling, led by Karmapa himself. Afterwards we all made our way to the big tent for the opening ceremonies, a mandala offering by the Dhagpo community, and a brief talk by His Holiness which was continued in the afternoon session, leading to the opportunity to take refuge. Even when the lines of people extended around the tent twice the smile on His Holiness’ face was priceless; beaming, warm, completely transfixed on each and every person who made their way up to him, to offer a katak, to get a refuge name and blessing, not even a single wink of protest or even acknowledgement that the line was extending to forever and back. When the wind picked up and beat at the walls of the tent you could see him take a moment for it to die down again, waiting patiently as if there was absolutely no place he would rather be, and in no rush at all. The awakened presence is one that is never changed by its environment, no matter what happens, somehow always just in the moment and seemingly beyond content to be doing so. It is somehow hard to explain exactly what it feels like to be in his presence - it is very raw, even scary, but open and warm at the same time. Sometimes time seems to stop moving, other times it flies by as if we have left the space time continuum in the proverbial dust. Everything I thought I knew has a way of dissolving into space. One thing I know for sure, looking through the lens I seem to feel differently, like I can somehow peer more deeply into the world he has created for us, without words or descriptions, and just be there and stop worrying about trying to put a name on it. Today I was in a bodhisattva’s presence, a true bodhisattva with unlimited and unending compassion for all things. This presence is so precious, so rare, and I can only hope that my impressions from the other side of the lens can be but a glimpse into this world he created for us today.
