Our worldwide Dharma family is incredible, here united once again under the vivid blue skies of Dhagpo, in the grand hall practicing Chenrezig together as one, being led by His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa himself; I couldn’t possibly imagine things being more bright and joy filled with all the vocabulary I possess and every ounce of my imagination. The joy is on every face, clearly visible even from a distance, a glow surrounds us all and the magic net of closeness and unity we can all feel together carries with it such pure contentment, it’s like we are all buzzing to the same energy and wavelength, the whole of the center and its occupants are humming along in tune.
With the arrival of Lama Ole today marks his return since his first course here last September, an amazing coming together of two grand sanghas, that once connected have such amazing potential for incredible dharma activity. This is just a starting point here, a launching pad to the stars of possibility, seeing their mutual respect as they greeted each other was such a pleasure to witness, such joy on everyone’s faces as they made their way to the tent for our enormous family style group Chenrezig practice. All together the chants poured out of the tent in beautiful sonorous melody, more than two thousand voices, a fresh and vibrant sensation coming over my body and heart as I bore witness to one of the largest group pujas I have ever seen or heard in this life.
My dear Dharma family, you are an amazing inspiration to me at all times. You are the rock that I hold onto when I cannot stand, or I feel I cannot continue on my own. You are the support and reason I force myself out of bed everyday, to see and experience this kind of community makes me have great, great hope for the future. To be but a part of this is a gift beyond reason or measure, incalculable and precious beyond anything I can explain. Seeing your faces each day, exchanging well wishes, stories and smiles warms my heart to the very core and for this I simply cannot be too enthusiastic or say it too often, you are all the best gift anyone could receive. Taking part, offering what little I can, my most humble of opinions is all I can offer. My only wish is that I am allowed to continue this work, to continue to explore and share the space with you all. To be present as often as I am able, to share what I am feeling and seeing, to push myself to the limits as often as necessary as this is something I am willing to do in this life, extremes seem to come to me more easily than slow and steady. My great hope is to always be open, honest, maybe even painfully so, and you have all made me feel more than comfortable to do so. Providing a soundboard with which to express myself, a saving grace a second chance on a life I thought was lost forever, and a place to call home. For someone who truly believed he was lost and left for dead, swept under the rug and forgotten, I find myself living in a dream where anything is possible. From the very bottom of my heart I wish to express my happiness in seeing us all gathered here together, practicing together under a single roof, uplifting our wind-horse energy as one big family. With all our faults, pressures, failings and problems comes an amazing chance to grow together, to support one another in all things, to show the true face of compassion as we treat one another with care, and bold, boundless nurturing love. They say you can’t choose your family, but you choose your friends - in this case it isn’t true, and given the chance any day, anytime, in this life and the next - I choose you all every time.
Dhagpo Kagyu Ling
With the arrival of Lama Ole today marks his return since his first course here last September, an amazing coming together of two grand sanghas, that once connected have such amazing potential for incredible dharma activity. This is just a starting point here, a launching pad to the stars of possibility, seeing their mutual respect as they greeted each other was such a pleasure to witness, such joy on everyone’s faces as they made their way to the tent for our enormous family style group Chenrezig practice. All together the chants poured out of the tent in beautiful sonorous melody, more than two thousand voices, a fresh and vibrant sensation coming over my body and heart as I bore witness to one of the largest group pujas I have ever seen or heard in this life.
My dear Dharma family, you are an amazing inspiration to me at all times. You are the rock that I hold onto when I cannot stand, or I feel I cannot continue on my own. You are the support and reason I force myself out of bed everyday, to see and experience this kind of community makes me have great, great hope for the future. To be but a part of this is a gift beyond reason or measure, incalculable and precious beyond anything I can explain. Seeing your faces each day, exchanging well wishes, stories and smiles warms my heart to the very core and for this I simply cannot be too enthusiastic or say it too often, you are all the best gift anyone could receive. Taking part, offering what little I can, my most humble of opinions is all I can offer. My only wish is that I am allowed to continue this work, to continue to explore and share the space with you all. To be present as often as I am able, to share what I am feeling and seeing, to push myself to the limits as often as necessary as this is something I am willing to do in this life, extremes seem to come to me more easily than slow and steady. My great hope is to always be open, honest, maybe even painfully so, and you have all made me feel more than comfortable to do so. Providing a soundboard with which to express myself, a saving grace a second chance on a life I thought was lost forever, and a place to call home. For someone who truly believed he was lost and left for dead, swept under the rug and forgotten, I find myself living in a dream where anything is possible. From the very bottom of my heart I wish to express my happiness in seeing us all gathered here together, practicing together under a single roof, uplifting our wind-horse energy as one big family. With all our faults, pressures, failings and problems comes an amazing chance to grow together, to support one another in all things, to show the true face of compassion as we treat one another with care, and bold, boundless nurturing love. They say you can’t choose your family, but you choose your friends - in this case it isn’t true, and given the chance any day, anytime, in this life and the next - I choose you all every time.
Dhagpo Kagyu Ling
