Appearing seemingly out of thin air and with nary a whisper beforehand, we welcomed him to Dhagpo Möhra in the late evening, accompanied by soft rain and supreme excitement of the very few that heard about it only days -or hours- beforehand.
Smiles beyond smiles breaking across their faces, Karmapa making his way slowly down the curving line of outstretched kataks to greet each person in a slow, deliberate and supremely relaxed way. He looked so happy I could have burst into tears myself. It was lovely.
Spending only one full day, his time split between some meetings and a wonderful Q+A style teaching session that edged into the night and beyond. I can’t describe how happy and carefree he appeared, his deep laughter erupting into those trademark giggles got the room roaring over and over. Questions about life and loss. Practice and understanding. His tenderness got to everyone, and my own feelings of complete and total heart warming were shared by everyone I spoke to afterwards. It was almost dream like; such a small group, Karmapa himself expressing how much he felt at home. At the end, as has become customary, we all practiced Chenrezig together, and then he passed out blessing strings to each person individually, giving them a blessing and a smile as he went around. A fitting end to a precious time.
The next morning we departed, picked up by Lama Ole’s team from the Europe Center. Their faces joined in the glow we still had plastered on since the day before. It’s unavoidable around His Holiness, he brings this out in everyone. Again the the curved line full of outstretched arms and waves goodbye, joyful faces shining- despite his quick visit and departure, they all know how special this was. Soon I can share with you all the photos from EC, I leave you now with this small collection of impressions and memories, a single day in the heartland that is Dhagpo Möhra. More to come my friends, let it be a surprise.
