A great continuum, its movement almost imperceivable to the naked eye, as the days blend together in a blur of emotional waves and shadowy darkness. Winter covers in grey, but inside the flames are high and bright, colors bursting forth, golden crowns, rippling brocade. Everyday seems the same, but totally different at the same time. Perhaps it is me, my mind, my perceptions that are changing, being so close to the Kudung of a Great Master such a Mipham Rinpoche surely brings great power, and with great power comes great purification and loss of oneself. I could use a little less of myself, focusing outwards has been good for me.
His Holiness Karmapa is the King of Change, the Master of Impermanence, a Time Ninja that follows no path but his own. There is no way to prepare or know what will happen, our practice is simply be ready. A few days ago he came downstairs, and right before entered the Gompa, he veered off to inspect the cremation Stupa’s progress. He turned to come back inside, and just as quickly spun around and walked out the main gate. Just like that. His attendants and myself chased after, only to find ourselves in the community cremation ground down the street, where Professor Sempa Dorje had been cremated. Karmapa walked around, looking in every corner, inspecting every crevice as he usually does, eventually taking a seat on a bench. Small chaos ensued as his monks ran quickly back to KIBI, returning with brocade, a cushion, puja table, offerings, Karmapa’s instruments, and a giant plate of Tsok.
Karmapa sat, motioned for everyone to leave, and proceeded to do the Dorje Palmo puja by himself. A surreal sight, His Holiness in a dusty cremation ground, seated on a public bench under a tree, totally alone, practicing as if it was the most normal, and carefully planed event. We all sat and watched from a distance, I took a few photos as quietly and unintrusively as I could. Karmapa looked so relaxed, the noisy streets, honking horns and busy Dhaba kitchen next door having no effect on his concentration. Unbelievable. After almost two hours he stood up and said something like “quite spontaneous” with a gentle smile as he walked out. Just like that. The great continuum tossed to the side. Later that afternoon he again slipped out the main gate and into the park across the street. Just a casual stroll, in picture perfect late afternoon as the sun came down slowly over the treetops.
A great Continuum pervades here, slowly and gently moving through us. Sameness prevails, we get comfortable. That is until the Master of Change and Impermanence knocks it all to the ground, and we’re left to chase, trying to keep up.
