Trains, planes, automobiles; jeeps, running across borders, traveling with my little portable studio on motorcycles. Months in Kathmandu, driving to Monlam, and now I find myself in KIBI. Funny enough, right now this place feels more like the resting point of home than anything else thus far. The winter Sojong course has always been the landmark of winter, the final place we all end up together after Monlam. By now everyone is sick, it’s freezing cold, we’re exhausted, but we all huddle in the gompa at dawn to take Sojong vows together. It’s wonderful. Like a breath of fresh air in the dusty, crazy, up and down roller coaster that is my life. I finally get to rest, and just listen to teachings, practice, and let all that has transpired finally digest and congeal in my heart and mind. It is a time of reflection and meditation. We have the incredible Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche leading us every morning. Lama Choeying and Lama Nigyam teach a season a day as well, and they are amazing teachers. Soponla Tsultrim Namgyal lovingly sat with us telling stories about the 16th Karmapa to our heart’s content. Karmapa himself came the other night to give a short teaching and practice Chenrezig with us. It’s sublime in its simplicity. Gone are the crowds. Gone is all the pushing, shoving, travel and airports. We all just hang out, practice together and let the vibe just melt into us. We may all be sick, tired, cold and outwardly purifying, but our hearts are glowing strong as ever, and we all come back every year. The timing is perfect and this, for now, is home.
Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche KIBI - Karmapa International Buddhist Institute
