I have spent these past few weeks in full hibernation mode - far from sleeping though, as I have passed every waking moment in my KIBI room seated in front of my computer working, trying my best in bringing the incredible story I witnessed in Ladakh to life. The editing phase can be brutal as well as heavenly, heavy on the nerves, taxing on the mind, yet powerfully expansive and deeply joyful.
Exploring hours upon hours of material that somehow needs to be compressed into something that can bring the watcher along for the ride, conveying both the simple majesty and sheer awesomeness of our voyage - a story that is difficult to describe as it surpassed anything I could have imagined and the amount of important detail is staggering. My forced decoupling from the outside world is necessary, a sometimes arduous task for a very personable and family guy such as myself, relying heavily on those around me for a means of emotional sustenance, companionship and closeness - the rejoicing in the little things that make life so sweet and special had to be put on temporary hiatus. Being in KIBI - Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, I am totally surrounded by a group of deeply motivated and astoundingly dedicated students, as it turns out a wise choice of locale for my work retreat as there is no shortage of inspiration to continue pushing on in this way. In the end, it has all been worth it, as the story is taking shape in a big way, coming out of me in droves of excited and inspired emotions. It has borne a special and unexpected gift as well, as new music is flooding out of me as I anxiously rekindle my love affair with my guitar once again, something that has been lacking and missing from my life on the road for many months now. A musician by trade, matching the passing flowing colors with sound completes the story as only music can do, and I take such joy in creating these soundscapes to go along with the incredible and true story that was laid out before me. My other, often neglected half is being nourished like never before, my heart is filled to the brim with crazy ideas and twangy eclectic motifs, plunging head on into a full-out brand new original soundtrack that I can only hope will convey some part of what this has all meant to me. Digging deep to create something new, something that I hope will be true to my heart’s truest feelings, the whirlwind that has taken me in its grasp has brought forth so much freshness, like a great ocean that has lain dormant for far too long suddenly coming to life in a great reprise of all that I have experienced up until now.
Taking only a short break from the editing - I took this morning to wander through some of my undeveloped photos from Ladakh, and to my surprise there were a great many that had somehow slipped through unnoticed in the great hustle and bustle that was my three weeks journey in the great starry mountains. Moments captured that had been somehow dismissed or unchecked, perhaps as I pushed and climbed my way through the demanding event, trying desperately to keep up with the pack, the lack of internet notwithstanding, it seems there were some that just didn’t make the original cut for whatever reason. Sometimes undoubtedly, even strikingly similar to others, and yet there is something unique and special, a little glimmer of detail that requires some extra secondary exploration. The mind, like anything, is ever changing, and in this way some things seem to just take on new life, like magic, they are new again. Like a seasoned musician digging into the unreleased B-sides of their almost forgotten yesteryear recordings, kept in the dark, sometimes great hidden treasures can be found when you rediscover the story all over again, coming back into the light with fresh eyes and new perspective. Very soon my movie will be released and for this I can only thank everyone for being so patient, and for entrusting this great task to me, it is such an honor. The importance and magnitude of the project has grown immeasurably since I began, and therefore it must be treated with the utmost care and patience. The final outcome - whatever the quality - will be nothing less than the whole of my being, all my will and hope, every ounce of energy I have in this fragile human body and restless mind, and without a doubt - the fullest expression of my heart. Time well spent, with tired eyes locked away in the dark room, for I am now so close to finishing this project, the only thing left to do is keep on moving forwards just a few more steps, the end is near.
PS - I am in the process of uploading my entire Ladakh Collection to my servers, at which point I will make it available to everyone for free download. My gift to you, as you have all been so incredible throughout this powerful journey and time of deep growth for me. Thank you so much for all of your patience, and your endless support - (internet speed dependent) they are on their way to you all as fast as possible.
-Tokpa
Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery
Exploring hours upon hours of material that somehow needs to be compressed into something that can bring the watcher along for the ride, conveying both the simple majesty and sheer awesomeness of our voyage - a story that is difficult to describe as it surpassed anything I could have imagined and the amount of important detail is staggering. My forced decoupling from the outside world is necessary, a sometimes arduous task for a very personable and family guy such as myself, relying heavily on those around me for a means of emotional sustenance, companionship and closeness - the rejoicing in the little things that make life so sweet and special had to be put on temporary hiatus. Being in KIBI - Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, I am totally surrounded by a group of deeply motivated and astoundingly dedicated students, as it turns out a wise choice of locale for my work retreat as there is no shortage of inspiration to continue pushing on in this way. In the end, it has all been worth it, as the story is taking shape in a big way, coming out of me in droves of excited and inspired emotions. It has borne a special and unexpected gift as well, as new music is flooding out of me as I anxiously rekindle my love affair with my guitar once again, something that has been lacking and missing from my life on the road for many months now. A musician by trade, matching the passing flowing colors with sound completes the story as only music can do, and I take such joy in creating these soundscapes to go along with the incredible and true story that was laid out before me. My other, often neglected half is being nourished like never before, my heart is filled to the brim with crazy ideas and twangy eclectic motifs, plunging head on into a full-out brand new original soundtrack that I can only hope will convey some part of what this has all meant to me. Digging deep to create something new, something that I hope will be true to my heart’s truest feelings, the whirlwind that has taken me in its grasp has brought forth so much freshness, like a great ocean that has lain dormant for far too long suddenly coming to life in a great reprise of all that I have experienced up until now.
Taking only a short break from the editing - I took this morning to wander through some of my undeveloped photos from Ladakh, and to my surprise there were a great many that had somehow slipped through unnoticed in the great hustle and bustle that was my three weeks journey in the great starry mountains. Moments captured that had been somehow dismissed or unchecked, perhaps as I pushed and climbed my way through the demanding event, trying desperately to keep up with the pack, the lack of internet notwithstanding, it seems there were some that just didn’t make the original cut for whatever reason. Sometimes undoubtedly, even strikingly similar to others, and yet there is something unique and special, a little glimmer of detail that requires some extra secondary exploration. The mind, like anything, is ever changing, and in this way some things seem to just take on new life, like magic, they are new again. Like a seasoned musician digging into the unreleased B-sides of their almost forgotten yesteryear recordings, kept in the dark, sometimes great hidden treasures can be found when you rediscover the story all over again, coming back into the light with fresh eyes and new perspective. Very soon my movie will be released and for this I can only thank everyone for being so patient, and for entrusting this great task to me, it is such an honor. The importance and magnitude of the project has grown immeasurably since I began, and therefore it must be treated with the utmost care and patience. The final outcome - whatever the quality - will be nothing less than the whole of my being, all my will and hope, every ounce of energy I have in this fragile human body and restless mind, and without a doubt - the fullest expression of my heart. Time well spent, with tired eyes locked away in the dark room, for I am now so close to finishing this project, the only thing left to do is keep on moving forwards just a few more steps, the end is near.
PS - I am in the process of uploading my entire Ladakh Collection to my servers, at which point I will make it available to everyone for free download. My gift to you, as you have all been so incredible throughout this powerful journey and time of deep growth for me. Thank you so much for all of your patience, and your endless support - (internet speed dependent) they are on their way to you all as fast as possible.
-Tokpa
Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery
