The juxtaposition of modern Asian luxury with centuries-old Tibetan ritual objects and symbols isn’t lost on me.
This is my world. I live and dream this. I hear cymbal-filled mantras in my sleep. Karmapa’s dhamaru feels more like home than my own bed. I may wake up not knowing what city I’m in, but it’s always exactly where I want to be.
Some cities are flooded with lights; we take in sights and sounds unique to that particular place on this blue ball we call home. Sometimes, I don’t even go outside. My work begins early: wake up, tea, then straight to editing. Rush down to the hall for audiences and group photos, waiting lines stretching into the lobby and beyond. Back upstairs for more work, usually eating in front of my computer until the last possible minute, then back to the hall for the evening program.
An empowerment tonight—or was that last night? What are we doing today? It’s all so beautiful that it becomes difficult to separate one day from the next. An endless flow of Dharma activities emanates from a Buddha himself, the Karmapa. My inspiration. My life’s work.
My boss? No, definitely not a boss. I’ve always been a volunteer, and that makes the work so much deeper. You leave the entire Western philosophy of work behind and focus only on photography. Always ready for anything, always on standby. A moment’s notice is all it takes before everything changes. It’s demanding, empowering, frightening, life-giving. Tremendous. Capturing a Buddha’s life, his work, his activities. What else could I ever want to do?
The Light Within
Sometimes we’re inside all day. Crowded halls, endless lines, shadows beneath brimming chandeliers—it all becomes normal. I forget I haven’t been outside because everything I need in that moment is right in front of me. A little world of its own.
Its idiosyncrasies. Purple tints and green glows mixing with vivid hues, root colors pushed deep into saturation. This is more than situational awareness; it’s breakneck-speed color college. No matter how long I’ve been doing this, another incredible challenge is always waiting just around the corner.
Waiting for me. Wondering what I can do with this light within.
