He is magnanimous and extraordinarily kind, he gives so much of himself to so many people, and yet never seems to run out of his intoxicating energy, stop beaming his smile, or appear even in the most subtle way in need of anything except to spend time and spread Dharma.
He could be in the middle of any activity, ask him an important question, and immediately he’s facing you eyes closed in deep concentration as he seems to hang on your every word. His responses are so deliberate, so carefully put together it feels like the world stops and there’s only the two of you. As someone who travels all year long with Karmapa, the most blessed and incredible use of time one could ever wish for, a being who is quite literally bigger than life, Dupseng Rinpoche is so “there” and available it’s also supremely rare and precious for someone like me. Someone to watch over me, guiding a lost soul such as I in a way few have been able to. I am deeply grateful for this.
As anyone who’s read my work before knows, I am especially fond of babies. Kids too, love them all. Not only since I’m now a father, it’s always been that way. Even as a kid myself. Watching their faces as Great Lamas come to town is as fascinating as it is adorable, eyes bright and shinning, no fear as they approach and stare with delight and awe. And so, an incredible weekend spent in Chokhorling, an Oasis in Mokrovraty one hour from Prague was the perfect place for kids. It’s a perfect place for anything really, the space is a gorgeous buffet of lush gardens, open fields full of flowers and the sweet nectar of fresh air miles from everything. We spent a weekend in gloriously informal fashion; kids running around playing to their hearts content, Rinpoche teaching to a group of about 15, lunch outside under the blue skies, and no shortage of coffee and cake breaks along the way. It was like a family weekend, everyone had their kids, some new babies, teams of delightful toddlers running the place. Parents practicing or meditation in rounds. Even a trip to the sauna, and a couple dips in the ice bath knocked any sense of discomfort from my soul. Rinpoche loves children, so it was a haven for photos as well, a free and weightless time where the whole place felt magical and the air full of blessings.
This has been a very precious time, once again nurturing the growing and ever present -and growing- power of the Dharma in Czech. Feels like home!
