In an incredibly tender moment, after a mandala offering of body, speech and mind they touched heads and Karmapa held Rinpoche tight for what felt like an eternity.
I’ve never seen him do something like this before, the way he held him, it was profoundly moving. I was just centimeters away from them, and to me it was like the world stopped to spin, and all sound left the room. Like I left the planet. The universe even. The love and respect that was exchanged between these two men was phenomenal, its energy radiating outwards in a blast that could quench the sun of its flames. I was left shaking, out of breath and wobbly legged, my head spinning from what I had seen and felt. Such an incredible display of affection from two Dharma giants, right before my eyes. And the blessings continued on, as Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and our dearest Maniwa Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche came next, and they too made offerings, and they too were embraced and held tightly. They were then followed by all the high Rinpoches, as the line continued on in an endless display of devotion. Such grand gestures of love and admiration from the men I trust most in this life. The respect that Karmapa shows to them, and they to him, making such offerings with all of their being - I was completely blown away. The Monlam might be over, but the most powerful part of this entire week just happened right before my eyes. Such precious moments of pure deep devotion, coming from men such a these.
Kagyu Monlam 2017
