Joy is the golden rush that flows over us all here. Joy is seeing the outrageous energy of the whole clan united under one wondrous tree. The gentle, the intense, the teacher, the warrior, the soft and tender; the many faces of Lama Ole Nydahl give way to great joy for thousands everywhere as he has undoubtedly created more Dharmic activity in the western world than any other teacher in decades. His face has such undeniable presence, written in the lines are many years of tireless work and endless travel the weight of which he has carried on his own for the sake of the turning of the Dharma wheel. Joy is seeing him here with us, joining the prayers, gazing up at the tree in much the same way Karmapa does. Joy is seeing his entourage of energetic and witty students who bring a certain infectious amicable rumpus everywhere they go. Joy is running backwards up a flight of stairs with two cameras and a gear bag in hand and falling flat on your back right in front of Ole and said advancing entourage… We all laughed, they helped me up, and everyone agreed it was most definitely not the last time I would fall in search of the perfect shot. Joy is having friends and family that understand you, especially your quirks and extremes. Joy is finding laughter in situations that could normally cause pain - this is genuine joy.
Under the tree the sun is warm, beneath its shady branches prayers continue and the days pass with ample gentleness. Joy is seeing those you cherish most dear embracing and laughing so hard you can hear them from a mile away. Joy is finding them unawares and taking full advantage of a beautiful moment caught between breaths, laughs or smiles. Joy is the look your teachers give you when they’re both amused and ever so slightly puzzled by your constant photographic endeavoring presence. Joy is doing what you love so much so that the day never seems long enough to catch it all, but we always have another one tomorrow. So here’s to a great today, and a great tomorrow. Here’s to the genuine joy of embracing one another, and our many differences. Here’s to shattered concepts, forgetting where we think we come from or who we think we are, and to taking things as they truly are, with our hearts open and honest. Here’s to the great joy of learning from one another, practicing together, and most importantly loving one another as best we can despite all our amazing extremes. This is unconditional love. This too is great genuine joy. This is Dharma Family United, and this is why we are here.
The Kagyu Monlam
