So much has happened, changes beyond description, as the last few months have turned the planet, and our expectations of regular life upside down.
I have been forced to stay in one place far longer than I am used to, requiring a fair bit of alteration to my mind and concepts. I have been lately overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness, something I am sure many of us are feeling, as we adjust to life isolated from others and the constant barrage of bad news and pervading sickness that swirls around us - both literally and figuratively. Needless to say, I haven’ t been able to shoot any dharma events, travel at all, or harness the creative spirit that makes me feel whole. I decided early on to take these months off of social media to reflect, and re-assess the way I connect with people. I have missed you all, more than I had imagined I would. Sharing my heart, travels, inspirations and emotions while I traverse the globe has become quite the outlet for me. Without it, I feel like I’m missing out. Without it I do not feel complete.
I have spoken many times about my Nala family. They are fellow dharma practitioners, wonderful people, generous supporters of Dharma work all around the world, and dear, dear friends to me. We are really more like a family. I have been working with them, and traveling with them for the past few years in Dharma work, and they are one of the main reasons I chose Prague for my home. They just finished building a new center, just a few minutes outside of Prague, and it was the plan that Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche would come for the opening. Sadly, given the state of the world, that was just not possible. We were extremely fortunate that another option arose out of space; Dupseng Rinpoche was already in Europe, and on Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s request, he changed his plans and came to Prague just in time to inaugurate the new center. Dupseng Rinpoche is absolutely incredible. I have known him for years, and the opportunity for him to meet and connect with Nala, many of whom had never met him, was really exciting. It’s funny how things turn out, one missed opportunity can become the connection of a lifetime.
We picked Rinpoche up at the airport, and within moments the ice was broken, smiles permeated the air, and he had everyone bursting seams in laughter. It’s hard not to crumble to pieces around Rinpoche. He is magnetic, humble, kind and deeply caring about people. He would do anything to help. He gets up at 3am, practices for three hours, and then two hours of ultra intense yoga, has a packed teaching schedule all over the world, works tirelessly all day, and spends several hours more every evening giving personal instruction to his students all over the world online. All the while never tired, always joyful, passionate about his dharma work, and completely accessible to everyone. He’s like a super hero. For those who haven’t met him, it’s hard to describe his energy. He puts so much care into each word he speaks, he gives you every ounce of his attention, and yet he is also so easy going, carefree and gentle. Needless to say, everyone was blown away by Rinpoche.
With the lockdown situation in Czech less restrictive than other places, we were very lucky that a good amount of people were able to come. The new Gompa is really beautiful, and to see it painted and completed, full of smiling faces in the midst of a global crisis was such a relief form the last few months. It was like we were all temporarily transported to another planet for a few days, away from the mess the world is in. The first day Rinpoche gave a teaching in the new Gompa, and the next morning was the Rabne ceremony and official grand opening of the center. The third day he gave the Empowerment of White Tara in the newly blessed shrine hall. Every evening there were flower petals and blessed rice all over the floor, a lovely reminder of the dharma days we had spent together. The final day we took a walk with Rinpoche for sightseeing around Prague, and he came to my studio to film an interview for my upcoming movie projects. That evening we took a Rinpoche for a sneak peek visit to the site of Nala’s upcoming retreat center that is still in the planning and construction phase. This project is really exciting, but I can’t tell you any more than that just yet. You’ll just have to wait and see! These were jammed packed days, with so much to do, but everyone was so relaxed and joyful.
In the end, this week felt like I was back to work, and the world was normal again. I spent the day shooting and running around like crazy, and came home so exhausted I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. I felt connected again. I’m used the crazy days full of everything. It’s the nothing and emptiness I have a hard tine with. Now, Rinpoche is gone, we’re all back to our normal lives and routine. But the awareness that life can still be joyful - even in the dark and empty that we are all going through - remains. I can still feel his presence, like he’s ingrained in the space for all time now.
I would like to thank Rinpoche, for his amazing generosity with his time, and his abundant energy and joy. He made this event, which bears quite a historic and important emotional significance to Nala and myself, all the more powerful and joyful. Something we will all remember, and cherish for the rest of our lives. I would also like to thank Nala, especially Petr and Vlast Hodan for inviting me into their home and their lives, these past few years, and allowing me to take part in such wonderful Dharma activity. I am deeply proud of the Dharma work we do together. It gives me more solace and comfort than they could possibly imagine to be part of a community, and family, like Nala is. Sharing the dark and empty with a family always makes things seem that much brighter, and more wonderful. I would also like to thank you all. For always supporting me, and for continuing to do so during this crazy time we are all in. Thank you for reading all the way to the end, I know it’s long, I just had a lot to say with so much bottled up for these past few months. Thank you for letting me share my work, and my feelings with you. I hope you are all well, happy, safe and healthy. Stay that way. Take care of each other, and see you soon.
-Tokpa
