He can be very playful, super funny, with this huge smile and belly laugh that could disarm a nuclear bomb. He can have these fits of laughter that consume the room, rendering everyone to a pile of giggles on the floor. He can also be deeply touching and reserved. I watch him closely, and I am deeply impressed with the importance he places on anything he says, choosing his words extremely carefully. The way he listens, eyes closed, deep in concentration, he puts all his focus into whomever he is speaking with. It could be a simple conversation about the day’s events, or a private audience about a loved one’s illness, advice on practice or difficulty sleeping. He is laser-like in his focus and attention, making one feel they are alone in the world with him. He takes great pause to reflect, thinking, and then he comes back with extraordinary heartfelt advice and teachings that touch you deeply. We were very fortunate for his schedule to allow a short visit to NALA in Prague. I remember the first time he came a few years ago, he left everyone ultra inspired and touched, so we were all very excited that he would come again. Over the weekend he gave the Empowerment of Sangye Menla, Medicine Buddha, and taught on the activities of a Bodhisattva. I found the teachings extremely powerful, and while I have heard similar topics before it was especially captivating this time with Rinpoche. At one point he was so deeply in-tuned with his teaching he closed his eyes and didn’t open them for 20 minutes or more, free flowing like it was coming straight out of his heart. He was transcendent. No notes, not even opening his eyes during the translation. Pure heart, and the room went right along with him. I have one photo of this moment, and then I too was completely swept away into his teaching. The camera went down, eyes closed, mind and heart opened, and I just sat there letting it all flow into me. This went on for quite some time. At the end he gently opened his eyes, let the room awaken, then smiled at all of us deeply, lighting the room once more. We all burst out in giggles, and then uncontrollable laughter, in shock of just how powerful it had been. We were all overwhelmed, it was a fantastic moment. With the Rinpoche that lights the room.
