Inside this sparse and tiny dark space there is very little, but the great power and insatiable energy flowing through here is more akin to that of a freight train running through a fine china shop full of symphonic instruments at rush hour in the middle of Times Square bursting into fireworks on New Years Eve.
It was like an exploding, churning, pulsating feeling in my whole being, where wave after wave of deeply powerful energies of both presence and calm washed over me. Before my eyes could adjust to the lack of light I felt it in my chest, a heavy power, running through me like a bolt of electricity. This is a very special place. This is Tso Pema. I dare to say it felt as though Rinpoche himself was still there, sitting with me, even if that could be aided by the fiery and lifelike golden statue seeming to be coming out directly from the rock itself, staring out with those infamous eyes that pierce through everything. Nothing but a small adornment of flowers, electric Christmas lights, a shrine of offerings and incense, and a statue of Lady Mandarava adorned in jewels and several tiny buddha statues etched into the stony walls. It was all so very simple, but so incredibly powerful inside this little cave way up in the mountains. I could almost hear his heartbeat in the little barren room, a place with barely enough room to stand, a place where he obviously left so much.
Everyone gets excited about the giant Guru Rinpoche statue outside, as it’s visible for miles in every direction, seated on the mountainside looking out over the lake, with a full shrine room in its massive foundation. It is truly enormous, a great monolith, looking rather otherworldly when you do finally get up close enough to take it all in. Inside the walls are beautiful, the statues and paintings are remarkable - this attracts crowds from all over the world throughout the year. While it is lovely, for me the cave would be the reason to go again and again, and again. And again. Well worth the two hour climb, each step closer I could feel myself getting lighter, climbing up the side of the mountain with the incredible view stretching out below me - rolling green hills full of cows and monkeys that seem to effortlessly traverse the switch back path, it was truly awe inspiring. Up above the cave there is an endless field of prayer flags flowing in the wind, uncountable and effortlessly billowing in the breeze, flying out to all directions the prayers and wishes of the many many that have ventured up here over the years. As the sun began to crest over the hilltops, feeling free atop the mountain, singing at the top of my lungs the song of Rising Windhorse I laid my flags to rest amongst the others, adding to the ocean of color swaying for eternity in the breeze.
Ki Ki So So and La Gyelo! May all sentient beings rejoice and be free from suffering. May your windhorse rise freely and forever grow, may your mind open fully and may happiness and contentment flourish in your heart! Windhorse Rising!!
