What an amazing few days! Since emerging from Tushita, I feel like I have been flat out socializing! It is wonderful to have connected with a group of truly wonderful people and I feel so blessed. I have been making music with some gorgeous Israeli boys (guitar and vocals) and a French-Canadian woman (violin). Slowly, my friends are departing Mcleod to travel north to Ladakh, however I have decided to stay put for these last few weeks... Shanti, shanti!
Each afternoon from Monday-Wednesday last week, I went to the Nyingmar Monastery to receive teachings on calm abiding meditation. It was great to go into greater depth regarding the technique and path of calm abiding meditation… however we were told that if we went into full-time retreat it would take between one month and one year to attain the state of calm abiding… and that is only the beginning of the Buddhist meditation path!! I am already considering going into a three month retreat next year.
Early on Tuesday morning we made our way down to His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama’s temple to await his arrival. Slowly the crowd grew as more and more Tibetans, Indians and foreigners gathered. After a number of hours, the clouds broke and we were drenched with a refreshing rain. His Holiness’s car flew by and everyone whipped out cameras on video setting… On slow motion you can just see his head in silhouette!
The next day, we made our way to the temple again to attend a Puja – HH, in his infinite compassion, was making prayers for the victims of the China earthquake. We waited downstairs for his arrival and were blessed to see him walk past only 1.5 meters away. His energy was absolutely beautiful and overwhelming and I was in a state of absolute joy. Later, after the Puja, we saw HH again and I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy. He is truly amazing and special! He is truly Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion! Om Mani Padme Hum!
The following two days we went to the Tibetan Children’s Village, where HH was giving teachings to Tibetan youth. Again, I was blessed to see him another four times, and to listen to the teachings translated over the radio. Such a special few days! On the final day, I took my camera and was able to take a few photos that I will cherish as a reminder of my ‘meeting’ the Dalai Lama.
Yesterday, a small group of Tushita people made the journey down through Dharamsala to see the Norbulingka Institute, a beautiful place where Tibetan culture is being preserved. We saw artists creating stunningly intricate Thangka paintings (paintings representing Tibetan Buddhist Deities), embroidery and other crafts. Afterward, we journeyed to the Gyuto Monastery where we met HH the Karmapa. He is the head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism (you can check him out at www.karmapa.org). He is only 22 years old but already a powerful monk and we were able to receive a blessing from him.
This morning I have left my comfortable room in Mcleod-town and have headed to the hills of Upper Bhagsu. I have a gorgeous little cottage (a cow lives downstairs!) that I have made home and I plan to spend the next couple of weeks just relaxing, reading, meditating, singing and walking amongst the trees! Oh, and I will write and send the occasional job application too!
Each afternoon from Monday-Wednesday last week, I went to the Nyingmar Monastery to receive teachings on calm abiding meditation. It was great to go into greater depth regarding the technique and path of calm abiding meditation… however we were told that if we went into full-time retreat it would take between one month and one year to attain the state of calm abiding… and that is only the beginning of the Buddhist meditation path!! I am already considering going into a three month retreat next year.Early on Tuesday morning we made our way down to His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama’s temple to await his arrival. Slowly the crowd grew as more and more Tibetans, Indians and foreigners gathered. After a number of hours, the clouds broke and we were drenched with a refreshing rain. His Holiness’s car flew by and everyone whipped out cameras on video setting… On slow motion you can just see his head in silhouette!
The next day, we made our way to the temple again to attend a Puja – HH, in his infinite compassion, was making prayers for the victims of the China earthquake. We waited downstairs for his arrival and were blessed to see him walk past only 1.5 meters away. His energy was absolutely beautiful and overwhelming and I was in a state of absolute joy. Later, after the Puja, we saw HH again and I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy. He is truly amazing and special! He is truly Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion! Om Mani Padme Hum!The following two days we went to the Tibetan Children’s Village, where HH was giving teachings to Tibetan youth. Again, I was blessed to see him another four times, and to listen to the teachings translated over the radio. Such a special few days! On the final day, I took my camera and was able to take a few photos that I will cherish as a reminder of my ‘meeting’ the Dalai Lama.
Yesterday, a small group of Tushita people made the journey down through Dharamsala to see the Norbulingka Institute, a beautiful place where Tibetan culture is being preserved. We saw artists creating stunningly intricate Thangka paintings (paintings representing Tibetan Buddhist Deities), embroidery and other crafts. Afterward, we journeyed to the Gyuto Monastery where we met HH the Karmapa. He is the head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism (you can check him out at www.karmapa.org). He is only 22 years old but already a powerful monk and we were able to receive a blessing from him.
This morning I have left my comfortable room in Mcleod-town and have headed to the hills of Upper Bhagsu. I have a gorgeous little cottage (a cow lives downstairs!) that I have made home and I plan to spend the next couple of weeks just relaxing, reading, meditating, singing and walking amongst the trees! Oh, and I will write and send the occasional job application too!
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