It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in India since December, 2011. It’s been an amazing experience so far and I’m grateful to have had this opportunity to study, learn and grow.
Thank you to everyone for all your support, encouragement and friendship!
There’s still two months left before I head back to the States, but I thought it would be fun to share a few photos to recap the trip so far.
Hope you enjoy.
My first stop was Bodhgaya, India for what may be the last Kalachackra initiation to be given there by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It was like a Woodstock for Buddhists and some estimated the number of pilgrims to be well over 400,000!
When I first got to McLeod Ganj last January, I knew it was going to be cold. But snow? Really? With no heat in my guesthouse room, this was by far the coldest winter I’ve ever experienced. And I’m from Colorado!
Not only have I had the good fortune to receive teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but also from many other sublime teachers. Not the least of whom is one of my greatest spiritual heroes and guides, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
Himachal Pradesh in North India is filled with Buddhist pilgrimage sites. From McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama, to Tso Pema (the holy lake of Guru Rinpoche) and Tilopa’s Cave, this place is a practitioner’s dream. But my favorite place of all has to be Bir, India
In this tiny Tibetan settlement there are many monasteries, stupas and retreat centers. On a typical monsoon summer morning, you can hear the chants of the monks and nuns filling the sky and you can’t help but think that these prayers and aspirations are some of the only things keeping this mad, mad world together.
Of course, this year brought the surprise publication of The Narrow Way! Thanks to everyone who’s made this possible.
To cap off an amazing year, I spent my Christmas holiday in Kathmandu. The Great Stupa at Boudhanath is one of the holiest sites in all of Tibetan Buddhism and one of my favorite places in the world. As always, the air was filled with prayers and blessings and I felt renewed and recharged as I made my way back to India and another three months of Tibetan study at…
…the best Tibetan language school operating in the world today!
Well, that’s it for now. I hope you enjoyed this year in review. Thanks to everyone who’s followed along on this journey. I feel you next to me every step of the way!
Sending much love your way, always…
Happy New Year Brother! Reading your post makes me more melancholy for India, which I am every day. 2012 was an awesome year, I’m grateful I was able to spend some of it there with you.
I’m grateful, too! Miss you, my friend.
It just occurred to me yesterday we were at Bodhgaya a year ago at this time. Phew! Time flies when we get older. When I was in school as a child, a school year seemed like an eternity. The older I’ve gotten, years have turned into seeming months, months weeks, weeks days, days hours, etc. I can’t believe anymore how fast a day flies by.
Definitely flew by but was packed with amazingness! But of course: All is impermanent!
Dearest Chris,
You are an inspiration to us all ♥ You are magnifique my friend ♥
I know you love living in India but it will be really nice to hug you, see you and talk with you in person again!
I look forward to you coming back to CO–
Love reading your articles on here–
Tons of LOVE to you–
Thanks, dear friend! I will see you soon!