I’ve been studying hard these days. Tibetan language is just as difficult as I thought it would be. But it’s not impossible and I’m having the time of my life learning, like a newborn, how to name the world again.

But still, I decided to take a little break last weekend. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche was giving a teaching of the eighth chapter of The Way Of The Bodhisattva in the Tibetan colony of Bir.

It was a wonderful three days of transformative and illuminating teachings. Not only is he a great scholar and master, he’s also very funny. In his early fifties now, he’s a Bhutanese tulku, a recognized reincarnation of of a realized lama, who’s been living and teaching in the west for the past twenty or so years. As a result, he speaks our language. Kind of.

He says things like:

“The only thing that can get us out of the box (of samsara) is prayer, supplication and aspiration. I know that’s not what your scientific minds want to hear, but it’s just how it is,”

and…

“After six months of shamatha and vipassana meditation practice, you won’t be ironing your underwear anymore,”

…and my personal favorite:

“Our ordinary minds are like, 500 times Kim Jong Il. We’re terrified to ever question them and so, just blindly follow whatever they say…”

But he’s not just some esoteric entertainer putting on a Dharma-three-ring-circus. He’s also a real-life bodhisattva. He’s the real deal and you can feel the wisdom and unconditional compassion radiating off him the minute he walks into the room. When he gave a lung, a reading transmission, of the Longchen Nyingtik Ngondro, many of us were openly weeping.

Well, at least I was. But I’m kind of sappy like that.

All in all, it was a great weekend. I feel refreshed, like I always do after a teaching. Now, it’s back to the grind as they say. But, as grinds go, I’m not complaining at all.

Sending you all love and prayers. Tashi Delek and have a wonderful day!