WHAT A WEEKEND!  Surely spending a two-day retreat with Lama Tsondru (7 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day) is a treat and a blessing.  It was also at times for me inspiring, motivating, confusing, humbling and overwhelming.  During the retreat I thought of the Jack Nicklaus line of about six years ago, when he was asked about Tiger Woods’ golf game, Nicklaus arguably the greatest golfer of all time, at least until Woods appearance, said of Woods, he plays a game that I am not familiar with.  Now, don’t literally parallel that story – I’m not saying that I am Nicklaus – like in my practicing – however, Lama Tsondru Sangpo did speak about and engage in a practice with which I am not familiar.

During the two-day retreat led by Lama Tsondru Sangpo, Padma Karma Rinpoche and attending Sangha members took part in a very detailed practice of offerings to deities and dharmapalas for the purpose of receiving blessings and protection for our practice and for the benefit of all sentient beings.  We were given a basic introduction into the practices surrounding the consumption of food, which we performed before and after two wonderful meals prepared by Tashi La.  Additional practices included purification of our impurities (Dorje Sempa), visualizations, mantras, and mindfulness.  We were also given special practices to use before going to sleep and as soon as awakening and were taught by Lama Tsondru Sangpo a way to see the Center not as an ordinary building or house, but as a Podang or palace – a special place which houses the Dharma.

Throughout the two days, Lama Tsondru Sangpo explained to us, that when using these practices it was necessary to cultivate a proper attitude, both mental and physical, in order to benefit ourselves and all sentient beings.  The completeness and totality of these practices which Lama Tsondru Sangpo spoke about and engaged in, just seemed so overwhelming to actually be able to do.  Practice, ideally, is all encompassing, including mindfulness of thoughts, speech and action, all the time – walking and talking softly and acting gently.  In the past four years of formal practice at the Center, I have traveled the entire spectrum of practice – in my mind, that is – from doing the minimal to get by, to the absolute most that I could manage.  Ha ha!  It appears now that what I thought was a very good effort was merely stretching in preparation for the real practice.  I do need to put things in perspective, though, practicing as completely and diligently as I can, while considering that the circumstances of this precious and auspicious birth which has spoiled me, makes such practice very difficult, indeed.  However, Lama Tsondru Sangpo explained that diligent practice with a pure heart and true devotion may lead to enlightenment in one lifetime.  But it’s so hard to keep at it at times.

Lama Tsondru continually exhibited incredible compassion and expressed how important it is for us to contemplate the suffering of beings in order to develop such compassion needed for the motivation to remove this suffering.  Merit is also so important, Lama Tsondru said, in order for us to be successful in our endeavors, that he specifically gave us two mantras (mala blessing and lineage prayer) to use before every practice in order to increase the merit and benefits 100,000’s of times.  The importance of the Dharma Sangha was explained as well – to respect members and not break Samaya with any Sangha member increases benefits, also.  Sangha members are like a good friend, but more precious than a brother or sister, especially after receiving teachings with them.

It truly was a blessing, which I haven’t as yet fully comprehended, to be a part of this Sangha retreat weekend.  However, there is so much that I don’t remember or probably did not get in the first place, that I really feel remiss writing about the weekend.  I also feel very strange, as well, about someone as special as Lama Tsondru Sangpo; however, despite my doubts, I managed to put pen to paper with the subtle support of Lama Padma Karma Rinpoche.  (Thank You)

I apologize, that if anything which I have written of my experiences this weekend is perceived as negative or lacking in respect or in any other way, it is due entirely to my own ignorance and obstacles which I have put in my own way and is not a reflection on anyone else!  My hope is, however, that in all the mumble jumble that fell out of my head and onto the paper, there may be a tiny nugget of light for someone (despite the mixed metaphor).  

OM AH HUM  OM AH HUM  OM AH HUM

                                                                                             Sangye Yeshe