Rain of Flowers

Flower petals continue to rain in anticipation of Tulku Theglo Rinpoche's conferral of the Dudjom Lingpa empowerments at Orgyen Dorje Den in Alameda starting Sunday. I learned this evening that, in additions to his other connections to Dudjom Lingpa, he is his great grandson. Anyway, I am getting my life in order and cleaning up, and am expecting a house guest to stay here and attend the wangs. I'm also planning to pop down to Pema Osel Ling Saturday for Lama Tharchin Rinpoche's "Heart Teachings."

But first, I have to clean the bathtub.

Pema Osel Ling today

Today was absolutely gorgeous. It was Dakini day, our bi weekly day of connection with the awakened activity--the sacred feminine. Everything coalesced around Throma, the most wrathful dakini. I decided to go to Throma tsok at Pema Osel Ling a few days ago. Then, Stacey at Dharma Treasures store at POL called to say that a shipment of statues ordered long ago had arrived, and would I like to buy a statue of Throma? I jumped at the chance, and arranged to pick it up today. Then I set up a massage appointment with Marcie, who lives near Pema Osel Ling for the same day. As I started t write this, I remembered that Marcie is a celebrated Throma practitioner. As I picked up the statue, someone in the bookstore commented to a friend that I look like the Throma statue I just bought. I said, "yes, we do look alike," but really this statue is much more sexy than I am.

Burn Baby Burn

The final day of Gutor, there is a grand procession of warriors. Rinpoche hurls, shoots, and slings symbolic representations of our obstacles into the fire.

Gutor at Pema Osel Ling

A few days after our breakup, I went to Pema Osel Ling for their Tibetan New Year Retreat. How merciful that it was happening right then! Above is a a picture of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche chatting with Lisa, and Kim outside the shrineroom. Harold is in the background.

Gutor is the final period of the old year, and we do a very fierce penetrating group practice, called Vajrakilaya, for a week at this time. There is a full tantric orchestra, and the most elaborate ritual of the year at this time. The lamas ritually enact the binding and obliteration of all of our obscurations and negativities of the new year. (Sorry, lamas, for these incompetent explanations, but I am just trying to give folks some context for my pictures).

It's times like this that I am so grateful for the Dharma. It gives you a whole toolkit for dealing with emotions, including ways at the higher levels that you can actually use them to enhance your practice. So, for those who are worried about me... don't be. I'm more than fine now. But hugs are very welcome.Here is something that none of us ever thought we would see again. This is Rinpoche doing the Black Hat dance, a swirling loping embodiment of battle with the legions of Mara. He hasn't been able to do this in about a decade, but has had a complete turnaround in his health since having a pacemaker put in last year.