Enchanted Morning

Finally, on December 24th, after eight hours of kick-ass empowerments, preceded by a frenzy of torma making* for yours truly, I awoke to see the rising sun and the setting full moon in the sky at the same time.

Time to say goodbye to Tara Mandala and head out to New Mexico where I plan to stay wait out the airport rush on the 24th and fly home on xmas day.

You may notice I haven't said anything much about the content of the program.  It was a very magical time, but it is traditional to keep the experience "warm' inside and not disperse it by blabbing about it to people who weren't there.

*tormas are symbolic colored dough sculptures used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals.

My Friend--The residence building

Close Up

From across the meadow

While at TM, we were the first group to use the new Residence Hall, an addition to the place that really makes it possible to go on retreat there without being a total bitch.  I have had back pain since childhood, and also I have high needs for alone time.  Now, we can stay on a very comfortable mattress with only two people per room, and have a luxurious pain killing hot shower, or--get this--a bath--after a hard day of sitting.  Thank you thank you, to the donors who made this possible!