#29 NEW HAMPSHIRE

 Zooming in to the Natural Dharma Fellowship at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge with Lama Willa Miller, founder.  Lama Willa completed two intensive 3-year retreats, presumably at the NY Wappinger's Falls' Kagyu Thegsum Choling under Lama Norlha and Kalu Rinpoche.   I used to do day retreats at KTC back in the early 80's and know that Lama Norlha started some of the very first US traditional 3-year retreats in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.  Lama Norlha resigned in disgrace over sexual impropriety and Kalu Rinpoche apparently had his share of bad behavior.  Lama Willa writes an excellent piece here on sexual abuse in the Buddhist traditions.   

On a somewhat unrelated note, one day in the meditation hall at KTC,  Kalu Rinpoche stated that we have the precious human and superior body (and therefore an opportunity to become enlightened that other beings do not have) as evidenced by the fact that cats (he meowed) make only one sound and we make lots of them.  I talked that over with my cat and she forgave him, but I did not go back. 

Willa started with 15 minutes of quiet meditation, the breath breathing you, body like a mountain, breath like the wind, awareness like the sky, open and vast.  Lovely. 

Following that was an hour concert by Satigata band, which featured some chanting such as Om Tutare and the Heart Sutra and some originals.  Not my cup of tea.   For me, Imee Ooi makes the spirit tear my heart open in a flood of tears.   There are tons of beautiful versions of Hindu chants I like, including anything from Hanuman Maui, or by other simple hippies. 

Lama then talked a bit about Bakti, or devotional practice, taking care to note that it is not 'worship' or at least not blind worship, but a practice of fondness, love, and longing to connect with the spirit.  She told a touching story of her aunt who was dying during Covid and told Willa that she had the realization that her life had been 'me me me' and from that moment forward, she wanted it to be 'we we we.'. 

Willa also read a touching poem by Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangyal (1781-1851)  which included, I, a blue cuckoo, am happy.  I wish I could find it.  I can't but I also love this one I found: 

Another day, I went for some fresh air to a meadow covered with flowers.
… While singing and remaining in a state of awareness of the absolute
view, I noticed among the profusion of flowers spread out before me one
particular flower waving gently on it’s long stem and giving out a sweet fragrance,
as it swayed from side to side, I heard this song in the rustling

Of its petals...

Listen to me, mountain dweller:…
I don’t want to hurt your feelings,
but, in fact, you even lack awareness
of impermanence and death.
Let alone any realization of emptiness.

For those with such awareness,
outer phenomena all teach impermanence and death.
I, the flower, will now give you, the yogi,
a bit of helpful advice
on death and impermanence.

A flower born in a meadow,
I enjoy perfect happiness
with my brightly colored petals in full bloom.
Surrounded by an eager cloud of bees,
I dance gaily, swaying gently with the wind.
When a fine rain falls, my petals warp around me;
when the sun shines I open like a smile.

Right now I look well enough.
But I won’t last long.
Not at all.

Unwelcome frost will dull the vivid colors,
till turning brown I wither.
Thinking of this, I am disturbed.
Later still, winds –
Violent and merciless –
Will tear me apart until I turn to dust….

You, hermit,…
Are of the same nature.

Surrounded by a host of disciples,
you enjoy a fine complexion,
your body of flesh and blood is full of life.
When others praise you,
You dance with joy;…

Right now, you look well enough.
But you won’t last long.
Not at all.

Unhealthy ageing will steal away
your healthy vigor;
your hair will whiten
and your back will grow bent….

When touched by the merciless hands
of illness and death
you will leave this world
for the next life….

Since you, mountain-roaming hermit,
And I, a mountain flower,
Are mountain friends,
I have offered you
These words of good advice. 

Then the flower fell silent and remained still.

In reply, I sang:
O brilliant, exquisite flower,
your discourse on impermanence
is wonderful indeed.

But what shall the two of us do?
Is there nothing that can be done?...

The flower replied:
…Among all the activities of samsara,
there is not one that is lasting.

Whatever is born will die;
Whatever is joined will come apart;
Whatever is gathered will disperse;
Whatever is high will fall.

Having considered this,
to resolve not to be attached
to these lush meadows,
even now, in the full glory of my display,
even as my petals unfold in splendor…

You too, while strong and fit,
should abandon your clinging….
seek the pure field of freedom,
the great serenity.