Mon, 17 Jul 2006
Superlatives
I thought I'd finish up my recollections of the 2006 with a little list.
- Most emotional moment: The closing ceremony at the end of the teaching, because I knew it would be many months before I could see Khenpo again.
- Most embarassing moment: When I sat down during the Medicine Buddha empowerment with my fly wide open and Michael had to come over and tell me.
- Advice I most need to take to heart: "Refrain from the hope for progress in meditation and the anxiety that it will not occur. Free of hope and fear, relax your mind in the correct posture and remain aware."
- Closest brush with death: When I almost fell of the ladder taking a statue of the top of a bookcase in the bookstore.
- Biggest regret: Not seeing the space shuttle launch.
- Biggest laugh: I asked Khenpo how Amitabha could be a person with a history and at the same time one of the five buddhas, representing discriminating wisdom. He replied that he's both and I said, "I guess I'll have to live with the paradox." That got a big laugh.
- Favorite Meal: Breakfast, because they had peanut butter. I really like peanut butter.
- Biggest surprise: When I heard Will Roth was hospitalized in India during his visit to see the Karmapa.
- Least Surprise: Being assigned to Room 15 again.
- Best surprise: Finding out Aaron was my rommate.
- Greatest wish: That Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche will continue to teach and guide us for many more years.
