It was sad to leave McLeod Ganj, but actually I feel great! I had some wonderful experiences there. Since my last post I saw some beautiful Tibetan opera at TIPA, joined in on a mass cleanup, and went to an enlightening teaching at Tushita by Lama Zopa. His teaching style is very different from the Dalai Lama's - more experiential. It was hard to listen to him because of the incredible quantity of throat-clearing and ums and ahs, but I couldn't help feeling that it was all an act to make us listen more attentively. He was scheduled to talk for an hour but went on for about four. It was funny to see the reverence paid to him by the other monks - his robe would slowly fall down, and one would come to put it back on him. A couple times a monk would come and lift his water for him, and he would just let him stand there for half an hour holding the water before taking a sip. At one point he read from some sutras for about thirty minutes at auctioneer-on-speed pace - without clearing his throat. As far as content goes, he emphasized that things do exist, but are empty, so do not truly exist. During my course my teacher talked about him, saying that he never slept and could read minds and fly and things... Not sure about that, but he was definitely a very unusual sort of person.
Anyway, I'm feeling awesome, even though it was 36 degrees here today.
My roomies gave me a going-away CD full of pictures of life in McLeod Ganj - here's one of monks in line outside the temple during the Dalai Lama's teachings:
Ta!
3 comments:
Hi Deaner!
Evertime I read your blog I'm so impressed with the diversity of experiences you seem to be collecting along your way. It all sounds very cool and much more than your typical vacation/trip. As for me I have been trying to grasp a slightly different kind of wisdom. I've signed up for this university course through Simon Fraser that is freakishly being offered in Dawson Creek. The course is about the history and current practical application of immersion programs world wide, with a focus on Canada. The teacher is French, though she has had experience with immersion programs in Italy, Spain and Finland. The course is taught 100% in French and my essays and projects will have to be as well. Anyway I'm liking the course but feeling pretty exhausted, which is what working full time, taking classes on the weekend, playing on a volleyball team and being 6 and 1/2 months pregnant will do to a person.
En tous cas je t'aime, et s'il te plait continue de me tenir au courant.
Gros Bisous!
xoxox
Ali
It sounds a bit like performance art meets spirituality. Perhaps you can use some of these antics ;^] Ali can hold the glass for you! BTW, glad to hear of the unbearably heavy weight of your backpack!
Blister,
What a full life you're having! That sounds like an interesting course - is there any particular reason you're taking it, or just for interest? Btw, what are you doing playing on a volleyball team while you're pregnant?? Don't mind me, I guess that's what pregnant women do these days... Je pense de toi beaucoup! Take it easy,
lots of love!
Dad - This glass idea sounds good to me too...
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