The Gyalwang Drukpa

Speaking about Lama Chokyi Sengey, I just left him and his group in Avignon. They gave me such a warm hospitality that I am still feeling the warmth and love. In fact, it was very difficult for Lama Chokyi Sengey's centre to accommodate so many people for the public talk and the teachings, they had to turn some people away due to the limited space. Everybody was surprised that many people turned up for my modest presence this time. I think it was because of the genuine connection I had with Bokar Rinpoche, Lama Chokyi Sengey, Lama Namgyal and all other students and members of the late Rinpoche.

The late Bokar Rinpoche and I were receiving highest Tantric teachings from one of the most prominent yogis and abbots of the last century, Khenpo Noryang Rinpoche. We were together with the great Khenpo Noryang of Drukpa Zigar Monastery for a long time, and we treated each other warmly with mutual understanding and support. I can still remember that we often discussed about many parts of the different Tantric practices and found many similarities in our individual practices.

I just want to take some extra time to talk about choosing your guru. Before you commit yourself to a guru, it is really your own responsibility to check him or her inside out, thoroughly, it is your right. Once committed, it's better to follow and this makes your own life a lot easier, less confusion, that is of course if you've found yourself a genuine guru. Most people are blaming their ex-gurus for many strange things, but first of all, you must ask yourself what were the conditions or expectations you had when you took this person as a guru. Was it because you were attracted to him or her physically? Or was it because you were influenced by what other people told you? You are choosing your guru, so you must be cautious and take some time to examine. That's why for me, I have a lot of friends, I don't have that many students or disciples, because firstly it takes me at least 12 years to check and secondly, most people quit before the "probationary period". Maybe that's not too bad news for me, less dropouts from the senior followers.

I want to tell you a little about Chantal who is here with me. I would call Chantal, Lama Namgyal's partner, my Dharma sister, rather than my student, even though she may call herself "student", I won't object to that. As you know, one of my gurus is His Holiness the late Pawo Rinpoche who was also Chantal's guru. She was of course very devoted to His Holiness Pawo Rinpoche and because of that, she "inherited" a lot of his qualities, such as humility in practice, strength in devotion, ability to develop concentration in meditation, loving in all relationships and many other positive qualities. She is in fact doing a lot of things that I request Lama Namgyal to do for me as a favour, but she never comes out to show off. It is a sign of genuine love towards Lama Namgyal and true devotion to the Dharma. What a rare and great quality it is! Whenever I meet her, she reminds me so much of the great qualities of my own gurus, especially of His Holiness the late Pawo Rinpoche. Homage to my beloved gurus and their teachings!

Anyway, I don't want to bore you too much with my gossips. I want to rest and have some walk around and visit the hut where Lama Namgyal and Chantal or Drolkar did a lot of practices, especially Guru Kilaya, very successfully. I am indeed very proud of myself being able to come here. Lama Namgyal was extremely kind to arrange for a BMW to drive me up here, although I actually did not expect anything like this at all. Lama Namgyal wanted to offer me the best from his genuine heart of devotion, which makes me feel very special of him. It's not the luxurious car and comfort that matter to me, it's the heart of sincerity and the efforts that Lama Namgyal makes that really touches my heart. Usually this is true for me with any of my students. No wonder it is said that devotion is everything for the practice.

By the way, I have been receiving very encouraging emails from so many people, asking me to keep writing more on the web and share my views. I hope this is helpful. If news like this is becoming too much to take, let me know, I would be more than delighted to write less.