Karmapa in Woodstock!!!

My teacher, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan buddhism has been here in Woodstock, his North American seat. This is the town I came to almost half a century ago at age seven. What can I say? I san see the top of the mountain out my window, and yesterday I was up there early in the morning watching Karmapa planting trees--and later, at the same humble spot where I--and later my two daughters--used to lie on a towel in the sun at day camp--and the same spot where I saw HH Dalai Lama speak in 2007--His Holiness spoke--to old and new Woodstockers about
the interdependent nature of our world, encouraging us to take an active role in healing this world and environment.

What could this mean?

What on earth could this mean for you and me?



Some day I will tell you how my life changed from my long association with this teacher.
Only the smallest drops of change are coming into my heart--true methods of handling strong emotions and challenging circumstances. Learning to become proactive instead of reactive. These are not easy things, and this has been a lifelong process, to be ready to forgive, love, be useful--and to take practical steps day by day, moment by moment.

All I can say is a few years ago I suffered three extreme injuries--and no longer could sit or walk or exist without extreme pain. At the same time I lost my home to hurricane, and in the same time period my two closest friends died. My career dissolved to nothing and I had a full-time aide and was a virtual prisone of my house, in constant pain--with no hope from doctors--and with a shattered mind.

I was in a retreat, I was told by the retreat lamas conencted with the monastery. A retreat of the most difficult kind. With their loving support--I survived--and one day,  I set out and began to walk--and I got stronger. But my healing and recovery did not begin until I walked down the hill to a meeting of ordinary people and discovered basic daily principles--and love, and service, thoughtfulness and action, all in one room. Today I am walking, sitting, driving! My mind has become calmer. For the first time in m life--I feel included among humans--because I include them, and do not run away or fight or hide because I am not getting my way. I am included because I show up as myself, and am so amazed to know that this is good enough. To show up with love and willingness, to be a being among other beings , to be useful,  and to accept. For some this seems bnatural, for me it took a lifetime.

I feel part of the world--and my dear, dear family again--and overflow with the blessings of this life, even standing among sorrows--have learned so man things, and some day hope I could offer them to you--or anyone who feels they do not know the way out and through.

Keep going!

I owe so much to this great teacher. I wish he would stay forever.



Karmapa, along with his seemingly unearthly powers and abilities, is a human who also suffers like
us, and also wishes, like us, for love, freedom and happiness. Today I wish that he might be blessed with all he offers in every waking moment to beings and the world.