Karmapa tosses the object at Nalandabodhi

Karmapa’s Quantum Compassion or  Quantum prank!?

Tossing the Object at Nalandabodhi, Seattle.

It was the last web-streamed teaching of Karmapa’s  U.S. tour.

Nalandabodhi is the organization created by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche to support his students in their study of Buddhist philosophy and the practice of meditation under his direction. 

Karmapa’s overall topic was  a call to compassionate action, and near the end, 

 he made a distinction between doing an action to benefit beings, vs. existing as one who actually embodies the nature of being genuinely beneficial.

He concluded his teaching with a pith instruction.

 ....“if we set ourselves up as the person who wishes to benefit others, and set the goal of benefiting others separate from that,

 then we will never accomplish the fully genuine expression of benefiting others...

"I think, in general, there still seems to be a sense that there is too much distance between what we say and what we do.

 “It’s important to not just content oneself with saying things. And not just satisfy oneself through understanding things.

"But actually take what was said, and take what was understood, and apply that as meaningfully as we can, to our own minds, and then begin to bring it into our experience, through practice, and through effort. 

"This means taking away the separation between the dharma and the person. We don't want the Dharma and the person to be two separate things; we want them to merge together..."

They say the Karmapa teaches on many planes at once--and here you can plainly see it!

The Karmapa lifted a small object from the table...

And transferred it to his right hand.....

As the translator continued: "In another way, you could describe this as lack of separation,  between the action and the performer of the action."

The translator did not intone the word ACTION like a movie director offering a cue—yet  the Karmapa tossed the the object at that very second—

  

The demonstration was executed smoothly and naturally. So subtle it could almost be missed, although you could hear a surprised murmur wave through the audience. The timing was flawless. The object sailed like a living koan or tiny buddha—whisking away any residue of dullness that words and theories can cause. Immediately after, the Karmapa offered a kind of spiritual equation:

"So, as short of a distance as we can make, between the action and the performer of the action... to that degree, we will truly come to understand reality, and manifest genuinely positive results."

As you can see for yourself, there was very little distance between the action and the performer of the action--in fact, they were seamlessly united--from the moment the action was born until the moment it ceased. And henceforth, it seems anyone who witnessed or was effected by this specific  action will seamlessly associate it with the performer of the action.

For me, witnessing this visual demonstration, while simultaneously hearing the instruction, was an empowerment! It awakened a sense memory of all the times, for whatever reason, since I was a child, when I had a goal and acted in accordance, with confidence and unity of my being with the goal—in a simplicity, with a true desire, with a full awareness, with all my innate abilities, fully acting, and at the same time, letting go of control.

Like a slam-dunk basket! And a lot of other things.

The unexpected action and the swiftness of its execution, and its perfect unity with each word --(please try to see the vid for yourself)—opened a door that no matter of complicated or special practices could open.

It said—if not now, when?

It said—come on, you know what to do, so just do it!

It said—yes, you do so know how to  love and care for others,  stop pretending you forgot.

It said—go ahead and smile.

“Extending love and concern to others, is the essence of being alive as a human....If you seize whatever opportunities you have to develop compassion, that would be beneficial.”

 Thank you for devoting your life and efforts to this, your Holiness Karmapa, and coming here to be with us and share with us. May you be well and happy, may you achieve what you wish, with no obstacle between you and your students!

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.