Wednesday

Collecting Dewdrops

This has been a remarkable summer. With the Sakyong out of retreat, and myself out of a job-on-the-ground (ie: working online has enabled me to be quite flexible with my location and schedule), I made a beeline for retreat centers where the Sakyong was teaching. After a month in Colorado, where among other things, I was on Garsung staff for Sangha Retreat (which I highly recommend to any interested kasung – it’s a wonderful way to serve!), I traveled back home to Karme Choling. While there, I filled many different shoes for the visit and stay of the Sakyong and his beautiful family. Rolling out the red carpet was one of my many duties, holding meetings, ironing linens, and scrubbing the floors were also included. Speaking Nepali with the Sakyong Wangmo and sharing heart-stopping grins with Jetsun Drukmo provided the wind for my sails.

I keep thinking of our larger sangha, particularly those who have not been able to see our Royal Family this summer, and wish to share this wee poem, written during Karme Choling’s first Vajrayana Seminary, so that you too may enjoy the rain of blessings, at least vicariously.

collecting dewdrops

rolling out the red carpet
picking away the dust
preparing the ground
for my guru
to teach

dressed in our armor
of turquoise and gold
pressed suits and ties
sparkling black gowns
we students prepare
to absorb
the teachings
from our guru
and the beauty
of our Queen

collecting dewdrops
we pause for the pearl-
like moments
of hiccuping frogs

gathering tremendous joy
cherishing the dewdrops
and letting them fall
we dance in the warrior’s playground
slipping, sliding on the muddy field
our armor never becoming stained

kindness is the fruition
becoming a good person
is the secret
and the gently spreading smile
of our guru
is recompense
for all of our hard work

grinning into each others hearts
we are humbled
and like deer
take deep delight
in running about
walking and grazing
every day of our life
collecting dewdrops

~ poem written by Sarah Lipton
Karme Choling
Vajrayana Seminary
July 18, 2011