Congratulations.....IT'S A BOY!!

A doctor has never said that to me.  Nor have I heard  the words, "you're having a girl."
Well.....at least not in this lifetime.
When Richard and I traveled to Nepal last year, people were always asking us how many children we had.  When I replied "none", they often appeared confused.  You could see it in their eyes,  they truly felt sorry for us.  I found myself quickly explaining I couldn't have children - but I planned to have MANY in my next life.  This would immediately bring big smiles.
During our travels, we were constantly being introduced to family members...."This is my Auntie, this is my Uncle, this is my Mother, this is my Sister, this is my Brother, this is my Grandson."  Wait......a 20 year old with a Grandson?  It was then explained to me these "labels" are often used as terms of endearment or as recognition of a Karmic connection.
So it warmed my heart - when I opened my Facebook account last week and found H.E the 9th Kunsang Dorjie Rinpoche had listed me as his mother.

H.E the 9th Kunsang Dorjie Rinpoche - Kunsang Tulku

Rinpoche and I have not met in person.  I friended him in June of last year after reading about a project he was involved with in Kathmandu, The Tibetan Home for the Aged.  Rinpoche had visited the 70 or so residents and was so moved by their suffering - he decided to help.

These 70 over Tibetan folks needs your help.  They are facing with housing problem, health problems but one thing they have a pure heart doing pujas 4 times a day and always praying for every sentient beings.  therefore i have taken the responsibility to help rebuild their home and provide proper living conditions and healthy food and medical help.  so please help me in this cause.  thanks lovesss- KDR

Rinpoche giving blessing at the Tibetan Home for the Aged

Six months later, enough money had been raised to start renovations.  That's a pretty amazing accomplishment for a  twenty one year old.

Then again, Rinpoche isn't your average young man.  He is a recognized TULKU - a reincarnated high ranking lama who chose how he wanted to be reborn in this life.  I didn't know that when I friended him but as I read his status updates and notes it became clear,  Kunsang was wise beyond his years.

"FINE OR COARSE" refers to the deepness or shallowness of practice.  I have often cautioned you against comparing your practice with that of others or your own self at different times.  Such comparisons are only subjective.  Today someone burst out crying in the meditation hall.  One person may have thought, "Oh, she's not doing so well."  Another, "I think she's becoming enlightened!" Or else, "Maybe she's going crazy."  None of these thoughts may represent the true situation.  Whether she felt pain or sorrow, became enlightened or went crazy, it's her business.  It has nothing to do with anyone else.  Making comparisons inevitable means judging others.

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Awareness of mind means that you are fundamentally aware and that your mind is aware of yourself.In other words, you're aware that you're aware. You are not a machine; you are an individual person relating with what's happening around you. Mindfulness is developing this sense of being.

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The real glory of meditation lies not in any method but in its continual living experience of presence, in its bliss, clarity, peace and most important of all, complete absence of grasping. The diminishing of grasping in yourself is a sign that you are becoming freer of yourself.

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The ego is that part in us which feeds off praise, compliment and success. When we live in the ego we are inevitably subject to feelings of superiority/inferiority, pride and worthlessness, success and failure.  If we want to avoid these negative emotions we need to transcend the ego. If we can transcend the ego, we will find that people are instinctively more attracted to us, even though we are no longer trying to impress.

I don't know how to describe it other than to say reading his words was like getting a letter from a long lost friend.  I started cutting out his notes and pasting them in my journal - they just "spoke" to me. The first time we Skyped, I felt the same way.  We talk about what we're doing, his health (like many lamas, he sleeps very little - only a few hours a night - that causes some health issues) travel plans, etc.  I have no idea how many students/followers he has - that makes no difference to me.  As I write this, Kunsang is getting ready to go on a ten year retreat.  Many people were upset that he would be gone for so long.  But he's  been working very hard over the past few weeks, recording music and prayers for his students to listen to while he's away.  His CD is going to be released on Saturday.

Rinpoche's CD

Over the past few months,  I have called him Rinpoche... Lama... Kunsang-la... My Dharma Friend.
Now, thanks to a karmic connection I can add  "My Dharma Son."  My hope is that I will be fortunate enough to meet my son face to face.