How blessed we felt early last week when we were able to host a Tibetan Lama – Lama Chamtrul Rinpoche – in our home for 2 days.

Rinpoche runs a Dharma Centre in Dharamsala, India and is currently visiting South Africa, where has been scheduled to teach in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town until the end of September 2012.

While Duan was bursting with excitement I was feeling somewhat apprehensive as well.  I had no idea what to expect; what  was considered the correct etiquette, what I was going to serve at meal times.  Thankfully somehow everything fell into place.

Rinpoche was a rather delightful individual with absolutely no airs and graces about him.  He is a high lama but seemed to feel perfectly at ease in our humble home.   He was more than happy to chat away while we ate meals (unlike what we usually see on TV where lamas/monks always eat in dead silence), and was also very accommodating to friends and neighbours of ours who wanted to meet him but could not attend his teachings.

The teaching we attended was brilliant.  Although he sometimes found it a little difficult to pronounce certain words correctly in English, what he was saying was perfectly clear.  We all have the right to choose our own religion, if you don’t like someone else’s choice, deal with it (quietly).  Ultimately it is not a one religion fits all scenario but rather each to their own provided you serve the Diving Light.  Another thing he pointed out quite beautifully is that regardless of what religion we choose the real responsibility does not lie with the teacher who’s path we choose to follow but rather with us ourselves.  We are solely responsible for how we conduct ourselves, what choices we make and how we serve both God, our fellow man and ultimately all sentient beings - 0ur teachers are there only to guide and direct us.

What Rinpoche taught was not foreign to us, but sometimes it does help to be reminded and for that we are immensely thankful.

“The worst is now behind you, and you’re surmounting any previous challenges.” – Archangel Jeremiel

“The challenges you’ve faced have made you stronger and have taught you new lessons.  Instead of becoming bitter, you’ve opened your heart with compassion toward people in similar situations.  You’ve let go of any blame or feelings of victimhood.  This is why you’re now overcoming your previous challenges.  Your positive outlook is attracting a loving solution and new situations at a higher level of spiritual understanding.  Stay positive!”

An extract from the guidebook for the ”Archangel Oracle Cards” by Doreen Virtue.  Available from both Kalahari.com or Red Pepper Books.  (Please see our affiliate page for links.)