Samye Ling

Samye Ling. October 2011   (http://www.samyeling.org/)

Yesterday I just had to get away. 

A busy week at work plus the added frustrations of a computer training course of all things. Yes; a get away was needed. I had a rough plan but nothing was set in stone.

I arrived at Samye Ling after a fruitful morning spent pleasantly and slowly meandering through the traffic free B roads, hills, and forests of the Scottish Borders. Sadie' was soon parked up in the large flat visitor parking area.

I decided to carry out a meditative ceremony of placing a small amount of my beloved Kate's ashes in the circular lake with Buddha in the centre of it. A walking meditation of 3 times round one way and then 3 times the other way was completed and the ashes deposited in the lake. I was left in no doubt at that point why I had arrived here. Strong emotions were tenderly touched. Tanya walked with me throughout the meditation.

We then visited the temple to see the daily shrine programme. On to reception to ask if there would be the possibility of a blessing or whatever for my motorhome. I was informed yes, is possible but it was a busy weekend with a course going on. However; the Abbot was in residence. I was to see his secretary Ani Lhammo the next morning after prayers.

I duly paid a £15.00 site fee for my place in the spacious car park and informed it entitled me to an evening meal and breakfast. Neither of which I took advantage of. I had already bought my food and was looking forward to catering for myself. I wonder how that will change as my voyage progresses?

Food was prepared, eaten and enjoyed. I then left Tanya in Sadie and walked to the temple for a quiet and silent meditation. All official shrine programs had finished as it was by this time half past eight in the evening. There was a couple in the temple who, after politely asking my permission to 'make noise' for one and a half hours carried out the most beautiful Puja, prayers or whatever you like to call it.

I was transfixed and remained throughout. I experienced the power of two voices completely in harmony, in love if you like, chanting the many verses and expertly interfacing them with bells, Tibetan horn, ,drum and various woops. I knew as I walked back to Sadie I had received the requested blessing of my journey and my motorhome. I knew once again why I was at Samye Ling. I knew once again if I just follow the unknown, the 'don't know', then the path is there, laid out for me, unmistaken, clear and totally rewarding.

I am about to leave now, it is nearly one pm and I have enjoyed a good walk with Tanya where a flow of words, Mantra or prayers if you like, cascaded through my head. I have an overall sense of peace, Joy and tranquillity.

Earlier I walked back to reception and asked if the couple were known and what Mantra or prayer they were chanting. It may have been available in the shop as a CD. The monk on reception, the same one who had booked me in the night before, had no idea. He did not know. 

“That is just fine.” I informed him. “That is how it is meant to be. Don't know is the journey I am on”.

I guess that is it. 'I don't know'. This weekend had been all about clarifying this new part of my life. This new direction in what I call 'the unknown path of awakening mind.' 'Don't know'. Take what is. It will be OK. Just go with it and enjoy.