Calling the Lama from afar...

Photos copyright: Leighton Cooke 2007
...I come from the land of song, so I was happy and proud to be present yesterday evening when Claron McFadden received the Amsterdam Culture Prize in the Musiekgebouw aan 't Ij on the city's waterfront. Claron sang, with Aleksandra Anisimowicz, the duet "I' mi son Giovinetta" by Luzzasco Luzzaschi which was, for me, the high spot of the evening. Alessandro Pianu played harpsichord. Afterwards we talked about music, her native city of New York and our mutual love of Mozart. Claron reaches out beyond the classical medium to embrace dance and many different aspects of the performing arts. She also loves children and Rebeka was captivated by the opportunity to meet a real star. Me too. It was an evening I'll never forget and a fitting finale to my years in Amsterdam. As I prepare to return to the hills of Wales I'm more than a little sad about the dear friends I'll leave behind. For a long time I've been calling my Lama from afar and now he has answered. Nothing is more precious than the chance to be with a great spiritual friend who can lead you out of confusion. I remember an afternoon with Geshe-la many years ago in Bromley, near London. It was one of those timeless moments when you simply know that the heart has no limits. Geshe Damchos teaches with laughter, the best medicine of all. Now many years later those seeds are ripening as this evening I listen to a beautiful solo Tibetan chant of Om Mani Padme Hung Hri. One day Tibet will be free and its people will know no more fear or suffering. Till that day comes we shall sing our songs of the heart, wishing to return to those we love. I am very fortunate to be going home and I wish that everyone who this night is separate from their home and those that they love finds their way back.

No more heraith any more...

...as the Cookie mouse morphs into a homing pigeon! I'm packing my bags and heading for the hills to confront my wyrd and do some permaculture. it's been a while since I saw these trees being planted. Now they are a living orchard and form a path of meditation, a gradual path that tells us we should slow down. Lam Rim is such a special place that has been the home of my heart for over thirty years. It has matured into a natural refuge and a safe haven for those who seek peace and tranquility. Geshe-la is in good spirit and looking well. Soon I'm off to London to catch up with old and new friends. Then it's back to Wales. The family kept the home fires burning and it's time to get warm again.

See you in heaven, Kristin...people's princess...

See you in heaven, Kristin...people's princess..., originally uploaded by Leighton Cooke.

...Sometimes things happen in a very strange way. On the way into town the other day I saw a sign warning people on bicycles against the "dead corner" when large vehicles are turning and cannot see the front side. Half an hour later I witnessed just that happen. Kristin Steele worked in the Hard Rock Cafe and was a very popular girl. I spoke to an eye witness, who got there just before me, today. It is so sad what happened. Please everyone be careful on your bicycles. There is far too much traffic in the centre of Amsterdam. I had a near fatal accident two years ago. Everyone is in such a hurry. We must learn to slow down. Let us remember Kristin and be more aware.

Smile...with Tony and Barbra...

...two singers I love. Joy, the aim of life. This has been a Mercury retrograde of reflection. I awake in a light, silly mood of indica dreams. We create our world, as it creates us.

Tibetan monk on long distance pilgrimage...

...prostrating his way over one year and eight months at the rate of six kilometres a day. Sherab Gyaltsen is on his way to the Buddhist pilgrimage centre of Bodh Gaya where according to tradition the Buddha reached enlightenment under a peepul tree. This extreme endurance test is part of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist path of purification. In sixteen days Sherab's journey will be complete.