Awake in the Dream
Water spirits in swimming pool, Miami-Dade, Fla., 2012. Image reproduced in b/w (Photo by N. L. Drolma)
Mahaguru Portraits - Part 2
Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche during break in the “Nang Jang” teachings, Pema Osel Ling, California 1996 (Photo by N. L. Drolma)
“If we only identify with the coarse energy of substance, we will have fear and misunderstanding. We will believe that death is true because we have no faith in our deathless nature, which is actual Buddha. Mind cannot be awakened by the influence of ordinary phenomena, which only strengthen our useless, old samsaric habits… By practicing we can increase the wisdom qualities of our natural mind until our karmic cataracts are removed, and with our limitless wisdom eyes, we can see the infinite display of wisdom appearance.
—Thinley Norbu, “White Sail”
Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche. Drawing by N. L. Drolma (Watercolor, pencil and conté crayon, 18” x 24”)
“All negativity arises in you; all negativity dissolves in you.”
— Seymo Saraswati Rinpoche
Dzogchen Rinpoche Jigme Losel Wangpo, Lerab Ling, France 1993 (Photo by N. L. Drolma)
Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, NYC 1993 (Photo by N. L. Drolma)
“The Maha Ati,
which is beyond conceptions and transcends both grasping and letting go…
is the unchanging state of meditation in which there is awareness but no clinging.”
— Jigme Lingpa
Seymo Saraswati Rinpoche, Pharping residence, Nepal 1997 (Photo by N. L. Drolma)
Calling the Lama from Afar
To be aware of the faults of the external world and the beings contained within it,
As they consist of what is momentary and impermanent,
To reach without effort in this present moment,
The unconditioned, spontaneously existing ground of great bliss,
Which, present from the beginning, has never arisen, been born or changed,
I pray to you, the essence of the Buddha, the Vajra Guru, please think of me!
— Verse from prayer composed by Chatralwa Sangye Dorje
Yeshe Tsogyal. Drawing by N. L. Drolma (10” x 13.5” watercolor, conté crayon, pencil)
Dudjom Rinpoche III Sangye Pema Shepa, Yangleshö, Nepal 1997 (Photo by N. L. Drolma)
“A mind that is not agitated by thoughts concerning the past, present, and future, a mind that is thought-free, is a state that is stunningly vast and open. It is full of joy. Even when the mind’s nature is recognized, it is impossible to describe. It is empty. It rests in awareness.”
— HH Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje
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Hung! Hung!