Please Come Back To Us Soon

Ever since Mingyur Rinpoche left quietly from Bodhgaya to begin His 3-years retreat as a wandering yogi, nobody knew where He was.

While I was climbing up Taktsang (Tiger Nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan), I thought about Him. It was a very tough path to be a 'wandering monk' in India (ok, it's definitely much harder than ascending Taktasang, certain parts on all fours even) -- will He meet with dangers? When He is sick, will there be someone to take care of him? Will He have enough food to sustain His health? I was worried -- yet, I was really, very proud of Him. There may be many masters like Him, but I've no merit to meet any of them. He is the first and my most excellent role model of all.

Before, I had an intuition something happened when I dreamt of Him twice in 3 consecutive days, and ended up in tears when I awoke. Then, I heard of the news that He left. Nobody knew His whereabouts -- not even His close attendant, His elder brother Tsoknyi Rinpoche or His beloved mother. From a high Rinpoche well-supported by His students worldwide, He chose to take no money along with Him and disappeared. He only had His robes on. He didn't even take His passport, toothbrush and other necessities.

Then, a few months later in September, came the eathquake that rocked Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan. I still had no idea where He was. I just hope He was fine, somewhere in the deep forests in India or among the remote snow mountains in the Himalayas in Nepal. There may be times when I am distracted and forget about Him, but I know He and His blessings will always stay with me no matter what. I just pray that may there be no obstacles to His life and health, that He is safe wherever He is, and may He overcome all adversities by the power of His pure intention.

Ultimately, I believe He doesn't want us to waste our energy and cause disturbance to our mind worrying for Him also, but instead use our energy and clear mind to practise. He wrote a letter before He left: "Practice is the most important. Among the practices, taming the mind and meditation is the most important. I want to do that and I want you to do that." So whatever happens, I will rejoice for Him because this is what He sincerely and single-mindedly wants to do. How many of us have the courage to pursue even our ordinary dreams? To think He actually have the tremendous guts to give up everything, from the relative comfort & safety of doing retreat in a retreat room, to even the money to sustain His living expenses, so as to pursue an austere spiritual path just for us beings and students. He is indeed extremely kind to us, kinder than the Buddhas and great masters!

Rinpoche, when the time comes that You've accomplished the Path, please come back to us again. And You must come back to us again. We will wait for you...