....Finding my Buddha Nature with the likes of the Karmapa, Tenzin Palmo, Chamtrul Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche.

....Spinning the Wheel of Dharma with Chamtrul Rinpoche in Dharamsala. Although I understand almost nothing, I'm captivated by everything he says.

....Todgen Yogis, Tashi Jong Gompa & Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche at Deer Park Institute. Orygen Tobgyal Rinpoche's teaching is held in the Manjusuri Hall with a giant gilded statue of Manjushrii Buddha (Wisdom). Even against such a magnificent backdrop, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche (OT) with his inimitable style as a great orator takes center stage.

I arrive at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery for tea with visit with Ani Tenzin Palmo. Her private study is spacious and packed with books and a writing desk, dark brown and burgundy, with clear light streaming through the windows. She sits in an upholstered chair in her robes. If I was at all nervous, her genuine kindness and humour immediately puts me at ease.

In South India there is a lonely hill that is revered in Hindu sacred tradition and legendary history. My travels in Tiruvannamalia, India, take me to the heart of the Holy Mountain and the teachings of Ramana Maharishi. 

A visit to the inner sanctum of Arunachaleswar Temple for darshan 

The Mountain Path. I get up early after a noisy night of surreal dreams, eat an iddly breakfast and take a rickshaw to the Sri Ramana Maharishi ashram. It’s a beautiful morning to climb Arunachala.

Giri Pradakshina is an ancient ritual where thousands of Siva devotees circumambulate Arunachala as an act of bhakti (love) for Siva and ultimate union with the Self. While it can be done at any time, certain times are considered more powerful. New Year’s Eve is particularly auspicious this year because it’s full moon, blue moon and lunar eclipse.