A New Chapter

In 2019 I had the good fortune of speaking with Lama Zangmo on the cosy couch in the kitchen at Johnson House, Samye Ling. At that point, I had finished some travelling and decided after speaking to her that it would be a good idea to spend some time at the London Centre while I figured out my next steps. I signed up for a 3-month live-in volunteer contract and moved in, imagining to be on my way in a few months. I had no idea that for years to come, I would call Kagyu Samye Dzong London (KSDL) my home and find with it a place of spiritual growth, deep friendship and joy, with a few healthy challenges sprinkled along the way. I am very grateful for this time as it will deeply enrich my life as I move out from living at the centre.

I’ve been privileged to have had a few different roles and hats in my time here. I have been both a volunteer and a resident, worked with our wonderful Simon in the office, driven our old red van to go shopping in East Street Market, over-watered the garden and undercooked food, cleaned, worked on a blog during Covid and a new website, and more recently managed the tearoom in an ever-so-slightly chaotic way.  

Being able to live at the centre opened up the possibility of receiving incredible teachings from Lama Zangmo as well as from the many visiting teachers who have taught over the years. Last year was also the first time Lama Yeshe Rinpoche visited in five years and it was very special to be part of this! Living at the centre also allowed me to spend valuable time with visiting teachers over meals or going for walks. There is nowhere else I could have lived, other than Samye Ling, where I would have had such privileged exposure. 

While all of the above was taking place I began to appreciate the opportunity to practice with others. There is more motivation in doing prostrations or sitting in the morning meditation if you know others will be there, and without a doubt there is more energy in the evening sessions or a Simply Meditation day when the shrine room is full. Although there is still room for improvement, my discipline in practicing daily has improved, and I am very grateful to the KSDL Sangha for this. 

While being a full-time volunteer last year, Lama Zangmo was also very encouraging of us attending the UK Monlam and Meditation Retreat led by Drupon Rinpoche in Samye Ling. We went up together for both retreats as a team and I loved feeling part of the London crew! Not only this but I was able to go and spend one month at the Sekhar retreat centre during our closure period in summer last year. To be honest, I was so nervous - I thought there was no way my monkey mind would be able to do a whole month of disciplined routine! However, although I did find it challenging, once I got used to the routine I started to really value my time there. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, with almost daily teachings from Drupon Rinpoche. It was also wonderful to see old friends who are currently on a long retreat there.

I also started studying Tibetan, which I had planned to do for years but only started having lessons with Lama Zangmo’s encouragement. I thought I wouldn’t get very far, and although I still find it difficult, I am so enjoying learning this incredible language. I am now able to read and consequently, I find reading prayers and scripts much more impactful as I recognise words or parts of words that I know from different contexts. I have made beautiful friendships both in the centre and online with other students and Tibetan teachers, and even met two of my teachers while in Nepal last year! 

I feel this last year of being in the tearoom has opened up my heart to friendships within the resident community, with other tearoom volunteers and with the people who frequent the centre. It has also made me grateful for the wider mandala of Akong Rinpoche’s vision. As I was born in Zimbabwe and lived for several years in Cape Town, I feel deeply connected to the centres in that part of the world. Now having spent the last 5 to 6 years at KSD London (with a period in Zimbabwe) I also feel connected to the centre here in London. Being based in London I also got to meet and know wonderful members of other centres around the UK and Europe and I feel truly blessed to be held in this wider Kagyu family.

Although my time at the centre has been so special, I have decided to move out of the centre to explore new adventures, but only a 23-minute cycle ride away, so not too far! I would like to thank my parents who were brave enough to venture down this unfamiliar path many years ago in Zimbabwe. If they hadn’t had that courage, I don’t know if I would have ever been so blessed to have met the dharma. I would also like to thank everyone who has been so kind to me at the centre over the past few years, from the visitors of the tearoom to the residents and the awesome volunteer team. I am truly grateful for all of your patience with me and for your friendships. We all owe so much to Lama Zangmo, but on a personal note she has allowed a space for me to explore Tibetan Buddhism and my practice in a safe, nourishing and accepting space, and I will be forever grateful.