Let the Phenomena Play

The first consultation on the Chogyam Trungpa Legacy Project was held in the shrineroom of the Boulder Shambhala Center last night, with more than 250 in attendance. Following the lighting of four shrines and a chant, Light of Blessings, dedicated to Chogyam Trungpa (led by Larry Mermelstein), Lady Diana gave remarks on her hearfelt wish for the Legacy Project to succeed in preserving and propagating the dharma teachings and legacy of her husband Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Lady DIana began by reading the letter from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche which is on the chogyamtrungpa.com site. Then I gave some opening remarks, which were less than comprehensive but expressed the openness of the evening to audience involvement and comment on this project. For the next two hours, community members came to the mikes to express their feelings about the project, concerns about it, and many many varied points of view. Acharya Judy Lief gonged anyone who went beyond their 3 minute limit for comments. It was a remarkable outpouring by members old and new,with comments from Naropa Pres. Tom Coburn as well. He, by the way, was extremely gracious about being gonged. Following the meeting, a group of us went to the Corner Bar of the Boulderado Hotel, where over beer and cheese we raised many toasts to Chogyam Trungpa. Henry Schaeffer commented "It's wonderful," many times in regards to the invocation of the Vidyadhara and his energy over the past few days. While the Boulder meeting left some less than satisfied by its formlessness, I found the open space powerful. It was good to be in that room with so many comrades, old and new. We'll see what comes of it. A forming steering committee will begin to work with Boulderites, led by Tom Hast and Cassell Gross. I'm off to the airport, back to Halifax, where next week we have both a book signing and another Legacy Meeting in the Halifax shrineroom. This week, Judy Lief will meet with interested members of the New York community.