I was born Trapani, Sicily, which for me was not a nice place to stay, but it’s a very nice place to visit.”If we want everything to remain as it is, it will be necessary for everything to change,” said Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. It was not a good place for me. I was 18 years old when my family moved to Florence.
I was born on the fourth day of the sixth month in the Earth Rat year in a place called Chödzong near Rongbuk monastery at the foot of Mt. Everest.
Meeting Rinpoche was the most important event in my life, thanks to him and his teachings I discovered my true nature and the potential that lies within us.
UK Yantra Yoga instructor John Renshaw talks about the chain of events that brought him to meet Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in the early days of the Community
What struck me the most was when Rinpoche entered and everyone stood up and there was that silence, a show of respect and devotion. That impression that I had when I saw Rinpoche for the first time remained inside me indelibly in my whole being, body, voice and mind.
Meeting him was just to show me that I didn’t need to look for more, and to discover how it is enough. It seems that like all the teachings he ever gave were aimed at that. Nothing exists outside. You don’t need to look for more initiations or connections because he has given everything you need. And the rest is just to work on the inside.
There are so many aspects of the relationship between a Master and disciple. Eventually the example of the Master will manifest in the disciple. Then, that is what I feel, Teacher and student really meet.
Elia Bernadoni shares his memories of how he met Rinpoche and became the youngest Khaita instructor. “Every time that I dance Khaita I remember Rinpoche, and for every dance that we danced with him I have some memory. For each dance it is different.”
Mila Misek from Austria tells his unique story of meeting with Rinpoche.
Growing up in Germany in the industrial part of the Ruhr valley left me with very few options to live a creative and spiritually inspired life. Let’s just say I lacked opportunities to harvest a life style derived from visionary resources.
The early years were magical. Rinpoche’s unique style and extraordinary teachings completely entranced me.
I am grateful to have met the teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu that more than 500 words, or any number of words, can express. They have been the beacon to what had otherwise been a dimly lit path.
