Karmaling France
April 4-12, 2026
by Philippe Vernerey.
I look at Yacob knowingly and gladly give him his place on the mandala. Lorraine has just demonstrated, explained, and commented on the steps of PARALI and has invited five Pamos to repeat them with her.
It’s Thursday.
We are in the House of Wisdom at Karmaling, a Buddhist center in Savoie, France. The center was founded and is directed by Lama Denys Rinpoche, a disciple of Kalu Rinpoche. It’s part of the Rimay community, which means unity in diversity. Lama Denys had the opportunity to meet Chögyal Namkai Norbu and was particularly moved by the Vajra dances during a stay in Russia. A bond of mastery developed between them. Chögyal Namkai Norbu has regularly accepted Lama Denys’s invitations to come and teach at Karmaling. The Vajra dance has been practiced and developed here for about thirty years.
A mandala has been painted in one of the temples of the main building, a Carthusian monastery which unfortunately burned down in 2017. Since that winter, we, the dancers, have been very lucky – a wonderful new mandala has been painted on the new floor of the House of Wisdom, a temple built on the model of the Gönpa of Merigar.
It’s Thursday.
Day six of our Dance of Song of Vajra workshop. Yacob and I are two Pawos learning the Pamo version: it creates a bond. I’m giving up my spot for this first round because I know there will be three rounds of Pawos. There are 13 of us learning or perfecting Pamo, and 8 of us learning or perfecting Pawo.
It’s Thursday, and the workshop is running smoothly. Lorraine expertly manages the number of participants, the Song of Vajra, and its dance. The group has found its rhythm. Everyone is sure to find what they’re looking for here, whether they’re a beginner or an expert. We are all very proud of our instructor, who is leading her first Song of Vajra workshop. We all feel we are experiencing something truly unique. An alchemy of old and new, a constantly renewed encounter between the place and the dance, a first time for Lorraine and for all of us, in a way.
The presence of Yacob, who came especially from Israel, in the midst of war, touches us with his commitment, especially since many of us live nearby. Here, together this week we form a family, brothers and sisters of Vajra. For the duration of this workshop and beyond.
PA RI LI is mastered. It’s now Friday.
Before learning the steps of HI SA NA, Lorraine invites us to listen to the text of Chögyal Namkai Norbu, transcribed in the book “Diagram of Dances.” First in English in its original version, then in French in a working version kindly provided by Nadia. This reading and listening invite us to explore its spiritual meaning. This space of openness, this transmission of the words of Chögyal Namkai Norbu, the master, allow us to access the depth of the Song of Vajra and its danced significance. It grounds us. It settles us on our cushions, re-establishes us in this magnificent temple, imbued with spirituality, crowned with a fresco of all the masters of the various Tibetan Buddhist lineages. We are connected to something greater than ourselves.
It’s Sunday. This morning we danced, danced, danced the entire first
part of the Song of Vajra. For those familiar with both styles, sometimes Pamo, sometimes Pawo. Now, when I dance Pamo between two Pawos dances, it’s the correct foot that leads, I’m less confused, though… This learning process is a reassessment of my skills as a “good” dancer. Staying centered, letting the confusion pass if it arises, returning to myself, and rejoicing. Thank you, Lorraine, for teaching us and embodying this posture of profound joy. Thank you, Lorraine, for sharing all your knowledge of this incredibly complex, rich, and powerful dance. For sharing with us the hours and hours of learning, teacher training, and notes, without holding anything back. Thank you.
Tears well up in my eyes in the closing circle. Tears of gratitude.
What a magnificent privilege to experience this long, rich, intense, and dance-filled week. To be engaged in the Vajra dance, to have access to this teaching, this grace. Thanks to our teachers, to the place, to the teachings, to Lorraine, and to us, this group of initiates, who will meet again in August for the second part, to our great joy…
