Desert Flowers

I stepped outside on this sunny day to find the new poppy flowers have suddenly sprung up everywhere as a result of the great winter rains. So, if you are returning to DM or coming for the first time during Spring Term, you'll have these desert blooms to greet you. 3/1/05 Addition. Thanks to Bets for another springtime picture. This one is from the Lama House.

DM Site Redesign

For the past week I have been working on a redesign of the Diamond Mountain official website. Since so many people have asked me about this work I figured I'd give you all a little taste (the picture to left), but that's all you get for now. I hope to have the new site up by the end of this week. Stay posted.

'Tween Terms Quiet

Once again a term has ended and with it a tornado of people and activities. The Diamond Mountain/Bowie area is quiet again. Many people have gone to New York for two weeks of teachings, many have gone home. Just about everyone around here has some serious work to do during the down time, but nothing very exciting to write about. If something comes up you know I'll post it here.

PS. If you have pictures from NYC send them my way and I'll post 'em.

'Random' Internet Find of the Week

I was looking at the publisher Random House's website and I came across this book, The Essential Yoga Sutra. It has publish date of June 2005. So all you yoginis and yogis will have to practice kshanti (patience) until then.

End of Term Celebration

Another wonderful term is coming to an end and we decided to celebrate (we like to party). Today the Odissi/Orissa dance class performed a recital of what they've learned this term. Asako, our dance Lama also graced us with her own rendition of an autobiograpgical poem and excerpts from the Ganden Hla Gyama practice. Of course, it was all terrific. We also had a feast (we like to eat too). Photos: The Winter Term Group photo (large file). Note: Ann holding a sign reading "Rob" whom we all miss. The Dance class recital

Update: Images

This is an update from the previous post about Sera Me Lama Geshe Lotar's visit to Diamond Mountain. You want pictures, you got 'em. Geshe Lotar teaching in Venerable Chukyi's class Geshe Lotar, Geshe Michael, and Christie-hla Asako dancing for the Lamas

Thank You Geshe Lotar

This weekend Diamond Mountain was honored by a visit from Sera Me Lama Geshe Lotar. Geshe-la attended some classes and agreed to speak on Sunday. Geshe Lotar is the nephew of the late Khen Rinpoche with whom he escaped from Tibet on foot. Geshe-la told us the story of this dramatic escape as part of his telling of the early life of Khen Rinpoche. The audio will be posted on the DMES site shortly. Update (2/2/05): The audio for Geshe Lotar's story as well as the biography of Khen Rinpoche's practice as being told by Geshe Michael can now be found at DharmaStudent. I will have images of the weekend up very soon, until such time here are some random pictures to hold you over until I get my camera back