A Religious Week
This has been a very religious week.
Yesterday I attended an Anglican memorial service for my dear client and friend, Anne Brailey. I wrote about her in a blog a few weeks ago. Link to blog
We called each other secret sisters because our sense of humour was both alike and very inappropriate. This led to many uncontrollable fits of laughter.
Anne and I often talked about my religion and she knew I would do Buddhist prayers for her after her passing to mark the day of her predicted rebirth. She enjoyed the concept. I also told her about one of my favourite teachers, Mingyur Rinpoche. She loved that he was always laughing and looked so happy.
Anne had a soft spot for joyful people.
How interesting that this week he was teaching in Vancouver after a seven year hiatus.
I was able to attend four of Mingyur Rinpoche talks and teachings.
My weekend was a blur of his smiling face!
He recently returned from a four year retreat when he left all his worldly goods behind and led the life of a wandering yogi. He walked the walk. I highly recommend you watch some of his internet content. His practical advice on meditation is in itself enlightening. I bet he makes you laugh.
Now he is back to teaching and luckily Vancouver was one of his stops.
We met on his first visit to Vancouver back in 2001. We both looked so young!
Years later he encouraged me to take a vow that I had been contemplating for a couple of years. That blessing changed the direction of my life. The vow went hand-in-hand with the work I do for my clients at the end of their lives.
And that brings me back to Anne.
On June 28th I will light a candle for her at the monastery where Mingyur Rinpoche spoke on Monday night.
In my heart I will recite one of our favourite jokes…
And we will both laugh.
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