To my vajrayana students,
I know that this has been an especially challenging time for you. Even though I have stepped back from formally teaching in Shambhala, our bond as teacher and student still exists. I know that this deep bond and level of commitment has made this period especially painful for many of you. For this, I feel great pain and sorrow.
In the past weeks and months, I have received your messages and letters that express how you are feeling and what you are going through. These letters have touched my heart as you express the challenges you are facing.
Being on the vajrayana path is a decision one makes personally, and by going to a teacher, one formalizes that commitment. However, please know that the wisdom you have discovered on this path is held within your own mindstream. It occurred through your own practice and effort. The teacher supports you in this process.
For those that wish to be released from your samaya vow, I will fully honor and accept that. I hope that dissolving your formal commitment may bring you some level of peace and that by doing this, you are able to move forward in whatever way you choose to continue your journey. Please be well and take care of yourself.
For those of you who wish to continue as students of mine, I am moved by your trust and courage in continuing this journey with me. I will keep you in my heart, and will support you as we go forward. I encourage you to continue in your current practice, including the invocation of windhorse and stroke practice, and to do whatever you feel is helpful at this time. Please connect to your heart and take care of yourself. So much has happened, and it will take time and space for all of us to heal. I will continue to write and communicate. When you feel ready, please write me a letter letting me know your intention to continue and expressing your motivation as well as your current practice and what you wish to accomplish on this path.
I send you my love and blessings.
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Please see below for additional resources for vajrayana students on your practice path. You may wish to leave the question of samaya open for this time. There is no time requirement or limit on this process. It could be helpful to discuss your contemplation with a trusted teacher or mentor.
For those who wish to release their samaya vow:
Returning samaya is meant to free us to go in another direction, which could include study with another teacher or it could mean staying within Shambhala but concentrating on the mahayana path. For more resources and information about this process, please contact David Brown at dbrown@shambhala.org.
