Thank you for this, Richard. Very thorough, deep and authentic exploration of the subject, spoken with wisdom and heart. I just read this and will bathe in this vibe as I meditate in just a minute. Gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā...
I’ve been thinking about your Beyond the Beyond series these last few weeks and have been wanting to write you an email in response – one as thoughtful as the essays themselves, but with my mother’s husband dying a few weeks back (I received and read Beyond the Beyond Pt. 1 on the day he died), then helping her prepare for his service, and now, tomorrow, we're heading out to NYC to spend time with Tsoknyi Rinpoche up at Garrison, I just haven’t had a long-enough moment to write anything of worth – my brain being akin to a wet-rag of late. But the bottom line would have been: I hope this is all in preparation for a book, since the piece in full allows for some of the tenderest and insightful entry points into the Heart Sutra I’ve yet read. And, from a writer’s perspective, I’m doubly impressed that you can go so deep in so short-a-time (seemingly only a few weeks). I wrote a book over the pandemic, Entering the Mind, which moves through the Dzogchen teachings from a practitioner’s perspective, and so I know how grueling, time consuming and, in retrospect, self-liberating such treaties can be. In other words, I truly appreciate how much work you’ve put into those three essays alone — the subtly of thought, the consideration and refinement of Word, et al. As said, I hope it’s all moving toward a larger work that might one day get out to a wider audience. For now, though, rather than a lengthy email, I’ll take the easy route and thank you here for your thoughts on that timeless masterwork, The Heart Sutra.
Thank you so much, C. Your thoughtful and kind words expressing such deep appreciation are touching and makes, as you said the grueling work of writing, well worth the effort.
What a great 3 part piece you have written Richard. Clarifying, enriching and inspiring. Thank you! You bring this beautiful wisdom to the ceremonies, what a gift you share.
I understand that, writing a small blog myself. A little feedback means that you are being read(!) YET, your work is so important, you bring so much form the years of doing ceremony, and I really hope that you are doing a book to share your wisdom! Please keep growing and expanding your gifts.
Thank you for this, Richard. Very thorough, deep and authentic exploration of the subject, spoken with wisdom and heart. I just read this and will bathe in this vibe as I meditate in just a minute. Gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā...
Thank you so much, David. Your appreciation touches my heart.
Hi Richard,
I’ve been thinking about your Beyond the Beyond series these last few weeks and have been wanting to write you an email in response – one as thoughtful as the essays themselves, but with my mother’s husband dying a few weeks back (I received and read Beyond the Beyond Pt. 1 on the day he died), then helping her prepare for his service, and now, tomorrow, we're heading out to NYC to spend time with Tsoknyi Rinpoche up at Garrison, I just haven’t had a long-enough moment to write anything of worth – my brain being akin to a wet-rag of late. But the bottom line would have been: I hope this is all in preparation for a book, since the piece in full allows for some of the tenderest and insightful entry points into the Heart Sutra I’ve yet read. And, from a writer’s perspective, I’m doubly impressed that you can go so deep in so short-a-time (seemingly only a few weeks). I wrote a book over the pandemic, Entering the Mind, which moves through the Dzogchen teachings from a practitioner’s perspective, and so I know how grueling, time consuming and, in retrospect, self-liberating such treaties can be. In other words, I truly appreciate how much work you’ve put into those three essays alone — the subtly of thought, the consideration and refinement of Word, et al. As said, I hope it’s all moving toward a larger work that might one day get out to a wider audience. For now, though, rather than a lengthy email, I’ll take the easy route and thank you here for your thoughts on that timeless masterwork, The Heart Sutra.
Much love,
C von Hassett
Oh, and yes, a book is well on the way. I hope to release it in early summer or before.
Thank you so much, C. Your thoughtful and kind words expressing such deep appreciation are touching and makes, as you said the grueling work of writing, well worth the effort.
What a great 3 part piece you have written Richard. Clarifying, enriching and inspiring. Thank you! You bring this beautiful wisdom to the ceremonies, what a gift you share.
Thank you so much, Maggie. These types of comments keep me going!
I understand that, writing a small blog myself. A little feedback means that you are being read(!) YET, your work is so important, you bring so much form the years of doing ceremony, and I really hope that you are doing a book to share your wisdom! Please keep growing and expanding your gifts.
While I do not have a set date, I hope to have my first book published by early Summer, hopefully sooner.