8 June 2006 * Air China

Black stone and white snow peaks filling the horizon, while below gaps in cloud reveal glimpses of lake, forest, and a scattered tangle of islands midst the navy sea. Our B767 rumbles across the Pacific fringe, but we have arrived in China already. Immediately upon boarding, we were engulfed by Jia-di Ge (bird language). Now, from every quarter, the chirping tangles with Boeing's rumble, a bubbling pot of expectations for this summer.

I know Tara shares my sense of bemused disbelief that we're actually…. *actually* …on our way, after so many days, weeks, months, years of anticipation. we're going to China and hopefully, we're going home, again, after seven years out of Tibet.

I must not leave behind the teachings from this past weekend. How fortunate for me to see the Very Venerable Mingyur Rinpoche in Vancouver, at Palpung Phende Kunkyab. He reminded me of Milarepa's advice. We could live on an island in the middle of a pure, unspoiled lake of delicious mineral water, but if we don't bother to take a drink, our thirst will never be quenched!

I wish I may remember again and again and again to turn toward the recognition of awareness. By doing so, may I ripen my mind stream for the benefit of every being and situation I encounter!