I recall a time in my life, many years ago when I had made the leap towards my spiritual journey. That same year, I had simultaneously decided to follow my career path towards private practice. Part of my preparation was to create a sacred space for healing. My first thought was to find an inspirational painting, one that represented my highest ideals for healing. I did not know what I was looking for, but my search narrowed me down by budget and I went searching at an old antique store in the heart of San Antonio.
As I walked into the store, I was greeted by an old lady from Bhutan. She welcomed me and encouraged me to browse the store for my special painting. As I was admiring her many beautiful items, I was stopped right in front of the painting of a Buddha. I recalled the experience of euphoria, a rush of energy through my spine and a deep recognition of the image. Back then, I knew nothing of the Buddha.
I took the painting to my office and kept it by my side through every session. I experienced many strange phenomena, but all pointed to a deep yearning to know the Buddha. All the while, I was seeking the Guru from within. I went on a journey of daily meditation and studying the dharma, questioning the Buddha in my mind and heart and hearing many deep insights that slowly transformed me from within. I recited the old mantra titled “Calling the Guru from Afar”, a chant for the heartfelt request to the guru for blessings to realize all the stages of the path to enlightenment, as well as a meditation on the nature of the guru.
Years later, I receive the blessing and opportunity to visit Bhutan, the home of the Guru. I will never forget the day I made it up the mountain to the temple of Guru Padmasambhava Rinpoche, I finally knew who my teacher was all along. The Guru from within, my higher self, Guru Rinpoche.
MANTRA – Calling the Guru From Afar
Guru, think of me.
Guru, think of me.
Guru, think of me.
The transcendental wisdom of all buddhas, one taste in the great bliss dharmakaya,
Is itself the ultimate nature of all kind gurus.
I beseech you, guru, dharmakaya,
Please guide me always without separation, in this life, future lives, and the bardo.
Wisdom’s own illusory appearance, the conqueror with seven branches,
Is itself the ultimate basis of emanation of all kind gurus.
I beseech you, guru, sambhogakaya,
Please guide me always without separation, in this life, future lives, and the bardo.
The play of various emanations, suiting the dispositions of the many to be subdued,
Is itself the behavior of the sambhogakaya of the kind gurus.
I beseech you, guru, nirmanakaya,
Please guide me always without separation, in this life, future lives, and the bardo.
The play of the inseparable three kayas, appearing in the form of the guru,
Is itself one with the very essence of all kind gurus.
I beseech you, guru, the inseparable three kayas,
Please guide me always without separation, in this life, future lives, and the bardo.
All the infinite peaceful and wrathful yidams are also the guru’s nature,
And since no yidam exists apart from the kind guru,
I beseech you, guru, who comprises all yidams,
Please guide me always without separation, in this life, future lives, and the bardo.
