Almost one year ago, inspired by H.H. Sakya Trizin´s Vajrayogini teachings in Spain, I started to practice yoga on a daily basis, and seeing the results in my body(more flexibility, strength and vitality) the desire to become a yoga teacher-practitioner developed, too. But what surprised me most was the endurance that yoga gives, and the fact that with this endurance, the body can easily stand longer hours of meditation without so many bodily aches and pains, and without feeling one has to move positions so often. The body’s activity is accompanied by the activity of the mind, and as a result I have found that I can bear new, uncomfortable situations in life with more peace and tranquillity. I don’t experience so much mental stress or anxiety because I trust things more and don’t react to them as I used to. This immediate benefit makes me want to get out of bed when it is so cosy and nice in there, and my mind would like to dwell in old habitual thinking patterns of laziness and procrastination. This is another effect of yoga, it has the power to ignite positive energy and enthusiasm in one´s day, while providing a stable platform on which to build new, healthy and positive habits for oneself. I like having yoga practice as my breakfast, as my travel companion everywhere, stretching at a bus stop or at airports. It feels as if a sudden breath of fresh air comes into my mind and makes me appreciate everything and everyone with a new light…it makes mind transformation easier when we can accompany it with the body, and we can become more agile and lighter in the process. It is so joyful to feel no pain in the body and to know, with meditation, that it is, after all, impermanent.

The whole Kathmandu Valley is like a wide bowl, with layered tiers of mountains seen from everywhere within it. Every “view” has as its backdrop, a treescape that refreshes the rising foothills of the Himalayas.

With its marble halls and panoramic views of multi-coloured, multi-storied buildings studding the surrounding farmland, the IBA offers a vibrant and uplifting study environment. Years ago, after my teacher, Geshe Tashi Namgyal had visited Khenpo Appey Rinpoche here in Nepal, Geshe-la would answer his Canadian students’ detailed questions on Sanskrit-based terminology in Buddhist Psychology, by saying, “You must go to Khenpo Appey Rinpoche’s school. There you can really learn all these things”.

I never considered going half-way across the world, myself, until, one day, Geshe-la handed us brochures that had just arrived at our Dharma Centre from the IBA.

To my astonishment, after reading about the multi-year course plan that included texts I had heard so much about, but never directly studied, I discovered that the comparatively low costs of studying and living here dramatically offset the costs of travelling here! A further exploration of the website and its student video tipped the balance, especially the footage of the departed master Chobgyay Trichen Rinpoche waving, smiling divinely, radiating perfect encouragement. Given that life is short it was easy to decide that I indeed, “must go to Khenpo Appey Rinpoche’s school”!

I’m so happy that I made the decision. Here I am, making meaningful connections with fellow practitioners, in a serene, friendly place where I’m able to concentrate on studying foundational Mahayana texts with knowledgeable, accessible, kind and genuinely qualified teachers. The Tibetan language study is a wonderful bonus, and truly a bonding experience with fellow students. Later on, it will be useful but for now, it’s fun!

From my perspective, this is “What It’s Really Like” here. For you, as it always is for me, it depends on what you bring to the situation. If it’s a flexible attitude, a willingness to help and to be helped, a love of listening, contemplating and meditating on the teachings, and a determination to use your precious time wisely, then your experience can truly benefit your practice, and through it, benefit others.