1 January: Salobreña
It's never too late for a first time! Retrieved from Saturday 24 December was the first time I could enjoy a Christmas lunch in T-shirt on a sunny terrace.
Today, the first day of 2023, was the first time I spent a few hours on a sunny beach and swimming in the sea. In front of me the view of the calm and smooth Mediterranean Sea and behind me the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Magnificent!
Miguel, co-volunteer at O Sel Ling, always goes to the beach on the first day of the year and I was able to tag along. It was a beautiful and relaxing day.
I am very grateful to Miguel.
O Sel Ling - 29-31 January
From Sunday to Tuesday, Geshe Lobsang Dakpa and his Spanish translator Ani-la Tenzin Dolkar paid an informal visit to O Sel Ling during their holidays in Spain.
Geshe Lobsang Dakpa is the primary lama (teacher) in the Namgyal monastery Of ZH the Dalai Lama in Dharmsala. Ani-la Tenzin Dolkar was the Dalai Lama's first Spanish translator.
They arrived Sunday evening and we had dinner together.
On Tuesday morning, Geshe led a Tsog sacrifice ceremony in the Detong Ling nunnery, which is slightly higher than O Sel Ling's cortijo (farmhouse).
After the Tsog, he insisted on installing a large vertical prayer flag and two ribbons of small Wind Horse prayer flags on a hilltop above the monastery. We all walked there and Geshe and Ani-La actually helped. They clambered along in trees and bushes to attach the ropes of the flags to the branches.
Two eminent and remarkable individuals, it was a great honour for us volunteers to meet them.
16 September: Opening the door at Diamondway Buddhist Centre in Tallinn The centre's meditation sessions are open
