YOUR AD HERE »

Teachings from Bhutanese Monk to be featured at events this weekend

Audrey Dwyer
The Venerable Lama Karma Rinpoche comes to Steamboat often for it's natural beauty and to share with the community his blessing ceremonies. He will be in town today through Sunday.
EXP_LAMAKARMA

— Finding peace and happiness is never easy.

This is a tenet that Venerable Lama Karma Rinpoche and Monk Kevin Kissler know well.

“Everybody goes through life looking for peace and happiness in one way or another,” said Kissler, who has been an ordained monk for the past two years and works at the Drukpa Mila Center in Longmont.



This weekend, he and Rinpoche will be in Steamboat Springs for a series of events that are designed to ignite change and inspiration.

From 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Rinpoche will teach “Mahamundra: Building Happiness Through Loving Kindness” at Olympian Hall. He will also conduct a “Long Life Blessing Ceremony and Empowerment” at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Olympian Hall, in addition to Sunday’s “Buddhist Water Blessing Ceremony” at 10 a.m., also slated for Olympian Hall.



One of the events Kissler said is unique, especially in Steamboat Springs, is the Buddhist Fire Ceremony, which Rinpoche will perform at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The event is a process of releasing, letting go and moving on to the next adventure, he said.

“It’s meant to make offerings and equalize any contentions,” Kissler said. “It benefits people who go because it’s a blessing, but (it is) also good for healing and clarity on a more subtle level that’s often more difficult to find otherwise.”

Whether religious, spiritual or otherwise, his advice is for people to come with an open mind and patience.

“With these events and Rinpoche’s teachings, there is an aspect of opening your heart to more things,” said LJ McVey, who serves Rinpoche when he is in town. “It’s about surrendering and going with the flow — to let go of the resistance you have towards people places and things and just surrender into the moment.”

For about 13 years, Rinpoche has been coming to Steamboat Springs to host ceremonies just like these. He comes from a long line of Buddhist lineage from his home in Bhutan, and he revels in the calm and tranquility the Yampa Valley provides.

“You get this sense of happiness just being here,” Kissler said. “It’s really an ideal place to get these blessings. I’m really looking forward to being there and seeing people at the ceremonies experience some kind of benefit or happiness.”

Donations will be graciously welcomed at each of the events that are open to all ages.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.