Healing Dharma Adventures in Manali, India, from 1998-to 2001

Manali, on the border of Ladakh, is a beautiful part of India. While exploring Manali in 1998, I crossed the Beas River and followed it through a valley. 

Upon a cliff, I saw a Gongpa or Monastery. So I climbed up and met a Lama, who I later found was known as great healer. 

He was known as "prostration Lama" because he had prostrated from Tibet to Manali. He also prostrated around holy sites like Mt Kailash. He had a bump on his head from all the prostrations.

I spoke no Tibetan, and he spoke no English. But he took me in, and I spent nearly two weeks with this Rinpoche and his joyful young monks. It made no difference we did not speak the same language.

People would come in the evening, and Rinpoche would practice Chod for them or other rituals. Rinpoche did a thread cross ritual for me to strengthen my life force and dispel obstacles.

His monks loved to dance to Hindi pop songs. They wore around age 7 -10, and we're much fun. 

I will never forget these timeless days.

***

I had a herniated disc before going to India in 2020. I was regularly in pain. Rinpoche indicated he had the cure. He put a metal rod in the coals of the fire and let it sit.

I began to have a bad feeling. The burning metal rod was meant for my back. Part of me felt it might be a good time to leave, but I stayed. I decided no matter how bad it hurt; it would only be a few moments of agony. His monks held me to be safe.

When that molten metal rod touched my lower back, it was agony. I may have screamed. I can't remember. I was happy I survived, and it was over.

Rinpoche looked at my back and said he had to do it again. Rinpoche's monks had to hold me down because I was heading for the door. The agony the second time lasted longer. 

I may have blacked out.

When I was coherent, Rinpoche smiled at me. I now felt the pain of a third-degree burn. I, however, did not notice any pain from the herniated disk, probably because the burn was far worse.

As it healed, something unusual happened. Over time it would release fluids that I had no idea the origination. Over the next five years, this would regularly drain. I no longer had a herniated disk. I have no idea the name of this healing technique or how it works.

***

The last time I saw "prostration Lama" was in the spring of 2001. I went from Tso Pema to Manali and brought Rinpoche and his monks to Tso Pema, where the Karmapa was coming for the first time. 

***

I know there is no way this Lama can be alive. He was very old when I met him. 

Even though he is not alive, I can feel him. 

I can remember vividly climbing up to this monastery and sitting with Rinpoche and his four young monks, looking out at the valley as others came for healing.

I felt inspired to share this today.

I am grateful for these extraordinary beings who show us the preciousness of life and the path that ends suffering. 

They selflessly help us in whatever way needed, no matter how many mistakes we make.

I can't find the words to do justice to the gratitude I feel.