Like Butter on a Hot Bun

Our Karma Team at Work

So it was my time to take the helm, passed down through the generations. First there was Marky Mark and his funky bunch (a.k.a Chris examines the water level in the big tankMr. Beckstrom), then Gordonkey and the barnyard (a.k.a Mr. V.P. Ryan), and last but not least the kind hearted Peter Knapp-Stumpp and his squad of eager beavers. I am speaking of the Karma team, of course.

My first order of business during the retreat was to introduce myself and tell the people a little about the mysterious inner workings of Karma. I feel I delivered a short but rousing speech. I told the people we had to keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground, and with pride I told the world we were the salt of the earth. Obviously this stirred all who heard it, because from then on the Karma team ran like a well-oiled machine.

Who we are
They say a multiheaded dragon can still walk straight, and I feel that Karma ran so well because of the many experienced hands on deck. We had the multi talented Bill Anderson, who raised high the Karma flag by keeping a watchful eye on the campground. There was Sudie Hargis, Queen of Mowing , and Peter Knapp-Stumpp, coffee aficionado and world’s most helpful guy. One day he and I were working together and I matched his coffee intake. It was a mistake. Every 10 -15 minutes we would pass by the coffee machine and, like one of those addicted rats in a cage, we would take a little cup of joe. By lunch time I couldn’t sit still, I kept spilling things on myself, and when I spoke I felt like a monkey with Tourette’s.

They say a multiheaded dragon can still walk straight, and I feel that Karma ran so well because of the many experienced hands on deck.

What we do
Anyway, we also had the Euro connection, which consisted of the only Viking to attend the Shedra Five new treesProgram and a Canadian. Of course, I am speaking of the illustrious Roar Vestre and Vitali. You might have seen them riding around in the truck looking cool. Besides just hanging out and looking great, they also picked up all the trash for the entire program. Some of us had the destiny to walk the seedier side of L.G. and make it beautiful. As for Mr. John Letitia, he and a few others made our port-a-pot experience lovely and memorable.

Even though the team was spread across the land like butter on a hot bun, we came together for one project: tree planting. Being tough, we brought out all our heaviest equipment, including the auger. An auger is essentially a giant earth drill that hangs behind the tractor. Even though the equipment looked amazing and could probably kill you in about two seconds, it became clear that some shovels were about all that was needed. We planted five trees, and if you return to that spot you will be able to see them even to this very day.

Just as they ran the Almighty’s hand came down and crushed our beautiful tent like a can. It was awesome —but not in a cool way.

The weather tests us now and then
The remains of our prostration tentThe most exciting thing during the retreat happened as soon as Kongtrul Rinpoche had left the proverbial "building." During the morning, His Eminence had been bestowing the Bodhisattva Vow, and at the point when he clicked his fingers, a soft and refreshing rain fell and kissed the parched earth. Whispers fluttered through silent air saying things like "auspicious" and "significant." Little did we know this was only a tiny drop compared to the torrent that day had in store.

Later that day I was working in the Main Shrine Room, and outside the refreshing sprinkle had given way to a steady downpour. As I was packing up a microphone a tak-taka noise started to replace the sound of soothing rain on the tin roof. When we looked outside we realized that it had started to hail. Then the storm grew into a fury; for our safety, we closed the door. The hail on the roof drummed out an ear-piercing roar. You could hear nothing else.

Up the hill, God's fingertips were playing with our prostration tent. A few people, in denial of the inevitable, heroically tried to hold down the poles, but wisely soon gave up. Just as they ran the Almighty’s hand came down and crushed our beautiful big tent like a can. It was awesome —but not in a cool way. The power of the storm bent three-inch steel pipe, broke rebar and flattened people’s tents. I remember picking up Jessie Hercules’ tent and watching a few books swim by as we dumped the foot of water out of it. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Just as the storm passed, so did this year's Shedra program. The Karma team hopes to see everyone again soon.

 

- Chris Jarmon is the current head of the Karma Family which is charged with care of Lotus Garden's buildings and grounds.

 

Photo credits: Chris inspects the water level in the big tank; The five newly-planted trees; Remains of the prostration tent after the hail storm; ©2007 Mindrolling International All rights reserved