Honoring the Legacy of Namgyal Rinpoche: Love Through Exploration
Reflecting on the teachings I’ve received over the past decade from my spiritual teachers, Qapel and Catherine Sensei, I am struck by the transformation within myself and my community, my sangha. These teachings, which have shaped my journey, carry an incredible depth and power that I didn’t fully realize until I encountered them again in Body, Speech and Mind by the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, the teacher of my own teachers. It was then that I truly understood the strength of lineage — the passing down of wisdom that continues to benefit Beings long after the original teacher has passed.
Qapel and Sensei’s teachings on love left a profound impact on me. They taught me to receive love without conditions, without suspicion. I once walked through life filled with fear and angst, blind to the love that surrounded me. But through simple gestures — a glance, a smile — I began to soften. It was as if the protective shell encasing my heart slowly began to crack. I had always thought these teachings were born solely from my teachers, but I came to learn that they were passed down from Namgyal Rinpoche himself. In this way, love continues through generations, flowing from teacher to student, enriching those who receive it.
Namgyal Rinpoche’s teachings on love not only deepened my understanding but also expanded my awareness of what love can encompass. His teachings emphasized that love is not expressed through attachment, but through curiosity and engagement. True love, he taught, is realized in the act of investigation — whether we are marveling at the patterns in the clouds or exploring the complexities of our relationships, love is fully expressed when we approach life with open curiosity and a desire to engage.
This perspective fundamentally shifted my understanding of love from something passive, to an active force. For Namgyal Rinpoche, love isn’t merely something we experience, — it’s something we do. This shift allowed me to view love as a dynamic energy, one that compels us to continually inquire into the world around us. Whether in meditation, relationships, or everyday life, I now understand that if we are not actively engaging, we are not truly in a state of love.
Namgyal Rinpoche spoke of two forms of love: mother love, which provides warmth and security, and father love, which encourages exploration. These two forms are meant to complement each other, and the harmony between them is crucial for spiritual fulfillment. His teachings showed me that a balanced union with the universe depends on how well we integrate these energies in our own lives. This balance has become central not only to my spiritual practice but also to how I approach all of life’s challenges and opportunities.
The idea of love as exploration has shaped my spiritual journey in ways I could not have anticipated. Instead of seeking comfort or certainty, I learned to embrace the unknown, to investigate the mysteries of life with openness and curiosity. This wisdom, passed down from Namgyal Rinpoche through Qapel and Sensei, invited me to see love not as a fixed state, but as an evolving process —one that continuously deepens as we engage more fully with the world around us.
Namgyal Rinpoche urged us to apply this investigative love to every aspect of our lives — whether in our work, in our relationships, or in our moments of stillness. By doing so, we open ourselves to the richness of experience and the boundless potential for growth and awakening. His message is clear: love is found in the act of exploration. When we fully engage with life and cultivate a curious mind, we express love in its most profound form.
This legacy of love through exploration continues to guide me, reminding me that life’s true meaning is discovered through our willingness to remain open, curious, and fully engaged. In honoring the wisdom of Namgyal Rinpoche, I hope to inspire others to embrace this investigative love, to explore the depths of existence with compassion, and to realize the transformative power of love through active engagement with the world.
May we all walk this path of love and exploration, guided by the wisdom of Namgyal Rinpoche, Qapel, and Sensei.
By Jenai Lieu
You're Invited!
Body, Speech & Mind eBook Launch
With Catherine Pawasarat Sensei
December 8th, 2024 at 9:00am MT
Online
Join us in celebrating the launch of Namgyal Rinpoche’s seminal work, Body, Speech & Mind in eBook format!
Meditation master and Namgyal Lineage Teacher, Catherine Pawasarat Sensei, will share about what makes this book a pivotal resource for all contemporary Buddhist practitioners, guide a brief meditation from the book, lead a Q&A session, and share her thoughts on Namgyal’s legacy and the future of Dharma.