Kerryn Coombe first contacted me in 2006 with a desire to learn about silk thangkas. At that time, she went by a different name and was immersed in social work studies. Two years later, unbeknownst to Kerryn, the seed that became the Stitching Buddhas Virtual Apprentice Program was independently (or perhaps I should say “interdependently”) planted in my life. As she progressed along her own path, establishing a center for Buddhist Psychotherapy, Kerryn didn’t lose sight of her vision to learn Tibetan appliquè.
She had lifelong interest in embroidery and art, plus a deep commitment to service and to her own transformation. In April 2011, four and a half years after she first wrote to me, Kerryn entered the Stitching Buddhas program and it has been a joy to watch her create! Her attention to detail is unparalleled, as are her insights into self-care and awareness. Kerryn has taught me a lot about trusting the natural unfolding of my relationships and path.
Kerryn dreams of building a Stitching Buddhas community in Australia and I’ll be talking with her about organizing a workshop near Melbourne someday! In the meantime, please enjoy her sensitive article below:
Kerryn’s hands stitching an auspicious treasure vase recently
Today I spoke with my teacher Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo for the first time after she returned from taking a tour group to India to explore all that India has to offer including places where she studied and worked for so many years. I noticed that — even though I live in Melbourne, Australia and Leslie lives on the other side of the world in California, USA — I had a strange sense of peace knowing she was ‘home’ (her home). I often wonder at the connection we can have with people near and far and how we assume that to have a connection we have to know them at all.
Kerryn’s first Stitching Buddhas project, the Lotus, in 2011
After my chat with Leslie I decided to take new direction with a project I was working on. This meant that much of my afternoon was about wrapping cords for this new project and as I did so, I started to reflect on the many small imperfections of the thread. The thread is Varanasi silk thread, the same thread used in the authentic Tibetan applique thangka’s. As I wrapped my third cord I wondered about the man or woman in Varanasi, India, that had spun this thread or wrapped this spool and whether they experienced the same fatigue that I sometimes experience. Did their hands cramp a little with age and use? Did their eyes sometimes just get tired, and did they close their eyes and breathe just for a moment and savor the relief that came in that moment? Did the light fade in the same way in the late afternoon and pose the same challenges for the naked eye to discern detail? Did this small inconsistency in the thread occur for any of these reasons?
Dyed silk yarn in Varanasi (photo credit: Kris Pena)
For a beautiful moment I totally empathized with an older woman sitting on the ground surrounded by ‘life’ working hard for small gains. My fatigue was her fatigue, my cramping hands were her cramping hands and my tired eyes were her tired eyes ….and so blessed with glasses, magnifying lamps, lights and other comforts, I was so humbled and honored to be working with this precious authentic thread and so very grateful for all its imperfections. Thank you to the person that made this thread, for all your hard work, who ever and where ever you are.
May you be free from mental suffering
May you be free from physical suffering
May you take care of yourself happily.
Sword of Manjushri – by Kerryn (Lobsang Dadrol) 2013
Practice Stage Project in the Stitching Buddhas Virtual Apprentice Program
