Guest Contributors – Otgolt Piper
Article submitted by Gabriel
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MY TREASURE
Yes!!! Now I understand we have a wonderful gift from the universe, especially our self-mini universe. Now I know Dharma’s teaching of a practical guide to turning points in everyday living and how to establish a foundation for a purposeful life.
Also I believe we are living at a wonderful time where we can use high technology to gather information and ultimately not be married to where we are at present.
I read your rich challenging childhood bio in America and was excited that you found your own way.
I grew up in a nice family in Mongolia but Dharma and business as we know it, was unacceptable to Society here. I believed that ‘Religion is the opium of the people’ We were not even allowed to celebrate the Asian New Year, Everyone knew they were living with the lies but there is not much choice. On the other hand it is impossible to grow up entirely materialistic.
However the system provided jobs and the basics for living such as housing, schools and medical aid for free.
In my 20’s I was a student Moscow’s (Russia) Graduate Institute.
In my early 30’s, around the 1990’s, times changed, communism collapsed and a different world opened up. My personal life changed too. I lost my Mom and diverse happened in the same months.
After that, Grandmother (my ex-husband’s mother) agreed to raise my 2 kids with their cousins until I had a better footing in my life. I’m always thankful for her golden heart.
After a short time I left for America. I came to USA with no idea about this society except for watching a few American movies, even without knowing any English words. I started to study at ESL classes and met my future second husband. He had a precious heart, a supportive, loving, American man. Because of him I quickly was able to observe society. We faced many culture differences and shocks.
The first thing I saw about American people was that they were much more skilled about business, and showed creativity, worshipped their religion. People were more friendly, smiling and responsible for many areas, open, lots of talking. My husband and his brothers used to run their own construction business. I started to work caring for elderly sick people. We sub contracted some of our business too. My husband had a good relationship with his daughter, we took care of my kids. It was a busy, happy life
My husbands business started to go up and down and he under big stress and worry. I realized that we needed a practical guide to pull us through. I started to read spirit materials online, Dharma books and understood we must move to our own internal creative self. I started my own spiritual Mongolian website, shared with people our own ideas. He helped me a lot too, but I didn’t feel like his whole tender heart was in it.
At last on a May evening I was faced with my husbands sudden death after 12 years of marriage. Faced with truth, same incident, I lost my brother and father in the previous 5 years.
After that my spiritual journey intensified. My friend Bayasgalan sent me Dharma materials from Amarbayasgalan hiid, which helped me a lot for lightening my spirits. On line websites offer a really big opportunity to learn and help people a lot. We can meet many great masters, life coachers, psychologist’s and people who share their own grievances.
Luckily I found your teachings on YouTube which feed my soul ultimately. I have learned and received so much I never would have dreamed of. Now I know death can be one of the greatest teachers for us in life, but not if we spend most of our time avoiding, it can be painful, scary and uncomfortable also recognized that birth is not a beginning and death is not and end. It teaches us how to be strong and how to rethink of what we have done.
This may be hard to believe, because Dharma teaches us the totally opposite of what we used to believe such as: Death, old age, sickness-most painful,scary. Big money, success,business good looking- bring us happiness…It’s a Lie!
People experience their spiritual identity crisis in very different ways. It tends to bring out what we fear the most. We need being vulnerable, it transforms the way we live.
Believe me, working with many older sick people, They are most beautiful close to truth. I remember a lady who was 78 years old without any wrinkles. She was the scariest person I can remember. Being afraid of what’s natural causes us stress. We need being vulnerable, it transforms the way we live.
At first my years seems alike, psychology more back way then other science. But now break throughing in psychology, neurology, and chemistry—supported by —Buddhist practices and Dharma have researches that many new discovery. One of them: University of Wisconsin-Madison Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience and Deer park Buddhist center, what ruined your summer when you been young.
Naperville IL
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Dear Otgolt Piper,
Thank you for sharing your story. Death, is not something easy to deal with especially someone you love. But I am glad that you have moved on and taking your spiritual journey to a higher level. Most of all, I am happy that you found Rinpoche’s teachings and how it benefitted you. May you be Blessed always…
Thank you all, just keep in touch
So excited just find it
This is a very nice and warm sharing. Thank you Otgolt Piper. You, like millions of other people including myself have found solace along with a meaning and purpose in the Dharma. Buddhism is very much ingrained in Mongolian culture I was told and hence, many would have been brought up to have a certain perceptions of its rich and old traditions. However, I am glad you have come to terms with your culture and religion by embracing it. I am sure you would know by now that Tsem Rinpoche is of Kalmyk-Mongol on his maternal side.
Hello! My friend Bro David. Today i learnt from here find it. So good memories.
I am glad that you find Rinpoche’s blog beneficial and that you have learned so much from His Teachings through the blog.
Thank you for sharing your life experiences with us. May I wish you well in your spiritual journey.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story… I am sorry about the losses you have suffered but I am happy you found Dharma and Rinpoche’s teachings. There is a wealth of information here on his blog and his youtube channel. Please do continue to visit it regularly as Rinpoche blogs often. There is also the chat box where you can perhaps talk to other people who are interested in Dharma and sometimes Rinpoche pops in there too!
Wonderful for hear that. THank you my Dear
Death is the ugly truth, yet everyone tends to try and avoid it and be in denial. I like how you phrase “birth is not the beginning and death is not the end” it really does teaches a lot. Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish you the best in your spiritual path.
Yes! My Bro
Dear Otgolt Piper,
Thank you for sharing your incredible story.
Jim