I first met the dharma at university, where Buddhist philosophy spoke to questions psychology couldn’t answer. Psychology gave me frameworks; Buddhism gave me a language for experience. My path began in the Gelugpa tradition in Nelson, receiving teachings from Denma Lochoe Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Two years later, while travelling the South Island for Greenpeace, I wandered into a Christchurch bookshop and found a flyer for a teaching on death and dying by Venerable Lama Assi. I went without expectation. What happened felt inexplicable — a sense of recognition as if I knew Lama la. In an interview he told me, “You have a strong connection with us,” and only later did I learn he meant the Kagyu lineage.

That moment changed my life. I moved to Christchurch to live at the Kagyu centre and cook for Lama la, who introduced me to the practices of Chenrezig, Green Tara, and ngondro. A longing grew to meet HH Karmapa and other Kagyu teachers, and when the centre’s rental ended, I left for England to work and eventually travel to India and Nepal.

For five years I lived mostly in Oxford, working and volunteering at Thrangu Rinpoche’s centre. I travelled annually to Bodhgaya, India for the Kagyu Monlam and to Pullahari Monastery in Kathmandu for philosophy and practice retreats. I studied with HH Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje, HH Tai Situ Rinpoche, Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche, letting the lineage teachings and practices shape my inner world.

In 2007 after travelling through Tibet, I moved to Dharamsala, India to study Tibetan language at Thosamling Nunnery. For two years I lived between teachings from HH Karmapa and HH the Dalai Lama, letting language and practice deepen one another. Later, in Kathmandu, I supported Pullahari’s study and practice program, teaching Tibetan and interpreting.

The 2015 earthquake brought me home to New Zealand. I reconnected with my sangha at KCL Nelson and Christchurch and wanted to introduce the Joy of Living program — a way for newcomers to explore their minds, work with thoughts and feelings, and begin to recognise their true nature without the cultural distance that traditional practices can sometimes create.

For me the Joy of Living program inspires me to explore my thoughts, feelings, and sense of self in the world. I have found it profoundly beneficial for tolerating and staying present with painful feelings, and for transforming aversion toward others.

Over time, the practice has brought a more balanced mind and opened me to a reality that deeply benefits how I move through the world. It has also strengthened my connection with fellow practitioners, creating friendships that feel enduring. I look forward to continuing this journey together in our JOL dropin sessions.

Lea Godfrey

Tergar NZ Facilitator