As you know, there are so many distractions to lure us away from practice. For me, the antidote is to bring to mind the great blessings of Thrangu Rinpoche, his teachings and gentle presence. You may have thought him an ordinary being? A year after my younger brother died at a hospital in Toronto, I had an interview with Thrangu Rinpoche at his gompa in Vancouver. My brother was a Kasung and deeply devoted student of Thrangu Rinpoche as well as the Vidyadhara. Complete faith. Barry died with his mala in his hand, and with their pictures and practices at his side. When I asked Thrangu Rinpoche how my brother was doing, he paused for a few moments - it almost looked as though he was looking at a screen in front of him. Rinpoche then said quietly, "He is doing well. He is in the pure realm." May I share another story about the power of practice? When Barry passed away the Kasung were at his bedside and stayed until midnight to practice with him. Then the Rusung leaned over his body and said, "Barry, they are going to take your body downstairs now, but you don't have to go with them." So many years ago. Still breaks my heart.