Some 25 years ago, I had the great good fortune to cross paths with Thrangu Rinpoche in Crestone at a 10 day Mahamudra/Dzogchen retreat. I was stunned by his teachings, his words and his expansive feelings which reverberate deeply to this day. He was generous and kind, taking this newly minted dharma practitioner sweetly onto the path. He gave me the lung for ngondro, permitted a long interview at which he accepted all of my questions with openness, and he took me as a student. Though I never saw him in person again, he has remained in my heart and mindstream strongly since that time, that radiant smile in my mind’s eye often offering assistance when the inevitable challenges emerged. I am absolutely certain he touched many others in precisely this way. Of course, I have known he was aging and had many health issues. I knew I would awaken one day to read of this news. Still, this morning, on incorporating the actuality of it, I feel his passing most deeply with both great sadness but even greater gratitude. His deft touch placed me firmly on the path. I bow at your feet Rinpoche. A great great man in this world he was….and remains.