Danish-born Jakob Leschly, Buddhist teacher and Tibetan translator, embarked on the spiritual nomad’s path at 17, receiving instruction for the next 35 years from the Dalai Lama and a luminary cast of Tibetan lamas, most notably the Dalai Lama’s own spiritual teacher, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, with whom Jakob studied for sixteen years in India, Nepal and France, and travelling as his attendant in Bhutan.

‘I also began studies in 1977 with His Holiness’ close disciple Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche who visits Byron shire every year, and eventually requested I move here with my family to work as resident teacher for Australia and New Zealand, directing study programs for his students and anyone interested in Buddhist theory and practice.

‘I think the strong critical bent in modern thinking makes an excellent foundation for appreciating Buddhist reasoning – the Buddha had no sentimentality about challenging beliefs and assumptions that cause confusion and suffering. Rather than importing something new, meditation allows us to slow down and uncover the wisdom we usually ignore, so that we can work constructively with ourselves and our world.’

Besides his involvement with regional programs for youth and the elderly, Jakob leads a weekly Wednesday evening study and meditation group at Brunswick Heads and is offering a workshop for beginners July 30 to August 1 on Making Friends with Reality, a presentation of Buddhist perspectives applied through the practice of meditation.

From an immense body of knowledge, Jakob translates complex concepts into user-friendly, practical applications with great wit and charm, presenting the relevance of Buddhism in our time as a profoundly radical adventure in making friends with ourselves and the rich beauty of the present moment. Catch him while you can…

For further information phone 6685 8842, 0438 858 842 or email mish...@linknet.com.au.