We interacted on the course forum and I enjoyed hearing Ruth’s comments in teleconferences. When we finally met in person in the Biltmore bathroom on the first day of the Wide Awake event, I suggested impulsively that I might visit Ruth in Phoenix sometime. (There’s some possibility I’ll be in the area…)
As the days wore on, it became clear that we did, in fact, like each other. Ruth is funny (though she doesn’t think she is), insightful, incisive, and encouraging. Several times over the course of the week, she pulled me back from my mental wanderings and set me clearly back on my feet, back on purpose, in awe of my blessings. I recommend her workshops, retreats, coaching — any way you can connect to her (even computer consulting through her Mac to School services) — to anyone who wants the assistance of an honest, courageous, funny, encouraging, vision-expanding mirror.
This Month’s Passionate Person is
Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo
Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo is a contemporary American textile artist and carrier of a sacred Tibetan artistic tradition. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is featured in the documentary film, Creating Buddhas: the Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas. After living many years abroad in India and Italy, she’s currently re-nesting in her native California. To learn more about Leslie and Tibetan fabric art, visit www.silkthangka.com
I asked Leslie to share her thoughts about her work, her process, how she has created a life filled with passion and purpose.
What is your life’s passion and purpose?
To examine my own attitudes and relationship with the world. To grow, to live a life I create rather than fitting myself into a pre-designed slot, to make beautiful things with a positive, transformative message, to touch other people in meaningful ways with my creations.
To live ever more in accord with how things are rather than with how I wish they were or how I’m afraid they are. And to smile. Smiling is always useful and probably what I’m best at.
How did you discover these passions?
I always liked making things pretty. And I think I was born with an attitude of not accepting circumstances as they’re handed to me and of choosing roads a bit less traveled.
Though plagued by fears, I’ve always been an adventurer and an idealist. And I’ve always liked hanging out with people who think a bit differently. I was in theater in high school, went to a college where questioning the status quo was paramount and beauty was everywhere. Later, I left the job my degrees had prepared me for to travel and somehow never could go back.
How did you discover that you loved specifically creating beautiful things with a positive, transformative message?
I traveled to India and lived with the Tibetans exiled there. At first I was volunteering in development projects, but it soon became clear that I loved everything about my life there except the “job.”
When I first saw sacred Buddhist images being made from pieces of silk, I felt a surge of energy, interest, and right-ness. A fit. I love fabric, texture, colors… and my life is about transformation and growth. This art unified these two threads in a way I’d never imagined possible.
I was not a vajrayana practitioner at the time (and barely am now), but I intuited the power of the practice, its real and potential benefit to people. While I didn’t feel confident I could become a buddha, I did know I could stitch. It was my way of participating in a profound spiritual practice, and my way of expressing the beauty of that practice to others.
What obstacles did you encounter as you shifted your heart’s desires into the work that sustains you?
I have always been very fortunate. I don’t think I encountered any obstacles early on. I followed what felt natural to me. I was willing (deeply content, actually) to live simply in India and to learn and make this art.
I had already left the job for which my degrees had prepared me, to pursue an adventure of traveling afar and living in different contexts. I simply (and perhaps foolishly) followed what felt good and right to me. I say foolishly because, as my good fortune continued, I managed to keep following my path even if it wasn’t financially viable — or perhaps I should say without finding ways to make it financially viable. Though I continue to enjoy good fortune, my thoughts about being financially dependent on others cause me some distress.
What has been your biggest obstacle?
Probably my own mind wondering whether it’s really “okay” to be doing what I’m doing. I have few role models.
How did you manifest your passions into a life that supports you financially, spiritually and emotionally?
That’s evolving. And shifting with context. I have realized that, though I love autonomy and hours of solitary work, I also crave human interaction. I thrive in connection with others. I’m motivated by seeing the inspirational quality of my work reflected in viewers’ eyes or by seeing a student’s satisfaction at creating beauty of their own. And I love laughing with people.
In India, my work day was naturally interspersed with abundant social contact. People dropped by for tea. I was greeted enthusiastically from doors that lined the path on my way to market.
Life in the west is different. And I need to deliberately create opportunities for interaction. Not realizing that deliberate action was required or how to go about it led to dissatisfying periods of isolation and, consequently, less joy in creating my artwork as well.
I began teaching last year to address this personal need for a human connection, and to offer what I can to others. Teaching English as well as fabric thangka making… and soon I may add Italian! This interactive activity has brought new energy to my work.
How do you maintain your excitement and enthusiasm for living from your heart?
I don’t maintain it; it maintains me. It’s the only way I know how to live. If I try to live otherwise, I’m miserable, and I know that can’t be right.
I also continually look for ways to make my work my own while honoring the sacred tradition from which it comes. Sometimes that feels like a balancing act, but usually it’s very natural.
I treasure the Tibetan tradition that gave me the techniques and imagery I work with. At the same time, I’m not a Tibetan. I live in the western world and in contemporary times. So my technique and imagery evolves, and new teaching methods need to be invented. My students are all over the world — in Europe, the US, Asia, and the South Pacific. We can’t all sit around a table together to stitch. I’m pressed to explore what’s available in our contemporary world and to invent new ways of transmitting an ancient tradition that was imparted to me in more traditional ways.
How do you measure your successes?
By joy. If I’m happy, I’m successful. And if I open some new possibility or vision for someone else, even just a small glimpse, then I’ve done what I’m here for.
What inspirations can you offer people who are seeking to manifest their passions into a life lived on purpose?
Well, many may say that they can’t do what I do because their circumstances are more limiting, and that may be true. But our circumstances are rarely (never?) what we think they are and will usually find a way to adapt to our choices.
Step out onto new ground and it will give a little to receive your step.
In Buddhism, we are encouraged to reflect on the great value of our precious human life. I’ll venture to say that everyone reading this is more fortunate than they realize and has more possibilities available to them than they have let themselves imagine. Look. Imagine.
To learn more about Leslie and Tibetan fabric art, visit www.silkthangka.com
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If you do what you love and love what you do
and would like to be featured in the Passionate People Project
send Ruth an email
with a little information about yourself and a link to your website.
Join the Spark the Heart community by entering your info in the box on her site.
Hi everyone! Did you notice the new box to your right? I’ve got an offer for you.
) A quote from some wise teacher or poet, or from someone who just said something so right-on that it can bring you back to clarity every time you read it. A quote to remind you of what you already know. A quote to inspire and to wake up.
I have been 
