MAUI NEI
By RON YOUNGBLOOD, Staff Writer THE MAUI NEWS
April 10, 2008
Maui transforms individuals, given enough time and open hearts. The transformation can be a subtle breeze off a calm sea or a burst of sunlight ending a dark night.
A short journey of discovery began with a phone call that led to a picnic table, listening to a woman's much-longer journey. It was a welcome interlude. Her serene face and soft voice calmed the jangle of a day doing too much too quickly.
The first thing to go into a reporter's notebook is the name, or names. The first of two names was Kenyavani, reflecting her African roots, and the second was Pema Wangmo. "Is there any significance to Pema?" She smiled.
Kenyavani refers to the African place where God dwells and speaks. One of her teachers translated it as big mouth. At the time she was nettled but now believes the name indicated "...another way to serve...being of service has been always important to me."
Pema Wangmo translates to "powerful lotus woman". She switched from using Kenya to Pema -- pronounced pay-mah -- at the urging of colleagues at Women Helping Women. "The lotus is a flower that shows its beauty, not the mud in which it is rooted."
Her internal exploration began as a youngster fascinated by different religions. She was particularly struck by a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: "Be still and know that I am God. Let me be an instrument of thy peace."
Pema Wangmo was born 68 years ago in Boston, where she met her husband, photographer Robert Gilman. "He has a different path but has always been supportive."
The couple traveled to California. Robert wanted to continue to Hawaii. Kenya Gilman didn't think much of the idea. Later, she listened to "the quiet, still voice" she said each of us has in our heads. It told her, "Maybe we should go." On Oahu, the Gilmans decided they wanted less city and more country. In the late 1960s, Maui was very much country and Kenya found a path through the open spaces.
"Maui is a very magical place. All the important teachers come here."
Out of curiosity, Kenya went with a friend to see Swami Muktananda, her teacher for the first 10 years. He was followed by Kalu Rinpoche, "a beautiful old man, who emanated what Buddhists call stillness...it has elements of love and compassion." In Huelo, Pema met Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and found herself making a "a formal declaration of refuge in Buddha."
For the last seven years, her teacher and mentor has been Anam Thubten Rinpoche. He travels to Maui but is based in Point Richmond, Calif. The lessons and counsel flow across the Internet.
"Anam Thubten is teaching an emerging school of American Buddhism that adapts Eastern philosophy to the West mind-set," Pema said. "The path . . . is simplified to be better understood and practiced by Westerners."
After 30 years of study and practice, Pema was ordained, or certified, by Anam Thubten as one of a small number of Western Tibetan Buddhist Dharma teachers. Pema said the essence of what she has learned and teaches is "to clear away the confusion and to slow down inside," to be in the moment, not rehashing the past or fretting about the future.
"The calm and insight that meditation has brought to my life has supported me in my work at Women Helping Woman as an advocate for victims of domestic violence" and helps her remain compassionate and caring without carrying the weight of others' problems.
"I am now ready to offer my first retreat on April 20."
The retreat will be held at the Maui Academy of Healing Arts, 310 Ohukai Road, Suite 319 on the second floor of the Kihei Commercial Plaza, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Donation accepted. Contact her at pemagilman@yahoo.com or by calling 879-9932.
Pema Wangmo Gilman opened a window for a pa'akiki (stubborn) this-worlder. There was no doubt on either side of the picnic table when she said the practice of meditation "leads to ways of giving up self-cherishing and promotes peaceful awareness, a feeling of love and compassion, an open heart."
Even the Maui-transformed can be transformed.
Ron Youngblood can be reached at youngblood@mauinews.com
© Open Heart Dharma 2010