Willy & Kim

Santa Fe, NM

For Willy and Kim, Buddhism is not something practiced only on the meditation cushion—it is a path lived through relationship, creativity, community, and the challenges of everyday life. Willy’s journey began with a search that took him beyond intellectual knowledge, through India, encounters with spiritual teachers, and eventually into Tibetan Buddhism, where Ngöndro, Mahamudra, lineage, and Sangha became central to his practice.

Kim’s path carries a different thread. Her earliest connection to Buddhism came through her Korean grandmother, but it was through art—and eventually her relationship with Willy—that Buddhism became a living spiritual practice. For Kim, creativity opens a doorway beyond the limited self, while Buddhist teachings on emptiness and impermanence offer a framework for understanding the freedom and possibility she encounters through art.

Together, Willy and Kim reveal what happens when Buddhist practice enters the intimacy of a relationship. Meditation gives them space to step outside conflict, recognize habitual patterns, take responsibility for their actions, and remember that practice ultimately means learning how to benefit the person directly in front of you. Their story also speaks to the importance of Sangha as a mirror—one that keeps practice grounded, challenges the ego, and turns Buddhist teachings into something tested through real human relationships

Experience

15-30 Years XP

Tradition

Vajrayana

Background

Willy went through a disillusionment phase in his pursuit of knowledge, initially believing that studying and learning could unlock the secrets of the universe. This perspective changed after a transformative experience with mushrooms, where he went through a death process and realized the limitations of his scholarly approach.

Driven by a desire for deeper understanding, Willy took a year off and traveled to India, immersing himself in its rich and diverse culture. There, he encountered various intense and archetypal experiences, ranging from poverty to spiritual practices.

Willy’s spiritual journey continued when he met an Advaita Vedanta teacher named Papaji, who emphasized self-inquiry. Despite the initial confusion, this experience laid the groundwork for a more profound transmission.

The turning point occurred in a once-in-a-lifetime dream where Willy experienced bliss and a sense of interconnectedness. The dream led him to a Buddhist lecture by a Danish teacher, introducing him to the practice of Phowa, a conscious dying technique.

Initially skeptical, Willy’s interest was piqued when he learned about the outer sign of Phowa—a hole in the top of the head. This curiosity led him to participate in the practice, resulting in a profound and undeniable experience that convinced him to explore further.

Willy sought guidance from Lama Ole and expressed a desire to follow a similar path. Lama Ole recommended the Ngondro practice, sparking Willy’s curiosity and commitment to learning. Despite challenges and the departure of others, Willy continued his journey in search of deeper understanding and connection on the Diamond Way.