it’s not British, you know

Apprentice I get a bit worried sometimes—not all the time—by what is said of the Mahasiddhas. Whenever I read about them, the whole ambience is out of control and I wonder how I would cope with situations of that sort.  You often speak of the Mahasiddhas – but I notice that you are nothing like the people you speak about . . . [interrupted]

Ngak’chang Rinpoche True – I am not a Mahasiddha.

Apprentice  . . . in that you are highly ethical and apart from teasing people occasionally – you never set up the kind of psycho-drama situation that I associate with the Mahasiddhas – and yet I view you as Mahasiddhas.

Ngak’chang Rinpoche We are not Mahasiddhas, we are merely large trees – maha cedars.

Khandro Déchen Psycho-drama is not our style – in fact we find it theatrical in the worst sense of the word. We do not like to force people into emoting and having big experiences through playing games with them.

Ngak’chang Rinpoche It’s not British, you know. I think that to conjure with people is a highly dramatic manner is the proclivity of Mahasiddhas. There is a saying to the effect that you can’t make an omelette without cracking eggs – but a Mahasiddha can unmake an omelette and return them to their shells.

Khandro Déchen We would not make an omelette of you unless we could return you to your shell.