Naljorma Jig’med Pamo

Naljorma Jig’med began to practice meditation in 1989, taking refuge and becoming a student of Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen in 1991. A retired high school teacher, she at first found it surprising how deeply the non-academic approaches of yogic song and sKu-mNyé moved her and furthered her meditation practice. These practices became avenues of recognition and confidence in the path. Two pilgrimages to Nepal further confirmed that she had found ‘home’. Retreats in Britain, the Netherlands, Montana, as well as both coasts of the USA opened up a sense of connectedness to the greater Aro Sangha. She has held Naljorma ordination since 1997.

Physical challenges, such as horseback riding and sKu-mNyé, have always drawn her enthusiastic response. Jig’med helps demonstrate sKu-mNyé exercises at retreats and has always encouraged others to view this as a profound meditation practice. Jig’med enjoys working with the biographies of the many great practitioners in the Aro lineage. She tries to express the inspiration she finds within these through talks she offers at the New York Sangha’s summer retreats. She has worked with Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Ngakma Zér-mé in presenting the history of the Aro lineage on our website. Transcribing Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s teachings and preparing the apprentice reading list are other projects that have given her great pleasure.