True Colours

Dear friends who may be interested,

This is a reminder to reinforce what I have already said in the past. And this is also to announce the launching of my personal YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@estneyhkubron

With the arrival of artificial intelligence and hosts of enthusiastic people with great skills to edit and manipulate words and images, I keep seeing so many of my pictures and teachings floating around along with quotes and sayings that supposedly come from me.

Of course, many of these posts have original footage, but many are also edited out of context. I definitely don’t oppose that and, in any case, have no ability to prevent it. But I do need to remind you that most of these posts don’t come from me and aren’t produced under my supervision.

If something is posted by Siddhartha’s Intent or Khyentse Foundation or in my own Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or Reddit accounts, then of course it’s official, has my consent, and is done with my full knowledge. But I see more and more images and words circulating that come from all over the place.

If some of those posts sooth people for even a few minutes, I can only feel glad. But I sometimes worry that, in the process, people may get the wrong idea about me and that these posts could lead to unwanted solicitations.

As for the nature of these postings, I really don’t mind those that have me riding a lion or eagle, sitting inside a crystal ball, wearing football gear or even wearing latex and more. Those don’t bother me at all. I am much more concerned with those that present me as wholesome or holier-than-thou, because that can really lead to unfounded expectations, and that worries me.

I don’t often visit my social media sites, and I likewise don’t see myself posting much on this new YouTube channel. In fact, I don’t expect people to subscribe to it. But just like on Facebook, I may sometimes post a few things on YouTube just to remind folk of my own true colours.

— Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse