For nearly forty-five years, Arnaud Maitland has devoted himself to the teachings of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, one of the last surviving Nyingma lamas to receive a complete education in Old Tibet. In this candid, wide-ranging book, Arnaud delves into what it has meant to him to follow his teacher, exploring the experiences that deepened his self-knowledge and led him to commit himself to Tarthang Tulku's mission to preserve the wisdom of his tradition and help it take root in the Western world.

Interwoven with quotes drawn from Tarthang Tulku's many books in English, Arnaud's vivid, tender, and unsparing recollections provide an accessible introduction to his teacher's work and thought and an engaging account of a dedicated student's inner growth. At the center of this story is faith: faith in the power of genuine wishing, faith in what is real, valuable, and possible – and ultimately, faith in Tathagata-garbha, the Heart of Awakening. Such faith has the power to transform the heart and shape the course of an entire life.