Ep62: Dharma Polyglot - Cinthia Font
In this episode I am joined by Cinthia Font Zorilla – polyglot, translator, and chief Spanish interpreter for Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche.
We learn about Cinthia’s remarkable upbringing as the daughter of a diplomat, raised a citizen of the world and becoming fluent in 7 languages.
We discover how, when her father was stationed in India, an introduction to Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche by the King of Nepal would change Cinthia’s life forever.
Cinthia recounts her close personal relationship with Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, as well as the transformative effects of interpreting for her current guru, Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche.
Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Topics Include:
0:00 – Intro
0:44 – Cinthia’s upbringing as the daughter of a diplomat
3:41 – Meeting her guru, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche
5:09 – How many languages does Cinthia speak?
5:42 – How Cinthia became a polyglot
8:30 – Different personalities in different languages
9:31 – Other shaping effects of an international upbringing
12:21 – How to maintain a high level in 7 languages
13:52 – Cinthia’s conversion to Buddhism after meeting Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche
17:31 – Taking refuge
21:20 – Becoming a personal student of Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche
24:55 – Taking Bodhisattva vows and practice during Cinthia’s parents’ divorce
29:22 – Practice in difficult life circumstances
32:01 – The death of the Guru and finding Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche
37:11 – Who is Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche?
42:15 – What is it like to be a personal student of Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche?
44:24 – The evolution of Cinthia’s spiritual practice
47:15 – Cinthia’s demanding daily practice regime
48:43 – Different sitting postures for meditation
51:25 – Training to be a become a Lama under Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche
55:04 – Learning the Tibetan language
1:06:38 – The surprising key to being an excellent interpreter
1:09:48 – Language interpreting as devotion to the guru
1:13:57 – The transformative experience of interpreting for one’s personal guru
1:18:09 – What unlocks for practitioners of Buddhism when learning Tibetan?
1:22:32 – The importance of the oral lineage of a native speaker
To find our more about Cinthia, visit:
skycinthia @ gmail . com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-font-ba363111
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James