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.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep62-cinthia-font-dharma-polyglot/

Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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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

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Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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To find our more about Cinthia, visit:

- skycinthia @ gmail . com

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-font-ba363111

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- http://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James