The speaker reflects on their experiences with Justin Kondor Empacher, a Tibetan Rinpoche they met in the late 1990s. They describe Empacher as a generous yet tough teacher, which was a new experience for them. The speaker recounts a memorable interaction during a teaching session in Baltimore, where Empacher encouraged them to speak despite their lack of knowledge. This interaction highlighted the profound connection that can exist between a student and teacher, leaving a lasting impact on the speaker.

Who is the amazing teacher mentioned in the text?

Describe the setting where the speaker first met the teacher.

What was the unique quality of the teacher that caught the speaker's attention?

What was the speaker's initial reaction when asked a question by the teacher?

What does the speaker imply about the student-teacher connection?