Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche sends Lama Tsultrim back to India as his emissary to invite His Holiness the 16th Karmapa to the United States. Because India and Sikkim were at war, she could not personally deliver the invitation to the Karmapa and entrusted it to his close disciples. She went to Himachal Pradesh.

During a three-month visit to Tashi Jong hosted by H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche, she receives the Dam Ngag Dzöd Empowerments from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a series of empowerments including the lineage of Machig Labdrön. Lama Tsultrim immediately feels a deep connection to Machig Labdrön.

Lama Tsultrim returns to Manali to be with Apho Rinpoche and learns her first Chöd practice of Naro Sang Chöd from Gegyen Khyentse.

At this time she makes the difficult decision to return her monastic vows. She and Paul Kloppenburg, a Buddhist practitioner she had met in Holland in 1969, get together. Shortly afterward while in New Delhi, they marry and return to the West.