On this Inner World Journey I was leading a group of 8 people who are from very different professions, but one thing they all had in common was the fast paced life they were living in metropolitan cities. All energy and resources they possessed was being used for external development and they were all successful in that, but something more important was still missing in their lives. This is why they joined the Inner world journey with me to visit Nepal and Bhutan.
Our journey was filled with so much spirituality and discussions about the topic of faith, refuge, and spiritual powers. Nepal has a number of very interesting Buddhist sites that are claimed as “Self Appeared Deity images” or “Self spoken Statues” which really tests one’s belief and opens up room for discussion about one’s own inner world. On the surface level, when you hear these legends, it may seem hard to believe but when you introduce the concepts of Karma, impermanence, human emotion and the cycles of existence, it makes you wonder how much one truly knows themselves.
When we are able to reflect on our emotions, we suddenly realize how little we know about ourselves deep down inside.
Traveling to various countries should never be just to see world wonders or historical sites, but along the way we can get guidance how to understand ourselves better. Inner World Journey is here to provide you with some support on this path and the proper tools on how to manage emotions in a fast paced world.
As we dash through the bustling city of Kathmandu to visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, Bouda Stupa and the temple of a 1000 Buddhas, Golden temple and Parphing region, everyone on our journey is amazed by the brightness of peoples faces. Though Nepal is considered a 3rd world country materially and economically, but spiritually it is very rich and deep which is hard to describe in few paragraphs. Better join us on the future Inner World Journey to get the experience.
As we boarded the plane to Bhutan, I was surprised to be recognized by the air hostesses who are younger generation and asked to take a photo with them, which I humbly accepted. It made me wonder how interconnected we are no matter the distance we live from each other as there is something spiritual that connects us. It’s been a long wish to visit Bhutan, as I have heard so much about it and seen many photo albums and books. The history of this ancient kingdom, led by a young king, fascinates me.
Upon arrival, our group was welcomed by the Airport staff with kindness and warmth through their facial expressions and once outside we were received by our local guide Sonam and her husband Dhondup and their wonderful team members Chenga, Jigme and our driver. We were immediately swept away to visit the Paro Dzong or Paro Fortress. As the sun was setting, we were given a wonderful tour around, the fortress reminded me more of a monastery. The first impression to me was how spiritual the Bhutanese people are. We settled into one of Bhutan’s oldest Hotels. It was the first ever hotel built in Paro (1974) for international guests invited for the coronation of the 4th King of Bhutan.
As we shift to the capital city of Thimphu, we pass through Kyichu Lhakhang built by the tibetan ruler Songtsen Gombo, Tachok Lhakhang built by the tibetan engineer by the name of Tangtok Gyalpo, who built the the first ever iron bridge in Tibet and in Bhutan as well. He came from Tibet to Bhutan to search for materials that produce iron.
As we entered Thiphu we were met with crowds of Bhutanese dressed up in the traditional garments (which are called GO for the men and Kira for the women) passing through the city to celebrate the 117th national day of Bhutan. What surprised me was how calm the people were and how they really connected with nature, and took tremendous pride in the leadership of the King and Queen of Bhutan. Each evening as we settled into our hotel, we would continue to have group discussions about meditation, the true nature of the mind and various topics on a very important technique in Buddhist practice called “Mind Training”. We continued to have long discussions with explanations until late night, and every morning as we woke up for another Journey, I would get so surprised by how the group’s attitude has changed in a short span of time. The joy our delegation members expressed each day was a testament of how beneficial the Inner World Journey’s help was for them to grow individually.
The days we spent in Bhutan were filled with fresh air which made us have fresh thoughts, the people’s kindness reminded us how kindness, compassion, and love are so important these days and always. There were some important places we were not able to visit due to time constraint, but before departing we had the honor of being invited to have a brief audience with the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo. It was everyone’s first time to meet a royal figure in person and the conversation was very interesting, we covered a range of topics from similar culture, nomadic life and social history as well as spirituality. We were honored to have an extended audience than the actual time that we were given.
In the end, I can say this journey was not only a growth for our delegates but for me as well. It was a journey of learning about ourselves as individuals, self expression and most importantly, gratitude. I am so grateful to many things in life and I am so grateful to have led this group to Nepal and Bhutan and will be honored and grateful to lead many Inner world Journeys in the near future.
India! It never leaves you indifferent. I admire Indians for their love to live to the fullest, if it is about a dress – it will be the most colorful, if it is about food – it will be with all the possible spices and tastes, if it is about friendship – it will be forever and heart to heart.
Mongolia is surely not what I expected it to be! This land is full of power, so are the people, very strong and persistent. So much history!
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