Thank you, Bhutan!
I’m grateful to have visited Bhutan, the last standing Buddhist kingdom located in the Himalayas and ranked one of the happiest country in the world. This is the only country to have a monarchical government decree in 2008 that the Gross National Happiness (GNH) is more important than Gross National Product. GNH emphasizes the well-being of its people, the importance of instituting the values of love, respect and compassion over financial growth. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay explained on TEDTalk how the monarchs have prioritized the well being of his people by providing free education, health care policy and has made into law to keep the country 60% covered with forests.
At the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu
The GNH policy is evident. The population of 700,000 people seems to be content, happy and respectful of others and their environment. No one honks their horns in the roads without traffic lights. No one is in a hurry. The place, people are pure and simple.
Black Hat dance performed by monks at the Punakha Festival
The visit for me is sublimely healing.
Our very first stop was in Punakha to witness the first day of the three day religious festival honoring Padmasambhawa, Guru Rinpoche—“one who was born from a lotus flower” – the Himalayan Buddhism founding saint. Monks and the townsfolk performed rituals and colorful sacred dances with swirling costumes and elaborate headdresses that include scarves, hats, gold crowns, and full head masks depicting animals. The highlight was the Black Hat dance performed by monks wearing heavy and elaborate brocade gown with kimono-like sleeves to ward off evil spirits.
It is said that watching sacred dances removes five outer obstacles, inner illnesses and secret delusions. Kezang Namgay said, “The five outer obstacles are caused by the planet of the upper world, mountain gods of the intermediate world, earth spirits, serpents and death spirits. The five illnesses arise from obstructions in psychic nerves that transmit vital energies; the energy flow in the motions, breath, air and wind; the seed essence and the empty nature of energy. The five secret delusions are desire, anger, ignorance, pride and jealousy.”
From there we went to Chimi Lhakhang, a village adorned with phalluses (considered a sacred symbol) on its walls. We hiked through rice fields to the temple of the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kunley, one of Bhutan’s favorite saints. The temple is famous for helping childless couples increase their chances of fertility. After setting our intentions in the temple, the monk blessed us with a wooden phallus and a bow and arrow to ward away evil spirits than to help us with fertility.
Takstang Monastery (the name literally means ‘tiger’s nest’), perched on a 2,700 feet cliff
The last day was special. We hiked all the way up to the sacred Takstang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery, 10,000 ft in elevation. I felt like I dissolved into the serenity and beauty of the monastery as it is fused to the sheer-rock cliff face. The climb was steep on a dirt trail surrounded by pine trees.
The monastery was devoid of prayer flags. Our guide, Nam, explained that they no longer allow putting prayer flags after a Thai tourist fell off the cliff after taking a selfie. Apparently, the tourist leaned over the prayer flags thinking it was safe to do so. Now, there are railings in place. I don’t mind not having the colorful flags fluttering with the wind as is typical in sacred grounds in the Himalayas. I prefer viewing the monastery in its natural environment, perched on a cliff of granite walls surrounded by the evergreen forest.
To keep the place in its pristine state, we weren’t allowed to take photos inside. We were able to sit and meditate in the same place where great Tibetan saints meditated including Milarepa. The monastery is believed to have descended on a flying tiger in the 8th century bearing the Nyingma Tantric teachings.
My visit to this tiny land-locked country with its neighbouring countries the mighty India and China made me realize that we can live in an enlightened society that is rooted in wisdom. All it takes is to live simply and be kind and respectful of ourselves, of others and our environment. Like small pebbles tossed into a pond, the ripples of positive action will gather momentum and hopefully, social change will occur.
I’m back — here’s my schedule for the first few weeks of March.
I’m happy to be back and in Cebu this weekend for the Success and Prosperity workshop and sound healing sessions in the evening. The Kundalini Yoga classes at Yoga+Express will resume on Monday, March 5 and the Sound Healing Gong Bath meditation will resume on Wednesday, March 7. If you are joining the next Scent and Sound Healing on March 18 (Sunday), the theme is on forgiveness. Do list all the people who you’ve felt have done you wrong or people you wish to forgive.
I’ve set intentions for all of you in Bhutan for happiness, good health, abundance and prosperity.
In loving service,
Rosan
