Trekking around the Mountain of the Spirit and into the sacred valley
During fall of 2011, I trekked with my daughter Anna-Sophie and my son Robert for three weeks near the Tibetan border in Nepal. The area is very remote and one of the most beautiful areas in Nepal. The trek followed ancient salt trading routes to Tibet and took us around Manaslu, called the Mountain of the Spirit. It is the eighth highest mountain of the world. We also trekked into Tsum valley, one of the eight sacred valleys in Tibetan Buddhism.
There were no streets, electricity only in some places, and no doctor for medical help. The trek took us in a constant up and down along the Buddhi Gandaki River slowly upwards to the Larkya Pass, the highest point of the trek, which is over 17 000 feet high. From there, the path went constantly downhill joining the Annapurna circuit. We were accompanied by a guide and two porters and needed five permits to enter this area.
The intention for this trek was to be in the present moment – the here and now – as much as possible. I wanted to experience the country with all of my senses and at the same time anchor myself in body and mind. Meditation early each morning and a saying for the day were tools to help me to stay present. The sayings for the day served as “Dharma Rocks” in the stream of consciousness. Suggestions for these sayings came from Rosan Roshi, Rosenblum Roshi and some members of the Missouri Zen Center.
The beauty of the country and it‘s people was stunning. The opportunity to walk this trek with two of my children was very special. I hope the photos will show a bit the beauty and the speciality of this trek.
Like in my diary, I will start each day with a saying I pulled randomly that morning out of all the possibilities. Mainly, I let the pictures speak for themselves and only provide a brief explanation of what is shown.
It is the sameness for the sea
not to refrain from accepting water and for this reason
water smoothly gathers together to make the sea.
Dogen
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Note: Garyo, a long active member of and ordained at MZC, again kindly offered to present us all her trip and treck to Manasulu and Tsum Valley with her children with beautiful pictures and profound words of the Buddha and his followers. Please walk with her and her children each day breathing in the high mountain air and taking in the deep ocean words – Dharma worlds and Dharma words.