Here I am in a little net cafe in Leh, Ladakh india. I am currently deep in the himalayas, the peaks are covered with snow, the days are warm and the nights are cold. This place is the only survivng seat of living Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It is a land that is awe inspiring and full of myth and mystery....
The nature of my travels have changed significantly, I have more time to marinate, ruminate, masticate on my experiences as I am now a solo traveller. Cha Cha is on the other side of the mountains studying Tai Chi in Dali, China. And I am following my intuition and rythms here in india...
Somehow two or three months have passed since I last wrote onto the blog... Time, out here on the road is a very fluid thing, and occasionally the experiential stream will not relent.
Finally in the tiny ancient village of Likir, nestled into the mountains with a blanket and some yak butter tea I found the time for writting...
17th may/2008 LIKIR, iNDIA!
The open road has brought me to this expansive place. The roof top of the world. The snow has now given way to a mist that is clingning to the rocky spires outside of my window. I am staying with a family, taking in the expanse, eating with them, and learning how to churn yak milk into butter. Roads here snake through the infinte high desert, extending into the horizon broken only by the impossible magnitude and majesty of the vertical ranges that surround. The indian government sustains considerable military presence here as this jewel, this testament to god, is sandwiched in between the ambitions of the Chinese and the Pakistanis. I have often imagined what this landscape may hold - looking at the meager politcal delineations and tasteless colours of the map, I often thought that the area must constantly feel on edge with the politics. Nothing could be further from the truth, people here seem to be really in touch with a human nature, a spiritual underpinning and appreciation for vastness. Until the recent influx of monetisation and western influence the people here lived comunally it step with seasons, the weather, the family and the heart. This remains in the smiles of the older generation.
((There is an excellent documentary and book about this place called "Ancient Futures"))
Ladakh is facstinating in that it was truely ancient culture that has been quickly modernised in the last 25 years.
Bumping along in a packed and dusty bus, the heavy scent of mountain people and uncooked goat meat permeating- I watched the landscape unfold. Grafitti scratched into ancient stupas and humble earthen dwellings speak of the local ethos... "life is love" written on a military building - openly adressed "I love yous" for anyone willing to perceive and "live love"... Popular bumper stickers read "love your enemy", this is a militarized zone that has been increasingly opening over the last 20 years, maybe we could import a bunch of these to America and raise the bar a little over there...
The mountains are topped with Gompas (monastaries) the cliffs are dotted with caves in which yoginis spend entire seasons in deep tantric yogas and meditations. I have heard from many that it is the efforts of these bodhisatvas constantly creating peaceful vibration that keeps our world in balance with the forces of caos and fear. This epic landscape is also said to hold the secrets of shambalah. There are many myths about this place. I just read a modern interpretation suggesting that shambala is infact on earth and is a community of high vibration human beings. These beings have learned to balance advanced technology with spirituality in order to aid the life process. They live in abundance and peace and will, according to myth ancient and modern, reveal themselve one day (soon!) when we are ready to recieve their message and wisdom....
sounds good huh?
What has been happening for me over the last two months?
What is it that brings me to this mysterious landscape?
Bear with me as the path of my travels increassingly becomes influenced by the people I meet, the books I am reading; influenced by prophecy, synchronicities and intuitions. I am starting to take for granted that a greater reality is currently being revealed for us here on earth,
Do you feel that,
that rumbling
under the apparent surface of everything?
and so we travel
within and beyond...
more stories soon,
I am leaving in 10min for a 5-7 day walk in the mountains....
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