This is a diary of a six week pilgrimage journey I made through Nepal and Tibet from April 20 until June 5, 2010. I wanted family, friends, and members of the Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center to be able to walk with me.
The first two weeks in Nepal were spent getting over jet-lag, visiting Buddhist centers, and conditioning for high altitudes in Lang Tang Park. During the three weeks in Tibet I was part of an international group of Buddhist pilgrims that visited sites associated with Tibetan Buddhist saints (such as Milarepa, Guru Rinpoche, Gotsampa, and Machik Labdron) and circumambulating Mount Kailash, a very sacred place for followers of the Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and Bonpo religions. For thousands of years pilgrims have circled Kailash, believing that it removes sins and brings happiness. (In Indian mythology, Mount Kailash is known as Mount Meru, or Mount Sumeru.)
The final part of the pilgrimage was back in the Kathmandu Valley for rest, reflection, writing, and shopping.
However you come to this blog, I hope you find something of value, and I wish you health, joy, and a peaceful heart.
Mitchell Ratner
Mitchell at Lang Tang National Park, Nepal
[...] June 22, 2010 tags: HH Dalai Lama, Tibet by Maia Duerr My dharma friend Mitchell Ratner took this photo on his recent pilgrimage to Tibet and Mt. Kailash. I share it with you here because [...]