Spiritual Journey: Bhutan and the Realm of Colors
Color symbolism is integral to Buddhist philosophy, and inherent in daily Bhutanese life. Each of the elements of earth, water, fire, air and space have a color of their own. Each of us is assigned an element at birth and thus have a dominant color. Colors signify the emotions of anger, greed, jealousy, ignorance and pride and are identified with each of the five Buddha families. This very unique trip through Bhutan is a way to understand the county, its people, and perhaps ourselves through the medium of color. You join monks in designing a mandala and meet with a healer to learn how the 5 basic elements create the body and influence our health. You participate in local rituals to combat spirits that cause illness, communicate with the unknown, and increase your luck force. Along the way, you meet with Bhutan's chief astrologer, hoist colored prayer flags to enhance balance and create happiness, chant and meditate with key teachers, learn about the art of Buddhist debate, and make a pilgrimage to Taktsang or Tiger's Nest in Paro.
The Lotus and the Tikka: A Spiritual Journey to Nepal
This unusual journey, led by Buddhist scholar Indra Mainali, is for travelers interested in understanding the Hindu and Buddhist traditions in the fascinating country of Nepal. Guests have an opportunity to meet key religious scholars, experience Tibetan bowl healing, be blessed by a virgin goddess, celebrate festivals with families, and stop in at a shamanic school, while seeing parts of the Kathmandu Valley and country that few Westerners ever have a chance to see. Guests not only get to wander the valley, visiting unusual sites such as Pharping, Namobuddha, Chovar, Buddhanilkantha, and Panauti, but also travel to Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha, and Janakpur, birthplace of Sita, the wife of Ram in the Ramayana. This trip allows visitors have the chance to truly understand Nepal, a country where religion and life are one.
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Nepal: Buddhists, Bon Pos and Hindus - People of Lower Mustang
This atypical adventure takes trekkers to small villages and pilgrimage sites in the culturally rich Lower Mustang area of Nepal. As adventurers hike through this rapidly changing area, there is time to talk with local people and learn about their folklore, religion, and day-to-day family activities. The journey begins with a flight from the Kathmandu Valley to Pokhara in the shadow of the Annapurna range. From Pokhara, travelers fly to Jomsom, and trek up the Kali Gandhaki riverbed to Kagbeni, gateway to Upper
Mustang, and then on to the pilgrimage town of Muktinath in the shadow of Shorung Yu La. Muktinath is one of the two most important sites for both Hindus and Buddhists in all of Nepal, and a town where jets of methane gas rise from beneath the ground and yogis bathe in holy springs. Crossing the pass above Muktinath, trekkers descend into the isolated Lubrak Valley, home to the only Bon village in Lower Mustang, and continue onto the trading town of Tukche. In addition to friending the local people, travelers can revel in awesome views of Dhaulagiri, Niligiri, Tukche and other sky-touching peaks.
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Myths and Mountains is an experiential tour operator, and offers extraordinary spiritual journeys. These adventures offer travelers immersive spiritual and cultural experiences in extraordinary destinations, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Visit mythsandmountains.com for more information