Teaching is learning too

Sarita and Saru giving me one last hug in Bhotechaur!

My last days at both the Bhotechaur clinic and Chanauti were truly lovely. At both clinics I was honored in the Nepali tradition, with katas (traditional silk scarves), flower malas, red rice tikkas, and some gifts. I will miss everyone very much! I'm so thankful for modern technology and the ability to at least stay in touch a little bit.

The staff in Chanauti...Nepali people rarely smile.
The pup in front is Kali Bunti, she's teething!
Bonnie, the other volunteer in the picture might be bringing her to the US

I've been spending the last few days in Boudha, Kathmandu with my mom who has come to join me! We have only a few more days here--Monday afternoon we'll be heading over to Thailand for warmer weather before heading back to the US.

Hawk that flies daily over the Bhotechaur clinic...I miss it all already!

Having my mom here has got me thinking more about how exactly it is I travel. I don't just want to show her my favorite places, I want to show her how I travel since so much of why I travel is about Being rather than seeing. It's not exactly 'teaching' but it does have that same effect of causing me to reflect on how, what, and why I do. It feels great to reflect in this way as I will be heading home soon and want to incorporate how I am away with how I am in that thing we call 'daily life' (of course, isn't it all daily life?).

Hanging out with the king and queen (statues)
 in Bhaktapur, the old city

So, how do I travel? I wake up naturally, usually early, and take stock of the day. I sometimes meditate or do tai ji, then find breakfast. This relaxed pace of the morning helps me feel both fed and allows me to part sub-consciously, part consciously decide my direction for the day. I allow the weather and the climactic influences of the day take part in that decision in a natural way, without having to look at the astrological calendar or any number of interpretations. When I start my day this way, everything typically goes smoothly and at the end of the day I feel satisfied and happy.

Some cool graffiti in Thamel, Kathmandu

When I start my day the 'western' way; thinking of all the number of things I 'must' accomplish, skipping my tai ji because "I just don't have time right now", my day ends up being hectic, there are barriers to the things I want to accomplish, and at the end of the day I don't always feel satisfied or happy.

Some ladies in their full Tibetan style clothing
waiting for someone important to arrive!
The kata/scarves are to honor him or her and also to receive blessing.

Of course, back home I don't have the luxury of having every day be totally free; having a job and a career means that there is a certain pace at which things must be accomplished. It's easy to forget, though, that most things don't need to be done on a particular day. Having a system of organization with tasks and their deadlines (thank you Eric Grey!) makes a lot of sense. It allows you to get in tune with the day and pick the tasks that are most suited to your energy and the energy of that day. It also comes back to the importance of having a daily practice in order to become in tune with yourself and allow those decisions to come more naturally, allowing the subconscious to play a role instead of using that crazy monkey mind. Not all decisions can be made rationally!

Boudha stupa
I have way too many photos of this amazing, sacred stupa

I'm happy to say that I've already been on the path to leading my life this way. Reflecting in this way helps me to strengthen my resolve on the path that I've chosen; to have a daily practice, to organize my life in terms of tasks, and to find meaning in everything I do. The exact details are still coming together (I have a feeling that they will for the rest of my life), but it feels good to have more and more direction.