Spiritual Gratitude

Lessons From Bhutan
written by Delia 2004 May, after an incredible 3-week journey.

From grief to illness, the past several years were grueling for me. Only my work and fondness of art could excite my soul, but as an archaic workaholic, it was time to reorganize my priorities and lifestyle. Eventually it became clear that I had to rejuvenate my mind, body and spirit, or surrender to my own demise at a fairly early age.

Determination to deal with my fears and a variety of conventional healers helped me endure chemotherapy, psychotherapy, and the like. Yet it was unconventional means that opened the door to my healing. Then a gift from the universe arrived. I was handed a golden opportunity to revive my spirit. It was a sponsored trip to Bhutan from a dear, childhood friend.

"Where is Bhutan?" I asked, "I can't find it on the map." Once the small country, which appeared about the same size of Kentucky, was spotted on my friend's globe, I wondered how and why it was chosen. "Read and start exercising," my sponsor said, "I'll get the paperwork going."

Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas between India and the autonomous region of Tibet, covering 18,147 square miles. That's nearly equivalent to the size of Switzerland. It has the mystical fascination as Shangra-la – with no beggars, sparse theft, and micro crime.

The first book I was assigned to read was Beyond the Sky and the Earth, A Journey into Bhutan by Jamie Zeppa. It is a descriptive memoir of the author's three years in Bhutan as a teacher; a true love story enriched with history and Buddhism. For the first time in years, I felt enthusiasm and inspiration. I sensed why anyone, especially an environmentalist, would be attracted and intrigued with this country.

Ag Landscape

I'd never heard the term trekking before, but quickly learned a trek is a hike, the best way to experience Bhutan's hard working way of life and magnificent natural beauty. So I added walking to my daily regime with supervised exercise to build stamina. I learned how to put down the work and nurture my body, which helped clear my congested mind. What I was about to experience was a mystery, but by mid April, I was so ready to go to Bhutan!

For entry to the country, comes the paperwork. This part tends to annoy potential tourists, but it's an impressive governmental system. Embassies and diplomatic missions do not issue tourist visas outside the country. Passport details and photograph must be submitted at least fifteen days in advance to the agency through which the traveler visits. What a perfected, cautious and congenial model of sovereignty!

Incense Making

My primary reference book titled Bhutan, Himalayan Mountain Kingdom by Françoise Pommaret, informed me of many fine arts and crafts to expect. For example, the best incense is made in Poe Nado where all natural prime ingredients are used without added sticks of wood. There the pure incense can be seen being made with global reputation – they say better than India. A substance is extracted from the Rhus succedanea tree as a black or red lacquer for receptacles and bowls. I learned the same tree substance is utilized in Japan. Mineral and vegetable pigment paint is still widely used, but becoming a lost art to less expensive chemicals for vibrant colors. Clay and earth are often the main components in statutes. Slate is an abundant resource and finely engraved with deities or religious characters. These are forms of art I could not entirely pursue due to the group itinerary, which gives more reason to return!

Dzong Details

Art throughout the country is consistent because there is meaning behind every design. Buildings are covered in geometric and illustrative paintings. The older ones were constructed without plans or blueprints. However, new buildings are designed with drawings before construction, and the elaborate exterior decorations continue.
Instead of canvas, paintings are created on a damp cloth with lime and glue applied before sandpapering, called thangka. The frame is typically made from bamboo. Sometimes a wooden block or stencil is used to print the treated cloth. Most artists keep a sketchbook of the work they do whereas rules of iconography are firm. Each deity has special attributes that cannot be changed without altering the meaning. Friendship or compassion are examples. There is modest extraordinary talent all over the country where the criterion is faith.

Thangka Art

Bura is the name for Bhutanese raw silk which is created from the Philosoma cynthia silkworm or a species of moths that feed on indigenous trees. Much is obtained from neighboring Assam in India. For religious reasons, they do not kill the silkworms in their cocoons. They let them escape and in doing so, the thread breaks before it is unrolled. As a result, the silk looks and feels much rougher than Chinese or common Indian silk. Few Americans use this method and those that do describe it as vegan silk.

Weaving is the primary skill in Bhutan. The textiles are associated with particular regions and I am most intrigued with the wild silk fabric from the eastern hills. Many patterns look as though they are embroidered when they are actually created during the weaving process. Silk weaving with silk fabric brings the highest price in Bhutan, but rates are very reasonable considering the labor involved. With a bit of practice, one can distinguish between Bhutanese and cultivated silks which are produced from the silkworm that feeds on Mulberry trees and typically come from China, India or Thailand.

Hand Woven Bhutanese Fabrics

Cotton was once grown in southeastern Bhutan, but is now supplemented by yarns imported from India. Most accessories, such as belts and bags, are made with cotton or nettle fiber. Iconography and the weaver's imagination make the design patterns. Metallic yarns from India are available for inclusion. Wool from sheep is produced in central Bhutan to make blankets and mats. A softer wool comes from a cross-breed of Australian stock, but the most expensive yartha is very soft and most likely mixed with angora or the fine hair of a yak's chest and underbelly. Wool yarn to buy from Bhutan is rare, as it is mostly imported from India today.

Stone Carving

I learned about local plants to color fibers for weaving and that many skilled women maintain the tradition, regardless of where their fibers are from. Yet commercial dyes were introduced in the 20th century and therefore synthetic coloring agents are often combined with natural ones. The most notorious dye plants from Bhutan's rich forests are indigo for blue and lac or madder for red. This fascinating topic requires another column!

Spiritual masters are abundant in Bhutan. I realize Buddhism is not a religion, but a beautiful way of life and path to human enlightenment where nature, environment and art are respected. The minister of foreign affairs contributed to the creation, definition and goal of Gross National Happiness for Bhutan, detailed in the 2002 Journal of Bhutan Studies. Within this fascinating book of studies, inner spiritual development is described as important as external material development. After all, our development for progress, value and economics is hardly regarded as successful, even with good intentions of Western nations that actually hinder the health of their respective communities today.

Happy Bhutanese People

We can all learn from Bhutan's Buddhist philosophy that individual spiritual development is essential to community happiness. I thank Bhutan for these lessons and for rejuvenating my mind, body and spirit.




Bhutan Pics
by Suzanne E. Pfister of Aspen, Colorado

Note that the landscape, Dzong, stone carving, and happy people photos were also taken by Suzanne.

Tour Group 
Delia E. Montgomery, "self" ― Pahoa, Hawaii
Elaine E. Harrison ― Ft. Pierce, Florida
Jeanne D. Andlinger ― Greenwich, Connecticut; Woody Creek, Colorado
Kristina Hurrell, Tour Guide ― Old Snowmass, Colorado
Linda K. Procter ― Vero Beach, Florida
Linda Anglin Yakush ― Port Townsend, Washington
Phillippa M. Lane, alias "Pip" ― Queenstown, New Zealand
Sally P. Chapman ― Ft. Pierce, Florida
Suzanne E. Pfister ― Aspen, Colorado
Suzanne G. Farry ― Queenstown, New Zealand
 

Take-off From JFK New York to Japan on the Great Circle Route ~ L-R Clockwise: Elaine, Suzanne P, Jeanne, Linda, Delia

Suzanne P by Dzong in Local Attire

High-mountain Dzong

Dzong Guard Dog

Giant Red Rhododendron ~ High Altitude

Sally + Buddha Outside Dzong

Masked Festival Dancer Teases Delia

Happy Respected Elder

Jeanne + Monk, Pupils

Sole Steps

Suzanne P Under Jacaranda Trees

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Before Bhutan

Health issues surfaced with long-term chemo and pharmaceutical treatments 2002-2003. It was a depressing, costly time before I grew enlightened to alternative methods of well being and became more proactive — promoting organic, natural and nontoxic products with a much deeper understanding and compassion for those who struggled with weak immune systems.

By 2005 novel lifestyle strategies evolved with regained health, a life attitude transformation, and relocation plan to the healing-magnet islands of Hawaii. Another life milestone arose, however, and I became the caretaker of my terminally ill mother. Blessings came like miracles and we were honored an exciting travel venture before she grew weak. Mother Patricia McConnell Endicott saw heaven on Earth only months before she passed 2005 September.

Perseus in St. Christopher, Nevis, the British Virgin Islands

Patricia Endicott + Captain Kline

The tour of Perseus guided by Captain Kline was her final treasured thrill. She drank a scotch cocktail before she rode on the bow and even went snorkeling! Our former differences dissolved, which mended my spirit enormously.

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Amazing Guides

Below is a list of links for healers I recommend. Some connections were after Bhutan; sort-of chronological order. Each individual has gifted powers to share with unique forms of treatments. Many are able to work by long distance. I am eternally grateful for every one of them!.

Coaching Inspirations
Lorraine Edey, the money magnet, focuses on financial counseling yet takes you deeper in amazing spiritual healing ways.

Susan Turnbull is an independent professional training and coaching professional. She resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico and offers long distance counseling.

Deborah Schindele, Ph.D., M.A. of Paradise Mind and Body Inc.
Deb offers hypnosis, personal training and nutritional counseling for body optimization, personal development, sports enhancement or just plain fun.

Dr. Harold Briks is a holistic chiropractic in New York City and also offers: cold laser therapy; BRT; NAET; MEAD; Neurolink; Applied Kinesiology; Nutrition; Nutri- Spec; CranioSacral Therapy; SOT; NET EB 305 Detox Foot Bath. Best to find him on FaceBook.

Kristina Mauak, Dipl. ABT, LMT  is a certified Instructor in Qigong & Theta Healing, and is also a Reiki Master. Formerly known as Christianne Mulkearn from Germany, she now practices on Big Island, Hawaii.

Gene Brockopp, Ph. D. has a small, selective practice in spiritually oriented counseling, named Casaelya, in Lexington, Kentucky. His practice is limited to working with people who want to explore their psycho-social issues within the context of the sacred aspects of their life, or who desire clarification or guidance for their spiritual journey.

Zero Point Healers
Bob and Deborah's focus is to provide alternatives for persons who have not found solutions to their health problems through traditional medicine or psychotherapy.

Inner Light Consultants, Inc.
James Odell, OMD (China), ND, Board Certified Naturopathic Physician, NCCAOM Certified Acupuncture
James works with patients from an individualized perspective, and in addition to acupuncture, utilizes nutrition, lifestyle and herbal approaches. Check out his site on Biological Medicine.

Kentucky Institute for Yoga Therapy
Lisa Todd Graddy guides one to emotional health to restore the spirit of the SELF. She links the physical to the psycho-emotional.

The Cosmic Wheel

Michael Thurman, Astrologer, explains that we are all connected in the dance of evolution, the process of consciousness coming to know itself within the individual SELF.

Diana Pardee in Lexington, Kentucky practiced massage, reiki, and tinctures in amazing ways. That was 2005 and I am not able to obtain contact information today. The grape vine told me she became a busy mother. Her treatments will never be forgotten though!

Stephen Yates
Services from Lexington, Kentucky include Swedish Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Athletic Massage, Clinical Massage, Bowenwork, and Zero Balancing.