Nepal Journey
Lumbini, Nepal
It’s been one of those periods where there is so much going on that I just don’t want to write or that every time I sit down to write words start to escape me. I’m in Lumbini, Nepal (birthplace of Buddha) right now and have been here for the past 3 days. Let me start off by saying that Nepal wasn’t really in the plan, but as my friend Miki says, there is no plan, there’s only the masterplan. I wanted to come here to give my time/energy to others and travel, but didn’t really set out with any expectations.
As luck would have it, an opportunity presented itself and here I am. I’ll be here for the next month and a half or 2 months with Manav Sadhna, working in one of their villages. There aren’t really volunteers and full time staff here since the initiatives are so new. Thus, I’m one of the first international volunteers to come out here to be with this village. As always, I know I’ll be given so much more than I could ever wish to give them.
I traveled from Gujarat with two of my friends from Spain, Jose and Miki. Being with them these past few days and getting to know them (amongst my other new friends I have met) over these past few months in India has been incredible. They both seem to bring generosity and kindness every step they take, even sometimes in places that would seem to be the darkest. Jose seems to touch every soul with pure, unconditional compassion and beauty. Miki is a free spirit, dancing through life.
As I write this, Jose has put on ‘Dedication of Merit’ by Reverend Heng Sure. It seems to embrace the energy, light, and happiness that all of us as humans strive to encompass into our lives and spread to the lives of others.
My time with Manav Sadhna over the past 2 months has been incredible to say the least. I don’t think I’ll go into it, mostly because I don’t even have the words to describe what ‘it’ is right now. This organization has exposed me to so much more than I had expected. Moved by Love, Awakin, and incredible people I have been blessed to meet along the way. Their energy is contagious and their spirit is refreshing. The questions I’ve been asking most of my life don’t feel so out of context anymore. These questions seem normal because, well, they are. Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves why we’re here? Searching and finding a higher meaning? Finding that higher meaning and striving towards it? I guess there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. As Gandhi says, everyone’s version of truth is different.
It’s like I’ve been going through this entire journey of finding my particular meaning of life and tapping into this ‘self’. I don’t know how to explain it, I don’t think I can. It’s been ongoing and it will be, fortunately, for the rest of my life.
Right now is one of those periods where I’m at a loss for words to write to this screen. I’m leaving for Kathmandu today and the village in a couple of days. Sending positive thoughts and energy to all of you.
With Love,
Rina