Tibet - An Experience I'll Never Forget
In the early morning of 7th July 2007, I set off from home for my journey to Tibet, known to most as a mystical place.
And to some, a holy place.
To me, it was just a place.
However, it was to be, as I later come to know, a trip which touches my heart and left deep imprints in my mind. And also by far, one which have the most effects on me, and one which I find hard to let go of.
Before the trip, I've heard a lot of horror stories and negative feedback about the place, the toilets, the food etc.
Interestingly, none deters me from my decision to go.
Ironically, the stories strengthen my determination to go and explore the place, and fills me with excitement and anticipation for what awaits me, each time I hear the 'stories'.
I was determined to see and experience the place as it is.
I told myself before the trip to accept whatever that's to come - fever, diarrhoea, breathlessness, etc etc - if I get it, it's all part of the 'Tibet' experience.
And, to use the Buddha's Kalama Sutta to guide me :
"Never blindly believe in hearsay, or just because many have spoken about it. Analyze, question, investigate and find out for yourself, said the Buddha."
(Note : I did not experience any fever, diarrhoea, breathlessness etc etc. I was fit as a yak throughout the whole trip)
To me, the toilets are not as disgusting as the behaviour of some of the people in the group.
Many who visit Tibet may be from the 'so-called' world class, developed/developing, established societies.
But in terms of social etiquette, mannerisms and basic courtesy, they're bottom-class.
I watched as people cut queues, pushed and shoved and acted as if nothing has happened.
During meal times, majority just sat and waited to be served.
Why do servers end up stacking the dishes on top of each other?
That's the reason why.
And also because people demanded for the food to be served fast.
Yet none lifted a finger to help move the dishes of food to create space on the table so that the servers do not need to stack up the dishes of food on top of each other.
It's very interesting and amusing to watch as people rushed to be first to grab food on their plates, turning the rotational table, without regard and not caring if others are taking the food, and then piling their plates with food and yet not finishing it.
It makes one wonder what's the rush for?
Especially when they don't or can't even finish their food.
Perhaps this is the result of societies emphasizing too much on competition, which thus creates a culture of 'me-first' altitude.
Very sad.
I watched with empathy as people acted arrogantly towards the service staff with no 'P's and 'Q's (please and thank you), or basic human courtesy.
Why the arrogance? Is it necessary? I can never understand.
While the rest of the world are 'fighting' to be first, and grappling with increase in mental illnesses because of it,
Tibetans are content to just be.
According to our Chinese guide, the suicide and mental illness rate in Tibet is zero.
Now, that's something to shout and be really proud about.
However, I do see the purity of the place being eroded by the indiscriminate dumping of leftover food, wastes from construction, etc.
It is undeniable that the Chinese authorities did an excellent job in developing the place to make it more accessible for visitors and locals alike, and also in helping the Tibetan people, such as by building schools and creating jobs for them so that human's most basic needs - food for the stomach, is met.
However, as we create, we destroy.
It is my hope that the (Chinese) authorities would seek a balance while developing the place focusing and emphasizing on values and morals rather than economics, and leaving certain places untouched, unspoilt and as it is (which they are doing now).
'Horror' stories aside.
The beauty of the place, and the 'friends' I made along the way, are what made this trip unforgettable.
While everyone was sleeping in the coach, I was looking out of the window as the bus sped pass the mountains, the valleys and the open fields.
I watched in awe at the vastness of it all, as
- water cascades down from the mountains creating natural waterfalls.
- birds and eagles soaring in the sky
- streams meandering though the fields
- water buffaloes crossing the rivers
- horses grazing freely in the open
- yaks, lambs and goats wandering happily in the mountains
- ducklings and their mothers wading in the streams
- family of mother, father and their tiny piglets ......
scenes which you can only imagine, or watch/see on National Geographic, Planet Earth, or the calendars.
This, to me, is Freedom.
I get to pee in the open as well! Ha Ha! Just like the guys!
With rocks, bushes and shrubs etc as my camouflage/cover.
Love it! :)
I remembered the few occasions when I climbed up the mountains.
The higher I climbed, the more energetic and exhilarated I felt.
Altitude? Air pressure? Breathlessness? Nauseousness?
I experience none of it.
What I experienced was Freedom. Love.
Happiness upon happiness.
Excitement upon excitement.
Bliss upon bliss.
It was like a child-like fantasy dream come true!
I never knew I love mountains and high altitude so much.
Unfortunately we were not given much time to linger or to explore.
I finally comprehend what a monastic meant when he told the retreatants to look sad in their photos on the last day of the retreat.
Cos' that's exactly what I felt. Sadness.
On the last day, as I sat in the coach heading towards the airport, emotions overwhelmed me as I looked at the mountains and the nature that passes by.
My tears just flowed.
I didn't want to go.
This, I felt, is where I belong.
Up in the mountains.
In the wilderness.
This is my 'home', where I can be free.
Hard as it is for me to go, I know I have to.
At the same time, I'm glad I came.
That I made this trip.
A monastic once used the metaphor of climbing up a mountain to explain about meditation and jhanas to the retreatants.
He mentioned that you climbed so high to have an overall view, and then you have to come down again.
But you bring along with you lessons, knowledge, wisdom and experience which you'll never forget.
Tibet, to me, is one such experience -
An experience I know I'll never forget.
PS ........ I've included the pictures above to share with everyone. But please remember : pictures are 'dead'. The moment a picture is taken, that moment is gone. You have to be there to experience and feel 'it'.
Pictures will not be able to express,
Likewise, words.
Nevertheless, hope you enjoyed them! :)
Maitre-light
"扎西德勒"
(吉祥如意)
