Hello friends,
I trust this finds you in great spirits!
Can I interest you in a story that begins with me eavesdropping on a conversation with a mischievous nun, and concludes with me consulting a Tibetan doctor to cure me of my skepticism?
I can? Well then, read on …
Here Comes the Sun.
After days of relentless rain, we've been gifted a little sunshine at last. The view from our guesthouse perched above Kathmandu valley has been washed clear of smog, revealing the majestic hills in the distance. From my cosy spot by the dining room window, I've marvelled at a lone eagle soaring gracefully on warm thermals, and been captivated by flocks of white-faced parrots plucking berries from overgrown vines. As I write, the air is filled with the calls of a nearby banana vendor, and the distant chorus of street dogs.
One silver lining amid all the incessant rain has been the leisurely days spent at the guesthouse, engaging in all manner of fascinating conversations with fellow travellers. Just yesterday I found myself unintentionally eavesdropping on a conversation between two newly arrived guests, who were enthusiastically sharing their experiences with their beloved Tibetan doctors.
One of the guests, a delightful soul by the name of Deedee, was explaining that more important than the medicine they prescribe, is the karmic connection you have with the doctor. Her friend, a mischievous looking nun, went on to say that even if two different doctors were to prescribe identical medicines, only the medicine given to you by the doctor you have the connection with will actually work!
Sizzling with curiosity, I joined the conversation, wanting to hear more about the Tibetan doctor’s methods. The nun’s eyes lit up as she explained that Tibetan doctors undergo comprehensive training, not only in physiology and medicine, but also in Buddhist dharma, ancient energy healing practices, and even astrology. Beyond addressing physical ailments, these healers can also detect and treat blockages within the subtle realms of the energetic and spiritual body.
Intrigued, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps a visit to a Tibetan doctor might be, well, just what the doctor ordered. I'm pretty sure I have a ton of energy blockages, maybe a doctor could clear them for me - they might even remedy my enduring skepticism!
There was only one way to find out!
As fate would have it, Deedee had plans to visit her Tibetan doctor the very next day, and graciously invited me to join for a consultation of my own.
Arriving at the Tibetan Doctors.
And so, on this bright and sunlit morning, we jump into a taxi, and make our way through the churned-up muddy streets to reach the renowned Boudhanath Stupa. After being dropped off at the main gates, we cautiously dart across the mayhem of the main road and eventually arrive at the doctor's office. Her door is closed, so we take a seat on the bench outside, patiently waiting for the doctor to call.
After just a few minutes, the door quietly slides open, and we are greeted by a petite woman, dressed in traditional Tibetan attire of royal blue and pale grey. A face mask covers her nose and mouth, but her smiling eyes radiate warmth and welcome behind her black rimmed glasses. Deedee springs to her feet to greet the doctor with a respectful handshake, and introduces me to this charming woman with the delightful name of Mrs. Lady.
The Consultation.
Mrs. Lady’s office is simple and sparse, with bare white walls on which three lopsided posters hang. One describes the lymphatic system, the others display illustrations of fruits and vegetables, their names in both English and Tibetan.
In broken English, Mrs. Lady inquires about the purpose of my visit. I explain that I had come in hopes of uncovering, and perhaps healing, any energy blockages that might be hindering my well-being. She takes a yellow booklet from her desk drawer and scribbles away in Tibetan for a few minutes, then translates back to me what she has written.
"I wrote here that you do not have any problems," she says with a chuckle.
"I am so happy to hear that," I respond, sharing her laughter.
"But you are here for general health checkup, and for clearing energy blockages," she continues.
"Yep, sounds good."
Mrs. Lady then requests that I place my right elbow on her desk. With gentle care, she takes my hand, her fingers lightly pressing my wrist as if taking my pulse. Her eyes closed, she seems to be concentrating very hard indeed. Then, she repeats the process with my left hand.
"Actually," she says at last, "You got some accident?"
"An accident?"
"Small accident you have? You make damage to this side," she adds, indicating my right side.
I ponder for a moment but can't pinpoint any specific incident - but who hasn't had a number of small injuries throughout their life? My skeptical mind suddenly kicks in. Is this akin to visiting a psychic who makes vague claims that anyone can relate to?
"Well, as a kid, I fell off my bike," I say, “but ...
"No." She stops me mid sentence. "Not like this."
She checks both pulses one more time. "You have a lot of numbness?" she asks.
"Well, when I meditate my legs go to sleep," I respond.
She laughs, a gleeful, childlike giggle. "Everyone has this problem," she chuckles. "Even monks have this problem! No, I mean you have numbness caused by small accident, also, little bit deafness?"
"My hearing is fine," I reply.
"What about thinking?"
"Thinking? Yes, I am always thinking." I reply.
She laughs again, "I mean negative thinking. Is it like that?"
"Well, yes, I suppose so," I reply feeling puzzled. After all, who doesn't have negative thoughts from time to time?
Her demeanor suddenly shifts, and her expression turns solemn. "When your Lama speaks, you encounter difficulties - numbness, deafness, and negative thinking," she asserts with confidence.
A sudden realization strikes me - she isn't diagnosing my physical body, but is delving into my energetic being. Could she be pinpointing my skepticism? While I don't have a Lama in the conventional sense, perhaps she is referring to my difficulties in absorbing spiritual teachings. Instead of hearing and accepting the wisdom, I receive them with numbness, deafness, and negative thinking.
It was a revelation that left me rather impressed.
As if to further hit the nail on the head, she places her hand on her heart.
"Many things not coming here," she says, as she pats her heart.
It seems that once again I am being presented with the eternal sage advice:
“Get out of your head and into your heart!“
If only I knew how!
“Can you help me?” I ask.
Mrs. Lady scribbles further notes in the yellow booklet and hands it to me.
"This will help. You take next door, to pharmacy," she says with a smile.
Accepting the booklet, I glance down at her inscrutable Tibetan handwriting. Mrs. Lady opens the door, gestures to the adjacent room.
The Herbal Pharmacy.
Entering the pharmacy, I find myself in a spacious room with walls painted a pristine white. Tall green metal shelves hold an array of plastic tubs containing what I assume to be various herbal remedies. The pharmacist beckons me to sit as she takes the yellow booklet and sets about filling my prescription.
She retrieves three tubs, each containing perfectly round brown pills, about the size of marbles. With a gloved hand, she proceeds to count out a dozen or so pills from each tub, placing them in small brown envelopes which she staples shut. Using a felt-tip pen, she labels each of the packages. My instructions are clear: I am to take two Somkhung before breakfast, two Somnor after lunch, and two Agar after dinner.
Crunch Time.
Upon returning to the guesthouse, I decide to try two of the Somnor pills. I am about to swallow them whole, but Deedee insists that I chew them thoroughly before washing them down with warm water. The pellets crumble easily in my mouth, the texture is floury, the taste bitter. Curious as to the ingredients, I dive into Google in search of answers, but I find absolutely nothing. It seems that the ingredients of these pills are as much a mystery to the internet as they are to me.
What are your thoughts?
Will the pills cure my energy blockages?
Will they cure me of my skeptical nature?
Might they unlock mysteries hitherto unfathomed?
Only time will tell friends, so stay tuned for further updates!
Wishing you all a week filled with open-minded curiosity, enlightening conversations, and unexpected insights!
✌️❤️
Grant.
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You may know this stuff already, but here I go:
AGAR 15: made from 15 (unspecified) Himalayan herbs and minerals; used for -
body pains
wind
blood disorders
SOM: from a vine which produces a sour milky juice making an intoxicating drink used in Vedic rituals
KHUNG: "broth"
SOMNOR: for sleep "sleeper"
Did you keep up with the meds?