Hello Friends and Fellow Explorers!
Heartfelt greetings from the awe-inspiring Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu. I trust this message finds you in good spirits!
As you might remember from my previous update, I've obtained an intriguing prescription from a Tibetan healer: a set of mysterious herbal pills. I’m hoping that these little brown pellets will quell my ingrained skepticism, and usher in new spiritual insights. Despite their unusual taste, I've been faithfully crunching them three times a day, as directed.
For the record, they taste earthy, dusty, rooty, with a hint of tree bark - a bit like licking a forgotten forest path on a cloudy morning. 🐿️
After washing the powdery tablets down with warm water, I close my eyes and take a moment to discern any noticeable effects. Typically, the only sensation that surfaces is a fleeting twinge of regret over my life choices, but, well, that’s a small price to pay for a potential shift in perspective!
Despite the unusual nature of the experiment, I have strictly followed the regimen, not missing a single pill. It's been a week now, and initially, I perceived no significant effects. But recently, I've begun to sense that perhaps something subtle is starting to change …
I don’t mean that I’ve started having mystical visions or found myself defying gravity or anything, but what I have observed is a sudden uptick in curious coincidences, and just a hint of premonition. Little things, like thinking of someone, and then receiving a message from them out of the blue, or humming a random song, only to hear it play in a coffee shop later that day. These small, yet intriguing occurrences have been happening more frequently, making me wonder about the deeper connections at play.
Take for example the following encounter from yesterday:
As I was wrapping up a day of writing at my favourite café, I took a moment to gaze out the window. The sight of the Boudhanath Stupa, as always, was truly impressive. I marveled at the many devoted pilgrims circling the sacred structure, each step aimed at elevating their good karma and positive energy.
Despite feeling weary, I decided to soak in the atmosphere and do a couple of 'Kora' myself - (walking in a clockwise direction around a sacred object). After all, one can never have too much good karma, right?
Stepping into the bustling square, I had a sudden and inexplicable hunch that I might just run into someone I know.
Half way around my second lap, I spotted a Theravada monk in his distinctive saffron robes - a striking contrast to the burgundy robes of the Tibetan monks.
"It couldn't be him," I thought. "What are the odds?"
Passing the monk, I glance back in astonishment as I recognize a familiar face. It is indeed my friend Yano, a Thai monk I had befriended during my travels in India several years ago.
We both stand there, staring at each other in disbelief at this serendipitous moment.
By coincidence, Yano and I had arrived in Kathmandu on exactly the same day. He was accompanying a group of Western students, guiding a course at a monastery on the outskirts of town - so we have arranged to meet back at the Stupa Café today for a long-overdue catch-up.
I’ve since been reflecting on this cosmic coincidence, and a memory of my first meeting with Yano came flooding back to me. I remember it well, for it was an encounter that gave me some real confidence in setting out on the spiritual path.
Let me share with you the story of that momentous meeting ...
Monks and Monkey Business in India.
In the monsoon season of 2019, I had journeyed to a serene meditation centre in the Himalayan hills of northern India to partake in a course titled 'Generating Bodhicitta.' It was a course I had been very much looking forward to, designed to nurture compassion and equanimity.
Nestled within the lush mountain-forest surroundings, the meditation centre is a welcome escape from the intensity of the bustling town below. Passing through the gates, I immediately felt my senses come alive with the vibrant energy of the location.
As I made my way along the long winding driveway, it wasn't just the spirits I could hear rustling in the trees, it was also the Rhesus Macaque monkeys.
These fearless creatures call the surrounding forest home, and their audacious presence can be both amusing and intimidating. They are no strangers to human visitors, striding confidently through the grounds, or squabbling noisily in the tree tops, paying little mind to our presence.
There was only one person that the monkeys feared – the meditation centre’s vigilant groundskeeper. Equipped with his trusty slingshot, he would skillfully send pebbles zipping through the air towards any monkey daring to overstep its bounds. On the rare occasion that a pebble hit its mark, it was met with a resounding howl from the unfortunate monkey. Thankfully, just the sight of the groundskeeper was usually enough to send these rascals scurrying for cover.
Meeting Yano.
It was in this monkey-infested meditation center that I met Yano for the first time. His grounded demeanor and aura of inner peace were immediately striking. Our initial conversation took me by surprise - despite his Thai origins, Yano was educated in Australia, speaking fluent English with a distinct Aussie accent!
A Lesson in Equanimity.
On a particularly fine day, when the persistent fog finally cleared, allowing speckles of sunlight to filter through the forest canopy, a few of us opt to dine outdoors. As we are enjoying our meal, a brazen monkey plummets from above, landing with a massive thud on our table. In a flash, it grabs a bread roll off Yano's plate and vaults back into the foliage, sending plates, cutlery, and cups clattering in its wake.
Somebody screams, and I am so shocked that I almost topple backwards off my chair. In a flash, 'The Groundskeeper' appears, like a superhero in action. He sends pebbles whizzing into the trees with his trusty slingshot, igniting a chorus of excited screeches from the monkeys. It’s a scene of utter chaos.
As I gather my scattered plate, I look up at Yano. He sits there serenely enjoying his meal, a picture of perfect tranquility, as though nothing had happened.
"OK?" I inquire.
"Ah yeah, trying to cut down on carbs anyway," he quips with a grin.
In that instant, my admiration for Yano soared. How did he manage such composure amidst such turmoil? It seems these monks have indeed nurtured a level of equanimity beyond my wildest dreams.
And so today, here in the Boudhanath Stupa Café, I await the arrival of Yano to reconnect with my mindful friend.
I'm intrigued to see if cosmic forces have indeed reunited us for a purpose. Perhaps Yano will have an interesting take on my Tibetan herbal remedies - or the concept of serendipity - maybe he will share a lesson in equanimity - or perhaps he will simply inspire me with some more unexpected monkey business.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Are the herbal remedies working?
Or is this just a happy happenstance?
Is an uptick in serendipitous coincidences evidence of spiritual progress?
Do you have some stories of serendipitous surprises?
Let me know in the comments - I’d love to hear them!
Wishing you all a week filled with curiosity, enlightening conversations, and unexpected insights!
✌️❤️
Grant.
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Another great and enlightening chapter in your travels Grant. What a great adventure you are on! Me, I sit in my cave in Venice and make up songs, What a crazy ride this life is! Peace/Love
I too am curious to hear more about the earthy remedies effects.
I’ve always found when the mind or (ego mind) quiets down serendipity and/or happy coincidences arise. Maybe that is what the herbs are doing. 🤷🏻♀️ Or maybe you’re just in such a place that oozes all this and it’s only natural to follow the meditations of the area. 🤷🏻♀️ I think it’s the combo. Either way trek on and report back 😊
Kat