Blog –

My family puja, the annual blessing in Punakha, Bhutan

In Bhutan the annual blessing ceremony is a big gathering. The family puja usually happens in January – to Americans it’s something like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s all rolled into one. This year we all came to the family rice farm in Punakha. We spent three days celebrating, eating, praying, and playing. Only Lama D was detained in Nepal. This photo is from last year’s festivities. I chased this beautiful rooster all over the farm for three days. But he ran away every time, following his hens and pecking at rice and grass. Finally on the last day…

I arrive safely in Bhutan!

Leaving Santa Fe was bittersweet, after a wonderful visit of almost three months. I felt satisfied that my trip to the US was successful. I saw many loving friends. I was able to clear storage and give away most of my belongings. I got the new website up for White Tiger Bhutan Tours, and planned 10 new itineraries in Bhutan and Tibet with the tour director. I renewed my passport. Yay! I finished the final edited manuscript of my channeled book “Buddha Speaks”. And fortunately my dear friend Andrea Adler found a literary agent for my six books. He is excited…

Christmas in Santa Fe, Dreaming of Bhutan

Hello friends, and happy holidays. I’m still in Santa Fe, and leaving for Bhutan soon. I gave Santa my Christmas wish. I asked him for a publisher for my books. Yes, this Saturday December 21st is the Winter Solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year. I try to remember to be introspective and kind to people this week, because the lack of light and stirred-up tensions seem to make everything seem more intensely squeezed and strange. Every year during this time I feel quite volatile, like maybe I’m going to crack some days. But now I’m older and…

Design Your Own Bhutan Tour of a Lifetime!

A new concept in tours: *** Custom Eco-Tours to the Kingdom of Happiness *** Yes, we have tour packages. However we’d rather create a custom tour just for you. You can easily design your own tour. Here’s how: First decide WHEN you’d like to come to Bhutan. Then choose your tour DURATION. How many days? 6 nights? 10 nights? 2 weeks? Decide your tour INTERESTS: What do you want to see? Do you want authentic culture? Buddhist monasteries? Pristine landscapes? Trekking in the Himalayas? Meet people making handicrafts? Visit a farm? See flowers? Or all of the above? CALL or EMAIL…

10 reasons walking is the best medicine

By Jane Barthelemy. I learned an important lesson while trekking on the Camino in Spain. I walked 125 km in 8 days, which is about 15 km per day. Some days it was 25 km, some days just 8. Oh yes, my body was tired, however my mind and spirit felt total joy and freedom! I walked carefully to stay balanced. My skeleton and musculature were gently realigned each day. Even better, I enjoyed a time of peace, a chance to be with myself away from WiFi, computer, and cell phone. I was weary and my feet hurt, however at the end of the…

Come to my open house in Santa Fe

You’re invited to my open house Saturday, November 2nd. I’m visiting Santa Fe from Bhutan and look forward to seeing you. Come say hello and share a cup of tea anytime between 10 am and 7 pm. I look forward to hearing how you are and what’s happening in your life. Have a snack and take away something from my old house. I won’t need these things in Bhutan, and don’t know when I’ll be back to Santa Fe. Panoramic sunsets are gorgeous at the top of Santa Fe. The most magnificent time of day will be just before the…

I come to Santa Fe, clear everything in storage

Lama D and I spent a few days relaxing in Mumbai. Then I flew to Santa Fe alone and he stayed behind, due to a rejected US visa. I discovered 99% of Indian and Bhutanese visa applications are rejected summarily by the US embassy, without even looking at documents. This was a pretty tough moment, as we had prepared for months requesting a short tourist visa. However I trust that all is perfect and made my solo travel plans immediately. I arrived in Santa Fe the week of the Albuquerque balloon festival. It was beautiful, however all rental units in…

Mumbai High Water, Lama D’s US Visa Denied

A disappointing week in Mumbai, with record rainfall and flooding due to rising sea levels. And Lama D’s US visa application rejected in a 10-second interview, no reason given. So I’m coming to Santa Fe alone, and he is staying in Asia. I’m here until November 6th. My USA number for this period is 505-930-2745. We dressed for breakfast on my departure day in our Bhutanese dress. We are both fine. Mumbai recorded “extremely heavy” rain this monsoon, when over 200mm of downpour lashed the city within a 24-hour span and disrupted daily life. The numbers are worthy of Swedish…

We visit Bhagawan Nityananda in Ganeshpuri, India

Lama D and I are relaxing for a few days in Ganeshpuri, India at the beautiful Fire Mountain Retreat Center. I’m doing my best to keep up the weekly blog, however internet is spotty here, so please be patient. Ganeshpuri is the city of Ganesh, and home of my root guru, Swami Bhagawan Nityananda. This beautiful video shows the history and beauty of Fire Mountain Retreat Center where stayin. This very unusual sadguru (enlightened saint) wandered in India and the Himalayas, eventually settling in a jungle hot springs of Ganeshpuri until his passing in 1961. Everywhere he went, followers gathered…

Riwo Sangchöd, Mountain Smoke Offering

Called the ‘Mountain Smoke Offering’. Lama Dungtsho does the Puja for Riwo Sangchöd. Riwo Sangchöd means ‘An unceasing offering to the mountain gods’, but it is much more than that. It is a ceremony, a puja or practice of generosity and offering that frees your heart and inspires generosity to others. It is a practice of prosperity that also brings confidence. It is a practice of healing through which we repay all our karmic debts and heal our relationships. Riwo Sangchöd is also a practice of purification in which all our obscurations are purified and burned away in the sweet…