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9/18/10

Saturday

Up early again, breakfast, and into the van for the three hour drive to the Pass.  Clouds and mist obstruct view of the Himalayas but create their own beauty.  Visit the dzong (temple) built by K4's eldest wife.  Very ornate, exquisite.  Murals tell the spiritual and royal history of the nation.  We learn the steps to a proper prostration.  First to the back of the temple, then to the Buddha. I clear my head, I clear my eyes, I clear my lips.  Forehead to the earth.  Three times each way.  In this, I open the chakra for the lessons of this place to flow in.

Mom, Logs and I climb a hill next to the dzong and hang prayer flags for Tanner (born today!), Nate, Rafe, and all of our loved ones.

Back on the road to Khuruthang.  Beautiful rice fields built into the sides of the mountains.  The town where we stop for lunch is just 8 or 9 years old.  It was moved here by the government to make room for the monks.  Hmmm.  I choose not ask questions.  Not now at least.

We come upon a meeting of rivers, one dark and one light.  The darker is said to be female, the lighter male.  They form the river Punatsangchu.  Rising from the delta is the second oldest dzong in the country, formerly the seat of power.  It is said that this dzong, Putang Denchen Phodrang, is built on the trunk of a sleeping elephant.  The elephant has been sleeping a very long time.

The clouds of this country descend to the earth.  Some look like a dragon entering the valley.

Meeting with Atum

What is my relationship to compassion, power and wisdom?

The three function best when married to one another.  Do not shun power; it does not do well in the shadows.

I think I need to work on all three.

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