Pilgrim of Light

I believeTibetans are the backbone of our collective spiritual consciense.

I witnessed a 24 year old girl prostrating around Mt Kailash.  It will take her roughly 40 days.  She had only the clothes on her back, no food no water. Full prostrations all at elevation above 15,600 feet and reaching as high as 18,000 feet.  The ground is icy rock and dust. The sun lacks heat.

The night before clients complained of cold in their down sleeping bags as they rested on cushy sleeping pads and spoke of investments and how they wanted a steak and a hot shower.  I could empathize with them as that night ice had formed on the tents as the temp dipped below 24 degrees F.  

As I passed the young girl I greeted her with the Tibetan "Tashdelek".   She rose up from her prostration with a smile born of purity and yelled out a jovial Tashidelek!  It was as if she was at a water park in mid summer.  Her smile impacted me.  She showed no pain although she must have been suffering,  complete devotion flowed.  I learned that she often travels throughout the night counting only on alms from other passing pilgrims.  She was the embodiment of omnipotence.  

I thought about the Chinese military check posts we had to cross.  With all their guns and gates. The advertisement of fear in their show of might.   I thought about our society with its foundation of fear and its pride in military prowess. The emphasis on material comfort.

Last I thought about this young Tibetan girl, cotton dress, no food, no water.  Crouching and extending her body on the icy slopes of Kailash. Offering and opening her soul to the great mystery.   Alone at night, I am sure cold to the bone. A simple spirit richer than all billionaires.  A simple spirit more powerful than all militaries. A prowess beyond matter, so secure that I believe a mighty gun put to her head would receive a smile and a soul absent of fear.

Tashidelek,