Buddha – Dhammapada  – “If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows him like a never departing shadow. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts, suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of an ox.”

Internet at last!!!!!! … on my way home with a stop-over in Bangkok. So much to share….

This journey to Bhutan for me has been such a spiritual one – connecting with the landscape; real Tantric Buddhist philosophy; friendship; and myself.

We spent some time with a nun at the Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup nunnery in Punakha,  and her departing words from the text Dammapada have been in my thoughts and have been contributing to my deeper understanding of Karma through my own inquiry and experience as I am travelling through this amazing country.

We were so fortunate enough to be able to meet with the head Astrologer of Bhutan, a Lama who is the head teacher at the Pangrizampa College for Astrology in Thimpu; and after consulting with his texts he said I had a pure heart; that I give more to others than I receive; that some speak and act unkindly to me behind my back; that this year has been a difficult one; and I have to be very wary and careful of a dark, demon energy and seek protection from that. He said I have a small number of friends with whom I am loyal to, and yet they have not been loyal to me.

My astrological animal sign is tiger; number is 2 (btw not that auspicious lol); colour is black and element is water.

The Lama said that if I continue to choose a path of a pure heart as I have done and am doing, that my next life will be in the realm of demi-god; but if I veer from the path I am on and if I am afraid of going toward the path of the light; I may be incarnated as a moth, black bear or monkey in the animal realm! So – for me a continuation of a pure heart is my intention! 🙂

Meeting with our driver and guide’s family and been welcomed into their homes has been such a privilege and one of the highlights of this journey for me. I have experienced deep Soul recognition of from previous lifetimes and waves of dèja-vu sometimes when walking across the landscape. I know I have breathed and walked here before especially when looking toward the snow-capped mountains. I feel a visceral calling to explore the mountain regions and return for some reason, which I do not quite understand right now.

I was told by the family members of our guide and driver that meeting each other again with such recognition of deep instantaneous friendship and connection is karma; and I reflected often on the causal effect of my interaction with others and how the reuniting of Souls in many lifetimes presents itself. I reflected on how I can live in the present with such a knowing of the past; and at times through my gifts – the future.

The nun’s words from Buddha’s teachings added another layer to my own personal enquiry… of not only karma in relation to the interaction with others but of the consequences for me of my own personal thoughts and actions. I reflected on how the consequence of my thoughts and actions will always follow me – and can be either one of happiness or suffering.

Our driver and guide texted me as I was sitting in the airport lounge waiting to depart Paro; and said that “we feel as if we are in a dark room without hearing your laugh from back side of car. Now your laughter was missing from the back of the car.” …. So – my happiness through my laughter is following me like a never departing shadow… and reconfirmed for me that my intention is to remain with a pure and loving open heart; speaking in truth and living in honesty; so that happiness will accompany me like a never departing shadow…..and that joy and love will remain with me to share across the universe.