A Philosophy of Radical Aliveness

A Philosophy of Radical Aliveness

LIVE LARGE & LONG!


"Yesterday is already a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision; but today well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

John Kerestes


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Monday, November 5, 2007

2005 Lhasa, Shigatse, Shegar, Mt. Everest, Tibet



Tibet is an awesome place where their Buddhism is much more central to lives of the people, and the Chinese regime is systematically decimating their culture. With the new train from Beijing to Lhasa the Tibetan culture is going to suffer even more. The highlights for me had to do with the Tibetans and their traditions, like walking Barkhor Square, swinging a prayer wheel with the other pilgrims coaching me on the proper wrist technique; or hanging out with monks (pictured here) at the Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse and, without language, being able to be equally curious about one another.

On this trip we took Toyota Landcruisers to the basecamp of Mount Everest. It was 14 hour days with dusty roads so bad we wore face masks. Breakdowns occurred a couple of times a day: tires, shock absorbers, fuel pumps. Pictured here is the front lobby of one hotel we stayed at, en route, with a dirt floor. Also pictured is a school near the basecamp where we stopped and gave the kids winter jackets and school supplies. Being able to be in such a remote village was also a highlight.