The future- philosophically pondering the prospects

“What will become of us?”

This is a question we have asked ourselves forever, from China days and well beyond. Those days seem like a daze now. From the heady investments of working in Japan, to indulging in following dreams with a minimum of security later in Thailand, then the disastrous disappointment of Tanzania and finally back to beautiful Bhutan where the love affair with the people, the place and the culture will last our lifetimes. 

When we began to see that the welfare state was over and that we didn’t have the requisite attitude or desire to accrue enough to support retirement, alternative plans were laid.But how long is a piece of string? How much will be enough? Who can say?

Resistance to change and risk is a topic that arises for discussion in this digital age. Addiction to it is not! Is that where we are at? I don’t think so, but clarity is not easy. 

In a world where AI is compelling, profit is motive and obstacles and challenges uncontrollably overwhelming for so many, values and passion have become underrated and irrelevant. 

Now the question is different. 

Neither one of us wants to become the “one man standing.” However, now we avoid discussing that issue. It’s not analysed or planned for.It’s not a future either of us wants to consider. 

We are a team. We operate in an interdependent domain relying on each other constantly. We don’t want to imagine it otherwise. Nonetheless that is 

what it will become. 

It’s not, “What will become of us?.…. but, “Don’t let it be me,” that becomes the worry. But that very well may be decades or just days away! No-one can say.

Live in the present! What else is there in reality. 

Written 10/3 

Pangri Zampa Monastery and Astrology Institute revisited!

Sunday Funday

Such a red-letter day.

Finally a chance to get back to Pangri Zampa and a chance to see how it has evolved. It is a tranquil sanctuary, just as we remembered it but now it is much more expansive and so thoroughly renovated.

Projects are still underway and obviously significant ‘Khempos’ are coming and teaching. While on our previous visits, it was hardly possible to sight a monk. It was at that time a sleepy, secluded and spectacular institute for the studies of astrology, not a thriving monk body with guidance and eminent teachers. Or at least that is the way it came across to us. 

                                                     

Shortly after arriving, we were invited into the room containing butter lamps and encouraged to light the last three ourselves. What a lovely gesture and of course we made a donation to ensure more butter lamps would be made and offered.

That in itself brightened my day and was almost the most positive change we have seen in Bhutan this time round.

Emerging from the room containing the burning butter lamps we discovered the taxi driver who had dropped us there was waiting outside, pointing at his bank account in his phone and muttering Nu. 200. After some confusion, both of us assuming that the electronic payment Ian had made was insufficient, he finally produced his wallet and refunded Ian that much money. We had in fact overpaid him and he had returned to find us to correct the imbalance! Well that was a first and certainly helped to restore our faith in humanity after recent events. 

We saw many, many more young monks in the monastery this time and they were both well behaved and looking exceedingly happy. It couldn’t help but transport me back to our much-loved Little Monks of Kep and the times we all shared. We still miss them. 

The courtyard was abuzz with anticipation and we observed the arrival of an obviously revered religious leader of the monk body. All the monks then silently followed him to a nearby hall and we continued our rather aimless rambling about their silent, serene and spectacular campus.

I’m grateful for the few days like this that are possible. When the connection to place, people and culture restores your inner calm and brings solace.  

And, also the foresight to try again and persist with one of the most magnificent and memorable experiences of previous times living in the capital.

Our last attempt was such a disaster that we started the day with trepidation and are so relieved to have ended it in jubilation. 

We walked over half the way back into Thimphu and felt both refreshed and revived after our thoroughly joyful morning and homemade picnic brunch in the beautiful grounds of the Astrology Institute.

Follow your heart! It is the path to happiness.