On a wet, foggy Thursday afternoon in April I tightened my laces on my trail running shoes hoping to avoid slipping. My first run through the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan It was raining on the dirt path leading to Wangditse Lhakhang. A 300-year-old Buddhist temple perched high on a ridge with a breathtaking view of the Thimphu valley, this 300-year-old temple dates back to the 16th century.
Hours earlier, as I listened to the engine hum while my plane descended into dense clouds that engulfed 18,000-foot granite summits, I had closed my eyes. The approach into Paro International Airport—the sole international gateway to this remote nation sandwiched between China and India in the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas—is considered to be one of the most perilous and technically difficult in the world. Perhaps the notoriously dangerous landing is by divine design—a cleansing ritual of sorts before entering Bhutan, a spiritual cocoon where approximately 80 percent of the country’s 800,000 citizens identify as Buddhist.
I went on a 10-day trip with six women who were in their 40s or early 50s. Run Wild Retreats—a US-based company that specializes in upscale all-women running and wellness travel. On the trip, we would visit rice paddies in verdant valleys, sacred monasteries and traditional cuisine. We would also practice and learn techniques for cultivating mindfulness, and hopefully get a better sense of what it is to live. mindfully.
Many people believe that immersing themselves in this magical environment, also known as the Land of Happiness is cathartic. In Bhutan, since Jigme Wangchuck, fourth King of Bhutan coined the phrase Gross National Happiness in the late 1970s – a concept that has become a cornerstone for societal wellbeing and happiness – it is a priority. The concept has continued to guide policy-making aimed at promoting a holistic well being and environmental conservation above economic growth.
As you drive along a mountain road lined with apple trees on your way to the elegant Zhiwaling Ascent Hotel In the capital Thimphu I start to notice subtle but powerful signs of intention. During my run, I duck beneath colorful prayer banners that are strung along mountain passes and across bridges. Bhutanese people believe that these prayer flags bring karmic merit and harmony to the land as they move in the wind. I see white votive offerings dotted along the trails, called miniature stupas. tsa-tsasThese domed sculptures, made of clay and consecrated by monks, are called “spiritual cakes” because of their shape. These tiny clay sculptures, which are consecrated by the monks and made from clay, are believed to promote spiritual growth and imbue them with positive energy. Incense’s earthy, warm aroma is everywhere I go. Incense is used as a purification tool. The smoke is often seen in temple lobbies and hotel lobby areas, but also in Bhutanese households, where an altar room is usually set up for daily offerings.
