With Heidi Harding & Chhakka Lama
September 23 – October 19, 2020
Water—the life source and blood of Earth’s body—is alive. Listen. Its spirits are calling.
Our present ecological crisis is calling, and it is for each of us to respond. The crisis is not a problem to be solved, because the world is not a problem but a living being in a state of dangerous imbalance and deep distress.
There is action to be taken in the world, but it must be action that comes from reconnecting with the sacred. Otherwise we will be re-constellating patterns that created the imbalance. There is also foundational work to be done in our hearts and souls to heal the soul of the world.
A pilgrimage, at its core, is a practice of empowered action—a profound gesture of love and transformation.
The purpose of this pilgrimage is personal and planetary healing—to weave water’s sacredness back into life. The practice of walking in a sacred manner—one in which we feel our connection to the earth with every step—is a way to reconnect with the earth’s living spirit. Moving with the healing power of love, our steps become a remembrance. And although we make contact with our feet, it is through our hearts that real connection is made. Every step—every touch—will be a prayer for the earth and a remembering of what is sacred.
The Tibetan name for Lake Manasarovar is Mapham Yutsho, meaning “the unconquerable turquoise lake.” At 14,950 feet above sea level, Mapham Yutsho is the highest body of freshwater in the world. Positioned between heaven and earth, the lake is regarded by Tibetans as the axis mundi. It is thought to contain the essence of our planet and be a location where spiritual transformation is possible.
Lake Manasarovar is considered the mother and source of all bodies of water on Earth and a “wish fulfilling” power place. Opening our hearts to her spirit, therefore, has the potential to eliminate the suffering of all sentient beings. When we align our body, heart, and mind with this power center, we guide the evolution and transformation of culture.
In Buddhist cosmology, the queen of divine serpents, Nagas, lives in Lake Manasarovar. She rules and protects sacred water, signifying the triumph of wisdom over power. It is believed that the queen of serpents creates all the rivers, flowers, fruits, medicinal herbs, and forests of the world. In this way, Lake Manasarovar provides life and prosperity to all human beings.
Circumambulating the holy lake purifies the mind and clears delusions that keep us trapped in hate, fear, grief, and despair. Himalayan shamans traditionally journey to Lake Manasarovar for bathing and purification rituals in order to be empowered with the strength, divine wisdom, and knowledge to serve as mediators between land spirits and humans.
With the support of indigenous Bön shamans, we will offer praise and gratitude to Lake Manasarovar—the mother of all water, the turquoise jewel of Tibet. Leaving offerings at the lake, we will wake up its energy and, in turn, receive its blessings. By connecting with the spiritual world of nature through pilgrimage, we internalize the life force of places we visit. By approaching a place of power with positive intentions, we empower both the place and ourselves. Walking together as one heart—one spirit, we will experience initiation, celebration, awe, community, and a deep sense of belonging to nature and place.
Simply put, this adventure will be the journey of a lifetime.
Pilgrimage Highlights:
- Take in Lake Manasarovar’s powerful gifts.
- Experience joy and rejuvenation through daily meditation, healing mantras, and mindful walking in the breathtaking terrain of the Himalayan mountains.
- Receive blessings, prayers, wisdom and insight from Bön shamans and indigenous elders that will help us thrive in this time of great change.
- Discover opportunities and paths forward for the wider culture.
- Contribute to a larger effort to protect Bön indigenous culture in Humla, which is at risk of being lost.
- Restore the waterways of the earth.
- Reclaim our roles as guardians of the planet and take responsibility for our living, sacred world.