From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2007

Tracy makes a new friend

Greetings from Domkhar!

Many kilometers and five hours on a winding road next to the Indus River has landed us in Namgial's home community. We have been quite active this week, building positive merit by carrying stones to refortify stupa walls, exchanging hip-hop with traditional Ladakhi dance and harvesting buckwheat from surrounding fields. We have also engaged in rich conversation around the meaning of service and brought our spirituality and religion conversation to a more personal level.

We are so full of gratitude to the families and community of Domkhar, whom have welcomed us into their lives this past week.

We have all been practicing patience and flexibility as we overcome the barrier of a lack of shared language. Our non-verbal communication skills are new-found tools. While for some this has come easier than for others, we all share the sense of appreciation for a different way of life.

Our journey will lead us on in the next few days back towards the city, with a visit to the campus community of SECMOL. Here we will explore education reform in Ladakh and Asia.

We will return to Leh for one day before heading out again for an eight-day trek, ending at a traditional Buddhist festival.

Spirits are high, the scenery is inspiring and the group continues to deepen connections...

Be well,

T, H, E