In the spiritual journey of life, eating is much more than satiating the tongue; it’s the nutritional intake for our sensibilities. An appreciation for simple foods, small portions and refreshing presentations—a reflection of inner beauty and contentment—is critical to feeling deserving of nourishing experiences. I recall two diametrically opposite episodes that enhanced my sensory experiences, teaching me invaluable life lessons.
My first experience was in East India. A young woman (incredibly lovely), employed as domestic help, invited me to her home for a festival meal. Overjoyed at the invitation, I quickly accepted. My mind went into overdrive, wondering what the afternoon would have in store for me: will the young woman . . .
The disfigured landscape, bearing signs of wear and tear, neglect, and men betraying their own, fails to conceal Kashmir’s staggeringly stunning terrains.
It was another one of those magical mornings captivated by the layers of nature’s magic. As often is the case, my guides were the light bouncing off mountains and the air infused with pine and cedar. I trekked, admiring the wildflowers with their sun-kissed faces, the nimble lambs grazing with sheep and the gleaming meandering streams. I didn’t expect life to present me with unexpected Mary Poppins . . .
“I learn from the gentlest flutter of feathers. I learn from seasons and varying weather. I learn from natural treasures.”
QUIET CAT
“Gardening is as much a science
as it’s an art, requiring incredible skills
and enormous patience.”
JARDIN DANS UN JARDIN
In the region of Ladakh [India], nature’s sparkle transitions smoothly—from the stars dazzling at night to the rocky crags sparkling in emeralds, amethysts and ochres in daylight. The landscape fascinated me as I made my way through the winding roads. Within seconds, the sun-blasted terrain was blanketed by fluffy clouds, parting momentarily to offer a glimpse of distant snow-capped peaks, snapping back to blindingly illuminate.
Against the canvas of Ladakh’s arresting terrain, The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh [SECMOL]—a school single-mindedly engineered by Sonam Wangchuk’s vision—sits bracketed between mountains and the Indus River. This second-to-none location, teeming with a profusion . . .
Through the centuries, the Gujjar-Bakarwals have depended mainly upon sheep and goats for their living, travelling to the plains in the frosty winter and returning to mountainous green pastures in the summer.
From decades back, when I first encountered the nomadic Muslim tribe of Gujjar-Bakarwals, travelling en masse through Jammu and Kashmir, their simplicity pulled me closer, and more recently, where their goodness won my heart, their unique settlements designed with ecological consciousness . . .
“The wind-shaken branches cleanse me with raindrops, keeping me invigorated, pulling me out of the shoved into backdrop.”
AVERSE DE PLUIE
“How I care for myself affects
how I guide my ducklings, influencing
how they interact with the world.”
BEATRICE
When you are blessed with physical beauty and, more importantly, blossom inwards, becoming increasingly beautiful in life’s journey, know that low-value people burdened with cancerous inner ugliness will be belligerent towards you. Hostile actions towards fellow humans are no different than defacing beautiful heritage buildings or vandalising beautiful vintage cars. The uglier a person feels on the inside, the greater the projection of their self-hate. So, never feel guilty or underplay your beauty; commit to rebuilding repeatedly. Like those of others, your beauty is a vital force for the universe’s survival. Be exquisite.
