Dharamsala

Six of us traveled to Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama. Beginning with my first overnight second-class train trip, plus three hours of driving, we finally made it to the foothills of the Himalayas. Dharamsala is home to thousands of Tibetan refugees following the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959. It is also a favorite spot for backpackers from all over the world looking for spiritual awakenings. For us, it was a welcome respite from the polluted air of Delhi, honking horns and craziness of a city of 16 million.

Stacey, Karen, Shannon and Ann hanging out at our mountainside cabins.

Tibetan monks and nuns fill this part of India. There are 3-4 monasteries in the area, as well as the Kalachakra Temple, used by the Dalai Lama for public teachings. These monks were washing and drying their robes in the river as we went hiking one day.

Prayer wheels inside the temple in Mcleod Ganj. Prayer wheels contain written prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings. Tibetans believe the prayers will be spread to the four winds by turning of the wheel. It was one of my favorite spots to go to each day.

This beautiful woman walked past me as I was sipping a cappuccino. I asked if I could take her picture. She pulled out a blessing for me to read. It brought tears to my eyes. On the paper it also explained that she is attempting to receive blessings from the Dalai Lama to attend his next public teachings in 2012.

Chai (spicy tea) huts are all along the trekking trails. And, of course, streams of prayer flags adorn the hills. Tibetans believe that the prayers and mantras that are block printed on the flags will be blown by the wind to spread good will and compassion for all.

You can even get a head or foot massage at one one of the tea houses along the way.

On our way back down to town, we just had to stop in a few roadside shops.

Inside Kalachakra Temple. Young monks practicing mental "sparring". The young monks are asked questions which, of course, I couldn't understand. But it was fascinating seeing their joyful faces responding to their daily teachings.

No, I did not see the Dalai Lama. But, I did have a wonderful, unexpected, blessing from the Karmapa, who is second in line, perhaps to replace the Dalai Lama. It is quite complicated and political. The Panchen Lama, who is next in line, has been missing (probably imprisoned by China) for 20 years. So, the Karmapa, who is only 24 years old, is in training for the appointment. The story of his escape from China is quite a story. Just Google for more information.

Little did I know, the Karmap sat in front of me on the plane back to Delhi. Then as I was sitting NEXT to him on the shuttle bus into the airport, several people surrounded him asking him for his blessing. So, I took out my newly purchased prayer beads and asked him to bless them for my grandson, Gage. What a moment...

His Holiness, the Karmapa, posing with a boy on the shuttle.