Visiting the monks

Thimphu, Bhutan

A day at the Dodeydrak Monastery today was beautiful in so many ways. It filled me up. I’m a Tesla and today was a Target charging station.

Hiking: Feeling the muscles in the backs of my legs tense up at every step, I’m reassured they’re growing stronger for the next hike. Motivated by the burn, I can see my future legs carrying my future self with greater ease.

Breathing: From the hard work our lungs did to filter the Guwahati atmosphere, the crisp, cool, fresh air of Bhutan is a rejuvenator. Sixty percent of the country must, per their constitution, remain forest.

Calming: One young monk we spoke to said he joined the monastery because he wanted to be happy for other’s successes and to be free from anger. He entered the monastery last March right after graduating high school. Even though he decided to join when he was in 9th grade, his first three days there he cried and cried.

Seeing: I know it only makes things worse when I tense up, wondering how my kids will behave in front of other people. It signals I don’t trust the kids, I don’t trust myself, and I don’t trust in the generosity of others. Today, however, when Ari and Leo were complaining about hiking to the monastery, I was mostly able to just let them be. Leo is entering adolescence and beginning to define himself, especially in contrast to his parents, so the role of contrarian comes all too naturally.