Returning to Bhutan

This is really happening and I am ecstatic. I am returning to Bhutan after 7 years back in Canada this fall.

It all seems very surreal, as I have never lost my connection or my heart space for Bhutan. Bhutan truly stole a piece of my heart, especially my little red robed friends. It is crazy to imagine that my little young monks are no longer so little or young. They’re now all grown up and even taller then I. This morning I connected via skype with Lebay Gembo who was in charge of the English program at Dechenphodrang Monastic School. He tells me that Dago Wangchuck, one of my dearest little robed friends, is now taller then Lebay Gembo. I am so excited to reconnect with them this fall and for future years to come.

My dream, ideas, and projects are finally coming to fruition. This dream is all about making a positive difference. I may never have children of my own but I certainly have the desire and the heart space to foster many children born to other mothers. It brings me much joy to share my love, care and compassion for children.

Here is a little background on my project – Compassionate Beings.

It all started upon returning to Canada in 2008 after spending two years living and volunteering in Bhutan. When I returned to Canada I was torn apart to be leaving Bhutan. It was really heart wrenching to leave the little young monks who I was teaching English. These young monks taught me so much compassion.

I had spent months prior to leaving Bhutan trying to figure out ways to stay in Bhutan. I was looking at all my options to find work in Bhutan, which would fuel my soul, pay my rent in Thimphu and would afford me to fly back to Canada once a year for a holiday. I did not think this was too much to ask. I was offered a variety of opportunities in Bhutan but none that were financially feasible as my savings account was already depleted from my two years volunteering. I could no longer support myself in Bhutan on a local Bhutanese wage. I could no longer subsidize my stay with my savings. It is rather expensive to live in Bhutan particularly as a Chilip (westerner) as a majority of things are more expensive for foreigners (local rate vs Chilip rate).

Upon returning to Canada I spent months trying to figure out a way to return to Bhutan. I attempted to find a donor or a sponsor to help me return and I looked at fundraising opportunities. With no success, my hopes of returning started to wane. At that time, websites like Kick Starter did not exist to help me realize my dream to return to Bhutan. The most I obtained was a domain name called Compassionate Beings (CB). This was Compassionate Beings true beginning.

With no direction I started to search within my soul to see what would be next for me. My good friend Irene had been recommending the Feldenkrais Method training for a few years. I was fortunate enough to join a training, which was about to start in Victoria, BC. I registered and four years later, well to be more exact, 800 hours later I was certified as a Feldenkrais Practitioner in 2010. In addition to completing the Feldenkrais Method training, I am also certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (Trauma Counselor). My trauma expertise and skill set will be highly beneficial when returning to Bhutan.

During my Feldenkrais Training I studied with Ahmis Loving, who also graduated with me in 2010. Ms. Loving will be embarking on Compassionate Beings’ first FAM Trip to Bhutan in September 2016 and will be a highly valuable contributing member of CB. Ms Loving is a civil engineer and project manager based outside of Seattle, WA. Ms. Loving has been operating her own consulting business, Loving Engineering & Consulting, P.S. Inc. for twelve years. As a successful small business owner and project manager, she is adept at bringing projects from concept to construction. Her experience and expertise will be highly desirable as CB embarks to establish permission for their first projects in Bhutan at the Monastery. We hope to take potential infrastructure and facility inventories during our FAM Trip which will inform the types of water supply, wastewater disposal, solid waste disposal and other public health site improvements that will improve the health and well-being of the occupants at Dechenphodrang Monastic School.

Now on to all the planning and all the finer details!!

Here is my TO DO List: