This was a journey of exploration, a part of the world we had never seen. It was also an intense inner journey, a combination of layers of the onion and unfolding lotus petals. After a lifetime of being a couch potato and 25 years of physical limitations after a series of five accidents in six years, once we decided to make this trip, I had joined a health club, worked with a personal trainer, and pushed myself to walk increasing distances over a six-month period. I had consistently envisioned myself walking slowly, but comfortably, along the Mount Kailas trail. I had focused intently on moving past physical limitations and I did not consider the possibility I would not be successful. When I found myself with uncooperative lungs that did not function when I attempted to move, curled in a ball shivering uncontrollably on the Tibetan rocks after the first day of the trek, I was having serious arguments with my body elemental and my guides. This was NOT our agreement. I was so grateful for the other group members who held me, covered me with a blanket and forced warm tea down my throat. I felt much better as I returned to lower altitude. Four days later, I was surprised to experience breathing difficulty again and to find myself in the etheric tunnel while I rested in the car. I again had to confront physical limitation and needed to make the choice to return to my body. This was NOT my plan. But in retrospect, it was. On that first day, at age 60, I had walked over 8 hours at 14,000-16,000 feet and had covered more than 12 miles. I had no problems with my feet, my legs, or my back. Despite my asthma diagnosis, I was able to breathe fine until just under 16,000 feet. In retrospect, this was my summit experience and it was a success. I had pushed past limits and had accomplished more physically than ever before in my life. I think the lesson for me was that we can't always transcend all limitations, but it is important to move past those we can and to adjust to the others. I am still in awe of what we accomplished physically as individuals and as a group. The intense love and support of the group truly expanded all our physical capabilities.

From a spiritual standpoint, this was a powerful experience on many levels. The experience of being in the Potala, where Dalai Lamas had lived for 1500 years and experiencing the intense energies there was an awesome introduction to Tibet . I found myself having intense and wonderful flashbacks to my life as a monk at the Der Plung Monastery in Lhasa . (It's always nice to go home again.) As we traveled, I was struck with the amazing power of life and beauty pushing itself into existence. How can bushes grow out of sheer rock and flowers push up from the sand and rock, not even allocating energy for leaves, only for colorful blossoms? Driving through the mountains, I was struck with the faces and icons of cultures and religions traditions from all over the world appearing on the mountainsides. Truly this was where it all started and it was coming together again. As a soul group we had been here at the beginnings of time to create this part of the world and now we had returned to open again some of the secrets we had hidden here, to refresh and strengthen the pure loving energies that had originally been a part of its creation. The visions of the crystal grids, energetic and communication connections being re-established, and old and new energies being released into the world were strong and moving. New facets of our current lives merged with ancient aspects that resurfaced in experiences we may never be able to adequately describe. Physically, the stark beauty of the craggy mountains and the shift into lush green as we descended was remarkable. The “womb of Gaia” canyon was incredible beyond words. This was a trip for which good descriptive adjectives do not exist. It is so far beyond. None of us will ever be the same. It was such a privilege to be a part of it!

Sheryl Fisher