Going Beyond The Limitations…

This one is a gripping peregrination- rich in experiences and insights.

So here I am going to share yet another expedition of mine into Himalayan mountains and what it taught me!

It always amazes me that how travel and especially mountains never fail to teach us few important life lessons even though at times it is tough one, but it is something one must go through and learn.

This trip to Sikkim has been quite an experience and experiment in itself and here I am going to share my own learnings and experiences with you all.

An important one to start with is:

‘Do not allow fear to take over else you might never get to know your true potential and experience something newer, bolder and more courageous.’

I had an experience of Acute Altitude Sickness from my last trek and the fear along with the memory remained.

This time the Altitude was higher and oxygen scantier so the fear came back.

On second day, after a bit of acclimatization, went to ‘Tsongmo Lake’ and ‘Nathu La’ which is a mountain pass in the Himalayan range between China and India at 14000 ft., and while approaching the peak I realized, I was again facing altitude sickness, was starting to lose control on myself and on the verge of collapsing.

The past memory and fear came back haunting me.

I had two choices there- either allow myself to get succumbed by my past fear or use the past as reference and find a way to get out of the situation.

I chose the second option, and, it helped. It helped me to erase the fear of the past and create a more positive memory!

‘Do not allow the past to take over!’

Thereafter, I allowed myself a complete rest of few hours and one more time, realized the ‘importance of rest in life.’

‘Whenever you get crippled by anxiety or fear, allow your body and mind to take some rest to recuperate.’

Next day, I went even higher altitude of more than 18000 ft to another Himalayan range, the heavenly and mesmerizing ‘Kalapatthar’. The elegance of this mountain cannot be explained in words, it is lying there secretly and silently. The temperature was sub-zero, oxygen was scanty, almost snow desert but the experience was worth everything!

Mindfully I had rewritten the first memory of altitude sickness and that had allowed the fear to get settled hence I was bit relaxed here.

And voila, I did not feel the altitude sickness and that gave me another lesson;

‘Do not hurry, do not rush but do not stop. Be wise, take one step at a time.’

I visited GOD- The ‘Gurudongmar’ lake, highest lake in the world at the height of 17,800 ft, this place is nothing less than a divine abode with the calm and serene surroundings as if the whole atmosphere is in a meditative state.

Visiting such places takes you nearer to divinity and ultimately to Self.

What a humbling experience!

And it also brings challenges to normal breathing because oxygen is pretty less over here.

The following day was a visit to ‘Zero Point’ on an altitude of more than 15000 ft. Zero Point is where civilian road ends before China borders and no civilians are allowed to go beyond this point. The entire area is covered with snow and the panoramic view is just breath taking.

By this time, my brain had learnt not to get affected by altitude.

‘And mountains are not only big in size but bigger in their heart, they embrace you and teach you to have a big and open heart too.’

On the way to Zero Point is beautiful ‘Yumthang’ Valley also known as valley of flowers. The entire valley is filled with flowers of vibrant colors especially Rhododendron, the state flower of Sikkim.

‘One would want to be lost in this beautiful valley to find Self’

Each one of us have a different outlook, the valley, flowers, colours were same but everyone had their own unique experiences with them. It teaches us to accept the different viewpoint.

‘You can dissolve many differences, and, live in harmony if you accept the difference in perspectives, ‘

Another significant part about that area, are the people.

I always believed in goodness of people but it got further reinstated and strengthened. Inherently, people are kind, warm, helpful and welcoming.

At one of the nights, we, four women, found ourselves stuck in a situation wherein we didn’t get a place to stay and it became dark and started to rain.

We kind of panicked as these were small villages, quite deserted and we were complete strangers. We didn’t know what to do next. Our vehicle driver could sense our problem and he came forward to our help. He offered us his sister’s homestay in the same village. The lady welcomed us with open arms and provided us with a safe and comfortable stay.

We are eternally thankful to our driver for being such a kind soul.

‘Be kind and nice to people’

My gratitude to all those people! I repeat with pride that humanity does exist and Mera Bhaarat Mahaan!

I would also like to mention a very significant part, most of these areas are military bases and Salute to our soldiers for living in such places with such hardships and weather conditions.

These soldiers are so cooperative, respectful and take care of locals and travelers as their kith and kin and even locals have tremendous respect and regard for these soldiers.

‘People and interpersonal relationships are important for human being to survive.’

One more, very important lesson I learnt is that

‘Never ever take anything for granted.

Events can take U-turn at any time.

Be wise, be mindful all the time.’

Though there’s still a lot to share as this trip has truly been an experience and memory of lifetime but I will take a pause here, though the inner churning and shift continues…

“Travel! It helps to expand your horizon and teaches you about life!”