Mustang: surpassing perceived limitations through a mind of self discipline

There is a region in Nepal dubbed "The Forbidden Kingdom," as this area was isolated and cut off from the world until recently. This hidden world is the region of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Lo, and the inhabitants of the Mustang region still practice and live through this old way of life.

The Mustang region, which stands for "the plain of aspirations," is strategically situated between Tibet and India, and historically, it served as an important salt trade route. The people of this region used to build cave homes in the walls of cliffs, still apparent today.

The vintage Buddhist traditions and ancient monasteries still dot the landscape with their "OM"-niscient presence.

This is a barren land, at first glance: dehydrated, open spaces for miles. The Kali Gandaki Gorge runs through this land and is considered one of the deepest in the world; at times dry and rocky, yet gushing with water during monsoons and when the snow gracefully melts off the majestic peaks.

Although it seems this is parched land, when noticed closely enough, there are patches of green apple forests and intensely blooming rhododendrons creeping out of once withered and vapid bark. Even in this baked, arid desert terrain, life does bloom and thrive.

This is a land of aspirations, a place where connection to a higher existence reveals itself in the bright morning rays of the sun. The people of this region teach us that there are dreams and desires, and life is a wonderful experience filled with ambitions and joy.

Their joyful living reverberates with a concept in Buddhism called Mudita, the Sanskrit word for "sympathetic joy"; the life of a disciplined mind reveals itself in internal happiness. This is exemplified and accentuated in the Mustang region, as without a mind of self discipline and aspirations, life would seldom thrive.

Having aspirations, desires, hopes, and dreams is key to this internal happiness: Mudita. The trick is not to cling too tightly to the outcomes, as it is the clinging that creates our suffering. Yet, with a disciplined, kind mind, our aspirations elevate our experiences, and we are able to 'go beyond'.

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There is a famous saying, which may possibly be attributed to Albert Einstein, that states:

"We do not know our limitations until we have surpassed them."

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It is when we surpass our perceived limitations that we realize how far we can really go! Without a disciplined mind and aspirations, our conditioned monkey mind may decide to call it quits before the party even starts.

Strive, then, and move forward; doubts may surface, notice them for a moment, then remember the dream. Live the dream as if it has already happened.

All our aspirations, goals, and wishes can surpass our perceived limitations, given the right fertile, disciplined mind with perseverance. By utilizing understanding and kindness towards ourselves and others, we learn to live in this "sympathetic joy."

The aims will reveal themselves, usually not quite as we had imagined; although with an open heart of introspection and a disciplined mind, our dreams and desires are revealed in exactly the way they were meant to be intended, different yet exceptional all the same.

And in these exceptional spaces, our "Forbidden Kingdom" is awakened, crowned in all its glory.

Cheers!

Kether

Spunky Mind

"A jug fills drop by drop."

-Buddha