Enlightenment

So now I'm living in a monastery surrounded by monks and eating porridge, dal bhat and noodle soup daily. The monsoon season is starting and temperatures, in the mid 30s, are high for this time of year here - a swim at the Malla hotel pool helps cool things down. After the rains have cleared the clouds spectacular views are afforded from Kopan's prestigious hill top location. Views extend across the now greening rice paddy fields in the valley to the hills beyond that embrace the monastery in their arms.

Exams are coming on the 11th July and for the first time I am writing exam papers. Thank goodness I did the creative writing course at York University last year - I am using the skills I learned there now with the monks in Classes X and XI.

I was undecided as to whether to stay here or go home and became very anxious for a couple of weeks as I tossed and turned between the two options. Decision making is a skill I need to brush up on. In the end I decided to leave, to take stock of things at home and the things I have learned/experienced here. I can always come back next year.