tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post9202672634929594481..comments2024-03-21T12:52:08.166+11:00Comments on Freedom and Flourishing: How does Bhutan beckon?Winton Bateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-83692091590132110282011-09-13T09:00:33.847+10:002011-09-13T09:00:33.847+10:00My response would have made more sense if I had no...My response would have made more sense if I had noted that there has been a lot of migration from rural to urban areas in Bhutan in recent years (as in many other countries). I could also have typed shows rather than shoes.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-58819565629379893832011-09-13T08:54:55.921+10:002011-09-13T08:54:55.921+10:00I think you may be right about the ongoing mindfu...I think you may be right about the ongoing mindfulness, TBT. But that would probably be easier with a rural life-style. <br />Apparently meditation classes are now being run in schools in Bhutan to help children develop the habit of meditating. I think that program was introduced as a result of their GNH survey which shoes that time spent meditating was not as great as hoped.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-32585737441872289532011-09-12T19:58:49.002+10:002011-09-12T19:58:49.002+10:00Modern life offers many apparent 'quick fixes&...Modern life offers many apparent 'quick fixes' (forms of relief) which are often detours that can be exhausting and frustrating, I think. Effectively, it keeps us in the same cycle of stress and relief instead of helping us make a clean break. <br /><br />As for the people of Bhutan meditating (or not)...is it possible that their meditation might be a less formal kind...perhaps an ongoing mindfulness? A slower pace of life with fewer 'distractions' can be more conducive to that kind of meditation in my experience... :)Thought Bubble Tenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13665668153611429559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-13733701127657858352011-09-12T09:34:18.638+10:002011-09-12T09:34:18.638+10:00Hi TBT
I'm glad you were smiling at the end of...Hi TBT<br />I'm glad you were smiling at the end of your comment. I think I know what you mean about the hard work. I wonder whether it would be easier if we didn't have to deal with the distractions of modern life. My guess is that it wouldn't be much easier. I understand that most people in Bhutan spend little time meditating even though it is part of their cultural heritage.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-74906238786711994852011-09-11T13:49:29.662+10:002011-09-11T13:49:29.662+10:00Winton, I've still to catch up with your Bhuta...Winton, I've still to catch up with your Bhutan experience, meaning I've not read your other posts on it, but I forced myself to read this post.<br /><br />Oh, now, please don't be offended by my use of the word 'forced'. It means here that although I felt I had other things to do, I decided to read all of the post because I wanted to know especially how Bhutan had beckoned you (apart from being invited to deliver a paper at a conference). <br /><br />I wasn't greatly or should I say directly enlightened on that matter but instead learned something about Tsering's thoughts on Bhutan, its hermits and its mountains. (However, I enjoyed the pictures and wished I too would have a similar experience of such simple beauty and natural presence)<br /><br />Which brings me to the thing I most wanted to comment on - the mountains - on earth and in our minds. <br /><br />The view from the ground is often inspiring while from the top, exhilarating. And between the two, it can sometimes feel bleak, barren and bloody hard work :)Thought Bubble Tenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13665668153611429559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-2334872641042023632011-09-02T10:40:51.437+10:002011-09-02T10:40:51.437+10:00Thanks Mags. I was interested in Bhutan before I w...Thanks Mags. I was interested in Bhutan before I went there, but I am now fascinated by the place.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-16003247779379019572011-09-01T19:10:17.763+10:002011-09-01T19:10:17.763+10:00Hi Winton,
What a fantastic trip this must of been...Hi Winton,<br />What a fantastic trip this must of been, and how nice it was of the guide to e-mail to see how he did.<br /><br />I love all your photo's, and the architecture of the building are magnificent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com