Crossing Tibet: My Spiritual Journey to the Sacred Mt. Kailash

In August 2006, I embarked on a journey that took me on a 7400km pilgrimage through Tibet, and China. I entered China from Kunjirap Laban, and after making my way to Kashgar, I ventured into Tibet by 4×4. My ultimate destination was Mt. Kailash, the most sacred mountain in the east, where I would walk the 55km kora that circles the mountain. Along the way, I experienced the spiritual richness and depth of the Tibetan culture.

My journey was not just a physical one but also a spiritual one. I described it as a mystical adventure, a pilgrim journey that reconnected me with memories of past lives. The sights, sounds, and people I encountered on my journey brought me closer to a higher power and a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

Walking the kora around Mt. Kailash was one of the most spiritual experiences of my journey. The kora is a sacred pilgrimage that takes approximately three days to complete. It is believed that walking the kora is a way to purify oneself of negative karma and attain enlightenment. I walked the kora with pilgrims from all over Tibet, each with their own reasons for undertaking the journey.

Along the way, I met many people who left a profound impact on me. I encountered monks and nuns, who lived in simple dwellings and practiced meditation and prayer. They welcomed me with open arms and taught me about the rich spiritual history of Tibet. I met nomads, who had lived in harmony with the land for centuries, and whose way of life was threatened by the encroachment of modernity.

I also witnessed the destruction of the Tibetan culture in the west of Tibet, a heartbreaking sight that brought tears to my eyes. I saw the traditional homes and temples of the Tibetans being torn down to make way for modern buildings, erasing centuries of history and culture.

Despite the destruction, I found solace in the people and the land. My journey was a reconnection to the past, a way to honor the traditions and culture of Tibet. I felt that my journey had a higher purpose, that I was meant to witness the beauty and the spirituality of the land and the people.