Does nature nourish our souls? The immense beauty of nature under the seabed to the earth’s summit is God’s provision. Hence, connecting to nature makes aconscious choice ofself-discovery and spiritual pursuit. Genuinely, God is omniscient,and existence is infinite. Yet, I presumed God`s domicile boundlessly sanctifies thewilderness mountains as “a sense of the divine”. So, I endeavor to experience Godthrough hiking in the Himalayan regionby bypassing arrays of high landscapesto reach the Annapurna base.
Truly, the journey is about climbing my inner mountain to boost my power to withstand and overcome obstacles in life. Initially, 6 months before knowing what mountain was about, I struggled with catastrophic thinking. I faced low self-esteem coupled with anxiety. Relapses in confidence were prominent.
Detrimentally, I suffered from excessive body fat that leads to diabetes. One day a remedy for overcoming these ailments was proposed by Mr. Suresh Narayanan. He is my long-term friend and mentor. I accepted the challenge, purchased a sports shoe, and began to run daily until I reached the level of personal fitness needed to participatein ABC trekking. I noticed an improvement in my diabetes control (HbA1c level decline: 13.5 >11.4 > 7.0). Finally, in mid-April 2022 I started my trekking adventure from a small village Nayapul, 1070m toward Ulleri, 2070m with fear of altitude. This uncertainty was pushing me to withdraw. Inversely, my mentor Suresh kept inspiring me, and nature’s beauty continued to host. The journey progressed with extreme hardship, climbing, and descending through mountains and valleys till a moonless night. At the day’s end, I sensed a surprise glow-in- the-dark welcomed by thousands of fireflies at Ghorepani, 2874m which makes me believe. My achievementpraised me and I received a token of appreciation from the panoramic views of many mountain peaks seen at the viewpoint on Poon Hill, 3210m. The following day, somewhat the route was descending, my body kept burning more fat till reaching Tadapani, 2630m. The next morning, a thrilling scenic view of sun rays over Fish Tail Mountain, the Machhapuchhre captured my soul and gave me courage. Here starts another reward a journey of social institutions that exposes a life of simplicity. Heart touchingly, at Chhomorong, 2180M an old man onduty, sitting on a bench holding a slingshot, dedicatedly alert to chase wild monkeys from eating his crops.
The trek along Chhomrong – Sinuwa – Bamboo – Dovan reveals a life of social welfare that comes with joy regardless of wealth. A new geographical paradigm crafts the continuation of the journey from Deurali, 3230m to Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC) 3770m. The path was filled with snow and a stream of river offering tranquillity. Amazingly, I experienced crossing the treacherous rocky path nearing a line of horizon curdled with white mountains. Surprisingly, a proud Machhapuchhre makes the heart whisper to empower me and gain esteem. During this critical period, a point of height immersed me in the beauty of the breathtaking panorama as a solitary place that gives the sensation of being born again. Here I found acceptance in myself to distinguish reality and falseness. We were almost there, to take up the few last hours to reach destiny. A heavy snowfall showered me with nourishment. I had nearly forgotten what altitude is. The mind body and soul are balanced and joyfully reached ABC at 5 pm. We were welcomed with a broom which was used to clear the frozen snow covering the body. It was likewise a ritual carried out to release the uncleanliness. Indeed, the removal of filth blessed me with a life-changing moment during the early sunrise which lights the pinnacle of Anapurana. It was as though I felt a divine presence and received enlightenment of being righteousness allied with mindfulness.
The communion with nature puts my diabetes condition under remission. ( HbA1c level: 5.6 – 3 months after trekking). This overwhelming journey is a pilgrimage to the realm of consciousness. Also, I am fortunate to learn to be responsible for preserving nature. The successful transformational institution came to reality with the guide & leader Mr. Suresh Narayanan and the hospitality from Pristine Nepal and Green Nomad team was reliable, respectful, and trustworthy organization.
Note: ABC is “Paragons of Virtue”
Raja Vadivelu P.h.D, Organoid Scientist, University of Galway, Ireland