by Joylina Goodings

The little kingdom of Bhutan nestling high in the Himalaya is one of the most beautiful and friendly countries I have ever been to. Its position and isolationist policies has cut it off from the rest of the world and only in recent years has allowed a limited number of tourists to enter the country.

Bhutan first came to my notice in 2001 when a picture of a monastery perched on the side of a mountain caught my eye. It was a place I had dreamed of many times. I was on a plane leaving Tibet having had a wonderful spiritual journey, (that is another story) but still feeling something was missing, as I was returning home. I had thought the monastery was in Tibet but now I found it was in the little Kingdom of Bhutan, known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon. It has been shrouded for centuries in the misty serenity of the Himalayas and is a deeply spiritual country where myths and legends abound. I read that no tourists were allowed but in that moment I knew that that sometime, somehow, I would go there.

In 2005 I was asked to be spiritual advisor to an international group of from all over the world who travel together to spiritual places, have great fun, and develop themselves spiritually through the places they visit). An invitation came from Sfinxwomen to join them in Bhutan, my dream was about to come true.

We flew into Paro (Bhutan’s only airport) via the Bhutanese national airline Drukair. Nestling in a valley high in the Himalaya makes the approach to Paro rather different to most other airports. The pilot made us aware there would be some odd twists and turns and reassured us that they do it every day. The plane certainly weaved a lot but the views of the mountains were spectacular.

Tears started streaming down my face as we landed. I felt I had come home. The air was so clean and clear and the airport architecture so different. We were met by local guides and transferred to our hotel. The roads were twisting and narrow as we wound our way up the hillside. We had our first view of simple Bhutanese homes as we passed. As we entered the hotel I knew we were going to be in for a special time. The hotel was perched on the side of the mountain looking down at the river below. I was already regretting we were only there for 5 days.

This was the last trip of 7 trips of 2007. There is nothing like being in a country for accelerating and personal & spiritual growth and releasing issues from past lives. Even if we are not consciously aware, we still receive a gift of grace when visiting a sacred site. I had been participating in group healings in many places and I knew it was all culminating on this trip but where and how I had no idea. I didn’t need to know. I have learned to trust in the fact that something greater than I knows what’s it all about and I will be guide intuitively.

That evening as we sat together before dinner and had a talk on mandalas, religious circular art representing the divine self, which can be found all over Bhutan. Painting a mandala is a sacred ritual, so after a meditation for us to connect to our own inner divine being we each drew a section of a mandala to represent our group.

Our hotel had a fire pit in the courtyard. It was November and chilly so I had it to myself. The whole place was magical. The air was cool and still. There was no light pollution so the stars were magnificent. My heart opened and to my amazement so did my throat chakra. I sang and sang. Not words but sounds from the heart. It was like something inside me had been released. A switch had been turned on and I felt whole. It’s a feeling still with me today, an integral part of my life.

The following day we set out to explore the cultural heritage of Bhutan.
The first thing I noticed was how happy the people were. Everyone was smiling. They laughed and waved and even though they were poor by western standards they were an open and happy people.

Everywhere we went we saw chillies (Bhutan’s national dish) being dried on the roof tops. Bhutanese food is simple, healthy and lightly spiced. But hotels serve continental food as well so there is something for everyone.

We went to the Ta Dzong which is now a museum. I was in awe of the beauty and workmanship of the Mandala’s and Tonkas representing Buddha in his many forms and his journey to enlightenment. We went to the Rinpung Dzong fortress which is now the seat of government for the Paro district as well as a working monastery. Our guides local guides had to dress in national costume to enter. We then had a picnic by the river sourced from melted snow high in the snow caped mountains.

Next day, the highlight of our trip, the Taktsang monastery, known as the Tigers Nest. The monastery I had dreamed of. Perched high on the side of a mountain and seemingly impossible to get at. It is believed that Padma Sambhava (the second Buddha) flew to Bhutan on the back of a tiger and landed at Taktsang. It is one of the most sacred sites in the world. I had been told in Tibet that there are a series of monasteries built on Buddha’s chakras. The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa is believed to be at the heart chakra and many believe The Taktsang sits at the crown chakra and I can well believe it.

You can walk up the mountain or you can take a pony most of the way. As you quietly wander the age old pathways up the mountain, glimpsing the wildlife and the amazing flora and fauna so different from anything else. The sun is shining and the air is clear and fresh. Half way up we reach a café where lunch is waiting and a welcome toilet break. This is as far as many people go but we had permission to enter the monastery and were going the rest of the way on foot.

There was a hush in the air. It seemed to get quieter and quieter and the energy stronger and stronger the closer we got to the monastery. I kept wondering how anyone had actually put up the prayer flags we were passing. In fact how had anyone actually managed to build the monastery in the first place. On the last bend all you could hear were the birds and a waterfall. This was a sacred moment for us all. I remember climbing the steps and mentally asking permission to enter the outer gardens and being greeted by a deep voice in my mind saying welcome. The feeling of peace and serenity which had been building step by step along the way washed over me and I felt truly at home.

We made our way to the main temple and taking off our shoes entered. The temple felt peaceful and sacred like so many religious buildings where people have prayed for centuries. We entered and one of the monks, who we later discovered was the head Lama, spoke to our guides. He said he recognized us all as “sisters in spirit” of different religions from different parts of the world all with a common spiritual goal. He said he would like to give us all a personal blessing to which we quickly agreed. I felt most honored. The blessing ceremony was beautiful as he chanted prayers over our heads and anointed us with holy water. Somehow I felt I was being cleansed.

When completed we expressed our thanks and went out onto the little balcony outside. It was 11th November armistice day. Although it was early afternoon, there is no time in spirit, and after all somewhere in the world it was 11o’clock, so we formed a circle holding. As I was about to begin the head lama came out of the temple and asked if he could join us. He joined our circle and held our hands as I lead the meditation. During those prayers I felt a great weight being lifted from my shoulders. I felt a tingling at the top of my head and a throbbing in my third eye as both these chakras opened wider. The Lama told us, every day at 11am, he stands on the balcony and send prays of peace to all sentient beings. I felt most humbled that he had chosen to join us and even more so when he offered to accompany us out of the monastery to take some photos.

As we left the monastery he pointed to a spring and told us (translated by our guides) it was Buddha water. Legend says it was where Buddha hit the rock with his staff and water appeared. Luckily I had an empty bottle with me, which I quickly filled. I now use this sacred water in the essences I make.

As we left there were tears of sadness and joy running down my face and I was not alone. Most members of the group had been touched in some way. Further down the valley we stopped and had our own prayer flag ceremony and I know those little flags are still sending peace and joy to the world.

That evening we watched local dancers enacting the myths and legends of this beautiful land. It was a wonderful finish to an awe-inspiring few days.

The Bhutanese have nurtured their ancient way of life, and all their traditions. They have cars, electricity, and all the trappings of modern life. But they also have serenity, joy and laughter and breathtaking unspoiled scenery. Nowhere in the Himalayas is the natural heritage more rich and varied than in Bhutan. Historically, Bhutan was called the ‘Valley of Medicinal Herbs’. It is a healing place. The past and the present co-exist in amazing harmony with a population of 700,000 people who believe that happiness is more important than money. There is a so much we can learn from Bhutan and I vowed to return with another group and explore more of this fascinating land.


If you wish to join Joylina for the spiritual holiday of a lifetime to Bhutan in September this year see her website www.joylina.com for the full itinerary or contact Justina Pettifer, on 07812 835459 or email justina@thehealthylife.co.uk Numbers will be limited so early booking is advised.


Joylina – author of Your Angel Journey is an experienced international spiritual teacher specializing in personal & spiritual development. She has her own column in HighSpirit Magazine as well as appearing in other media. Her clients come from all walks of life including, leaders of industry, foreign politicians, doctors, life coaches counselors, singers, TV presenters, as well as other healers and teachers. Based in London her television & radio appearances have brought her acclaim world-wide from both colleagues and clients alike.

Joylina is a Teacher at the College of Psychic Studies in London, consultant member of BAPS (British Astrological & Psychic Society), member of the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain, Reiki Master/Teacher and member of the UK Reiki Federation, Master NLP Practitioner & Time Line Therapist, member of the Association of Neuro Linguistic Programming and the TimeLine Therapy Association.  She studied Psychosynthesis counseling and is a fully qualified Bereavement Counselor.