Bhutan

Bhutan rests high in the Himalayas, cradled between Tibet and India. For centuries it lay secluded from the modern world, its isolation preserving an ancient rhythm of life until the 1970s, when the monarchy opened its doors to a quiet stream of travelers. Over two-thirds of the land remains forested—an emerald canopy that renders Bhutan the world’s only carbon-negative nation. Its mountains are embroidered with temples, monasteries, and dzongs—majestic fortresses of faith that mostly date to the 1600s. Guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan measures prosperity not in currency, but in the well-being of its people. This vision ensures free health care and education, affirming the belief that happiness, not wealth, is the truest indicator of progress. Rooted in more than twelve centuries of Buddhist tradition, compassion and non-violence toward all living beings remain at the heart of Bhutanese life. In October, I was invited to join a spiritual journey with practitioners of Tibetan Chö—a meditative path whose name means “cutting through.” Through chant, drum, and visualization, Chö seeks to sever the veils that obscure ultimate wisdom. We hiked through luminous forests to remote temples alive with color and and pattern—intricate woodwork, vibrant murals, air thick with incense and the low, resonant chant of monks.