“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.”

– Buddha

According to the Lamas, each stupa is a storehouse of divinity. They are blessed with ancient chants and relics and symbolises the blessings of Buddha itself. The land of the Lamas, Ladakh has several stupas and monasteries that carry with them mystic divine forces and a glorious past that is now surrounded with the mantra of ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. The sound of the prayer wheels spinning against the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas defies rigid beliefs.

And, staying with the lamas at Key Monastery in Ladakh for a day who are themselves on the path to spiritual awakening opened up me in ways I could not even imagine. Thereby sharing with you intakes of my day of disconnection from the outer world and the lessons I learned.

Early Morning- A true blessing

Waking up early in the morning never felt so great. Start your day as the sun rises behind the mountains, with the sound of cymbals and deep chanting, and meditation was an overwhelming experience. Starting a day like this helps in keeping our thoughts at peace. Our mind feels powerful and calm. After having breakfast in silence, a new day began.

Day Time- Learning and Unlearning

The day is dedicated to learning new things and completing assigned duties. I saw young lamas learning and reciting new texts that were a part of their curriculum. I was assigned a job of assisting one of the Lamas in the kitchen. I unlearned and learned the ever so complicated patience. Lama said, “In cooking, the patience to allow the food to cook itself is the main ingredient of them all, and would make a perfect feast for everyone.”

Evening- Guided meditation

My evening was a class of guided meditation by a senior lama in the monastery. Later, I took a walk in the garden and chatted with the other lamas. Like this, I spent my evening listening to their stories and perspective towards life. Believe me, I need to unlearn to learn, the most important of all.

Night time

A silent dinner at 7pm and then retiring to our rooms is a usual way to end the day. The monastery falls silent so that everyone can enjoy their alone time, read, or do their chores.

Lessons learned from living a day in a monastery

Get comfortable with Silence

Most of the time, there was just silence. From corridors to the other areas, there was a muted environment that everyone is used to. It is something that we all need in this fast life. Such an environment allowed me to think well and kept both my mind and body at peace. You strive to become a good listener. You think and then speak. Whenever you speak, you speak with the utmost detail and confidence.

Mindfulness is everything

Eating every meal as if it is your last preaches mindfulness. Pay your 100 percent undivided attention to the thing that you are into at the moment. From personal to professional, you can achieve anything and everything.

Happiness is your business!

Your happiness doesn’t depend on any other person, place, or thing. It is your state. You choose it every day.

Channel your inner minimalist

“It is a preoccupation with possession, more than anything else, that prevents men from living freely and nobly.” —Bertrand Russell

Living with the bare necessities is possible. That’s what the lesson is all about. You do not depend or get attached to things. All you need is “YOU.” Turn to human interaction.

Embrace alone time

“Inserting a little solitude into your overfilled schedule isn’t a waste of time,”
The lone time taught me that embracing alone time allowed me to dive into my inside being. Suddenly, I could think better and turn down negativity. Solitude can increase empathy, spark creativity and build up mental strength.