Courtesy Swami Chidekananda

Located in the state of Uttarakhand, the panorama from Mayavati is awe-inspiring. From Gangotri to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot, and finally the five peaks of Panchachuli, the majestic range unfolds like a divine tapestry. For the first time, I felt deeply connected to the mountains. They were no longer just a backdrop but living entities—like wise, nurturing elders who helped me to navigate the unsettling “liminal space” or being “betwixt and between” from Harvard Divinity School to my next posting.

I would like to share some insights I learned during my six-week stay at Mayavati due to the guidance I received from these wise elders:

A Sacred Connection
As I stood before the towering peaks, two thoughts arose. First, their enormity reminded me of how small my struggles are in the grand scheme of life. Second, reflecting on their geological origins—the collision of tectonic plates and their eventual erosion—I was reminded of the impermanence of all things, even the seemingly eternal.

Understanding Life’s Patterns
The Himalayas, with their alternating peaks and valleys, symbolized the inevitable fluctuations of life—highs and lows, growth and stillness, action and pause—and allowed me to reflect upon the timeline and patterns of my own life. Recognizing this extended pattern of uncertainty which always followed me after the successful completion of any challenging endeavor—whether it was law school graduation, passing the California Bar Examination, renouncing the legal profession for monastic life, or receiving final vows—I embraced this gap and saw it as a place where the universe was giving lessons to help prepare for the next stage. It was not a surprise that completing Harvard Divinity School had ushered in another period of limbo. This was a particularly valuable insight because I realized that transitions cannot be rushed. Others, like our parents or well-wishers, may encourage us to push forward hastily, but each soul moves at its own rhythm, unfolding in its own time. Learning to honor this natural pace requires patience.

The Importance of Patience
The mountains have stood for millions of years, witnessing civilizations rise and fall. Their steadfastness reminded me that, just as they endure the test of time, we too must remain steady amid life’s uncertainties. Whether facing a new posting, a career shift, or an unexpected change, dynamic patience is key. In other words, practicing mindfulness or intentionality is combined with patience. Things reveal themselves in their own way and at their own time—we simply need to be receptive to the meanings that will be revealed.

The Himalayas as a Mirror
Each day as I gazed at the mountains, they appeared different. Some mornings, they were not even visible and covered by clouds; other times, the sun shone brightly on them and made them appear golden, bright, and inspiring. Whatever the weather may bring, these mountains stood unchanged. This made me realize how much our minds shape our experience of the world. External reality remains the same, but our interpretation shifts based on our inner disposition. Ultimately, as an Advaitin, one must allow both suffering and happiness to pass through as Atman or Soul is alone real, and all of these states are unreal.

Sacred History
Knowing the history of the different mountains and their religious significance, I sometimes engaged in the practice of spiritual association. For example, looking at Kedarnath, which is associated with Lord Shiva, I thought of Lord Shiva engaged in intense Tapasya there. Seeing Badrinath, I imagined Lord Vishnu meditating there. And seeing Nandadevi, the highest peak in India at nearly 26,000 feet high and which is considered the Parvati (or female cosmic energy) to Mount Kailash, which represents Lord Shiva (the cosmic male energy), I was always reminded of them. The Himalayas are not just geological formations; they are sacred spaces infused with centuries of spiritual energy. Knowing their history deepened my reverence and reminded me that these landscapes have been places of transformation for countless seekers before me.

The Power of Silence and Deep Work
It is believed by Hindus that the Himalayas are not mere inert entities, but they are engaged in deep silence and meditation, inspiring spiritual aspirants to go inward in this silence. In our daily lives, we are often immersed in endless activity—rituals, conversations, responsibilities. But here, in the solitude of the Himalayas, I experienced absolute silence. This silence was not empty; it was alive, brimming with insight. It created space for deep contemplation, similar to what Cal Newport describes as deep work—the ability to focus intensely without distraction.

Courtesy Swami Chidekananda

A Primal Connection to Nature
One evening, I heard the roar of a tiger reverberating through the valley. The sound was deep, rhythmic, almost like a sustained Om. It reminded me of the primordial energy that pervades all of existence—nature itself is constantly chanting the sacred syllables of creation and dissolution. The Himalayas, with their vastness and stillness, embody this eternal cycle.

Embracing the Unknown with a Sense of Wonder and Invitation
Liminality often brings fear—fear of the unknown, fear of change. However, the Himalayas taught me that there is nothing to fear in transition. Just as the mountains endure shifting seasons, I too must trust the process. Their presence reassured me that uncertainty is not an obstacle; it is an invitation to grow. By following this principle and remaining open to change, I decided to let go of my plans for this pilgrimage. Initially, I intended to spend the entire four months in Mayavati. But then one day, my brother called and asked if I would consider going to the holy city of Vrindavan to conduct research and teach a class for future pilgrims. From there, my mother suggested that I attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, which occurs once every 144 years! During these four months, I have met many holy men, visited numerous sacred places, and most importantly, I have become grounded in the belief that the Divine is present everywhere guiding me in my journey.

Though it certainly helps to be surrounded by majestic mountains as part of our spiritual journey, we can apply these lessons from the Himalayas no matter where we are. Whether because of graduation or another of life’s transitions, when we find ourselves in a similar liminal space, it is possible to embrace the uncertainty in the next stage of our lives with patience and dynamic intention. When we are able to understand that things will reveal themselves and happen in the right time, unforeseen growth and transformation can take place.