The fifth chakra: Throat Chakra or Visuddha Chakra

When working with the throat chakra, work with communication, self-expression and creativity. Inner hearing, the power of choice, self-awareness, harmony, maximalism, dishonesty, and the inability to express emotions also belong here. Suppressed feelings, thoughts, unspoken words, wearing a mask, shallow chatter, open and honest communication are related to the throat chakra. If there are problems with the neck, nape of the neck, ears, bronchi, upper lungs, arms or thyroid gland, the throat chakra is responsible.

Questions to ask yourself: (If any point touches you, you should work on your throat chakra!)

-Are your thoughts in harmony with your feelings?

-Are you really expressing what's inside of you?

-Do you hear your inner voice?

-Are you in touch with your inner self or your inner leader?

-Are you able to show your weakness?

-Are you impressionable?

- Do you suppress your feelings and thoughts?

-Do you manipulate others?

-Do you want to meet other people's expectations?

Properties: Related to communication and expression. It can block you due to fear and anxiety. Ability to judge, critical sense.

Its location: It is located under the larynx, in the vicinity of the thyroid gland, starting from the cervical vertebra. It opens forward.

Body parts: trachea, neck, nape, jaw area, ears, nose, vocal organs.

Color: light blue or silver blue

Mineral: throat chakra healing stones: turquoise, opal, aquamarine, sapphire, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, iolite

Mental diseases of the throat chakra:

- I am shy, I often feel insecure

- I find it difficult to put my thoughts into words, to express my feelings, to express my opinion honestly

-Despite the fact that I have artistic tendencies, I often experience creative crises

-I often choose the wrong words and only later realize that I have hurt the other person

- I have a tendency to manipulate the other person or talk into their stomach

Diseases (physical disorders) of the throat chakra:

- Diseases of the throat chakra: sore throat, upper respiratory tract diseases, mouth sores, tonsil, larynx and thyroid gland complaints, vocal chorditis, muteness, deafness. Diseases that show weaknesses in the fifth chakra are various speech or locomotor problems

- Physical disorders: sore throat, upper respiratory diseases, mouth sores, tonsil, larynx and thyroid gland complaints, vocal chorditis, muteness, deafness

- Mental functions: creative self-expression, teaching, promise, decision-making, criticism,

- Hyperactivity: talkative, talkative,

- Dysfunction: poor speaking skills, shyness, silence

- Some diseases: asthma, bronchitis, neck pain, ear problems, thyroid problems, ringing in the ears, tinnitus, lung problems, cough, breathing problems, tonsillitis, colds, tongue problems, hoarseness

Sound therapy

The form of the music: music and singing rich in semitones, as well as sacred and meditative dances have an extremely invigorating effect on the neck chakra. Soothing New Age music enriched with echo effects is best suited for harmonizing and relaxing the fifth chakra. It brings relief and opens our inner hearing.

Vowel: the throat chakra is activated by the sound "é". It should be sung in the place of the "g" sound on the scale. If we move slowly from the sound "á" to the sound "i", after a while we will reach the sound "é". Just as the throat forms a connecting channel between the head and the body, so the "é" sound of the throat chakra connects the "á" and "i" sounds with each other, and leads the forces of these two sounds to the outside world. When singing the sound "é", we can observe how much force is required for this. The sound "é" activates the power of "expression" in our fifth chakra.

Mantra: HAM

TASK: LEARNING TO EXPRESS OUR FEELINGS

Fourth Chakra-Heart Chakra or Analhata Chakra

The heart chakra is responsible for compassion, unconditional love, joy, forgiveness, acceptance. Any problem related to the heart, spine, neck, chest, lungs, blood and skin can be assigned here.

Questions to ask yourself : (If you touch any point, it is worth dealing with your heart chakra.)

-Are you able to accept yourself and others unconditionally?

- Do you have anger, emotional dependence, disappointment, sorrow, guilt?

-Are you able to forgive and empathize?

-Do you have a fear of loss or rejection?

-Do you ever wallow in self-pity?

-Do you live in emotional dependence, do you want to replace love from the outside?

- Do you have a possessiveness, emotional insecurity, jealousy?

-Are you able to experience God's love?

- Do you radiate warmth, kindness and happiness with your being?

- Do you have indifference, lack of interest, internal imbalance?

Attribute: Associated with compassion, sympathy, love and harmony. The more open that chakra is, the more unconditional love it can give.

Location: middle of the chest at the height of the heart, opens forward

Body parts : heart, lungs, chest, thymus gland, blood and circulatory system, affects the immune system and the functioning of the endocrine glands, the part of the spine between the waist and the neck

Color: mainly green, emerald green, but pink and yellow are also included

Its mineral: amber is its healing stone. Other stones: tourmaline (not black), green jade, emerald, rose quartz

Diseases of the heart chakra : Diseases of the heart chakra are diseases related to the immune system and blood circulation, antibody formation, white blood cell formation, breast cancer, and finally the heart itself as an organ.

Physical disorders : diseases of the cardiovascular system, lung and breast cancer, asthma, pneumonia, upper back and shoulder problems, skin diseases

Mental functions: love, harmony, trust, hope, self-sacrifice.

Hyperactivity: possessive, jealous, dependent on others

Dysfunction: lonely, bitter, shy, critical

Some diseases: allergies, immunodeficiency, AIDS, cancer, infections, heart problems, blood circulation problems

Spiritual problems : they are primarily related to how well we are able to give and receive love. It shows itself in the forms with which we defend ourselves against love: bitterness, egoism, and hardness, which we can develop both against others and ourselves.

Mental diseases of the heart chakra:

-I feel lonely. I find it difficult to connect with others.

-Maybe there is one or two people whom I love with all my heart.

- I have relationship problems. I'm just after a breakup.

- I conform because I am afraid of rejection and loneliness.

- I would like to give myself and others more love.

- I feel exhausted after meeting my friends.

- I have heart problems. I suffer from circulatory disorders.

- I have breathing problems and asthma attacks. I often get respiratory colds.

Sound therapy : all kinds of classical, meditation and sacred music based on Eastern or Western traditions have an uplifting effect. It helps our hearts dance with the creatures of life, revives the power of love in us, and has an invigorating and harmonizing effect on us. Sacred or meditative dances have the same effect, in which the movements give real form to the joy and harmony of creation.

TASK: LEARN TO GIVE AND RECEIVE LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.

The third chakra: Solar Plexus, Navel Chakra or Manipura Chakra

The navel chakra is responsible for self-confidence, or the lack of it, self-esteem, self-reliance, independence or lack of independence, self-acceptance and the strength of our personality. Fear of loneliness, insecurity, addictions, attachments, lack of mental strength, dependence on the recognition of others, violence and dominance, hypersensitivity and not seeing the meaning of life can also be linked to this chakra. Any digestive system problem, stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, nervous system, pancreas, diabetes, exhaustion, and excess weight in the abdomen can all be assigned to this chakra.

Questions for ourselves : (if any point touches you, it is worth dealing with your navel chakra)

-What is our task in this world?

- Why were we born?

-What is our relationship with ourselves?

-What spiritual, emotional or physical addictions do we have?

-What or who do we cling to?

-What are our relationships with others like?

-Are we able to represent ourselves?

-We are broken, are we moody?

-Are we satisfied with our lives?

- Do we have energy for everything?

- Do we want to meet others or society's expectations?

Property:

The chakra of the abdominal nerve center is related to the intensity of our feelings and our personal power. The self-image, the chakra of self-esteem. The balance of personal feelings ensures that we think clearly and are confident. When out of balance, anger becomes a place of temper.

Its location: two fingers above the navel, opens forward.

Body parts: waist, abdominal cavity, digestive system, stomach, liver, gall bladder, spleen, autonomic nervous system

Minerals: tiger's eye, topaz, amber, citrine

Color : yellow to golden yellow

Mental illnesses of the navel chakra:

-I often lose control over my emotions

- I find it difficult to convey my will, I have a hard time taking criticism

- I am prone to fear, I struggle with nightmares and sleep disorders

- my stomach is often hard and crampy

- all the strain and stress goes to my stomach

- I regularly struggle with digestive problems and stomachaches

-I have balance disorders and eating problems

Physical diseases of the navel chakra: abdominal pain, intestinal tumor, diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, indigestion, anorexia, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diseases of the colon.

Sound therapy : the form of music: the third chakra is activated by fiery rhythms. The harmonious interplay of orchestral music is very suitable for balancing the solar plexus. In case of excessive functioning, it is recommended to listen to any relaxing and soothing music.

TASK: LEARNING TO RULE OUR EMOTIONS AND SELF-ESTEEM, FURTHER TO CONTROL LUST AND WILL, HANDLING AGGRESSION, EXERCISING POWER, LEARNING SUBMISSION.

The second chakra: sacral, sex chakra or swadhisthana chakra

The sex chakra is responsible for the enjoyment of life, relationship problems, emotional problems, fears, sexual problems, and all family patterns, brokenness experienced in the family, parental patterns can be assigned to this chakra. Any injury experienced in a human relationship blocks the functioning of this chakra. The topics of acceptance, purification, expressing and suppressing emotions, and emotional balance enter our lives through the second chakra.

Questions for yourself: (if you touch any point, it is worth dealing with your sex chakra)

- Do I live in abundance, is my life characterized by joy and fulfillment, or do suffering and martyrdom emerge in certain areas of my life?

-Do you regret something?

- Are you complaining?

- Do you believe that your destiny is earned happiness and not unhappiness?

Attribute: Associated with strength and will. Its healing removes the disordered feeling of helplessness and the need for dominance over the other. If it is in balance, we can control our lives and use our power for the common good.

Intimacy, senses, energy level, appetite.

Its location : between the genitals and the navel, it is connected to the sacrum and opens forward.

Body parts : pelvic area: genitals, kidney, bladder, body fluids of all kinds (blood, lymph, digestive juices, semen), sacral section of the spine, pelvis, female cycles, bladder, excretion.

Minerals: aventurine, amber, citrine, moonstone, jasper, carnelian, topaz.

Color : orange

Mental illnesses of the sacral chakra:

- I have sexual problems, I often have a feeling of dissatisfaction

- I lack the joy of life and vitality

- I find it difficult to be creative, I lack creative power, I often feel blocked

-I would like to experience more pleasure and passion

-I react very jealously when my partner flirts with someone else

- often hurts around my sacrum, there is tension in my lower back

- I am prone to various pelvic diseases, such as bladder or kidney inflammation, prostate problems or menstrual disorders

Physical diseases of the sacral chakra : pelvic pain, urination problems, lower back, sciatic nerve (sciatica), sexual disorders

Harmonious functioning: creation, creativity, fertility, richness of emotions, sensuality, enthusiasm, not afraid to show your feelings, creative energy, productivity, sensitivity, satisfaction, high performance, strong emotional expression.

Overactive: emotionally unbalanced, fantasizing, impressionable, sexually overheated.

Dysfunction: repressed, restrained emotions, callousness, lack of self-confidence, hypersensitivity, too strict with oneself and others, jealousy, loneliness.

Sound therapy : the form of music: any kind of percussive music that radiates the joy of life helps when activating the second chakra. This also includes folk dances with snare rhythms and couple dances, as well as any music that moves our emotions. The singing of birds, the gurgling of natural water, but also the gentle gurgling of a room fountain have a positive effect on calming and harmonizing the sacral chakra.

TASK: LEARNING TO MASTER OUR DESIRE

First Chakra-Root Chakra

The root chakra is responsible for the topics of trust, mistrust, stability, security, and uncertainty.

Affirmation of physical existence, enthusiasm, joy of life, or lack thereof, melancholy, apathy, constant feeling of fatigue can be assigned here.

Questions for ourselves: (if any point touches you, it is worth dealing with your root chakra)

- Do you have enough strength to make it happen? Do you feel financially secure or are you tormented by fears?

-Do you trust fate, people in your future or are you tormented by worries and doubts?

-Are you healthy?

-Do you feel like a victim in any area of ​​your life?

- Do you take responsibility for yourself and your actions?

- Do you trust that everything is always available to you when you need it?

Trait : Relates to the basics and survival. When blocked, it causes fear and triggers the "fight or flight" mechanism. Healing this chakra frees you from fear. We feel safer, we become more united and we can stand on sure feet on Earth.

Location: Lower part of the spine. Between the anus and the genital organ, it is connected to the coccyx and opens downwards.

Body parts: everything that is solid, solid: spine, bones, teeth, nails, anus, rectum, colon, prostate, blood and cell formation.

Minerals: hematite, black tourmaline, agate, blood jasper, garnet, ruby, red coral

Color : Fire red

Physical disease of the root chakra :

Diseases of the root chakra are related to the non-optimal flow of life energy, which is usually caused by external and internal stress.

The following diseases can result from improper functioning of the root chakra:

hemorrhoids, intestinal inflammation, spine problems, movement disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, constipation, diarrhea, inflammations, gingivitis, calcification (kidney, gall bladder, bladder), back pain, muscle spasms, immune system disorders, herpes, cancer, drug addiction, anemia, colon and rectum diseases, blood pressure problems, feeling cold in the limbs, urination problems, bladder and kidney problems.

Mental diseases of the root chakra:

-Depression: True depression - in contrast to depressive mood - must be treated therapeutically. This disease can be traced back to the energetic blockage of the root chakra.

-Sleep disturbances: often symptoms of stress and a sign that you cannot switch from the active phase to the passive one.

-Dental diseases: The state of the teeth is an expression of vitality. If you have dental problems, you suffer from a lack of energy and suppress your aggression. You don't let your problems come to the surface.

- in case of extra energy: egoistic, domineering, sadistic

- in case of lack of energy: feeling of insecurity, gluttony, fears, feeling misunderstood, masochism, lack of self-confidence, failure, sexual apathy, shame, feeling unworthy of love

Sound therapy:

" Monotonous but rhythmic music can also stimulate the functioning of the root chakra. The ancient music of natural peoples is best suited for this. In addition to music, their dances are also aimed at creating a connection between the primal forces of nature and people. We can also use the sounds of nature to harmonize the root chakra ."

TASK: LEARNING TO TRUST THAT MOTHER EARTH WILL PROVIDE AS MUCH ENERGY AND MATERIALS AS WE NEED

Legends of the Himalayas - The Yeti

For a European, Nepal is still one of the most mystical countries in Asia. There are several reasons for this, the relative isolation of the country, the Buddhist religion, which is most strongly associated with this country, and of course the Himalayas.

Modern science has made it possible to learn about the whole world, very few places remain unexplored. Perhaps only the deep seas and the highest mountain peaks still hide their secrets from us. It's no wonder that legends are attached to every high peak in the world. Thus, the Himalayas can also boast many legends, as ten of the world's fourteen mountain peaks higher than 8,000 meters are located here. However, these legends are not only linked to climbers, but also to the unusual natural environment.

One of the oldest and regularly recurring legends is connected to the Himalayan wild man, the yeti. The origin of the legend is obscure, but it is certain that the yeti is one of the most popular mystical creatures worldwide. Everyone - locals and climbers alike - is talking about a mysterious and unknown creature who lives in the remote, uninhabited, high altitude areas of the Himalayas and has supernatural abilities. According to the natives, it is very fast, able to increase its size with energy from the sun, and able to absorb and use the energy of people nearby. According to legends, this supernatural and legendary creature is a bipedal creature nearly two meters tall, weighs up to 150 kilos and has silver colored fur with reddish markings. According to the locals, it looks more like a human-like animal than a primitive human-like creature. It comes and goes like a hairy ghost, it can't really be tracked, it mysteriously appears out of nowhere like a mystical being.

Even the many different names used by the locals reveal that even they are not fully aware of what the yeti is. The Tibetan word "yeti" means bear of the stony place, while "miche", also used by Tibetans, means human bear. "Bun manchi" used by the Nepalese means jungle man, while "kang admi" also used by them means snowman, which is sometimes used in the form "metoh kangmi" which means man-bear snowman. You can already see from the names that we are dealing with a mystical creature whose origin is a true mystery.

Sherpas and other indigenous tribes have been passing down legends about the yeti by word of mouth for thousands of years. For the first time in Western chronicles, a Roman traveler Pliny the Elder reported on the yeti in his book written in the first century. According to his description, he heard here about an animal of extraordinary speed, which sometimes walks on all fours, but can stand up and assume the form of a human being. You can only catch the yeti if you are very old or sick. His body is covered with hair, his eyes are sea green and his teeth are like those of a dog.

In the following centuries, there are no records of the Yeti in the Western world, the primary reason being that Nepal was difficult for Westerners to access due to its geographical location and political/social isolation.

It is no wonder that the word of the yeti began to spread again when the first Western travelers and climbers appeared in the Himalayas. The first record comes from BH Hodson, who reported that his servant saw a huge, hairy creature, which the locals called "rakshas", meaning demons. The next news comes from 1899, when an English army officer LA Waddell found huge footprints in the snow near a mountain peak. His companion said the tracks were from a yeti, but Waddell didn't believe him and decided they found the tracks of a larger-than-average bear.

The XX. In the 19th century, as the number of foreign travelers and climbers in the area increased, so did the number of yeti-related news, horror stories, and sightings. In 1913, a creature was captured by Chinese hunters and kept in captivity until its death five months later. According to their description, the creature had human-like hands and feet, a black ape-like face, and a body covered in silver hair.

From the 1920s, sightings increased, large human-like creatures were seen several times from a distance and footprints 15-18 cm long and 10 cm wide were found several times.

One of the strangest stories comes from 1938, when Captain d'Auvergne, curator of the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, traveled alone across the Himalayas. According to his claim, he was injured in the mountains during his journey and a human-like creature well above two meters rushed to his aid. He took him to his cave and nursed him until he was well enough to continue his journey.

In 1950, climbers in the Nepalese part of the Himalayas found pieces of a mummified finger, which zoologists and anthropologists were unable to identify, but according to their investigations, it showed similarities with Neanderthal ancestors. Later, geologists surveying the sites repeatedly found footprints that experts were unable to identify.

Since the 1950s, yeti scouting expeditions have been regularly launched into the area, but until now no one has been able to obtain convincing evidence of the existence of the yeti. They found more clues and findings suitable for examination, which instead of giving a reassuring answer to the questions, only increased the mystery.

Oxford University genetics professor Bryan Sykes conducted research based on two samples attributed to the yeti. He compared the samples with the GenBank database containing data of known species and came to the surprising and shocking result that they completely match the sample taken from the jaw of an ancient polar bear found in Norway. According to the professor, the most likely explanation for the yeti is that it is a subspecies of brown bear, descended from the ancient polar bear.

Whether this is the solution to the legend of the yeti or not, the phenomenon has captured the imagination of many. The phenomenon has inspired countless books, films and video games, turning it into a truly iconic figure.

Coffee is one of the most prestigious non-alcoholic drinks in the world, its world trade turnover follows that of petroleum. Since its discovery in Ethiopia in the 850s, its popularity has been increasing, and today it is consumed regularly by billions of people. It is grown in more than a hundred countries, and its traditional growing area is between 26 ^o - 27 ^o north latitude. Nepal is located outside the traditional coffee-growing areas, but its special geographical features make it suitable for producing high-quality coffee, despite the fact that coffee is not native to Nepal.

Coffee arrived in Nepal's Gulmi province from Burma in 1938, but it was cultivated as a simple ornamental plant until the late 1970s, and only in 1976 was it classified as a potential agricultural plant.

The first coffee plantation was established in Palpa Madan Pokhara province in 1979, which reached commercial size within a few years. The first few years proved that the dry and cool climate of relatively high altitude areas (800-1600 meters) is excellent for the coffee bush.

The first coffee plantation presented an agro-forestry model that widely attracted both domestic and international visitors. Slowly, this model spread to the surrounding settlements, and then the more distant provinces also adopted this method of coffee production and, with the support of the government, more and more coffee plantations were planted throughout the country.

The first plantation pioneered the start of organic coffee production in 1989 and played a significant role in the founding of the Nepali Coffee Growers Association in 1991. Since 1998, the association has been organizing training on the theoretical and practical background of organic coffee production with the involvement of international experts. Thanks to this, only organic coffee has been produced in Nepal since 1998. The varieties of Arabica produced here reach the high quality level of the world-famous coffees from Mexico and Salvador.

Nepalese coffee farmers believe in good quality and sustainability. In order to keep this at the same level, they have developed a management practice that is linked to a strict quality control system at all levels. The central body is the Nepali Coffee Growers' Association (NCPA), at the provincial level the District Coffee Growers' Organization performs quality control tasks, while at the settlement level the Coffee Growers' Group supervises the production and processing processes.

Qualified employees of the above organizations contribute to organic production and processing. They also provide a helping hand in their own way in the efficient planting of plantations, in the improvement of quality and in the market promotion of products.

Nepal Organic Coffee Products (NOCP) is the largest and most successful coffee company in Nepal. Not only the coffee production, but also the processing is carried out in compliance with the highest quality standards: after the coffee beans have been peeled, manual sorting and classification follows to ensure that defective beans do not end up in the processed product. Afterwards, the coffee is roasted, ground and packaged according to the customer's wishes. In order to achieve high quality, the company has been employing professionals trained in organic farms in South Asia and America since 1998. The company is proud to have been producing coffee of internationally recognized quality for 25 years, which has been awarded numerous prizes by international coffee certification institutes.

NOCP's main product is Himalayan Arabica coffee, which is not only one of the best coffees in Nepal, but probably one of the most popular coffees in the world, thanks to its mountainous growing area, low acidity, naturally low caffeine content and good taste. Two months ago, Mt.Everest was put on the market, which is also characterized by a low caffeine content, but a fuller coffee than Himalayan Arabica. Both coffees are suitable for use in any coffee machine.

The area of ​​Nepal is 147,181 km ² , it is bordered by India to the south and China to the north. Its capital is Kathmandu, the largest religion is Hindu, which was the state religion until 2006, but you can also find Buddhism, Kirant (a local religion, a type of shamanism), Islam and Christianity. Followers of different religions live peacefully side by side, there is no typical tension or conflict between different religious groups. The population of the country has grown dynamically in the last 50 years, in 1970 the country had 17 million inhabitants, which today is close to 30 million.

Nepal's time calculation is unique, the country is also in a separate time zone, it differs from Central European time by 3 hours 45 minutes in summer and 4 hours 45 minutes in winter. The Nepali New Year is aligned with the movement of the moon, with its first day usually falling between April 11 and 15.

The composition of the population is very mixed, the ethnic composition ranges from Indo-European to Mongoloid type, in many cases with their own language, dialect and customs. The official language of the country is Nepali, but according to the 2011 census, a total of 123 languages ​​are spoken in the country. There is a significant number of Tibetan refugees living in the country without citizenship. The country has a caste system similar to that of India, but it is by no means as strong, and they are more open and accepting of those belonging to other castes. The majority of the population lives in the countryside and earns a living from farming, but many work abroad and send their earnings home to their families, thus helping them to make a living, which is almost unimaginable in isolated villages and higher areas from other sources.

The two most typical religions are Hinduism (80%) and Buddhism (11%), but in many cases the two religions are intertwined in a way that is difficult for Europeans to understand, and it is difficult to separate religious practices and beliefs. You can regularly find churches and monasteries that are open to believers of both religions, Buddhists and Hindus also pray to the deity with a different name but symbolizing the same thing.

The tropical monsoon climate is dominant in the lower elevations, with relatively mild winters, hot summers and the monsoon season that follows, but because of its higher elevation than India, the summers are not as hot. Monsoon is not typical in mountainous areas, the weather is typically cooler and drier in these areas.

The people of Nepal

Tourists usually visit the country for the scenery, cultural background and wildlife, but one of the most lasting memories of visitors will be the innate friendliness of the locals. Put our hands together and say "nameste" and you will be met with one of the widest smiles in the world. It sounds like a cliché, but Nepalese are one of the friendliest nations in the world. Nameste is the generally accepted greeting, the meaning of which can best be translated as the god in me greets the god in you.

It is no wonder that the people of Nepal are friendly, since countless different ethnicities, cultures and religions live together in peace in the country. It is fascinating to observe how these different groups of people have adapted to their environment. It is interesting to observe that in the countryside they still make their tools and food by hand. Visiting the villages of Nepal is like visiting an open-air museum. In the big cities, modern life mixes with ancient traditions, which is particularly visible during holidays and festivals. Since the people of Nepal are extremely friendly, this is perhaps the main reason why a visitor there cannot remain a tourist for long. As soon as a tourist gets to know the place and the people, from then on he is not considered a stranger, but a valued guest, and the guest is considered a god by the Nepalese.

The 2015 earthquake

On April 25, 2015, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 shook the central part of the country. It was the first major earthquake in eighty years, its epicenter was 80 kilometers from the capital. Its strength is characterized by the fact that the position of the capital, Kathmandu, has shifted by one and a half meters to the south. The first big earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks and then a second big earthquake. More than 9,000 people died and nearly 22,000 were injured under collapsed buildings, landslides and avalanches. The earthquake destroyed half a million homes, several isolated settlements were razed to the ground. Many buildings of historical and religious importance were also destroyed or heavily damaged.

The country is slowly recovering from the shock caused by the great earthquake of 2015 and is returning to its old ways. A popular tourist destination again, its culture and diverse geographical environment attract crowds of tourists.

Tourism

Nepal's main income comes from tourists visiting here. The country regenerated very quickly after the earthquake, and in 2017 it was again mentioned as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world by several leading tourist portals. LonelyPlanet named the country the world's best value for money tourist destination, thanks to its diverse geographical and cultural background and the Nepali people, who are considered one of the friendliest people in the world.

One of the most important elements of its tourist attraction is the Himalayas, located in the northern part of the country, with eight peaks above eight thousand meters. Thousands of trails pass through this area and offer almost unlimited opportunities for hikers and climbers.

The southern, lower-lying area of ​​the country with its humid climate is perfect for jungle and wildlife lovers. The safaris organized here offer the opportunity to get to know the local wildlife - tigers, Indian rhinoceros, elephants, leopards and red pandas. This area is also attractive to bird lovers, as 900 different species of birds live here, including some native to Nepal. Nowadays, the developing transport infrastructure allows this area to function as a professional tourist destination.

In addition to the natural wonders, the cultural and religious diversity of the country attracts many people. Nepal's culture is uniquely rich and diverse, thanks to the countless ethnic groups and religions that coexisted. It is no wonder that it is known as the land of a thousand temples, as there are more than three thousand temples in the Kathmandu Valley alone, which offers visitors an almost unfathomable opportunity to immerse themselves in the religious and cultural heritage. But thanks to its geographical location, Nepal is still not a mass tourist destination, it maintains its exotic character, thus offering tourists a special experience.

Mountain climbing, hiking

Nepal is famous worldwide for its natural beauty, which is due to its unique topography. Its deepest area is 70 meters above sea level, and its highest point is also the highest point in the world, Mount Everest (Nepalese name Sagarmatha, Tibetan name Tsomolungma), whose height above sea level is 8,848 m. Overall, the Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world, 10 of its 1,300 peaks reach over 8,000 meters and 8 of these 10 peaks are located in Nepal.

Trekking is one of the most popular activities in Nepal, many people come from all over the world to conquer different peaks. The wide range of options allows people of all ages and abilities to find the right hiking option, whether it's climbing the highest peaks or a less challenging hike. A tour is possible even for those who arrive in the country without such a plan, because you can choose from a wide range of guides and organized tours, and all the equipment can be obtained locally. It is only a matter of days to organize a more serious tour. A hiker is rarely alone in Nepal. In general, hiking does not mean wandering through an abandoned landscape, most of the tours follow well-marked hiking trails, which are regularly used not only by trekking enthusiasts, but also by locals. Settlements and teahouses found along the routes allow hikers to rest and regenerate, whether for a few minutes or a night. The specific culture and unreserved friendly behavior of the Nepali people are also decisive for the tours.

The best times to hike are dry and warm, typically March through June and late September through November. At this time, the temperature is tolerable and the sky is usually clear, although from May you can expect more or less rain. During the monsoon season, the hiking trails are usually empty and landslides may impede progress. The winter months are pleasant in the lower areas, but it is too cold in the higher areas.

Almost everyone can find a tour that suits their abilities, the tours that require the least endurance are available even for those who can walk uphill for a few hours without straining. Of course, longer tours, crossing higher passes and reaching remote areas require greater endurance. Reaching the peaks of 5,650-6,500 meters requires more serious mountaineering preparation. Be aware that you need to get the right permits before you go.

Nepalese holidays

Religion is still very important in Nepal, so most Nepalese holidays have their roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. These holidays and festivals can last several days, of which the following are the most important, but the visitor can also encounter many other holidays.

Dashain Festival: celebrated by both Hindus and Nepalese practically everywhere in the world, many Nepalis living abroad return home to celebrate with their families. This is the longest and most important festival in the calendar, it usually falls in September or October, the date varies from year to year because the date is adjusted to the moon cycle, it is officially a 6-day period, but its total length is 15 days, it usually follows the monsoon period. Generally speaking, Dashain festival celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Buddha Jayanti: This day is Buddha's birthday, which usually falls in May according to the Gregorian calendar. For Buddhists, this day has special significance, since Buddha was born in Nepal.

Chhath Puja: a four-day holiday in honor of the Sun, giving thanks for "sustaining all forms of life on earth." Hindus consider the sun to be a source of healing, growth and general well-being. The customs associated with the holiday include the rituals with which they ask for a long and healthy life for themselves and their loved ones.

Nepali New Year: The official Nepali New Year usually falls between April 11 and 15, depending on the moon. In fact, due to the myriad of different ethnicities living together, there are nine different New Years in Nepal, but this is the date they all celebrate.

Maha Shivaratri: One of the most important Hindu festivals, it is celebrated before the arrival of spring and dedicated to Shiva. Unlike most Hindu festivals, Maha Shivaratri is a night celebration, with devotees keeping vigil and praying throughout the night to celebrate Shiva's ability to overcome darkness and ignorance. Holy fires are lit around the temples. The official ceremony begins at midnight, with celebrants carrying water in their hands to offer to the stone star, a symbol of Shiva.

Some of the tourist destinations in Nepal are:

-Kathmandu and the surrounding hills and temples

-The old royal city of Bakhtapur

-The Boudanath Stupa, the largest stupa in the world, whose origins date back to the 6th century

- The city of Pokhara, which is the gateway to the Himalayas and from here to the Annapurna base camp

-Wildlife safari in Chitwan National Park

-Hiking in Langtang National Park, enjoying unique mountain views, discovering cedar forests, wildlife and rural life

-Visit the Everest Base Camp

-Visit the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini

- Visiting the lower areas of the Himalayas, getting to know the life of the Sherpas.

The uniqueness of the Buddhist religion is that it is not the acceptance and adherence to the texts of a deity, a central ideology or a holy book that leads to salvation. In contrast to God-centered religions, Buddhism is human-centered, and according to its followers, the effort of each person helps in spiritual development, in reaching a higher level.

According to Buddhist belief, we ourselves cause our problems and suffering with our negative behavior and thoughts. In order to change this, we need to learn how to be moderate, selfless and compassionate.

The first step to reshaping the world is to reshape our own thinking. One means of doing this is meditation, which is a conscious effort to change our mind. In traditional Buddhist language, the term used for meditation is bhavana, which means growth, development. And since growth, development, striving for good, achieving a better quality of life are important goals for almost everyone, it is not surprising that Buddhist meditation techniques are widely known and recognized worldwide and not only among people who actively practice the Buddhist religion.

Meditation is thus a mental and physical process of action in which the meditator separates himself from his thoughts and feelings in order to become fully aware. Meditation involves both the body and the mind as a single entity and aims to stop the thought process. Meditation means to simply exist, not to judge, not to think, but simply to be present in peace in the lived moment.

The importance of meditation lies in the fact that it helps to change, because no matter how good we want to be, if we cannot change the desires that cause us to act in a certain way, we will not be able to change and we will keep making the same mistakes.

People who meditate regularly can notice positive changes in themselves. They become more accepting and forgiving towards themselves, which is a basic condition for them to see their environment in a more open and accepting way. In this way, not only will they become more accepting of themselves, but their feelings for their loved ones will also grow and strengthen. A person who meditates regularly also changes his attitude towards strangers, he does not see the bad first, but tries to judge others positively. This is possible because a properly developed mind is a very powerful tool. Meditation gives the possibility that the regularly meditating mind uses mental energy well and in a concentrated manner, with the help of which it can influence others, gradually transforming them.

We know many forms of meditation. The main techniques were preserved in ancient texts or passed down by word of mouth and thus survived the millennia. Meditation develops awareness, concentration, calmness, insight and supernatural abilities. Meditation can be analytical or focused. The first subjects the object of meditation to analysis, while the second concentrates on the object of meditation without any analysis.

According to tradition, there are five obstacles that can prevent you from fully immersing yourself in everyday life during meditation:

• sensual desires: happiness provided by the five senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch
• ill-will: negative emotions, rejecting thoughts, bitterness, hostile feelings
• laziness: laziness of body and mind
• restlessness-anxiety: inability to calm the mind
• doubt: lack of trust

The appearance of any one or any combination of obstacles weakens meditation. According to the tradition, if we examine and understand the obstacles, it becomes possible to overcome them. When they appear, you have to deal with them, so they become manageable.

Kopan Monastery

Kopan Monastery is significantly different from the previous two places of pilgrimage. While in the previous two places the stupa with a long history and rich legends is in the center, here it is the relatively newly founded monastery.
The monastery was founded in 1969 by two monks, Thubten Yeshe and Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who bought the land from the Royal Astrologer of Nepal. The monastery got its name from the mountain surrounded by the fantastic landscape, which rises from the terraced areas of the Kathmandu valley and is clearly visible from afar.

Beautiful gardens dedicated to Buddha surround the building complex, where the wind plays with prayer flags among the flowers, hedges, fountains and trees and scatters the prayers to the surrounding countryside.

Smaller and bigger stupas rise at several points in the garden, the surroundings of which are meditation and
place for social gatherings. In the early evening, there are many students and senior monks around the stupas who go around the stupas according to tradition.
The monastery is home to 360 monks, lamas, teachers and workers. The monks come from all over Nepal and Tibet, their ages vary from 7 to 70 years and they dedicate their lives to the Buddha's teachings.
From the beginning, the Kopan Monastery has been operating as a meditation and training center, which is available to both Himalayan and foreign visitors and students. Studying the mind is one of the guiding principles of Buddhism that determines the quality of our lives and relationships.

Tibetan Buddhism helps us understand the root cause of our problems and find the cure that helps us change and live a happier, more fulfilling and meaningful life. Kopan is dedicated to helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion. That is why courses are regularly organized in the monastery, which help those interested to get to know the
their own minds, thereby helping them to a better life.
The monastery has recently become a popular excursion destination for Kathmandu residents and tourists. It regularly receives hundreds of visitors on Saturdays, but the monastery is not open to outsiders on other days of the week.

The intention of the founders is preserved by the monks who manage the monastery to this day, so Kopan is a unique place, a meeting place between East and West, religious and secular life.

Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery

The monastery is located in a small town called Namo Buddha, 40 kilometers from Kathmandu. It is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Nepal because of the legend associated with it, which tells of the Buddha's act of saving the life of a mother tiger.
The monastery was founded in memory of this sacrifice, in the place where, according to legend, the tiger's cave stood.

The landscape surrounding the monastery is an ideal place for meditation, the surrounding area
hills form an eight-petalled lotus, and according to the locals, the cool south wind blows in summer, and the warm, gentle sun in winter is like the clear and bright face of the youth.
The monastery is relatively new, founded in 1978 by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. The conditions were very simple in the beginning, because the roads in the area were not built and there was neither water nor electricity. In the course of time, however, it was possible to create three main units: a school focused on the study of Buddhist philosophy, a school dedicated to meditation
meeting rooms and buildings for service activities.

The purpose of founding the monastery is to lead people to the path of peace and non-violence.
The main building of the monastery, located on the top of the hill, is six stories high, which is closed by a two-level golden roof in the curved Indian style. This building contains the communal areas where you can pray, eat and rest. The main temple hall is on the fourth floor, which has thirty-six pillars, each topped with a gilded bronze Buddha statue. The ceiling is decorated with fifteen mandalas and behind the main shrine there is a smaller shrine and in front of the shrine is a large terrace overlooking the surrounding mountains.

The golden roof of the building can be seen from miles away, the building is mostly decorated in red, orange and yellow with gold decorations. The library and classrooms are also located here, in the main building, since the relatively newly founded monastery also houses a major Buddhist school. A clinic is also part of the monastery complex

which not only provides medical assistance to the monks and visitors to the monastery, but also provides basic health care for the surrounding settlements.
To the south of the main church there are several beautiful multi-storey buildings, which are the residence of the monks.
The complex is home to more than 250 monks, but they also welcome visitors who can use the monastery's guest house.

Lumbini

Lumbini is also a very important pilgrimage site. Its importance is due to the fact that the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni) was born in this place. Here, however, not only an outstanding monastery or stupa is the destination of pilgrimages. Lumbini is actually a garden, a well-defined area with a length of 4.8 km and a width of 1.6 km.

The sacred site of Lumbini is bordered by a huge monastic zone where only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants. It follows that the area is surrounded by many monasteries. On the east side are the Theravada monasteries and on the west side are the Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.
In addition to the monasteries of various Buddhist traditions, here you can also find the sacred Bodhi tree, the Mayadevi temple, the Ashokan pillar and an ancient bath garden, as well as a beautiful archaeological site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, Lumbini, with its breathtaking panorama, attracts pilgrims and nature lovers alike like a strong magnet.
Many countries have built Buddhist places of worship and monasteries in the area, such as China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Germany. It is interesting to observe the different architectural solutions. The Mayadevi temple is located in the garden, the history of which goes back 2,200 years, and the archaeological findings found here testify that this is the birthplace of Buddha, which used to belong to the territory of India, now Nepal.

It is worth walking through the garden and finding a peaceful, meditative spot.

Boudhanath Monastery

One of the largest and most ancient stupas in the world is located 11 km north-east of the center of Kathmandu. Boudhanath Monestry is the most important place of pilgrimage and prayer for Buddhists in the world. Its building dominates the horizon, which is no wonder, since with its height of 40 meters and diameter of 100 meters, it is the largest stupa in Nepal.

From above it looks like a huge mandala or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. Its shape is the classic stupa shape: a dome rises from a square base, topped by a box, which closes with 13 steps tapering in a conical shape, topped by a gilded canopy and gold
spiral is located. These geometrical forms correspond to the basic elements – earth, water, fire, air, space – and the shape of the stupa is reminiscent of the seated meditating Buddha.
The all-seeing eyes of the Buddha were painted on all sides of the square shape enclosing the dome, and prayer flags were attached to the top of the stupa, which are released with the help of the wind and spread the positive power of prayers and mantras to the environment.

Several legends surround the construction of the stupa. According to one, King Bikramadity advised to build a bath (Dhunge Dhara) in the southern part of his palace, but no trace of water was found. The king therefore called his astrologers to a consultation, who suggested that a human sacrifice should be offered in order to find water and defined the conditions that the chosen victim should meet.

During the selection process, only the king and his two princes met the criteria. The king accepted this sacrifice and was beheaded in order to find water. One of the princes, in his grief, vowed to build a stupa to commemorate the king's sacrifice.

According to another legend, many centuries ago there lived a woman named Jadzima, who was very religious and decided to build the largest stupa using her hard-earned savings. When Jadzima died, his four sons continued the construction. During these years, there was a very severe drought in the country and the necessary water for construction was not available. The workers spread clothes on the ground at night to collect the dew and use it for construction. Ten years
finally, when the building was finished, the sun did not set for five days. Heaven was so moved by the dedication of the people during its construction that all 84,000 Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Gods, Goddesses and Dakinis gathered from the ten directions to shower the stupa with flowers and blessings and then intertwine with the stupa. This is why the Boudhanath Stupa is considered the root of Buddhism, representing the mind of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

It is believed that holy water or ambrosia seeps from the stupa once every twelve years. Many people visit the stupa to witness this miracle and to receive the ambrosia and the blessing that comes with it.

The four sons of Jadzima, who helped build the stupa, were reborn later. The eldest son was reborn as the most revered spiritual king of Tibet, Trisong Detsen, who devoted all his energy to the spread of Buddhism. The second son was reborn as the holy monk Santarakshita, who is considered the first monk of Tibet. The third son was reborn as Guru Padmasambhave, considered the second Buddha and the founder of the Bazrayana tradition, defeated and suppressed by the religion

malicious spirits, demons and hostile forces hindering its spread. The fourth son was reborn as one of the Buddhist ministers of the Trisong Detsen dynasty.

It turns out that anyone who circumambulates the stupa with a pure heart and prostrates himself to pray creates good karma, which helps to make all his wishes come true, and thus closes the door to rebirth in the lower levels. The stupa's power and compassionate blessings are beyond the imagination and conception of all sentient beings. That is why generations of believers have prayed and pray with great devotion for protection, inspiration, purification, blessings and miracles at one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.

Swayambhunath Monastery

Swayambhunath Stupa's tall white dome and glistening golden roof can be seen from long distances from all sides of the Kathmandu Valley.

Historical records found in stone inscriptions prove that the stupa was an important place of pilgrimage already in the 5th century. In Buddhist mythology and origin theory, and in everyday religious practice
occupies a central position and is probably the holiest of Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The complex consists of a stupa, several shrines and temples, and is complemented by a monastery, a museum and a library.

Several legends are associated with the stupa. According to one, long ago the Kathmandu Valley was a large lake from which the Swayambhu hill rose as an island. At the top of the hill stood a natural crystal stupa. Buddha, after visiting the place, said that it was a wish-fulfilling stupa, and whoever was touched by the wind that had touched the stupa before him would be freed from the cycle of existence.
Later, a Chinese Buddhist monk pumped out the lake, making the crystal available
stupa for everyone. Today, the dome-shaped building protects this crystal stupa from robbers.

Another legend also says that there was a lake in the valley. In the middle of this lake, a beautiful golden lotus blossomed. A monk had a vision that showed him the golden lotus, so he traveled there to pray to the flower. Arriving at the lake, he saw that the valley would be a suitable place for pilgrims, so he cut a channel between the mountains, through which he let the water of the lake down. The leaves of the lotus turned into a hill and the flower into a stupa.

The stupa represents the mind of the Buddha, so it is believed that visiting the stupa is the same as meeting the Buddha in person. It offers peace, freedom and joy to the whole world and helps to achieve perfect enlightenment. The stupa softens physical and mental difficulties, diseases, famine, and conflicts.
An interesting feature of the stupa is that it functions not only as a Buddhist but also as a Hindu place of pilgrimage.
Before sunrise, many Buddhist and Hindu monks climb the 365 steps leading to the mountain and begin their anti-clockwise walk around the stupa.

More about malachites:

A mala is more than just a fashionable necklace. Mala beads help you find peace of body, soul and mind, which is why so many people are instinctively drawn to mala beads. In everyday life, we wear mala beads as a reminder, the touch of which helps calm the mind during everyday trials.

Originally, the mala was a counting device used in the practice of meditation. The mala usually consists of 108 beads and a final, larger so-called guru eye, which can also be called "sumeru", "bindu", "stupa" and the "guru bead". Counting should always be started with the next bead and in the Vedic tradition this special bead is not crossed, but instead the direction of counting is reversed.

Mala beads can be made from precious stones, semi-precious stones, crystals, wood, bone or rudraksha seeds, all of which carry certain energies. Wearing a mala as a necklace or bracelet helps show the power of its material, but its primary purpose is to aid meditation. The beads help the meditator to count. Counting is done using the thumb and forefinger, it is a sign of disrespect if the beads touch the middle finger.

We often see malas that have three additional eyes that are different from the others. These divide the mala into four parts of 27 grains each. It is said that there are many reasons why the mala has 108 beads. One of these is that the 100 eyes of the mala symbolize the ancient pure 100 peaceful and wrathful deities within us, and the number 8 the eight bodhisattva levels before our enlightenment. The closing eye embodies enlightenment.

But according to other sources, this number can also symbolize that 108 energy lines lead to the heart chakra, and that the diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth, and the distance between the two celestial bodies is 108 times the diameter of the sun.

Since it is an important part of Tibetan Buddhist practice to repeat certain mantras thousands or even hundreds of thousands of times, mentally or aloud, it is useful to use a mala when counting prayers, which helps in counting, acts like a spiritual abacus. When using the mala, the user usually repeats the most common mantras such as "Om mani padme hum", "Om tare tuttare ture soha" or "Om muni muni maha munize soha".

Traditionally, during meditation, we move the eyes with our thumbs. In this way, one eye per mantra is spun through the index finger. When we reach the closing stitch, we turn the mala in the other direction, starting a new round. This symbolizes that the bodhisattva, when he attains enlightenment, returns to the conditioned world to help all beings and lead them to enlightenment.

In Tibetan culture, there are basically no strict rules for counting malas and mantras. Everyone does it a little differently. It is generally recommended to use the mala with the left hand, but some Tibetans perform the exercises with the right hand. There are generally accepted ways of using the mala, but these are less important than intention and prayer. If you repeat the mantra with a pure heart while using the mala, then you are doing the right thing.

The best motivation when using the mala is that every time we reach the 108th bead, we deeply feel that we have reached enlightenment. In this way, when we move backwards in the crumbing of the pearls, we continue with the knowledge that as noble bodhisattvas we repeat the mantras for the benefit of beings. This strengthens the bodhicitta, the consciousness of enlightenment.

Sometimes two counters are placed on the mala, which consist of a short cord and small rings attached to it. One is decorated with a dorge, the other with a bell. These serve as an extra help in counting the mantras spoken, since after each round we can move a ring to the other end of the string.

Malas can be used for different activities:

- healing: a mala made of wood and seeds is recommended for these

-bringer of abundance: a mala made of precious stones is recommended

- protective activity: turquoise or rudraksha mala is recommended

The 27 mesh wrist mala can also be used just as effectively, since 4x 27 is 108.

Malas are not only worn by Buddhists, anyone can wear them. It's no coincidence that you like a mala made of a particular stone/stone combination, since the given mineral solves the happenings of the current external and internal world, or even helps to achieve and maintain healthy, loving, happy states.

How to choose mala?

Are you looking for the perfect mala, but don't know how to choose? There's no wrong way to choose your mule, but there are a few considerations that can help you choose.

1. What are you attracted to? Usually the first mala that attracts you is the real one. Do not resist this attraction, accept it, let this attraction guide your heart and your choice. You don't need to know the reason for the attraction, because it is usually instinctive, the power and energy of the stones will lead you to the right mala.
2. What are you trying to achieve? Each mala bead carries a different intention. When looking for the perfect pearl, ask yourself what you want to achieve. “Do I want more love in my life? Do I want greater prosperity? Do I need more power?” Since mala beads are made of several types of material that carry different energies, asking the right questions and answering them can help you find the right mala.
3. When choosing a mala, ask yourself what you want to use your mala for: for meditation or as a reminder to achieve your intentions. The mala is suitable for both, but if it is used for meditation, it may be more appropriate to choose a mala that has the extra two counters.

If you can't choose a mala because there is too much information or you like several, simply listen to your intuition and you will make the right decision. You just have to love it and use it!