Bhutan

I am thrilled to once again serve as Coordinator for 2026’s Pilgrimage to a place that holds a permanent piece of my heart: Bhutan.

Tucked high in the eastern Himalayas between India and Tibet, Bhutan—though roughly 11 times smaller than California—holds an outsized spiritual presence in the world. Many consider it one of the few great sanctuaries of living spirituality, a place where centuries of remote mountain isolation allowed a culture rooted in Vajrayana Buddhism to flourish undisturbed. Here, daily life, governance, and the natural world are all woven together by sacred values. Monasteries on the edges of cliffs, prayer flags ripple across wind-swept passes, and ancient foot-paths wind through forests that many believe are watched over by protective spirits.

What makes Bhutan so special isn't just its temples and monasteries—it's the sense that the very land itself is sacred. In the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) brought Buddhism to Bhutan, blessing the landscape as he journeyed and transforming the terrain into hallowed ground. Many of the country's most treasured sites, including the breathtaking cliffside caves of Taktsang (the "Tiger's Nest") and countless mountain temples, are believed to be places where great masters once meditated and reached enlightenment.

While so much of the world has let modern life crowd out ancient spiritual traditions, Bhutan has chosen a different path—one of deliberate preservation. It's a nation that measures its success not just by economic growth, but by "Gross National Happiness," placing equal value on spiritual well-being, cultural richness, environmental stewardship, and thoughtful governance.

This is what makes Bhutan feel truly alive with meaning: spirituality isn't tucked away behind monastery walls, but woven into everyday rhythms. Prayers drift through mountain valleys each morning, and masked dancers bring centuries-old stories to life during vibrant festivals. In Bhutan, the ancient vision of a sacred, living world isn't a memory of the past—it's still breathing, still unfolding, still inviting us in.

This will be my fourth journey to this remarkable place, and I find myself once again brimming with gratitude and excitement to share it.

While this year's Pilgrimage is currently full, I'd love for you to join the Wait List or explore more about the journey on the Sukhasiddhi Foundation website. Bhutan has a way of calling to people long before they ever arrive—perhaps it's calling to you now. Feel free to contact me to learn more about Bhutan and sacred journeys to this treasured country.