Mongolian Journal
2005

Mongolia steeped in old traditions, even in the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar a high rise and a Ger (traditional housing of the Mongolian culture), right next to each other. People were often dressed in traditional costume of the Mongolian people, which has been seen as long ago in Gihgis Khans time, called Deels. It consists of a long coat over the knees and hard knee top leather moccasin to ward off cold and damp from the bitter Mongolian winters. For us, a challenge, unusually hot and humid, it was uncomfortable at times, mingling with heat, new smells and an often times a churning stomach. Mine is still recovering. So much to absorb and integrate so much to have learned, this one will take a while. Sixteen adventurers from the U.S. were called to learn about traditional Mongolian Medicine and about a very special lineage of Eight Medicine Buddha.

Our guide, host, and guru, Kamba Lama, Dr.Natsagdorj, President of Mama Datsun School of Traditional Mongolian Medicine,clinic, hospital, and medicine factory (herbs).

We spent a great deal of time learning the prayer chantings to help others as well as an overview of all aspects of Mongolian medicine from herbs, to gems, acupuncture to pulse reading. We were privileged to go to many secret temples most likely unseen by other travelers. We were privileged to have many ceremonies done for us. Sitting in the middle of the monks and lamas at the temple while they chanted was so hearts opening many of us were moved to tears.

We saw camels, wild horses, stayed in Ger camps, as the goats herds ran by our gers at dawn, breaking the pristine silence of nature asleep, we ate a lot of sheep, sang by the river, drank a little or a lot of Mongolian vodka (to be determined), ate and drank mares milk, yogurt, curd, and butter (by the time our meal was complete I was ready to say…”Giddy up!”), took herb walks, drank spring water from a special stupa site, went to the Nadam festival, had a picnic of traditional Mongolian BBQ, which is not what you think, communed with nature and mountains in a most profound way. We also traveled many bumpy dusty roads, long days in hot buses.

I traveled with sixteen of the most diverse and important crossroad strangers. Each of the sixteen persons, including myself, was initiated into Lun, a lineage of Buddhist teachings. I have yet to have contact with each with such diverse gifts and talents, a marvel to witness the unfoldings...I myself was on a Tri-fold vision, Lama is my teacher /guru so very happy to have any time with him, to learn more deeply what I am already working with in the way of Energy Medicine and to interview a Mongolian Shaman and have an experience/treatment with this form of healing. I was invited to travel with him and one of his apprentices, but I had to return to the states or I might have considered it. Anne, Carol (Blue Feather’s Supreme Massage Therapists), Tuyua (who translated for us) and I spent an afternoon with the Shaman and had a profound, wild experience. We truly had a shamanic formed experience to say the least. I have been invited to return with him and his apprentices…story forthcoming, it’s spectacular. He says he’ll see me again and called me his little sister affectionately. He also took one look at me and diagnosed my state of health and was completely right on. One never knows in the mystical medical world.

It is important to acknowledge your teachers and tell others, Lama will be coming back to the states at some time in the near future. Please pull up our web site occasionally to check for when.

Lama says each of us needs to go forward with his work and help others, I agree. I believe what we learned was a way to access original teachings for bodhisattva training softening of the heart and a vibration which arises from belly upward in a glow of lotus light and exudes outward in love and lovingkindness. Mindfulness, and letting go of the mind poisons, is a rigorous training. Teaching and living peace is a practice.

There will be an upcoming website devoted to the work we initiated in Mongolia, based on Buddhist traditions of helping. The foundation is called Eight Medicine Buddha Children. We will visit and raise funds for medical care for remote areas, we will train young ones at the school to help them return to their villages to help the people, we will have a cultural exchange program for Mongolian doctors and many other things to help educate people on these ancient tools, literal and unseen to bring forth strongly. The teachings of Eight Medicine Buddha had almost been lost during the 30’s Stalin’s time with the destruction of temples and the killing of monks and Lamas, similar to what has happened in Tibet .

I have verbally repeated this to many, in all my travels, the essence of inviting others to be like family in a short time is a great way to bond with our global differences, our cultural differences with affection, laughter and inclusion the biggest gift the Mongolian people have to offer. In all my travels has never been anywhere where the reception and sharing has been so great, it is always about the WE.

Thank-you to all of our old and new cross-roads friend and teachers. Mostly thank-you to Dear Lama for all his goodness he does for the people.

Blessings, Rhonda