Appreciating Home through the Eyes of the Thunder Dragon

For us Westerners, the dragon tends to be the biggest and baddest of the bad guys. But in Buddhism the dragon symbolizes the power and dominance of compassion awakening us from delusion while heightening our communication practices—kinda like a wise, strong, tough-love friend who asks you (without asking) to live up to who you truly are.  So it’s always seemed fitting that a white dragon takes center stage on the Bhutanese flag, happily marrying the secular (yellow) and spiritual (orange) traditions in this predominantly Buddhist country. 

But even under the auspices of this powerfully symbolic flag, both the King and the Prime Minister in Bhutan still deal in almost all the same human struggles that burden every other country. They just do it while drawing strength from their thick and traditional spiritual foundation. And even though they are currently experiencing the growing pains of a budding democracy in a poor country, their marriage of church and state is accepting, unyielding, non-judgmental and strong. Kinda like your wise, tough-love friend, if you spend time in Bhutan it causes you to not only want to be a better human while in their country, but to get that you are already a better human right were you are, in your own home country.

So as I put the final touches on packing for my fourth extended trip and 7th month living in Bhutan, I find myself not only reflecting on what I look forward to in this remote, peaceful, Buddhist country, but also on how my appreciation of my own country has been greatly enhanced since I’ve been hanging out in Bhutan. Because in all its Buddhist-dragon-like, understated, compassionate ways, Bhutan causes me to love America even more.

So in my impending departure I thought I’d share a sampling of what I love about Bhutan and the U.S.:

What I love about Bhutan:

• Its almost complete lack of visual commercialism or branding as you move through. Except the dominant visual brand—their spirituality.
• Being humble is the human priority.
• Family and each person are more important than work.
• Tradition and spirituality are honored and upheld.
• Where ever you go (outside the capital) you can easily and quickly achieve mental quiet and solitude.
• They are the land of acceptance and tolerance.
• That women play a powerful role in their families and villages with increasing potential and support for upward mobility.

What I have grown to love even more about America having lived in Bhutan:

• Freedom of expression.
• Our effervescent, big thinking, open ended, innovative entrepreneurial spirit.
• Our hard driving individualist pursuits support us in far exceeding what is possible as humans.
• That we are the unyielding, seeking and forever questioning rebel at the party.
• The infinite means with which our minds can engage. We can choose.
• We are the land of opportunity. If you don’t see that, you haven’t looked past our country boundaries.
• That women play a powerful role in their families, communities and business with increasing potential for upward mobility—because women tirelessly made this all happen.

Stay tuned as I’ll be posting here via the Land of the Thunder Dragon and on Facebook as my colleagues at the Bhutan Olympic Committee, event stakeholders and I put the final touches on the first Bhutan International Marathon. 

Back at you soon,

Terri