WINTER /SPRING2016
MOUNTAINLIFE
55
Inside, the room is dimly lit room and simpler thanmost.
Thick smoke fromburning incense fillsmynostrils.My
mind shifts back to earlier in the year and soon I realize
my ridingpartners have all left and I’m alonewith the
monk.He invitesme topray. I amnot Buddhist but I
joinhim, closemy eyes and inhale.
“
Ommani padme hum.
”Thinkingof the painof the
previousmonths hurts. Closingmy eyes, I repeat the
Buddhistmantra in the darkness. “
Ommani padme
hum
.”Questions swirl:Was it love?Was it foolishness?
The only thing I’m certainof is I gave itmy all.
Ommani
padme hum.
” It’s time tomove on.
I exhale, re-openmy eyes and stare into the statue of
Buddha in front ofme. I feelmyself start to reallybreathe
again.
ABOVE
Flags in the sky.Whiteside,Weselake&Murphy cross one of themany suspensionbridges. Chhusang,Nepal. SHANNON.
BELOW
Kids andbikes. Some things are universal nomatterwhere in theworld
yougo.The childrenof Nepal were stokedonmountainbiking!Manang,Nepal. SHANNON.
