First two weeks in Nepal

Let me begin this post by saying thank YOU. Thank you, for making this trip possible by donating and for believing in me. To be honest, I questioned my ability to raise the funds to get me here in Nepal. I wondered if people would really get behind my vision and support me. It is because you did I can say after 37 long hours of flying, I have safely made it to Nepal where I have decided to begin my journey of Healing through Meditation. I am grateful there are a multitude of people who believe in my calling and who have helped push my ship to the other side of the world. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as Money Temple in Kathmandu 

So far, from the three flights I took, to the conversations I had with folks traveling, to landing in Nepal, this trip has been a MOVIE. One of the things I love most about traveling is when you do journey to another part of the world and leave your bubble,  if you are humble and open-minded enough, you are given the unique opportunity of having your perspective and any preconceived notions changed and altered. With every conversation I have had thus far, my knowledge of the world has deepened and I am gaining a better understanding of others — which, as Solomon, who is credited to being the wisest man that ever lived, said, through it all “get understanding.” Since it is through understanding I will be able to govern my nation one day and help bring everyone together and fulfill my ultimate Dream: to bring peace to the world. 

Speaking on peace, it is interesting how slowly she is coming to me. When I arrived in Katmandu, I stayed only for two days because the city is very similar to NYC as far as population is concerned but with less of the blessing of NYC’s infrastructure and smells that are both not so pleasing to the nose (think of the stench of massive pollution hence folks and I walked around with a face mask) and others that bring immense joy (consider the smell of your favorite dish on full blast). So, I traveled eight hours by bus to a city further west called Pokhara, where the landscape is literally breath-taking. But, before I arrived, as I was transferring buses, I was asked to put my heavy travel bag (I have two, one huge and a smaller one) on top of the bus, so I did. I had already placed my iPhone X and passport inside, so I tightened the bag and passed it to the young kid who may have been about 16-years-old. As soon as I got off the bus about three hours later from a nap, someone rushed up to me and asked if I needed a cab to my hotel, I said yes after looking deeply into his eyes (that is the way I have been scoping people to see if I can trust them — by looking into their soul). 

It was not until I reached my hotel I thought to connect to wifi since I did not have data and it was then I realized my iPhone was missing. I dumped all my bags but found no phone. I was so upset with myself since something told me to place it in my pocket rather than my bag. An immense feeling of loneliness hovered over my spirit as my connection to the world was taken within four days of me being in Nepal. I was so pissed, I had to go walk it off. As I am walking, Nepalese folks are greeting me saying “Namaste” but because I am so upset, I would give a slight smile and kept walking with my head down as I was feeling lost, alone, and disconnected. 

I ended up jumping on this small boat and paddled to the middle of this amazingly huge lake and just sat inside looking up at the sky searching for some comfort. Within moments, another boat was passing by and a young lady asked if I was lonely, and I said “I just lost my iPhone so I guess I am.” She and her friends sympathized and her male friend said “I love you” and for a brief moment I did feel the love in his words. I eventually made it back home where I just stared at the ceiling reminding myself to take this journey one day at a time. Given that I am an optimist at heart, I told myself the bright side is I am now forced to connect deeper to my experiences without the need to feel as if I have to record or post every moment; but rather, live fully in each breath with great enthusiasm, and I have found some tranquility in believing in this. 

The next morning while having breakfast, my server asked me what was I doing in his country and I replied “I am here studying meditation.” He  pointed to the top of a mountain and recommended I stop at the Japanese Buddhist Temple,  Nipponzan Myohoji, also known as the World Peace Temple. After my meal I hailed a cab and headed to the top of this major mountain where the temple resided on its pinnacle. Going up the hill to get to the peak my eyes could not believe the view it was beholding: A multitude of mountains, some of which you literally cannot see the top due to the height and clouds blocking it, surrounding the city of Pokhara, as the homes laid in the middle as if the mountains were its protectors from outsiders and the homes were the mountains children. Even when the driver let me out, I still had to climb what felt like a mile of stairs to get to the temple. When I finally arrived at the World Peace Temple, there laid this gigantic Buddha on the top of an all white building shaped as a cone. I watched as people paid their respects by either bowing, remaining silent, or kneeling with their head touching the ground.

World Peace Temple

I thought to myself in that moment how all of us humans are striving with passion and authenticity to reach something higher than us: whether you want to call it God, heavenly spirits, or a higher consciousness — we are all searching. As I came to the Buddha, I too, slightly bowed my head to pay my respects and walked around this temple in amazement of the view of Pokhara. I was so high up there were clouds that laid under my feet and there were other mountains I came eye-to-eye with and  yet others I could not see its pinnacle. If you have ever seen such mountains before, you may too have experienced the humility that overflows in your spirit, for it was a humble reminder I am nothing but a grain of sand in this world, so I ought not to think too highly of myself. There then is a silence that falls upon you as you are in the presence of these majestic and powerful mountains. I tilted my head down in submission and thanked God for bringing me here. 

I meditated here, did some writing/reading and some reflection on the journey thus far

Never in my 25 years of living would I have ever thought I would be in Nepal studying meditation for I was only an abandoned child sleeping in staircases, roofs, and parks—but now, I am a young man traveling the world determined on completing a mission! In any case, after my moment of reflection I thought to travel down the mountain but as I was walking to the exit I saw a little home-looking structure with a Japanese monk in there working on fixing some box, so I poked my head in and asked if it was okay if I came in. He said yes, I took off my shoes and proceeded inside and sat in front of him with legs crossed and looked in awe at the monk before me. After a few seconds I introduced myself as Demetrius Napolitano, from NYC. He told me his name is Master Dai, from Japan. He had these gentle light brown eyes, a smile of a child, and the presence of a peacemaker.   

We began talking about why he became a monk just over two-years ago since he saw the great suffering of the world and wanted to help bring peace by sacrificing himself to live a holy and disciplined life. I was so impressed I excitedly exclaimed “I, too, want to become a monk” his brown eyes lit up as if to say “do you know what you are asking?” For in that moment I knew nothing about the life of a monk other than they lived peaceful and somewhat isolated lives. He then asked me to take an instrument shaped as a tennis racket with the skin of a drum (which I would beat on) and gave me a stick and pointed to the words “Na Mu Myo Hu Ren Ge Kyo” inscribed on the wall which translates into emanating positive energy into the world to reduce suffering.

After describing the meaning, Master Dai said he and I will repeat the mantra several times, we ended up repeating the Japanese Mantra over 100 times. Knowing in my heart I was putting forth positive energy into a world which feels as if it is sinking into darkness made me feel as if I was a monk called for a higher purpose. After we were done, Master Dai said he wanted me to come back tomorrow at 5:00 a.m, to repeat the mantra again with him. I agreed and said I will be there at 5:30 a.m. and we departed each other. Since my body is still adjusting to the time zone, I was up around 3:30 a.m. but my stomach wasn’t feeling the best so I emailed Master Dai and told him I needed to stay in. Around 5:15 a.m. my spirit told me to go to the temple so I pulled the strength together to get out of bed and headed to the temple so I can do my part to put forth peace into the world. 

When I arrived around 6:00 a.m., there was Master Dai kneeled down with his head to the ground praying, and next to him was this child maybe around the age of seven in the same position. I just so happened to come right on time since as soon as I walked in Master Dai and the child lifted their head and after asking if my stomach was okay, we began beating on the drums and repeated the Mantra “Na Mu Myo Hu Ren Ge Kyo” with Master Dai saying it first and the child and I repeating after for the next 30 minutes. 

I was so humbled and inspired by the young Buddha’s desire to put forth positive energy, I proclaimed the mantra with more passion than the day before, as I watched as the child would follow my lead when it was time for us to repeat the saying. After some time, Master Dai gave his young student some candy and sent him on his way, while he and I departed, what I later found out was his home, and walked around the temple repeating the mantra several times as he lit candles, placed incense, and greeted the earlier visitors which included several Nepalese children who he had too repeat the mantras and after, he gave candy. 

After completing his morning ritual, Master Dai asked if I could share breakfast with him which consisted of noodles, bread, and tea which his guard had prepared for us. As we were walking back to his home, he stopped and said a Japanese prayer thanking the sun, air, animals, and people. “We need to never forget to show appreciation for the sun that warmths us, the air that gives us life, and human relationships” he told me. I thought to myself how I sometimes showed appreciation for such things but never really was as deliberate as Master Dai. I too thought how in America’s culture we are so focused on careers, money, and position, yet do we ever stop to show gratitude for the sun, the air, and for the animals— all of which our lives depend on? I just pondered on the question… 

We eventually sat down to eat but before we did, we had to repeat the mantra “Na Mu Myo Hu Ren Ge Kyo” which would be the equivalence of saying a prayer before you eat. He then asked me about why I was in Nepal and I said “I am here to study different types of meditation and yoga so I can heal myself from my traumatic past and then return to America to teach the children at my alma mater.” He was greatly impressed and told me “the world needs more self reflection due to the massive inner suffering transpiring within the people of all nations.”

“This is why I am here Master Dai, so I can understand my internal disorder and prevent myself from contributing further to the world’s conflict.” “I understand and God speed!” he responded and we proceeded back to continuing repeating the mantra for another 15 minutes back inside his home. After having our head to the ground to show our respect to one another, it was time for me to continue on with my journey. I told Master Dai I would be trekking (hiking) through the mountains with two Australian friends tomorrow and wouldn’t come back. As we both were looking out at the mountains he gently said “follow your heart, not your head. Too many people follow their head and it pulls them from their heart, so follow your heart all the days of your life.” As he was saying these words, my eyes began to swell and I cried in front of him. I wasn’t sure if my tears came because I knew I may never see him again or because he greatly impacted my life, perhaps it was both. “I believe we’ll see each other again. I am sure of it” he said. “As my God mother always tells me ‘either here, there, or in the air’” I responded and walked to descend the mountain. When I looked back once more with tears now flowing, Master Dai’s eyes looked at me as if to say, “Go forth unafraid Demetrius, and heal yourself, and then the world!” 

Master Dai and I before we said our goodbyes! 

The next morning I reached out to my two Australian friends I met back in Katmandu to go trekking with them but they was already at the bus station and told me I could catch up if I wanted too but I decided I would go my own way and went to another bus station to proceed further west so I could have more quite time to reflect and to meditate. My cab driver named some rural places I could go for peace since Pokhara was quite but was also the second busiest city behind Katmandu. I told him I would just get on the bus and go in the direction of the national park which was just over 14 hours away. After waiting three hours, I settled on the bus, got myself a window seat and had small talk with the young man next to me who just so happened to speak decent English. I realized the more west I went, the less English speakers I would come across since then I begin to encounter more traditional Nepalese who only spoke their native language. 

In any case, when I say this was the craziest bus ride I have ever been on, I tell you no lie. First, I have long legs so I need decent space for them but the lady in front of me was much bigger than I am, so naturally her seat reclined a little more than any other seat, depriving me of that extra needed space. Secondly, the roads in Nepal aren’t anywhere near as developed as in America but rather are very inconsistent since it’s filled with rocks, holes, and bumps so the ENTIRE trip the bus is bouncing up and down, which means I am too bouncing up and down. 

Here is a picture of the bus I took. Looks cool, but it can be a deadly beast! LOL

To make matters more interesting, the driver must have been going over 70 miles per hour so the bumps are reverberating all throughout the bus so I am hitting my head on the ceiling and arms on the window the whole 14 hours. Thirdly, I didn’t even know where I was going so there was somewhat anxiety in this. Lastly, everyone on the bus would just stare at me when we took a break and got off the bus to either eat or to use the bathroom. I would just remind myself though all of this to “trust the process” and “it is all about the journey, not the destination” and reminding myself this brought some comfort in an uncomfortable predicament. 

I also found comfort in talking to the young man next to me who I later found out name is Aabass and is 28 from Western Nepal. I, too, found out he was traveling to the same city I was going to about 14 hours away so he said he’ll help me figure it out once we got to our destination. So, after our long ass bus ride, we landed in Surkhet, Nepal and once we got out, there were many people, once again looking at me, and others going about their business. In this moment, I got nervous since I did not know where in the world I was, or where I was going, or what would happened but I continued to remind myself God is with me and will provide a way. The way was Aabass and He (God) revealed this to me after Aabass and I had some lemon tea. 

Sitting down at the restaurant, Aabass told me he knows a few hotels near by I could go stay at or I could come stay with his family but said I maybe won’t be as comfortable as if I stayed in a hotel. I excitedly said I would love too and proceeded to follow him to his parents home which was about a 20 minute walk from the bus station. I remember asking him why was he being so kind to me given he didn’t know me from a hole in the wall, and he told me it is because of his culture to help any foreigner that comes to his country. In my head I just began thanking God for putting Aabass next to me on the bus since He knows I didn’t know what in the world I would have done or gone for that matter.  

When we finally arrived at his family’s home I watched as his little brother first ran up to him and bowed his head and Aabass slightly touched it and then he too bowed his head to his elders and they too slightly touched it. Following suit, I bowed my head to the elders and they slightly touched my head too (I later found out this is the way they greet and pay their respects to one another). Given that no one spoke English beside Aabass’ older brother who works with Red Cross, Aabass introduced me in his language and said I was his friend from America. I was met with some of the warmest smiles I have ever encountered, so I, showing my appreciation, place my hands together as if to pray and bowed my head. I watched as everyone welcomed me as if I was a part of their family and I was filled with gratitude.

Aabass is the one NOT looking at the camera. Everyone else is Fam. 

We eventually dropped off my bags at his family’s other home, about 15 minutes away, took a nap, and went back to the main home where we ate traditional food which was filled with spices and love. After, we convened with some of the older members of the family and sat on the rug, while Aabass’ older brother and I conversed in English about meditation and I was taught how to say my name is and how to ask what is your name in Nepalese. Then, the grandmother came in the room with this red dye she placed on Aabass’ head and then came to me and placed it on my head and blessed me in her language. Aabass told me she asked God to protect me on my journey and that I would find all that I am searching for. I bowed my head in deep gratitude and I then went outside to meditate and read. 

They blessed my journey and wished me protection by God! <3

Eventually we went back to the other home and I told Aabass I wanted to be alone to write and sleep and that I wouldn’t be able to make it to dinner since my stomach wasn’t feeling well. I read my Bible for a bit and then eventually fell into a deep sleep. When I awoke a few hours later, the family had come home and brought me dinner. As I was eating one of the fathers provided me water and told me in his broken English to enjoy. I told him how grateful I was and he said God bless you! In that moment I thought back to the Japanese temple in Pokhara how I had said to one of the youth who was  staring at me, if it’s because I was black and while he acknowledged most people in Nepal will look at me since they rarely, if ever, see a black man, for me to never forget we are all brothers and that it isn’t about black or white, American or Nepalese, since we are all kindred. I felt in that moment at the table not that I was a black man in Nepal, but I was eating at the table with my family.

And we did become family as I celebrated with them their festival of life!  

I am preparing to leave tomorrow, the day before my 25th birthday (October 11) and I haven’t yet decided where I am off to next nor do I know what is ahead but I am placing all my trust in my Father and His plans for this pilgrimage. I have found once I begin planning too much, the plans turn into me just going with the wind. So off to the wind I go as I continue my Personal Legend! 

The view from Pokhara! Thank you <3

Thank you, for reading to this point and as one of the elders told me, may God bless you!

If you can, please donate to my GoFund me to help me continue on my journey here in East Asia. Every dollar makes a big difference! (THE LINK IS BELOW) <3

https://www.gofundme.com/f/eta2y-healing-through-meditation

With gratitude and love,
Demetrius T. Napolitano