Namaste!
Thank you for your interest in Nepal Mandala pilgrimages! Namaste (nah-mas-tay) is a greeting in Nepal. It means, 'my soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty and peace within you, because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united. We are the same. We are one.' You may have many inspirations for coming on a pilgrimage to Nepal. Perhaps recently you have you been thinking about developing your spiritual practices or you wish to immerse yourself in the arts, rituals and cultural traditions (see Nepal Mandala Tour). You may want to learn about Tibetan Buddhist, Hindu and Himalayan healing methods including Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Shamanic (see Healing Wisdom Tour). Or, perhaps you wish to focus on the women of wisdom dakinis and the female buddha, Tara (see Skydancer Tour). There is much to appreciate on your private tour. Yana Castle, PhD, your tour leader, has been leading pilgrimages to Nepal for individuals and small groups for over two decades and delights in introducing you to the wonders of this exotic land that is often referred to as 'the abode of the gods.' For an article describing one participant's account of her pilgrimage tour, please visit Yana's blog. What is a pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is a sacred journey and actually begins the moment once one decides to go. Its purpose is to broaden our perspectives and to invite transformative experiences that may lead to significant shifts in consciousness, healing and deeper levels of understanding ourselves and our interconnection with others and the environment. It can be described as profoundly heart-opening. Upon return from a pilgrimage, life is seen through different eyes. The wisdom gained from our pilgrimage experiences enhances our lives, bringing with it a sense of profound renewal.
Yana Castle, PhD, Tour LeaderYana Castle holds a doctorate degree from California Institute of Integral Studies in Humanities with a concentration in Transformation and Consciousness, a Master's degree in Women's Spirituality and a Bachelor's degree in Archaeomythology. Yana has been offering pilgrimages for individuals and groups to Nepal since 1998. Along with leading tours, she is a Transpersonal Counselor and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. She is also the author of "Guardians of the Gate: An Investigation of Numinous Presence, 'Visions of the Divine,' in Dreams," an account of her experiences with spontaneous lucid dreams.
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It gives me the greatest pleasure to share with participants this amazing, exotic culture and beautiful Himalayan mountainous atmosphere. One cannot help but feel transported into a numinous realm. Many comment they feel like they are walking in a mythic dreamlike landscape. I hope you will consider joining me on a tour that some consider 'a journey of a lifetime!'
—Yana Castle, PhD, Tour Leader 
about Yana's tours...
Yana Castle's pilgrimage journeys, offered year round, are designed to appeal to those interested in mysticism, Eastern spirituality, healing, the arts and personal transformation. Artists, spiritual seekers, therapists, healers, as well as beginning and advanced practitioners of meditation, the dharma and yoga are especially encouraged to consider these tours.
I've been on a number of tours in my life, but none have compared to my tour of Nepal as designed and led by Yana Castle. Her amazing knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the complex spiritual and cultural dimensions of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as her deep and respectful friendships with local living goddesses, shamans, scholars, and artists, made this one of the best educational investments I've ever made. Some day, I hope to return! My time in Nepal with Yana was mind-expanding and magical. Nepal’s soulful, ancient culture taught me a lot about myself. It enriched me. As a result, I left Kathmandu feeling empowered and renewed. |
