What is a pilgrimage?A pilgrimage is a sacred journey and actually begins the moment we decide to go. Its purpose is to broaden our perspectives and to invite transformational experiences that lead to consciousness expansion, profound healing, as well as to provide us with deeper levels of understanding ourselves and our relationship to the land. A pilgrimage can be described as profoundly heart-opening. Upon return, life is seen through different eyes. The wisdom gained from our pilgrimage experiences greatly enhances our lives.
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Namaste!
Thank you for your interest in Nepal Mandala pilgrimages! 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. You may want to learn about Tibetan Buddhist, Hindu and Himalayan healing methods including Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Shamanism. Or, maybe you wish to focus on the women of wisdom dakinis and the female buddha, Tara. There is much to learn and appreciate on your private tour. 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.
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Yana Castle, PhD, Tour LeaderYana Castle holds a doctorate degree in Philosophy and Religion (Transformation and Consciousness) from California Institute of Integral Studies , a Master's degree in Humanities (Women's Spirituality) and a Bachelor's degree in Humanities (Archaeomythology). Yana has been offering pilgrimages to Nepal since 1998. For an article describing one participant's account of her pilgrimage tour, visit Yana's blog.
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. —Silvia Remkins, Toronto, Canada 
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about Yana's toursYana Castle's pilgrimage journeys, offered year round, are designed to appeal to those interested in Eastern spirituality, healing, the arts, personal transformation and the sacred feminine. Artists, spiritual seekers, therapists, healers, as well as beginning and advanced practitioners of meditation, the dharma and yoga are especially encouraged to consider a private tour. For more information, please contact Yana.
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! 
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