In the West, we are increasingly and more intensely confronted with challenges on the mental, emotional, and energetic levels. Something feels off. We don’t feel at home in our own skin. We struggle to feel truly connected with others. And yet, we keep chasing something — caught in a whirlwind of artificially generated stimuli and information, we gradually lose touch with what is sacred, good, and simply natural — regardless of circumstances.
There’s a lack of that whisper of joy in the air — that subtle presence that reminds us who we truly are…
Life in the West carries many difficulties, largely rooted in a deep attachment to the material world, while the needs of the heart and soul are often forgotten — not in a romantic or intellectual sense, but in the most fundamental and universal one. As a result, we increasingly face depression, aggression, relational issues, and existential crises.
Sensitive people — those who deeply feel the suffering of the planet — often struggle emotionally. They feel exposed to something intangible from the outside; disoriented, insecure, resigned. There’s a need for inner strength. A need to feel supported and empowered.
The personal development movement often seems to hit a wall of pleasure and comfort — either overstimulating or dulling the senses. And then what? Another dive into past wounds? And so it goes, in circles.
The current political situation in the world is alarming. So what does it truly mean today to contribute to peace?
Before my journey to India, I contemplated all of the above. I realized I was standing still, unable to find true satisfaction in anything surrounding me. And so — with a little help — I made the decision to leap toward the source of timeless, universal wisdom. A place where that wisdom is still alive. Truly alive. In every step. To India.
India and Nepal — with their all-pervading atmosphere shaped by thousands of years of deep inner inquiry and the spiritual practices of countless masters and philosophers — have so much to offer us. Not just in terms of yoga or Ayurveda (as seen through the lens of modern trends), but something far deeper.
There, we come face-to-face with our limitations — but also with our potential, which we can no longer afford to overlook. And that’s the point. Because through this encounter, we arrive at a deep sense of belonging to Life. And what comes with it? A profound connection to the world around us = fulfillment = a genuine sense of happiness.
Often, a very different kind of happiness than we imagined. Haha.
For this conversation, I invited my dear friend Padma — a yogi based in Kathmandu, a guide, facilitator, and initiator of deeply transformative journeys through Nepal. Padma leads groups from the West, offers 1:1 sessions, and hosts seminars introducing the meaning of Buddhist tantra.
Check out our conversation here: