Did you know Bhutanese think about death at least five times a day? Now this might surprise you if you are not on the spiritual side. Who contemplates death when you can think of much better things?
Bhutanese believe that death is a part of life, and they accept this reality quite practically. According to them, thinking about death relieves you from external expectations. It helps you encounter problems and make the big choices in life. Also, some researchers say that when people contemplate death, their mind automatically search for happy thoughts. When Bhutan opened itself for outsiders, the king at that time stated that the country will follow the new development philosophy of gross national happiness.
Perhaps, this is why people are extremely friendly, gentle and hospitable. Prayer flags in Bhutan are raised outside homes, strung across bridges, hoisted on hilltops and hung at other places of spiritual importance in the belief that the wind blowing through them initiates their inherent energy, bringing happiness, good luck, prosperity and longevity.
Photo: Scott A. Emma Thomson. Leon McCarron. Want the latest from Adventure. Sign up for our newsletter. Thank you for subscribing. The best of Adventure. We know you're busy, so we'll only send you two emails a month. Who can read more than that, anyway? We certainly can't. It took us two years to even get this subscription form sorted out. Email address. Whilst the idea may conjure up idyllic images of clerks travelling the Bhutanese countryside, counting the smiling citizens, there are evidently more definitive criteria behind the philosophy….
Thanks primarily to this extensive forest coverage, Bhutan is the only country in the world that can lay claim to being carbon negative; figures suggest that the nation actually absorbs three times the carbon it produces.
Impressive, right? The protection of the forests has an obvious effect on wildlife, and Bhutan has been identified as one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world.
A growing number of studies have identified a positive connection between nature and wellbeing. Evidence shows that exposure to nature can increase self-esteem and improve mood; reduce stress levels and blood pressure - essentially make us happier and healthier.
Because Bhutan is a small country sandwiched between the giant nations of India and China, its distinct cultural identity and age-old traditions could easily be diluted by the values and beliefs of these much larger countries. To prevent this, a Heritage Sites Bill has been put in place to safeguard significant buildings such as the numerous dzongs and monasteries that are dotted throughout the country. All-in-all, by preserving the Bhutanese culture, officials are creating a sense of being part of a wider, unified community, and according to psychological studies, that makes you feel good!
Research has shown that when people feel connected to others around them and a sense of group identity, they feel happier, more secure and overall more satisfied with their life.
As recently as , Bhutan made the major transition from being an absolute monarchy to democratic parliamentary rule, albeit under the guiding hand of the well-respected King. Good governance is the fourth element of GNH, and a democratically elected government untainted by corruption is an essential step towards this goal. While this all may seem a little idealistic, and there are underlying issues threatening to de-rail GNH growing youth unemployment and low living standards, for example the policy continues to be at the forefront of Bhutanese politics.
In an age of climate change, intense modernisation and boundless consumerism, surely many countries could learn from what this tiny Himalayan kingdom is advocating. Get in touch. For unique travel ideas and an insider's eye on all things Asia, subscribe to our Inspir Asian newsletter.
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The last Himalayan Kingdom, Bhutan has no dearth of nature getaways. The country boasts such beautiful places to visit like Paro, Punakha and Wangdue that are adorned with green rolling hills, meadows, paddy fields, rivers, and lakes. In the first point, we already discussed how Buddhism has a significant role to play in the country.
Thus, it comes as a no surprise, when you get to see a lot of Buddhist monasteries wherever you visit in Bhutan. The spiritual vibe is just so strong, and the concrete reminders of it adds significantly to the mental health of the people. Needless to say, the significant spiritual vibe in Bhutan keeps the people quite happy.
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