Navigating Uncertainty: Lessons Learned from India 2025 Trip July 27, 2025 18:40

Yesterday, I stopped by the school where I work. Our students return next week, and I ran into a friend of mine in the main office. Instead of the usual, "How was your trip?" Candice asked, "What did you learn from your trip to India?" 

I really appreciated this question. It was thoughtful, and it elicited a specific and equally thoughtful response. The three main lessons that I learned from my recent trip to India included the necessity of preparation, the importance of non-attachment, and the appreciation of interdependence.

Preparation:

As a habitual planner, and, oftentimes, over-planner, I have struggled with navigating uncertainty. I attribute much of this to my 30+ years as a high school English teacher; however, even in the classroom, most of the time my lesson plans didn't go as expected. I had to revise, pivot, and adjust all the time--the plans were the scaffolding, not the end result.

In the months leading up to my recent trip to India, I was consumed with planning and preparing: booking airline tickets, reserving accommodations, making appointments with travel doctors, securing travel insurance, making lists of what to bring, etc. I even pre-packed a few times to see what would fit in my suitcase.

Granted, many of these steps are necessary for ensuring safe travels; these are the things adults do when preparing for a trip, especially one that lasts three weeks.

However, even with all the preparation and planning, it did not alleviate the worry and anxiety--the pre-travel jitters, so I made sitting with uncertainty a part of my practice.  Sitting with uncertainty before and during this trip really helped me to remain present and grounded in the now--and it helped me to savor and enjoy this journey.

The last time we went to India was almost three years ago, and I traveled with a group of seven Dharma friends. We booked tickets though a travel agent, and I had absolutely no expectations since everything was new to me.

This time, however, I had a bit of a reference point. This time, I was traveling with my friend and Tibetan tutor, Ngawang, and her husband, Pema.

Several friends who had traveled with us before were traveling again this time, but they were either on their own or in smaller, separate groups. 

(Ngawang, Pema, and I at the Delhi airport at the start of our adventure)

The purpose of this trip was different, too. This time, we were celebrating HHDL's 90th Birthday in Dharamshala and the completion of Takster Rinpoche's labrang (residence) in South India.

When we traveled before, it was in November, and the weather in Dharamshala was cool and sunny. However, in late June and July, which is the start of the monsoon season, it was rainy and foggy nearly every day we were there.

(Preparations for HHDL's 90th Birthday Celebration--thousands of marigolds to be strung and hung as garlands and decorations for the temple in Dharamshala) 

We were very fortunate! Ngawang, Pema, and I were able to fly safely to and from Dharamshala without delays or cancellations. Neither of our flights was cancelled due to fog or mechanical issues. Unfortunately, this was not the case for some of our friends who were traveling separately. Some had to take night buses and long cab rides because of flight delays.

However, we had to be prepared for this possibility, too. We had arranged for back-up plans with drivers just in case. Thankfully, we didn't need to take any long detours.

(Image of cotton candy vendor in Dharamshala--it rained frequently while we were there--note the umbrella at the top of his stash--preparation is a beautiful thing)

Non-Attachment:

In addition to being as prepared as reasonably possible, I also found that one of the best ways to alleviate anxiety around uncertainty is to practice non-attachment. The more I could let go, be present, and avoid clinging to any expectations, the smoother things went for us.

I found this to be helpful with small things--like being relaxed and non-reactive when encountering monkeys, street dogs, and feral cats on the streets of Dharamshala. Being calm kept me grounded, alert, and mindful.

(monkey on a roof near the main temple in Dharamshala)

(curious feral cat)

(Street dog watching a group of monks leave the Loma Cafe in Dharamshala)

Being non-reactive, relaxed, and open  was especially helpful with more significant events as well. We arrived in Dharamshala early enough to secure an audience with HHDL before the birthday celebrations were in full swing.

On June 28th, he met with individuals in two large groups: one group of Tibetans, and another group of international guests. Ngawang and Pema were with the Tibetan group, and I was slated to join the international group.

It was touch-and-go for a while for me, though. I wasn't sure if I would be part of this meeting at all. Even though I had sent my necessary information to Geshe Sanjey a few months beforehand, for some reason, my name was not on "the list." Geshe Sanjey was extremely helpful. After a few moments of slightly tense negotiations and persuasion, Geshe Sanjey managed to convince the man with the list to add my name to it, and I was escorted to my place in line with the 200+ international visitors who were waiting to meet HHDL.

(Geshe Sanjey and I after the meeting with HHDL)

Our meeting took place outdoors, and I was relieved that the weather cooperated. We had blue skies and sunshine on this day, which was unusual--every other day that we were in Dharamshala was foggy, rainy, and cloudy.

Each of us received a white khatag (silk scarf), and we were introduced to HHDL by name, location, and if we had a connection to a specific spiritual center.

I vaguely remember hearing my name mentioned, but I do vividly remember that HHDL's eyes lit up when he heard the man making the introductions say, "Bloomington, Indiana."

I'm glad I could be there on that day to represent our center in Bloomington. Our meeting was brief, but meaningful. He clasped my hands, brought his forehead to mine, and smiled.

(feeling grateful for this opportunity)

When I met HHDL the last time, I was very nervous. On this day, though, I was relaxed, present, and open to enjoying the experience. I wasn't attached, and I wasn't worried if I would be able to meet with him again or not. I was just grateful to be in Dharamshala with my friends, and if this meeting was supposed to happen, it would.

I am very grateful that things worked out. This truly was a meaningful and joyful moment.

Interdependence:

 

(Door Open: sign outside a restaurant at Bylakuppe)

Being prepared is great, as is being relaxed and open-minded; however, appreciating interdependence is also an essential ingredient for navigating any situation, especially new and unfamiliar ones.

(Preschool classroom near Norbulingka Institute)

We didn't just arrange this trip by ourselves. Many hearts and hands made this journey possible--and even more helped keep us moving along the spine of India--traveling from north to south and back again--nourishing us along the way with good food and lots of tea (milk tea, butter tea, masala chai, and honey lemon ginger tea).

(Image of fruit vendor taken from bus window, somewhere in South India)

 

Cab drivers, bus drivers, flight attendants, luggage handlers, TSA agents, farmers, cooks, artists, engineers, architects, monastics, householders, friends, and strangers--so many helped pave the way for us to travel here.

(Young monks seek shelter from the hot sun in Mundgod)

Brick by brick

bead by bead

mantra by mantra

every stone

every drop of rain

every outstretched hand

every dog barking in the middle of the night

every flickering butter lamp

(Butter lamp offerings outside Drepung Gomang Monastery)

This trip was not completely controlled, carefully executed, or micromanaged. We were all riding the waves of our own collective karma, and the more we appreciated, acknowledged, and gave generously to others, the more everyone benefited.

(Monks at 90th Birthday Celebration for HHDL--overflow area at Kirti Monastery)

This dance of self and other is an intricate tapestry of connection and interconnection.

Wisdom, humor, curiosity, and bliss...tender hearts led us here...open minds carried us safely home again.

(Shawl vendor in McCleod Ganj)

This trip to India was a joyful journey that reinforced the importance of appreciating and embracing interdependence

of cultivating friendships

of sustaining the endless golden sutra, or cord, of kindness, compassion, and wisdom through ever-changing impermanence.

(Poets on the path: a chance reunion with poet and Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue on the kora in Dharamshala)

The only way we can truly develop a generous heart and cultivate wisdom, patience, ethics, and joyful effort, is to depend on others.

(Young monks and a tuk-tuk)

I'm very grateful that I had another opportunity to visit India. Each day, I made time--usually very early in the morning--to practice. This personal commitment to daily practice has become an important part of my life--whether I am at home, or traveling far away from home.

I enjoy the practice, and I also enjoy creating hand-knotted malas for others to cultivate their own practices. If you haven't visited the current collection of one-of-a-kind malas, please do. My intention is that they may encourage, inspire, and support meaningful practice for others.

Thanks for taking the time to read this month's offering.

Take care. Be well.

 

Warmly,

 

Teresa