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Shangri La Yes
Shangri La Yes
Tibet, the roof of the world and one of the most beautiful and
untamed areas of our planet. Unspoiled by human beings, this
remote region attracts not only those keen to conquer the highest
mountains on Earth but those who want to find a deeper meaning for
their existence.
Home to the Dalai Lama, this peaceful Buddhist nation rejects many
of the trappings of the modern world, preferring instead to search
within for peace, happiness and fulfillment. Shrouded in mystery
and largely inaccessible until the last century, much about Tibet remains unknown and
undiscovered.
Intriguingly, over the recent years, some of the secrets of this mystical place have begun
to filter into the Western World. One such secret has caught the imagination of many,
inspiring debate, inquiry, and even novels. That secret suggests that deep within the
valleys of the Tibetan Plateau, hidden from human eyes, live the immortal beings of the
Himalayas.
Gyanganj
The story of the Gyanganj has been told and retold in Indian and Tibetan culture for
many centuries. Sometimes known as Shambhala (source of happiness), it is a city of
stunning beauty hidden deep within the valleys of the Himalayas. Arranged to resemble
an eight-petaled lotus, it is surrounded by snow covered mountains. At its center stands
the tree of life which unites heaven, earth, and the underworld.
For the few who have seen Gyanganj or Shambhala, it is described as a city of
shimmering crystal. Its occupants are immortals who are responsible for guiding the fate
of the world. Living within this mystical kingdom they protect and nurture the spiritual
teachings of all faiths and beliefs. Imparting their wisdom to others they subtly work to
influence the destiny of mankind for the good.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that at a time of great chaos in the world, the 25th ruler of this
special land will appear to guide Earth to a better age.
Reaching Gyanganj
The 1933 novel The Lost Horizon by James Hilton is largely responsible for bringing the
story of Gyanganj to the west. Inspired by his time in Tibet, the book tells the story of a
British man who finds love peace and fulfillment in a place called Shangri-La, a city of
immortals deep in the Tibetan mountains.
If we accept that there is a city somewhere on Earth that can only be reached through
meditation and enlightenment, can we also accept that there are beings that will live
forevr?
Strangely, the idea of immortality is a concept that is becoming increasingly more
popular in the scientific community. Some scientists now suggest that death is not an
inevitable part of our existence, instead it should be viewed as a disease which can be
cured or prevented.
Ayurveda medicine has traditionally used herbs, spices, and fruits with powerful
rejuvenating properties that encourage cell renewal. Hormones secreted by the body often
have a detrimental effect on our internal organs. Meditation has been shown to control
these hormones and encourage longevity.
If science can accept that within the foreseeable future humans will live for hundreds of
years, who is to say that those who immerse themselves in the deeply spiritual religions
of the east havent discovered the secret to immortality already.