Blessings from Lama Geshi

Lama Geshi in 2011
Lama Geshi in 2011

I have been hoping to write this post for almost a year. Today we visited Lama Geshi where he blessed our entire team.

Lama Geshi is third behind the Dali Lama and lives a simple life with his wife in Pangboche; about 2 days walk from Everest Base Camp. For decades he has blessed climbers and trekkers in the Everest region. And he has touched many lives.

Last summer, he had a massive stroke in his home. He was flown to Kathmandu for emergency surgery but few held out hope for the 72 year-old Lama. His operation went well but he developed infections. The climbing community came to his financial aid with donations but not enough to cover all of his expenses. His family was extremely grateful nonetheless.

He spent six months with his daughter in Kathmandu recovering but desperately wanted to return to his simple home high in the Himalaya. He wanted to see his wife, his friends, he wanted to return to the life that was his. Despite the odds, he did exactly that. In speaking with his son, I learned he wanted to return to bless the climbers again this season.

I had met Lama Geshi on each of my climbs in the Khumbu and had always felt a connection; just like so many others. So as I worked on the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything, a deep hope was to vista Lama Geshi when I returned to Everest.

Lama Geshi providing a blessing for Alan
Lama Geshi providing a blessing for Alan

As I walked the final steps on the dirt trail to his home nestled in the pine trees of Pangboche, I thought about this old man and what he had gone through. Just last month, he struggled. But his inner strength is beyond words, beyond understanding. I took the steps down to his dirt courtyard and through the short wooden door and into a dark, small hallway. The simple cooking room was to the right. A curtain served as the door. Around a corner was another curtain. I pulled it aside and there sat the beloved Lama; surround by Sherpas and a few climbers.

He was chanting with waved arms. Rice flew into the air. The Sherpas sat with palms pressed together in front of their chest, heads bowed. Climbers looked on with a mix of emotions. He chanted strongly but wavered occasionally but would quickly return to a strong, clear voice at a faster pace. He drew deep.

Lama Geshi was home.

Our large team consumed the small room but we all found seats on the padded wooden benches that lined the wall under the bright windows. Others sat in chairs. His wife soon brought hot tea for everyone. One by one our team sat in the white plastic chair you might at a local drug store for a family picnic. Not sure of the protocol, each person was a bit nervous but the old mans’s smile, his healthy laugh put each at ease.

Lama Geshi providing a blessing for the Sherpas
Lama Geshi providing a blessing for the Sherpas

But something else happened. As he asked for your name, he would write a prayer on a card that would be shown to Everest and the Mother Goddess of the Earth. He took the silk scarf and placed it around your neck. He took the gold string and tied it around your neck with a loose knot. Throughout this entire blessing, he would look you straight in the eye. The meaning was clear. And he would gently place his forehead against yours as if to say, go in peace; all is well.

Some people walked away with tears in their eyes, others with huge smiles and some with no expression at all, struggling to understand.

As the Lama began his blessing for all, Chulden, our trekking Sidar, translated. Lama Geshi told us to only have positive thoughts, never think negatively. He said to forgive mistakes. He said to be good to other people.

Simple truths from a complex man.

As we left his home, I noticed the wind had picked up and the prayer flags above his courtyard were waving in the breeze. You could almost hear the prayers printed on the blue, white, red, green and yellow flags.

Yes, sometimes climbing mountains is more than climbing.

We trekked on to Periche where we are tonight. Tomorrow, we will spend climbing to 16,000 to further acclimatize. Everyone is well, very well.

Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

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17 thoughts on “Blessings from Lama Geshi

  1. Beautiful, Alan. I cried. A wonderful tribute to a man who is obviously holy, even to me, an agnostic.

  2. Thank you Alan.And thank you to Lama Geshi.Im glad he recovered in time for you and the rest of the climbers.Liz Hawley’s record book awaits!

  3. I am so glad he is healthy once more, and that you are blessed and ready to go. I remember my own blessing, and carrying my card to the top. Walk safely Alan. Peace.

  4. Touching. Simple human kindness and humility at it’s best. Wonderful story, amazing man.

  5. the simplest of lives makes the biggest of man” . my memories of meeting lama Geshi was probably 1 of the highlights of my trip which will stay with me forever. How the simple things in life affect us the most . Great posts Alan , fantastic.

  6. Thank you for sharing this amazing experience and the photos Alan. I know the encounter will be one of the memories of this expedition you hold dear. I’m off to make a dontation to this wonderful effort!! Climb on!

  7. Two of my most treasured possessions are my card with Lama Geshi’s entry and my gold cord. Amazing spirit inside an amazing man.

  8. Two of my most treasured possessions is my card with Lama Geshi’s entry and my gold cord. Amazing spirit inside an amazing man.

  9. Wonderful story Alan. Thanks for sharing. Simple connections are often hard to make in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. In this case one was made.

  10. An inspirational post Alan thank you, it brought tears to my eyes. I hope all blessings may now be returned a thousand-fold for Lama Geshi and his family .
    I think many thoughts and prayers from all around the world follow you on your ‘Memories are everthing’ Everest trip. All best to you and the team, Heather Pearson, Hampshire England

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