The Essence of Bhutan

Do you know that feeling when you stop, take a deep, slow breath, and just pause? The kind of feeling that brings a sense of grounded calm, no matter what’s happening around you? For me, that’s the essence of Bhutan. Even though the journey to get here is epic, it doesn’t take long to step into a place that feels like an endless source of inspiration. It’s not just the land itself, but the people — how they live with intention, kindness, and a deep sense of purpose.

I resonate deeply with their Buddhist values and their unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which emphasizes not just personal well-being, but the collective well-being of the entire Kingdom. There is so much more about this place that I respect, and I often wonder if I’ll ever truly find the right words to capture what it is about Bhutan that fills me with hope. For now, I’ll keep searching. But, in the meantime, I wanted to share a brief note to let you know all is well. I know many families are following along through this blog and the photos, wanting to join us on this journey. And I want to assure you that while the world may feel unsettling and chaotic for many right now, there is a palpable sense of peace in the Kingdom that many of us are feeling. It’s not lost on us how grateful we are to be here.

Tomorrow, by the end of our day (keep in mind we are 10 hours ahead of Toronto), we plan to share some student reflections on our enriching learning exchange with Ugyen Academy. After a full day at the school, the students are spending tonight at the dorms. When they have time to sit down and do a little writing, I am sure you will hear about the presentation of all our book donations to help replenish the Academy’s library, and how our students did an amazing job leading team-building activities for the Ugyen Academy students. You’ll also hear about the cultural show, where they were nervous about performing their dance, but they did so with courage and grace. I imagine they’ll write about their buddies — the students they’ve been paired with — and undoubtedly there will be many more stories of special moments they have shared this last while.  Stories are the greatest souvenirs of adventures, and I certainly look forward to hearing all of them when we meet up in the morning.  I simply wanted you to know that we are working our way through the jet lag, leaning into the endless plates of rice and noodles, and building new friendships.

More posts coming your way in a day or two. Thank you for your patience and support.

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Jalynn believes that time in nature, guided by strong role models can keep people anchored in the real world, and help maintain balance in today’s digital era. She likes that the smoke of a campfire is embedded into most of her clothes, and she still finds great joy, purpose, and reward in the work she does through ALIVE. She is a caring listener and someone who works diligently to nurture relationships that are rooted in honesty. When she is not leading programs with students, she actively consults with schools on program development, risk management and scope and sequence planning both nationally and internationally. Jalynn has worked as an educator, facilitator, and wilderness guide for the past 30 years. She is a Certified Positive Psychology Practitioner and is highly committed to helping empower young people to be authentic, confident, and mindful, ideally guiding them towards a grounded, meaningful and intentional life.

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