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The Bir Billing monastery was the first exposure of mine to a world which though looked like mine was a completely different space. I remember me running around being chaotic in a place because I couldn't digest the stillness of the atmosphere. As I walked rather ran around trying to appreciate a different culture and take in a different way of life. I found myself in the prayer room at the monastery. A larger than life style statue stood in front of us. I remember being awestruck by the sheer magnificence of the same. On both sides of me were lanes where the disciples would come in and PRAY. We sat there for what the guide literally described as "Memsaab, aapki zindagi badalne wali hai" which translated means "Madam, your life is going to change". I smiled at him politely skeptical as always but then it happened. A hum of the mantra "om mane padme hum" rose from a corner of the hall. Rising slowly soon it was like the cells of my body were vibrating with energy so much so I could feel it physically. It was a comforting trance where in all we focussed on was spreading a positive vibe. I almost cried out of happiness because the experience was so heavy and impactful. I walked out and just sat on the staircase for as long as I remember. I stared at the two majestic lion statues next to me and developed a greater understanding of the monks belief system. This time when in went in a few private rooms I realised every pillar and every stupa is adorned with intricate designs. These designs are hyms and thing important to the monks. There are animals which are engraved so as to draw certain strengths whereas there are inscriptions of writings which have moved them. They say the rare times people get to see 'The Dalai lama' people have actually gotten rid of any pain whatsoever they are carrying. I sat down outside the monastery clocking pictures like a flimsy tourist when a small monk walked up to me and sat down next to me. He asked me do you plan to go and do the parasailing? My face got very animated at the mention of that and i excitedly told him how much i was looking forward to the experience and how much happy it would be later on having a knack for adventure sports. He sighed. I asked him" Didn't he feel like parasailing? " He said when he had come then sure he wanted to do parasailing just like any other kid,but the more he spent time at the monastery and grew up with the ways of Buddhism he realised that he was depending on an activity to give him happiness, whereas and he took my hand and placed it on his heart as he said "all my happiness is here" I create my own world. Hearing that from a 12 year old I was stunned as to how simplistic has the concept of happiness always been and how in the chaos of the world we complicate it. Taking that lesson driving through flags with the hymns of om mane padme hum I reached the parasailing point. There due to rains the flyer along with me said it would be risky to fly now. I urged him to try and we did fly around with me shrieking with joy and landing terribly. With a scraped knee and what I believe a blessed soul, I left Bir leaving a part of me in the monastery.