Roots

Namaste!

I came to Malaysia when I was 18 and now I am 22. I have only tasted a bit of life and I know there are loads of surprises waiting for me - bad, good; all uncertain. The future does indeed seem uncertain but what does seem certain is the power to shape it.

What about past? Past is unerasable; the only power we have now is to contemplate it. If our life was a Facebook timeline, our newsfeed would begin right from the time we were out into this world. Yet the timeline begins before we are born. To exactly start from where is nearly impossible so this is probably why we begin our existence and identity from the place we are born.

I was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. I never had the opportunity to travel so when I came to Malaysia and subsequently traveled to Singapore and Thailand, I realized how big the world really is. Traveling, observing and meeting people from different countries has truly been an enriching experience and at the same time has led me to question about my roots

For me tracing our roots is important because roots are the very reason why trees exist and without it there would not be things such as tress so had it not been for my ancestors, there would not be a person that you know today called Karma Dolma Gurung.

Much more than the place where I was born and raised, I have a closer affinity to the community that I belong to. I belong to a mountainous ethnic tribe, Managis, in Nepal which is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.

Manang

I was given an assignment on one of the course I was taking in my first year of undergraduate. It was about my cultural identity. Below is an excerpt from my assignment:-

"My name is Karma Dolma Gurung. I was given this name by our spiritual leader who guides and teaches all the Managis to act in the right path. Our religion which teaches us compassion and kindness has played an important role in shaping out culture, beliefs and values. Our everyday life is guides by following the main teachings for betterment of not only our fellow human beings but also for nature and its creation. Karma means a cyclical cause and effect process where the present good or bad doings influences the future or our next life. Managis believe in Karma so they perform good doings in their present life to earn good merit.

I believe that my family and my community have had a profound effect in shaping my self-identity. If not for them, I would have never been the present Karma. I have guided myself to follow what I have been taught by my parents as well as principles that I have developed, through various experiences as I grew up. After I left home for abroad, I have been exposed to there various arrays of culturally diverse people that made me think about the global village I am part of. My community has taught me to live in peace and harmony with others. This is probably the reason why I have been able to adapt to AiU's environment. I hope to someday write about the stories of my land and people as a gift to my community for the beautiful lessons it has taught me." ( 5th November, 2012)

Kid me at Manang

Gratitude 2: I am grateful that I come from such a culturally diverse background. I am grateful that I have supportive family.

Sweet Dreams!