Buddhism, Mountains and my Mindful Journey

Last Updated: June 20, 2026

Author: Rebecca Jane Murray

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I came to Nepal thinking it would just be another beautiful trip.

Amazing mountains, good trekking, and perhaps some spiritual experiences along the way.

However, after spending time there, I realised that the journey touched me much more personally than I had expected.

From the moment I arrived, Nepal felt like a completely different world. During my time there, I learnt a great deal about the country, its culture, and also about myself.

Hi, I am Rebecca from Scotland and here is the story of my spiritual trip to Nepal.

Trekking in the Annapurna Region

One of the highlights of my time in Nepal was trekking towards Mardi in the Annapurna region.

That trek gave me some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen in my life. Walking through forests covered in mist, hearing rivers below the trails, and then suddenly seeing the Himalayas appear through the clouds was an incredible experience.

There were certainly challenging moments during the trek. Cold mornings, steep climbs and sore legs tested my limits at times. However, those difficult moments became part of what made the experience so special.

When you spend hours walking in nature without distractions, your mind gradually becomes quieter. You start noticing small things again. The sound of the wind, your own breathing, and the silence of the mountains.

I greatly increased my appreciation for the importance of simply being present.

Finding Calm in Pokhara

I spent a couple of weeks in Pokhara and found it to be one of the most peaceful places I have ever visited.

Early mornings by the lake were particularly memorable. The sound of birds, distant prayer chants, small boats moving slowly through the water, and the mountains quietly standing in the background created an atmosphere that is difficult to describe unless you experience it yourself.

What I noticed most was that nobody seemed to be in a hurry. After a few days there, I realised that I was no longer in a hurry either.

That slower pace of life was something I came to appreciate greatly.

Living in a Buddhist Monastery

One of the most meaningful experiences during my time in Nepal was staying in a Buddhist monastery.

The lifestyle there was incredibly simple. Wake up early, eat simple food, spend time in silence, listen and observe.

At first, slowing down my days to that extent felt unfamiliar. However, after a while it began to feel natural.

I remember sitting with the monks during early morning prayer sessions. Although every word being chanted in Tibetan was new to me, I could still feel the energy and peacefulness of the prayers.

There was no pressure to impress anyone, no constant noise, and no need to always be doing something.

Spending time in that environment slowly changed the way I thought and allowed me to appreciate the value of simplicity.

A Quiet Moment at Asura Cave

Pic: Asura cave for Buddhist meditation

After returning to Kathmandu, I visited Asura Cave, one of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites connected to Guru Rinpoche.

This place stayed with me deeply.

The walk to the cave already felt peaceful, surrounded by nature and prayer flags along the path. Inside the cave everything felt still. People were meditating quietly, praying, or simply sitting in silence.

So I sat there too.

Just sitting quietly for a while.

Looking back, that moment probably explains my whole Nepal experience better than anything else.

It was not about finding myself or having some dramatic spiritual awakening.

It was simply about slowing down enough to feel present again.

What Nepal Taught Me

Throughout my journey, I explored different Buddhist sites, monasteries, temples and spiritual places. However, what stayed with me most was not simply the places themselves.

It was the feeling.

The kindness of people. The simplicity of daily life. The connection with nature. The sense of compassion that seems to exist within Buddhist culture.

In many countries, travel can sometimes feel rushed. You move from one attraction to another trying to tick boxes.

Nepal did not feel like that to me.

Instead, it felt like a place that quietly teaches you to slow down. To walk more, breathe more, and think less.

The mountains around Annapurna, the peaceful mornings in Pokhara, the silence of the monasteries, and the stillness inside Asura Cave all contributed to an experience that I will always remember.

Nepal gave me incredible memories, of course.

But more than that, it gave me space to breathe again.

And I think many of us forget just how much we need that.

About Author

Rebecca Jane Murray is a yoga teacher/therapist from UK. At 48-year age her energy and spirit is really inspiring. She has done PGDip in Nutrition and Yoga Therapy and also done MA in French & German with MSc in Translating. Her experience and academics made her a culturally immersive personality. In this story she expressed her experience of the trip to Nepal before she made a spiritual journey to Mt. Kailash.