in THE HIMALAYASAfterworking tirelessly in many ashrams, Her truly remarkable searchhad its final chapter in the highest and most enigmatic mountainrange in the world, the Himalayas, the place that for centuriesIndians have believed is the abode of the gods. For this reason,millions of devout pilgrims venture into the Himalayas each yearto visit the numerous sacred sites and perhaps meet with one ofthe rare enlightened beings that are said to live in seclusionin remote, secret caves. Sadly, many pilgrims die along the waydue to severe weather conditions, landslides or the dangerousicy terrain. There are few conveniences, so some are even consumedby starvation. Fear prevents most pilgrims from venturing toofar. Only an extremely rare being with unshakable faith in theUniversal Power and tremendous courage would ignore the obviousdangers.
When speaking about Her numerous Himalayantreks that took Her increasingly higher and deeper into the snowswept region, Supreme Master Ching Hai said, "When I wasin the Himalayas, I couldn't afford to hire a horse or a coolie.I had nothing, so I could only walk. Perhaps my continuous walkingkept me warm. Otherwise, I would have frozen, as I was wearingwet clothes and shoes amid the rain and snow in the mountains.Some peaks were high and lofty, and looked awesome. I must havebeen as crazy then as couples who are madly in love, and obliviousto everything else. Lovers are blind to the risks and burden ofmarriage and family life, nor do they think about the future.They are enthralled by their amour for each other, and live onlyfor that moment in time."
"However, God blesses idiots like me.When I was looking for an enlightened Master, I had only two setsof clothes, but I never caught a cold traversing the Himalayantrails. Sometimes, I couldn't even afford to buy firewood to drymy wet clothes, so I went near other people's campfires, holdingthem in my hands. The heat made my clothes dry faster and I couldalso warm myself. I must have been blind and "God-crazed"I probably wouldn't have dared to do it now."
"All I had on my mind then was God; andall I could see was God. There was no room for family or money.I was stupid enough, but nothing else could penetrate my mindbecause I had only God in my heart. It is like when we are inlove, we are completely blind to the faults of our lover, andwe refuse to listen to any unfavorable remarks against him. Probablythat was why God gave me protection, or I would have died longago."
Supreme Master Ching Hai's devotion to Godenabled Her to overcome the many hardships associated with travelingalone and the inhospitable mountainous environment that She experienced." In some parts of the Himalayas, the low atmospheric pressuremade it difficult to cook food well. I could only wash the foodin the Ganges and eat it raw. It was delicious, though. The Himalayasis the most wonderful place. I could do without hot water. Itwas fun taking a cold dip. It was so cold that it felt as thoughmy body had shrunk. I would count to 5, and then jump out fromthe ice-cold river. My body seemed to bloom then as thousandsflowers and I felt so exalted."
On what would be Her final trek into the abodeof the gods, Supreme Master Ching Hai began like She had oftendone before with only two sets of clothes, a pair of sports shoes,a sleeping bag, a water bottle, a couple of books and a walkingstick. She was almost constantly wet and cold as She ascendedever higher. The further she went the more belongings She discardedto conserve energy. Having discarded virtually everything, Sheput Her life entirely into God's hands.