The Solstice Gate of Skrim

The town of Skrim appeared to be a forgotten relic from a bygone period as it sat in the shadow of a hill with a golden tint that straddled the boundaries of both Nepal and Tibet.

In this location, prayer flags were made to flap in the breeze, with each color serving as a representation of the people's unwavering prayers and hopes. The peak that was located above Skrim was frequently covered in golden mists, which were believed to represent the breath of the gods themselves. These mists were claimed to protect the path that led to the legendary Shambhala.

Elder Sonam, the most revered monk in the town, was standing at the edge of the historic courtyard of the monastery, his gaze fixated on the mountain.

Today was not a typical day; it was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and it was believed that the barrier that separated the worlds was at its thinnest during this time. During this year, a celestial alignment that takes place once every hundred years promised to reveal the road to Shambhala. This year was particularly significant because of this alignment.

Everyone in the town of Skrim had gotten there because they were excited about the possibility of seeing something remarkable. Among them was Tashi, a young woman born and bred in Skrim, who had always felt a great connection to the traditions her grandmother spoke about at bedtime.

The preparations started as soon as the sun came up. Both the sounds of chants and the aroma of juniper incense filled the courtyard while they were being performed. The exquisite mandalas of colored sand were laid out by both monks and villagers alike. The designs were detailed and meaningful, and they represented the cosmos and the terrestrial kingdoms in a harmonious union.

The hands of Elder Sonam were raised, and he demanded full silence. The audience came to a halt, staring intently at the senior citizen as he talked, his voice resonating and being crystal clear.

"Today, we recreate an old ceremony," Sonam declared, "led by the wisdom of our ancestors and the alignment of the stars.

We not only want to catch a glimpse of Shambhala, but we also want to gain wisdom from its tranquility and enlightenment.

The ceremony started with the lighting of the bonfire, and the flames of the fire shot up into the air, as if they were trying to reach out and touch the golden peak itself.

The incantations were conducted by Sonam, whose voice seemed to blend in with the crackling of the fire. The voices of the monks and the inhabitants of the town joined in, creating a chorus that appeared to ascend to the sky below.

An unexplainable tug pulled Tashi closer to the center of the courtyard. Tashi felt a pull in her chest, and it was a pull that she could not explain. It was as the sun rose higher in the sky that the earth within the mandala began to glow.

It was a gentle, pulsating light that became more intense with each passing instant.

Instantaneously, a ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds and made direct contact with the mandala. Following the expansion of the light, which filled the designs with a dazzling radiance, a shimmering portal materialized, giving the impression that the earth itself was reacting to the phenomenon. The colors that were flowing around it were incomprehensible, and it was hovering a few feet over the ground.

A few people in the audience went to their knees and let out a gasp. The expression on Elder Sonam's face was one of amazement and reverence as he took a step forward.

He said, "This is the gateway to Shambhala," and he is right.

"Entry is open to those who are honest and sincere in their intentions. Be aware, however, that not everyone who passes through will come back.

Due to the fact that Shambhala is not merely a location, but rather a state of being, a realization of one's most fundamental nature.

Volunteers came up one by one, halting in front of the shimmering portal as if to gather their confidence before proceeding. The movement of Tashi's feet seemed to occur almost of their own volition. Her heart was beating as she stood before Elder Sonam before she really realized what was happening.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she said, "May I?"

After Sonam gave a slight nod, Tashi took a few deep breaths and moved ahead. After passing through the portal, she had a sensation similar to that of a curtain of water, which was chilly and tingly across her skin.

When Tashi turned around, she discovered that she was in a valley that was surrounded by mountains that glowed like gold when the sun was shining on them.

The atmosphere was permeated with the aroma of flowers that she was unable to identify, and the sound of water flowing could be heard just about wherever.

There was a route in front of her that was bordered with trees that glowed with an inner light, and the leaves of those trees spoke secrets in a language that she felt she understand almost completely.

Scenes of tranquility, of education, and of people going about their daily lives with a grace and comprehension that went beyond the realm of everyday life appeared before her eyes as she walked.

In addition to the technology that purified the air and water, she witnessed medications that healed with light and sound, and most importantly, she witnessed a sense of harmony that filled her with an overpowering sense of calm.

After Tashi had returned, the sun was beginning to set, which resulted in the courtyard of Skrim being covered with lengthy shadows.

After the portal had been shut, the colors of the mandala had become less vibrant. What remained, however, was the warmth in her heart, the sensation of serenity, and the sense of purpose.

The Elder Sonam was waiting for her when she arrived. According to him, "You have seen Shambhala," which was not a question but rather a statement.

The tears in Tashi's eyes caused her to nod.

As she hushed, "It's beautiful," she remarked.

"And it's not merely a location, is that correct?

A manner of being is what it is.

"Yes," Sonam said, his eyes shining with tears that had not yet been shed. "You have brought its essence back with you," the speaker continued.

Disseminate it, instruct it, and live it.

This is exactly what Tashi did. At the end of her time in Shambhala, Skrim was transformed by the wisdom and peace she had learned.

It was possible to develop technologies that could harness the sun and the wind. Not alone did schools teach information, but they also imparted wisdom.

Gardens blossomed in areas that had previously been desolate.

In order to serve as a reminder of the day when the gateway opened and the heart of Shambhala had beaten in unison with their own, the annual solstice ritual evolved into a day of joy and rejuvenation.

The story of that solstice day evolved into a new legend over the course of many years. It was a tale of hope and transformation, and it echoed the ancient knowledge of Shambhala through the lives of the people of Skrim.

These individuals had achieved the realization that paradise is not a location to be discovered, but rather a way of life.