MMW Day 4 Giving Gala

grain40
29 minutes ago
2 min read

Reflections from Amanda Simmons MMW Nepal Volunteer 2014

I volunteered in Nepal in 2014 and I can honestly say that there has not been a month that has gone by that I do not think about my time there. And the desire to get back. There is something about being in Nepal... the land, the people and the traditions that have forever changed me. I spent my time between the Bhotechaur and Chanuti clinics. It was one of the simplest and most abundant times of my life. There were really long busy days in Chanuti and really in depth days in Bhotechaur. It was a time to connect with the spirit of the medicine and also get to integrate it in ways I had never considered. I worked with a lot of pain, assisted in a few births, and saw miraculous recoveries from strokes. Some times words from Nepal drift across my mind. Mutu Duksa is one meaning heart pain, grief and anxiety or some times acid reflux. A lot gets lost in translation.. lol. The meaning always seemed to be understood beyond words. I feel so fortunate for my time in Nepal for helping those that I was able to assist; for the communities and the families that brought me in and that I am still in connection with.

Since Nepal I have had a practice in Maine that I recently have been on hiatus from. I feel so much of the spirit of Nepal and the medicine rooting into my life these days. And I feel like I’m receiving healing from Nepal now. It reminds me of times when Paru and Shanti took me home for a holiday and I was given the chance to be blessed by their medicine man. One of my biggest fears heading to Nepal in 2014 was leaving behind everything I had known, but I was able to experience a whole new world and both are now part of me. I'm at that point in my life again as I transition my practice and style of work. And I am excited to see what comes of it.