At 3,700 metres in Mustang, Nepal, I begin settling into the rhythm of daily life in a remote Himalayan gompa where altitude, silence, and simplicity invite a different kind of listening.

Up here, rhythm is not organised by the clock. It's shaped by light, cold, warmth, food, silence, rest, and the quiet intelligence of the body. But even in a place this spacious and still, rhythm gets tested by discomfort, old patterns and other people’s expectations. And yes… by very determined mice.

In this episode, I reflect on what it means to listen to the body before the mind starts negotiating. I explore boundaries, nervous system wisdom, solitude, and the discomfort that can arise when we honour what is true. Humour finds its way in too, as it often does when things are uncomfortable, uncertain, and absurd.

In this episode we explore

Settling into the rhythm of mountain life in a remote gompa in Mustang.

How the body often knows a boundary before the mind catches up.

Why discomfort after saying no does not necessarily mean something is wrong.

What solitude reveals when there is less distraction and nowhere to hide.

The unexpected and strange negotiation of living with cold, silence, uncertainty, and uninvited visitors.

Why boundaries are not rejection, but protection.

A simple grounding practice: Connect • Focus • Flow™

ListenA companion while walking, resting, or taking a pause.

A reflection from this episode

Rhythm is not just routine.

It's a nervous system practice.

A way to return to ourselves again and again through warmth, breath, light, honesty, and small acts of self-respect.

And sometimes the clearest boundary is also the simplest one:

this protects my energy

this lets me breathe

this brings me back to myself

A simple practice to take with you

Connect:

Place a hand on your chest or belly and ask:

What does my body need first, right now?

Focus:

What is one small action that protects my energy today?

Flow:

Can I let this moment be imperfect, and stay with myself anyway?

Mentioned in this episode

Mustang, Nepal: a remote, high-altitude mountain region in the Himalayas.

Milarepa’s cave and Rinpoche’s gompa.

Connect • Focus • Flow™

In the next episode

I’ll share what unfolds in the cave next where a small flame, a flicker of gratitude, and an unexpected village encounter come together to teach me something about timing, grace, and being met.

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Note / DisclaimerThis podcast is for education and personal growth. It is not therapy or a substitute for professional mental health care.