Finding and keeping peace is a constant quest, especially in tumultuous times. There are places, real or imagined, that invariably give us that spark of inspiration, that remind us of all the beauty in the world… that fill us with hope, faith and light. Shwedagon Pagoda is such a place for me.
I never expected to find such serenity and splendor in the heart of Yangon. To be perfectly honest, Yangon wasn’t in my travel plans at all. I had forever longed to visit Burma‘s sacred and enigmatic Bagan and was intent upon finding a direct flight from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur but life rarely unfolds as planned. As it turned out, my forced landing in Yangon was a blessing in disguise. I admit I have a bias against large metropolitan cities. I tend to feel that they rarely offer a genuine experience of the people, their traditions and values. There are exceptions of course and I certainly experienced that with Yangon. I fell in love with this rich, complex and unexpectedly warm and welcoming city.
The 2,500 year-old Shwedagon Pagoda is the crown jewel of this wondrous city. It’s one of the most extraordinary architectural, spiritual and artistic wonders I’ve ever had the chance to experience. As I wandered in awe of its magnificence, I felt this profound sense of peace and joy. This feeling of being home. This comforting feeling that all is well in the world…
