Spiritual Etiquette on a Mount Everest Expedition
In every village on the Everest trekking route, you will find cylinders filled with mantras. Spinning these prayer wheels is a way to spread compassion and seek blessings for a safe Mount Everest summit attempt.
Always spin the wheels in a clockwise direction. This follows the path of the sun and is a fundamental sign of respect for Sherpa traditions. It is a daily ritual for many on a Mount Everest expedition.
Inside each wheel are thousands of copies of the 'Om Mani Padme Hum' mantra. Spinning the wheel once is believed to be as powerful as reciting the prayers aloud, helping purify the karma of those heading to the Mount Everest summit.
From the giant wheels at the entrance of Namche Bazaar to the small handheld ones used by elders, they represent a constant connection to the divine. They provide a sense of peace during the physical struggle of Everest trekking.
Spinning the prayer wheels connects you to the heartbeat of the Himalayas. Carry that sense of peace with you as you push toward the Mount Everest summit.
