Pilgrimage – A fascinating journey through the Himalayas (excerpt) by John Convey
“…My pilgrimage with Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) has taken me to a two-week life changing “trek” through Nepal. Providing treatments to over 350 Tibetan Nuns and Monks, nearly 9000 feet up at the Thupten Choling Monastery in the Solu Khumbhu region of Nepal. It was here where my most profound moment happened. At the end of the two day clinic, we had run out of needles and a Nun approached me with a group of about ten other Nuns and Monks (all of which are Tibetan Medical Students) and requested treatment for them. Out of needles I decided to use “ear seeds” for the treatments. After placing the five tiny seeds in one of the students ears the Nun that approached me asked if she could be shown how to locate the points and give it a try. She mastered the point location quickly and was teaching it to the others in no time . Our mission was accomplished. Reports from the Monastery say that the treatments thus far have all been beneficial. (…) I have witnessed extraordinarily positive effects on those that have received acupuncture treatments. After 12 years of private practice in Los Angeles, I have gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of how powerful our medicine is. I plan to forge on with my pilgrimage with Acupuncture With Borders , knowing now just how much I am able to help those in need around the world and here at home. ” JC. December 2009