Bhutan: 4 Reasons This Tiny Kingdom Matters

Imagine a place where happiness is measured instead of money, where ancient cultural wisdom thrives alongside modern progress, and where the sky feels close enough to touch. Welcome to Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom with a bold statement the rest of the world needs to hear.

But first, let me take you back in time...

At age seventeen, I found myself in China, learning Mandarin while studying the art of oriental painting and calligraphy under master painter Wang Linxu. My yearning for the fathers of Confucious and Daosim led me to Tibet, where I was taken by the nomadic culture, their deep wisdom, values and morals, and the simplicity of life in the Himalayan high plateau, where the energy is heightened. I eventually returned to the West after a few years, but a part of me stayed behind, knowing I would one day return.

Simultaneously in the 80s, my future husband Nando was walking a similar path (barefoot!) through China and Tibet, a pilgrimage of the ancient wisdom of the East.

Many years later, Nando and I would see the importance of spending our time between Bali and Bhutan, where culture and modern day are still deeply intertwined with nature. Bhutan has continuously been drawing us closer.

When we returned to the Himalayas in 2023, we touched down in Bhutan, a tiny kingdom of less than 800,000 people. We felt an immediate connection between what we witnessed and our own work. In this post, I'm revealing the top 4 reasons why Bhutan is way more than just a speck on the map—it's a pearl of wisdom, and a blueprint for a brighter future.

1) Bhutan Is A Time Machine to Old Himalayan Wisdom

Here’s a brief history: the first record of Bhutan is from 747 A.D. when a revered leader left Tibet and brought Buddhism to the people living in the lower Himalayan plateau. Bhutan remained sheltered from most the world until the 1960s when it cautiously approached the process of modernization. In 2008, Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy, blending democracy with its rich cultural traditions and commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

While Tibet has faced the destruction of its culture under Chinese rule, Bhutan stands as a guardian of Himalayan wisdom. Dedicated to protecting its traditions, Bhutan is the best place to access the region’s sacred knowledge. It’s a land where ancient wisdom is venerated, alive and thriving.

2) Their Leadership Takes a Different (And Better!) Approach

While many countries prioritize economic growth and profits, Bhutan stands out by putting people’s well-being first. Their unique philosophy, called Gross National Happiness, guides all of their policy-making and decisions. They follow 4 pillars: sustainable development, preserving cultural values, protecting the environment, and ensuring good governance. A clear example of this is the tourist tax, designed by the government to limit over-tourism and protect the country’s natural state.

Most of the world’s capitalist superpowers are pushing “progress” forward at high speed, but at the expense of our health, our planet, our well-being, and extinguishing culture. Earth Wisdom aligns with the Bhutanese model of balancing progress with respect for tradition and Mother Earth.

3)⁠ Their Weaving Tells Stories

The main source of income for women in rural Bhutan is weaving. They use traditional, backstrap looms called Pang Tha. The embroideries can be highly detailed, with some ceremonial pieces taking over a year to complete. Each pattern tells a story with spiritual significance.

For example, the Dorji Jadram symbol appears as a double thunderbolt or diamond, and represents the indestructible power and protection of the enlightened mind in Buddhism. It embodies both compassion and wisdom, offering spiritual power and protecting the wearer against negative energies.

What’s amazing is there aren’t any written instructions for how to make the motifs – this ancient knowledge is passed down from mother to daughter, generation after generation.

Today, this sacred textile tradition is up against cheap, mass-produced fabrics made from synthetic materials. That’s why we want to support Bhutanese women weavers and their handmade, high-quality craft.

Wearing these weavings, whether in ceremony or everyday life, connects us to primordial wisdom and raises our vibration. The materials and dyes, made from powerful plants, link us to nature’s deities, offering protection and the strength to walk and dance in beauty. For those who’ve never felt a sense of cultural identity, these weavings can help them find guidance and connection through spirit.

4) Their Daily Life is Full of Spirit

Guided by Buddhism, the people of Bhutan infuse ritual and mindfulness into everything they do. Many homes feature altars for daily prayers, butter lamp and incense offerings to honor deities and seek blessings. Colorful prayer flags are a common sight, representing the elements and spreading positive energy.

In the 1980s, Bhutan introduced a national dress code requiring citizens to wear traditional clothing in public spaces, government offices, and schools. Men wear the gho, and women wear the kira, both made from woven fabrics. These garments are worn every day as a symbol of pride in their culture.

Dance is deeply integrated into Buddhist and Himalayan culture. Whether it’s a harvest dance, moon dance, sun dance, or rain dance, these rituals are similar to Native and South American traditions, celebrating the cycles of nature and life. These sacred dances, along with festivals filled with music and prayer, are woven into the fabric of daily life, honoring spiritual figures and marking the changing seasons.

By embracing daily rituals and traditions, we can create a life that is deeply connected to both the divine and the natural world. Bhutan exemplifies this vision, making it easy for us to support their efforts at large. We admire everything they do, and it’s an honor to work so intimately with local people that champion our shared values.

Join the Earth Wisdom Retreat in Bhutan

Building on our connection with the textile community of women in Bhutan, Earth Wisdom is hosting an intimate retreat in April 2025 and we’d love for you to join!

We'll be going off the beaten path to:

• Learn about Bhutanese natural dyeing and weaving techniques directly from master weavers
• Sit in Buddhist ceremonies
• Receive teachings at the source as well as blessings from revered priests 
• Pilgrimage through pristine landscapes
• Immerse ourselves in the culture and ritual

A journey for those seeking a profound cultural and spirited visit to the sky kingdom. If you feel called to join us on this transformative journey, please let us know soon. Spaces are limited! Email info@earthwisdomcollection.com for more info.