Art by jiashu xu ©

 

As expected, they were greeted by a small group of Tibetan monks led by an old and diminutive figure whose fragile appearance belied his lively disposition. It was Abbot Rabten, chief abbot of the secretive Wangdak monastery that had stood watch over Mount Kailash for centuries. Indeed, he was the same abbot who, just five years before, had been reluctant to confirm Sheridan’s research on the Baton of Shambhala. It puzzled Sheridan. In those days the abbot was a closed book on the city of Shambhala’s exact location. But for this expedition, despite the short notice and considerable risk, the abbot was quick to offer his help. When asked about his sudden change of mind, Abbot Rabten offered only a cryptic reply: “It is time to #face yourself again.”

 

 

Art by Cornelia Kopp aka AlicePopkorn