On a journey to explore the northern highlands of Thailand this weekend, we ended up at the Chiang Dao temple, Wat Tham Pha Plong. The founding monk, Luang Poo Sim Buddhacaro, landed here after spending the earlier part of his life wandering as a solitary forest monk, meditating and sleeping in caves.
On a silent walk up the 500 steps to the temple at dawn, reminders of how to live in the present moment are posted along the path.
Protectors looking out over the valley below.
Diary of a Pilgrim 