Stories, Traditions, and the Harmony of Life

The month of November marks the darkest period in the Celtic calendar—a time to turn inward, to wrap ourselves in warm blankets, and to rest. For us storytellers, it can also be a busy time.

For thousands of years, stories have been best shared and savored during dark times. I suppose that in our fast-paced, and often darkness-averse world, we still unconsciously carry on that tradition. In the northern hemisphere especially, November is a time filled with storytelling events and festivals.

Life and Death: Two Sides of the Same Coin

At the end of October and the beginning of November, many cultures around the world celebrate festivals to honor their ancestors and the dead. Here in Ireland, we celebrate Samhain, which means “November” in Irish. This name implies that November is the month to honor both darkness and the dead.

This year, at the end of October and the beginning of November, I was in Nepal, where I joined the Dipawali celebrations, part of the Tihar festival—the festival of lights and flowers. 

During the festival, Nepalese people create beautiful rangolis. A rangoli is a mandala-like design made of seeds, colored sand, flowers, fruits, and candles. Rangolis decorated the streets and doorsteps as offerings to the goddess of prosperity and wealth, Lakshmi, as well as to Yama, the god of death.

Nepalese people believe these offerings bring abundance to their lives. They also honor their ancestors with these offerings, acknowledging that life and death are two sides of the same coin. Without honoring death, life cannot truly thrive.

Indreni: Rainbow’s Harmony

In Nepal, I spent seven vibrant days with a volunteer group that regularly visits and supports three children’s homes and several schools in the suburbs of Kathmandu. The organization is called Indreni, meaning “rainbow” in Nepalese.

Do you know how a rainbow occurs? For a rainbow to appear, millions of sun rays must hit millions of raindrops at just the right angle. A perfect geometric harmony is required to make it happen.

I believe the founders of Indreni chose the name well. A perfect harmony can indeed be felt in the Indreni homes. Together with their caretakers, the children have formed a big, loving family where each one lets their unique light shine, creating a beautiful rainbow of joy and resilience.

Indreni children know pain well. Some lost their parents at a young age, while others were abandoned or abused. Yet despite their difficult beginnings, they are kind and caring to one another. They always have each other’s backs and show great hospitality to their guests.

They also know how to appreciate life’s simple pleasures. They savor unripe guava fruits, invent games using half-full water bottles, and love singing and dancing. Even those who are less inclined to sing or dance watch others with big smiles. They tease each other as children do, but they are never mean.

Palpable Presence

I had the privilege of hosting two storytelling events with them. From the very first minute, they were engaged and present.

If I had only interacted with children aged 4 to 8, I might have thought, “Small children are generally present.” However, the palpable presence of the Indreni teenagers, aged 11 to 16, was astonishing. Witnessing the vitality that radiates through their beings was deeply moving.

Sadly, I have not noticed the same level of aliveness and presence in teenagers I’ve encountered here in Ireland or back in my home country, Turkey. The Indreni children are truly special.

If you would like to learn more about the children and the work of the Indreni Foundation, you can check out this link.

Noticeable Aliveness

Spending time with the Indreni children—sharing stories, singing, dancing, and shopping—was a pure delight. I felt honored to witness the overflowing joy and love, as well as the prevailing sense of ease and peace among them.

I must admit, the sense of uniqueness was not limited to the Indreni homes. I could feel it in Nepal’s landscapes and culture as well.

Surrounded by steep mountains prone to frequent landslides, the land felt like a sacred temple. The soil, though difficult to farm, was rooted with pine, banyan, and peepal trees—blessed by the loving wishes of Nepalese people. Marigolds overflowed from every garden into the wilderness as symbols of abundance.

Nepal is one of the most economically disadvantaged countries in the world and faces many ecological and social challenges. Yet, despite these difficulties, both the Nepalese landscape and its people radiate harmony, calmness, and joy. Aliveness was noticeable everywhere.

If you are interested in exploring the aliveness in your own body, mind, and soul in relation to the parts of yourself that are “dying,” I will be facilitating a workshop called Aliveness Within on December 1st at the Glendalough Sanctuary in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Here is the link for workshop details and to book your place. Please note that there are only two spots left!