EXCLUSIVE I was a high-flying banker before being robbed at gunpoint - now I'm a Buddhist nun trekking 400km across wild Bhutan
Emma Slade might have made one of the world's most unusual career jumps.
The 58-year-old left behind a high-powered banking career to become ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bhutan.
Emma's spiritual journey started when she travelled to Bhutan after being held at gunpoint and robbed in her hotel room while on a business trip in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1997. The traumatic event left her struggling with PTSD.
Although Emma did return to her job, she eventually chose to walk away from the financial world to search for a more fulfilling path.
And a visit to Bhutan was to change her life forever.
A meeting with spiritual leader Nima Thesering in 2011 put her on the path to studying Buddhism and Emma went on to become the first Western woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bhutan in 2014.
The yoga teacher says that she 'felt at peace the moment' she arrived in Bhutan, describing her arrival there as an 'overwhelming spiritual homecoming'.
'I wanted to become a nun to contribute the best I could to this world and to try to be a kind person,' she reveals.
While it might seem like a shocking transition, Emma reveals that her family took her decision in their stride.
'I've always been feisty, my family wouldn't be surprised if I became an astronaut one day!'
And although Emma's new lifestyle looks very different to her routine as a banker, she's still very busy, explaining that her life as a nun is split in to two distinct parts.
She spends half her time instructing students in Buddhism and yoga and half in solitude where she engages in prayer and meditation for up to 12 hours.
Emma explains: 'People think solitary confinement is a prison sentence - I find it peaceful and relaxing. A time to think.'
The yoga teacher also spends time working at the charity she founded, Opening Your Heart to Bhutan, which supports vulnerable and special-needs children in Bhutan.
Emma is now set to take on an epic 400km walk across the whole of Bhutan to raise money for the charity, an idea that came to her 'while walking across London's Putney Bridge'.
Set to take 37 days, the nun will tackle 12 mountain passes at altitudes of up to 4,000m, through terrain that's home to tigers, black bears, snow leopards and wild boars.
Day four of the trek is particularly challenging and the point of the journey where many people tend to 'give up', explains Emma.
'I'm not a teenager any more but I am preparing by doing some walking,' she says. 'In terms of the wild animals, Ugyen who will be with me, has a special kind of shouting sound that is supposed to scare bears away.
'Other than that, I am just hoping that my mind will be calm when faced with difficulties.'
But while Emma jokes that she'll probably 'never walk again after this', the nun says her epic adventure will all be worth it when she ends her journey in Samtse District, the location of her charity's school.
'So many children will be there at the end celebrating with me. That alone keeps me going.'
To find out more about Emma's epic fundraising challenge, visit openingyourhearttobhutan.com
What to see in Bhutan
'Each district offers something unique and spiritually enriching', says Emma.
Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
A sacred Buddhist monastery, Paro Taktsang appears to cling to the cliffside of the upper Paro valley. It's an important pilgrimage site and often sits shrouded in clouds.
Punakha Dzong
This is one of Bhutan's oldest and largest fortified monasteries. In spring, the monastery is surrounded by colourful lilac jacaranda trees.
Thimphu
The capital of Bhutan, Thimph, has many famous Buddhist temples. Tourists can also visit the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Textile Museum.
Bumthang Valley
Sometimes known as Bhutan's 'beautiful field', Bumthang Valley is incredibly picturesque with rich paddies and several pretty villages.
Lhuntse
Home to several key pilgrimage sites, Lhuntse is one of Bhutan's most isolated regions. The region is famous for weaving with tourists able to see demonstrations.
The people
'Bhutanese people are more quiet and reserved than British people. But once you start a meaningful conversation with them, you learn something new every time', says Emma.
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Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I was a high-flying banker before being robbed at gunpoint - now I'm a Buddhist nun trekking 400km across wild Bhutan
Emma Slade might have made one of the world's most unusual career jumps. The 58-year-old left behind a high-powered banking career to become ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bhutan. Emma's spiritual journey started when she travelled to Bhutan after being held at gunpoint and robbed in her hotel room while on a business trip in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1997. The traumatic event left her struggling with PTSD. Although Emma did return to her job, she eventually chose to walk away from the financial world to search for a more fulfilling path. And a visit to Bhutan was to change her life forever. A meeting with spiritual leader Nima Thesering in 2011 put her on the path to studying Buddhism and Emma went on to become the first Western woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bhutan in 2014. The yoga teacher says that she 'felt at peace the moment' she arrived in Bhutan, describing her arrival there as an 'overwhelming spiritual homecoming'. 'I wanted to become a nun to contribute the best I could to this world and to try to be a kind person,' she reveals. While it might seem like a shocking transition, Emma reveals that her family took her decision in their stride. 'I've always been feisty, my family wouldn't be surprised if I became an astronaut one day!' And although Emma's new lifestyle looks very different to her routine as a banker, she's still very busy, explaining that her life as a nun is split in to two distinct parts. She spends half her time instructing students in Buddhism and yoga and half in solitude where she engages in prayer and meditation for up to 12 hours. Emma explains: 'People think solitary confinement is a prison sentence - I find it peaceful and relaxing. A time to think.' The yoga teacher also spends time working at the charity she founded, Opening Your Heart to Bhutan, which supports vulnerable and special-needs children in Bhutan. Emma is now set to take on an epic 400km walk across the whole of Bhutan to raise money for the charity, an idea that came to her 'while walking across London's Putney Bridge'. Set to take 37 days, the nun will tackle 12 mountain passes at altitudes of up to 4,000m, through terrain that's home to tigers, black bears, snow leopards and wild boars. Day four of the trek is particularly challenging and the point of the journey where many people tend to 'give up', explains Emma. 'I'm not a teenager any more but I am preparing by doing some walking,' she says. 'In terms of the wild animals, Ugyen who will be with me, has a special kind of shouting sound that is supposed to scare bears away. 'Other than that, I am just hoping that my mind will be calm when faced with difficulties.' But while Emma jokes that she'll probably 'never walk again after this', the nun says her epic adventure will all be worth it when she ends her journey in Samtse District, the location of her charity's school. 'So many children will be there at the end celebrating with me. That alone keeps me going.' To find out more about Emma's epic fundraising challenge, visit What to see in Bhutan 'Each district offers something unique and spiritually enriching', says Emma. Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) A sacred Buddhist monastery, Paro Taktsang appears to cling to the cliffside of the upper Paro valley. It's an important pilgrimage site and often sits shrouded in clouds. Punakha Dzong This is one of Bhutan's oldest and largest fortified monasteries. In spring, the monastery is surrounded by colourful lilac jacaranda trees. Thimphu The capital of Bhutan, Thimph, has many famous Buddhist temples. Tourists can also visit the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Textile Museum. Bumthang Valley Sometimes known as Bhutan's 'beautiful field', Bumthang Valley is incredibly picturesque with rich paddies and several pretty villages. Lhuntse Home to several key pilgrimage sites, Lhuntse is one of Bhutan's most isolated regions. The region is famous for weaving with tourists able to see demonstrations. The people 'Bhutanese people are more quiet and reserved than British people. But once you start a meaningful conversation with them, you learn something new every time', says Emma.
BBC News
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Daily Mail
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