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World In Focus | Perspective of Seth Quigg

@worldinfocuscreative

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Memoirs of 25 + years traveling the World 🌎
Connection to self, place and people
@sethwatsonquigg @karunaexpeditions

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Today, our Himalayan pilgrimage brought us through the heart of the recent disaster in Nepal’s Rasuwa region, traveling from Kakani toward Thulo Syabru with our friends and collaborators from the Karuna Project.

After crossing the river, we entered an area devastated by floods and landslides. School buses lay destroyed, buildings were buried in mud, and the scale of the suffering was overwhelming. We gathered in a circle to chant Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, offering prayers for those who lost their lives, their families, and everyone affected.

As we climbed higher into the Himalayas, we stopped at an overlook with views toward Tibet and Nepal’s majestic Langtang Lirung. Below us, the destruction remained visible across the valley. We continued past Buddhist stupas toward Thulo Syabru, where an unexpected encounter awaited us.

We arrived at the local Tibetan Buddhist monastery just in time for a tsok puja. The community explained that the offerings and prayers were intended to bring nourishment and peace to those who had died unexpectedly, with their lives and aspirations unfulfilled.

Having just witnessed the devastation and prayed for the departed, arriving at this ceremony felt profoundly meaningful. In the Buddhist understanding, compassion reaches beyond the visible world, embracing those who have died and those who remain, all interconnected through the fragile conditions of life.

Our pilgrimage continues through Langtang, carrying our community’s prayers and our commitment to supporting disaster-affected families in Nepal through Paititi Institute’s relief initiative in collaboration with the Karuna Project.

May those who have departed find peace, and may the living receive the support and strength they need to rebuild.

Om Mani Padme Hum 🙏

#Paititi_Institute #KarunaProject #NepalDisasterRelief #Rasuwa #OmManiPadmeHum

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🌺 Happy Dashain from Rural Nepal 🇳🇵

From all of us at @karunaexpeditions and the @paititi_institute , we wish you and your loved ones a joyful and blessed Dashain.

This special time of year offers an opportunity to learn about the rich Hindu and Buddhist traditions that have shaped the culture, values, and spiritual heritage of Nepal for generations.

Here in the hills of Kakani, we gather with our local community to share prayers, blessings, gratitude, and celebration.

We offer our respect and well wishes to our Nepali friends and families, and in return they honor us with the gift of Tikka: a sacred mixture of red vermilion, rice, and yogurt placed on the forehead as a symbol of blessing, protection, prosperity, and the bond between family and community.

More than a festival, Dashain is a reminder of our shared humanity.

It is a time to come together in gratitude for life itself, to celebrate the relationships that connect us, and to reflect on how we can better embody our Dharma, our purpose, and our highest calling in the world.

Across cultures, traditions, and beliefs, we find common ground in compassion, service, wisdom, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

May this Dashain bring peace to your heart, strength to your journey, and blessings to those you love.

Shanti Durga. 🙏
 Om Mani Padme Hum 📿
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#karuna #karunaproject #paititi #paititiinstitute #karunaexpeditions

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🙏❤️ PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND HEALING FROM THE HEART OF NEPAL 🇳🇵

Yesterday, standing before the sacred Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, I offered prayers on behalf of our global Paititi family for peace, healing, and the well-being of all beings.

Turning the great prayer wheel, my heart was especially with the families affected by the devastating floods and landslides here in Nepal, as well as our beloved Yahua communities in the Amazon rainforest, the Indigenous peoples of the Andes, and all those facing hardship throughout the world.

Today, we begin our two-week Himalayan pilgrimage through the Rasuwa region, near communities deeply affected by the recent disaster. Along the way, we hope to share reflections and updates whenever connectivity allows, while continuing to nurture our vision of uniting the elders and children of the world.

Thanks to the generosity of our global community, we have already raised and delivered $8,000 in emergency relief through our trusted Himalayan partners. Yet the needs remain urgent, and we are still hoping to reach our initial goal of $10,800.

The prayers we offer are also an invitation to embody compassion through our actions, recognizing our shared responsibility toward one another and the greater living world.

❤️ If you feel moved to support the families of Nepal, please consider donating or sharing our emergency relief initiative. Every contribution matters.

May the blessings of this sacred place extend to all beings, wherever they may be.

Om Mani Peme Hung and Karmapa Chenno! 🙏🌎

#Paititi_Institute #NepalRelief #Boudhanath #HimalayanPilgrimage #KarmaKagyu #CompassionInAction #IndigenousWisdom #UnitingEldersAndChildren

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Nepal is a place that changes lives.

From the towering peaks of the Himalaya to the warmth, resilience, and generosity of its people, a journey to Nepal offers far more than a vacation.

It is an opportunity to connect with one of the world's most remarkable cultures while making a real difference.

As we look ahead to 2027, we invite you to join us on an extraordinary adventure and experience the trip of a lifetime.

By visiting Nepal, you will not only witness breathtaking landscapes and ancient traditions, but also directly support local communities facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, environmental degradation, and unsustainable development.

In partnership with @tsultrim_sangpo and @paititi_institute , who are actively raising funds to support vulnerable mountain communities, @planet5media has also launched the Mountain Preservation Foundation, a new NGO dedicated to protecting mountain cultures, preserving fragile ecosystems, and creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.

We are also proud to announce the launch of EVEREST COFFEE, @everestcoffeecompany, now available in the United States.

Grown in the foothills of the Himalaya by the family of Tenzing Norgay, the legendary mountaineer who first summited Mount Everest, every purchase helps support the work of the Mountain Preservation Foundation and the communities we serve.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your 2027 Nepal experience.

Whether your passion is trekking, cultural immersion, photography, conservation, spirituality, or simply seeking a deeper connection with the world, Nepal offers an unforgettable journey unlike any other.

Reach out today to begin planning your adventure.

Together, we can embrace life to its fullest, support communities in need, and help preserve the rich cultural and environmental heritage of the Himalaya for generations to come.

Dhanyavad (Thank you), and blessings to all.

Travel with purpose. Create lasting memories.

Help protect the mountains and the people who call them home.
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#karunaexpeditions #planet5expeditions #everestcoffeecompany #karunaproject #planet5media

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Sometimes when hope feels lost and life seems like it can't get any better, all we can do is show up with a little more compassion #karuna

It may not solve the problem in front of us, but kindness has a way of traveling farther than we can see.

It reaches people we may never know, in ways we may never understand.

So if you've got a little more, give a little more.

Compassion is never wasted. ❤️ Do it and embody it ❤️
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#karunaproject @karunaexpeditions @worldinfocuscreative #gotalittlemoregivealittlemore #nepalisbeautiful

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A well-designed cultural experience is at the heart of every Karuna Expedition @karunaexpeditions

We believe in the transformative power of learning from one another, from the wisdom of the old world to the innovation of the new.

As humanity stands on the precipice of profound change, we are called to ask deeper questions:

What does it mean to be human?

What does it mean to be truly alive?

What does it mean to worship the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits, or honor Pachamama, Mother Earth, as a living presence woven into everyday life?

While technology continues to reshape our lives and redefine our future, we believe our path forward requires a deeper understanding of the ancient knowledge systems that many Indigenous cultures have carefully preserved for generations.

These traditions invite us to see ourselves not as separate from nature, but as participants in a larger web of life, one built on reciprocity, respect, stewardship, and community.

As the old world and the new world merge, our mission remains unwavering: to reconnect humans with humanity.

Through immersive experiences that broaden perspectives, foster meaningful cultural exchange, and support communities around the world, we create opportunities to listen, learn, and engage with wisdom that has endured for centuries.

Not to observe from a distance, but to experience these teachings with humility and respect.

The future may evolve at an unprecedented pace, but our commitment remains steadfast: honoring ancient wisdom, cultivating human connection, and exploring together what it truly means to be alive.
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#KarunaExpeditions #CulturalImmersion #Pachamama #Apus #IndigenousWisdom

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What if the most powerful force shaping humanity isn't technology, politics, or economics—but authentic human connection?

Across cultures, continents, and generations, our stories are intertwined.

The choices made in one corner of the world ripple through communities thousands of miles away.

Our economies are interconnected, our cultures influence one another, and our personal journeys of self-discovery are often sparked by the people we meet along the way.

In my upcoming book, Connection: The Heart of Being Human (releasing in the first half of 2027), I share stories from around the world that reveal just how deeply woven together we truly are.

These experiences demonstrate that connection is more than a social act, it's the bridge between humanity, culture, individual growth, and global prosperity.

When we better understand one another, we create opportunities for collaboration.

When we embrace diverse perspectives, we strengthen communities.

And when we recognize our shared humanity, we unlock the potential for a more connected world.

The future belongs not to those who divide, but to those who connect.
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#ConnectionTheHeartOfBeingHuman #Humanity #Culture #fineartphotography #globaleconomy

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Humanity is not a concept we learn in books, it’s something we witness in motion.

It’s in the way a stranger in a mountain village offers tea without asking your name.

It’s in the laughter of children who don’t speak your language but understand joy perfectly.

It’s in the quiet dignity of people who carry their lives with grace you can feel but never fully describe.

Travel exposes us to these moments: the ones that rearrange our inner furniture.

Suddenly, the world becomes less divided.

Less abstract.

Less “us and them.” We are all one.

Perspective shifts because we finally see how deeply connected we are.

And once you’ve seen that, you can’t unsee it.

Your reality expands.

Your empathy deepens.

Your understanding of humanity becomes something lived, not imagined.

We are Connected!

Getting closer to the release of my book, "Connection: The Heart of Being Human", and very excited to share my journey with you.

Shanti todos 🙏 🙏 🙏

📸 Kham-Tibet-2010 (16 years ago 🤯)

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¿Allinllachu, Western? When we’re not in Gunnison, you might find some of us trekking through Peru’s Sacred Valley! Read about the experience below ⬇️

This August, during the fall pre-session, students from @environmentwestern and @western.roe programs embarked on a 10-day expedition through Peru, led by @karunaexpeditions founder Seth Quigg and Western Environment and Sustainability Director Nate Gore. The experience was made possible through @cli_wcu.

From connecting with Quechua communities in the high-mountain village of Willoq to trekking the legendary Classic Inca Trail, students immersed themselves in Peruvian culture while exploring sustainability, history, and adventure in one of the world’s most incredible landscapes.

For Quigg, the value of the journey goes far beyond the places we visit: “Traveling opens doors into different realities and can change how people view the world and themselves in it.”

Gore adds: “Educators in the field have the extraordinary privilege of watching a future generation of leaders grow into their own during these expeditions. We get to witness students navigate uncertainty, challenge their assumptions, discover their capabilities, and ultimately return home transformed—not simply by the places they have visited, but by the people they have become along the way.”

¡Sulpayki, Pachamama! 🇵🇪

📸: @sethwatsonquigg

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Praying for our brothers and sisters in Nepal as they face this unimaginable tragedy.

So many people remain missing, including two of our own team and entire communities are hurting in ways that words can barely hold.

Please keep every human, every animal, and every living being affected by this disaster in your prayers.

May they feel strength, protection, and the collective heart of all of us standing with them.

Om mani padme hum 🙏 🙏 🙏
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#nepal #prayingfornepal #nepalisbeautiful #nepalipeople #ommanipadmehum

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Thank you all for reaching out to make sure we are ok. We, friends and family are safe and sound from today's disaster in Nepal.

At the bottom of Lantang Lirung and Langtang National Park, lies the village of Syabrubesi, which was destroyed by today's events.

We at @karunaexpeditions will be heading to Nepal this October and to Langtang park via Syabrubesi. Assessments made in due course.

Flash floods are common in the Himalaya and the frequency is rising because of climate change.

Nepal and South Asia will be some of the most affected areas on the planet as we face this pandemic.

Stay tuned for relief efforts and if you want contribute to the people's lives who may have been changed forever.

One love ❤️ 🌎 One world
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#climatechange #welovenepal #karunaproject #bekaruna #teamkaruna

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The Quechua, descendants of the Inca, continue to hold down traditions and cultures passed through generations.

Their way of life is not glamour, nor romanticized spectacle — it is resilience, continuity, and truth.

Indigenous cultures carry key insights into what it means to be human.

They remind us that connection to the earth is not optional, but essential.

To live fully is to be alive in reciprocity with Pachamama, the sacred Mother Earth, and to honor the wisdom of ancestors who understood balance long before modern disruption.

In this time of technological revolution, when humanity risks losing itself in speed and abstraction, the Quechua worldview offers a compass.

Ancient wisdom is not a relic — it is a living guide.

It shows us how to reconnect to humanity, to remember that progress without soul is emptiness, and that survival depends on listening to those who still walk in rhythm with the earth.
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@worldinfocuscreative @karunaexpeditions #karuna #quechua #incaempire🏳️‍🌈

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