Moore, 39, was in Bhutan for the first trek of her life, having heard about the kingdom from a designer friend, Donna Karen. She told Kuensel that she is not a Buddhist but that her “sensibilities and beliefs tend to be much more towards Buddhist philosophy”. “In my desire not to be limited by what I believe is the search for the ultimate truth I would not want to label myself with any one thing,” she said. “It allows me greater freedom to embrace all cultures, all religions.”

Excerpts from an interview with Kuensel

Impressions of Bhutan
The first thing that really came to me was the people, whether in Thimphu or the people that we met on our treks in the remote areas.. there is a tremendous generosity of spirit. I found far greater spirituality in the people and in the spirit of the people... I have enjoyed the experience in the temples but I feel the spirituality much more in the people.

Interestingly I find a lot of contradictions in the actual, in the religious aspect of spirituality... I can say that, while in Bhutan, I have rarely encountered angry energy or aggressive energy, except towards the animals which, for a westerner, is very hard. It is harder for us westerners who have evolved into the luxury of our pets being part of our family. It is an example of the contradiction I was talking about.

Of the interesting things that I found in my experience in Bhutan was, within the religious practices, a lot of superstitions, very charming superstitions. Like I roll the dice (in a lhakhang) and I’ve got a bad number, so I am going to do badly. The superstition in the dice is a very interesting phenomenon because when you look at what Buddhism also holds is the power of belief and that what you believe is what you create... thereby, if you are angry you create anger. I believe that, with every challenge... obstacle, there is a positive opportunity so, for me, if I looked at rolling the dice and it wasn’t good then I could see it as something I need to be aware of.

Memorable moments...
There have been many moments. But there was a particularly personal one for us... the first night of the trek in Lemukha valley... we had a ceremony for a part of our group that had lost someone when they were very young... that was particularly captivating.

We were at the dzong at Punakha... then, as we went to leave we were told the Queen was arriving... we were hoping for an audience and it was a wonderfully auspicious moment that she arrived and came towards us & was extremely gracious... & so the contrast of our experience from the people who live the villages to the privilege of meeting the Queen.

Changing Bhutan...
In true Buddhist philosophy, to fight against change would be to have attachment. And so when you see a place that is just on that verge of greater and more profound change than ever before... I hope (you) will be able to take hold of those things that could improve (your) existence without losing the quality of the traditions and the simplicity that still exists.

I experienced a disco last night and I saw young people dressed very western and I could really appreciate that... and I could see them looking to move forward in a new world... I would hate to see these young people rebel against the part of where they come from. I think we always have to remember were we come from...

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