Bringing Progress to Paradise: What I Got from Giving to a Mountain Village in Nepal

by Jeffrey Rasley

What does it mean to bring progress--schools, electricity, roads,running water--to paradise? Can our consumer culture and desire to "dogood" really be good for a community that has survived contentedly forcenturies without us?In October 2008, climbing expeditionleader and attorney, Jeffrey Rasley, led a trek to a village in a remotevalley in the Solu region of Nepal named Basa. His group of threeadventurers was only the third group of white people ever seen in thisvillage of subsistence farmers. What he found was people thoroughlyunaffected by Western consumer-culture values. They had no runningwater, electricity, or anything that moves on wheels. Each family livedin a beautiful, hand-chiseled stone house with a flower garden. Beyondwhat they already had, it seemed all they wanted was education for thechildren. He helped them finish a school building already in progress,and then they asked for help getting electricity to their village.Bringing Progress to Paradisedescribes Rasley's transformation from adventurer to committedphilanthropist. We are attracted to the simpler way of life in thesecommunities, and we are changed by our experience of it. They areattracted to us, because we bring economic benefits. Bringing Progress to Paradiseoffers Rasley's critical reflection on the tangled relationship betweentourists and locals in "exotic" locales and the effect of Westernvalues on some of the most remote locations on earth."This is an inspiring and thoughtful book, presenting - in graphicdetail - the author's treks to Basa 6, a tiny village in the Himalayas,to bring a school and hydroelectricity to the villagers, out of love fortheir beautiful culture and warm receptivity to his efforts. But thecentral issue ... not resolved in the pages of the book, demanding asequel, is the question of whether the "Progress"... might lead to somedegree of corruption of their way of life, a consumerist,Western-oriented degradation of a spiritual depth and sensitivity totheir surroundings - the beautiful Himalayas, their tradition offlower-beds around every home. Will the flowers spoil? Or is that atruly paternalistic question - leaving a "quaint" village in periodicfood shortages, a precious museum for the rare Westerner to come across,off the beaten path of the Sherpa-guided mountaineering treks? Thequestion is partially he determines to go ahead withfund-raising efforts, since the villagers clearly want the benefitsbrought by Internet-capable education for their children, and who is he,after all, to deny what he can provide? But the question remains open. Ican hardly wait for the necessary follow-up in the next book of theseries." John McLaughlin, Phd.Bringing Progress to Paradise is the first in thesequence of books about Rasley's adventures in the Himalayas and hisunique relationship with the Edenic village of Basa, Nepal.Other books by Jeff Rasley -   If you are interested in learning the rest of the story of Basa Village, read Lightin the Mountains   To understand where 3 Cups of Tea went wrong, read Nepal Himalayas - in the Moment   Want to get out of the snow and mountains and onto sandy beaches and swaying palms, check out the lyrical Islands in my Dreams    For a change of pace curl up with False Prophet? a legal-political thriller, romantic mystery andinspirational tale based on a legal case Rasley handled in his Indianapolis lawpractice.    If you enjoy sports action, history, humor and/or the sex/drugs/rock & roll cultural revolution of the 60s, check out MONSTERS OF THE   The Worst Team in College Football?

Genres: Memoir, Travel, Nonfiction, Asia, Mountaineering, International

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2010

About the author

(Author writes under the name Jeff Rasley)

Jeff Rasley is the author of sixteen books and over 80 feature articles, which have been published in numerous academic and mainstream periodicals, including Newsweek, Chicago Magazine, ABA Journal, Family Law Review, Faith & Fitness Magazine, Friends Journal, Journal of Communal Societies, and Real Travel Adventures International Magazine. He is an award-winning photographer and his pictures taken in the Himalayas and Caribbean and Pacific islands have been published in several journals.

Rasley has engaged in social activism and philanthropic efforts from an early age. In high school he co-founded the Goshen Walk for Hunger. In law school he was an advocate for renters' rights as a lobbyist and president of the Indianapolis Tenants Association. He is the founder of the Basa Village Foundation, past president of the Indianapolis Scientech Club and University of Chicago Indy Alumni Club. He served as a trustee for Earlham College, and is the president of the Scientech Foundation of Indiana and of the Basa Village Foundation. He is a director of the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center and served as a director of the Indiana Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He is a co-founder of the Jeff & Alicia Rasley Internship Program for the ACLU of Indiana.

Jeff is an avid outdoors-man and recreational athlete. He leads trekking-mountaineering expeditions in Nepal and has solo-kayaked around several Pacific island groups. He also loves to read and considers completing Marcel Proust's 3600 page Remembrance of Things Past as great an adventure as climbing Himalayan peaks and solo-kayaking Pacific islands.

Jeff is U.S. liaison for the Nepal-based Himalayan expedition company, Adventure GeoTreks Ltd. He has taught classes for IUPUI Continuing Ed. Program, Indiana Writers Center, Butler and Marian Universities.

Jeff is a graduate of the University of Chicago, A.B. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, All-Academic All-State Football Team and letter winner in swimming and football; Indiana University School of Law, J.D. cum laude, Moot Court and Indiana Law Review; Christian Theological Seminary, MDiv magna cum laude, co-valedictorian and Faculty Award Scholar. He has been admitted to the Indiana, U.S. District Court, and U.S. Supreme Court Bars.

He was given a Key to the City of Indianapolis for serving as a law school intern to Mayor Hudnut and preparing a report on the safety conditions of all Indy Parks. Rasley has received the Man of the Year award from the Arthur Jordan YMCA and the Alumni Service Award from the University of Chicago.

Rasley has been a featured guest on over 200 podcast, radio, and TV shows and has given programs to many service clubs, community organizations, and churches.

jeffrasley@gmail.com
www.jeffreyrasley.com

Reviews

[Jim Dressner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sounded like a book that would have insights about how to bring positive development to a rural Nepali village. Instead, it was a travelogue about the author's trek to the village of Basa and his inner conflict about "bringing progress to paradise." This is not a bad book, but disappointingly lower than my expectations.

The narrative of the trek was interesting--with good descriptions of the scenery and the effort required, and oozing with appreciation for Nepalis. This section of the book was easily the most interesting. But he gave uncomplimentary descriptions of himself and judgmental views of the accompanying Americans on the trek. He doesn't sound like a person I would want to trek with--or even hang out with at a tea stall in Kathmandu.

The occasional inner dialogue on the merits and dangers of bringing progress to paradise failed to shed much light on the topic and felt more like repeated hand-wringing. At the end he realized that holding back progress and leaving the village untouched--like a museum exhibit--was also a paternalistic view.

The writing needed a good editor to make it more lively, interesting and insightful.

[Jeffrey Rasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it, so, of course, I recommend it. If you're fleeing devils or chasing angels, you'll learn why you may find what you need in the high Himalayas. You have to be lost before grace can find you. They love to make flower garlands and sing and dance in Basa village, where there is no plumbing, electricity or vehicles with wheels. Read and learn about the Basa magnetism. Proceeds help continue the work of the Basa Village Foundation NGO Nepal. http://www.jeffreyrasley.com

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book didn't need to be written, but if it had to be it should have been edited better to remove the unnecessary bits. One of the more ego stroking travel memoirs I have read. Also, the author is a bit of a dick as an outdoor team member/leader. I'm glad I'm not trekking with him.

[Jeffrey Rasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Rasley has trekked or climbed in the Nepal Himalayas almost every year since 1995. He kept a written and photographic journal each trip. The articles/stories included in this compendium are based on the journals the author kept.

Photos included illustrate the magnificent beauty of the Himalayan Mountains and the unique culture of the high mountain dwellers. The anthology of photos and articles will whet the appetite of those interested in trekking the Himalayas. (Color photos and more information about trekking the Himalayas and the Basa Village Project may be found at http://www.jeffreyrasley.com.)

The stories present a gestalt of the local culture and some of the interesting characters that have climbed and trekked the Himalayas. The experience of a first Himalayan climb is described as is the inspiring experience of trekking with Sir Edmund Hillary's elder sister as is the gratification of helping to finish a little village school in the land of the Rai people.

The amazing strength and admirable gentleness of the Sherpa and Rai people living within the most spectacular vistas on planet Earth create a magnetic attraction for adventurers and spiritual seekers. Rasley's love of the mountains and mountain people shows through his personal essays. But, he is also critical of how the spread of materialistic consumerism has damaged traditional cultures. And, he describes how some mission and development efforts with the best of intentions have harmed rather than helped the traditional culture of local people.

The cruelty and beauty of Nature in the high mountains are revealed in Rasley's writings and photos. So are the virtues and vices of adventurers and seekers Rasley has met in his travels in the Himalayan region. What is most meaningful to the author is the special relationship he has developed with Basa village in a remote area of Nepal. The author encourages others to make friends across cultures in mutually beneficial ways.

[Maria]

I'm heading to Nepal in a week and a bit so happened upon this book as I was looking for something to read to get me in the mood. This book reads like a journal - how an ordinary man's life is impacted after he begins trekking through Nepal (multiple times over the years), how the Himalayas affects him, makes him reflect on his own life & the lives of those he meets on the treks & how he comes to want to "give back" (selecting a particular village in the Solu region called Basa). It chronicles his dilemmas on how the progress he brings to the village will impact it (for better or worse). In the end he goes ahead & his work is making a difference. I enjoyed it for the simple, honest writing, the accurate descriptions of the trekking experience, the interesting facts about Nepal and it's peoples, but mainly because it is inspiring to read about an ordinary person making a difference.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tackled the interesting question how to bring progress to self-sustaining idyllic communities without them becoming engulfed in western style consumerism, and the bigger question of 'should we?' All in all it was an interesting, thought provoking read with enjoyable stories of hiking in Nepal and the interesting cultures found throughout those mountains. The main focus of the trek was the Nepalese village of Basa - and if you're interested in the project to bring hydroelectricity and smokeless stoves to Basa check out the author's website: http://www.jeffreyrasley.com/Basa%20P.... If I hadn't spent my entire life living at sea level I'd probably be into the idea of trekking in Nepal - but until then I'm happy just reading about it.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book began on a enthusiastic note.but quickly ended up being a trek to Nepali villages with people who paid to go and some weren't In shape or had the materials to go. Finally they get to the village and kids get school materials. Nice but this book is thin and more a personal travelogue than a book others should read. It's pretty thin. I'm glad he helped a village or two and loves Nepalis. I still think he prefers trekking more.

[Dev Scott Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Three Cups here - could have been a much better read if there'd been a rigorous editor (errors such as a "there" when it should have been "their" are inexcusable) but it is a quick read/nice introduction to trekking in this part of the world

[Dana Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have anything against this book except it simply wasn't what I expected. It was certainly more geared toward the experienced hiker and adventurer and I'm content with a nice hiking trail in a state park.

[Ercilia Delancer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was highly disappointed to get to the end of this book and learn nothing as to how the mountain village of Basa actually coped with the influx of western influences that the author so much dreaded. I wish he had waited until the implementation of such measures as the expansion of the school, smokeless stoves, arrival of up-to-date teaching materials, building of the school playground, receipt of computers, and the arrival of the much needed hydroelectric power to tell us all about it. Instead, he spends much time letting us know how impatient he was with the pace of his fellow trekkers to the point of leaving them behind several times only to get lost on his own. I'm glad another reviewer on this forum located a blog written by the author which lists the actual dates and projects completed as of 2016. Still, there's nothing there as to whether the village has been able to retain the amazing spirit of cooperation and caring that so much impressed the author. And we never learned whether anything was done to address the issue of alcoholism so prevalent during his initial visit. It left me wondering if the author thought at the time that a sequel would be in the making and thus left us hanging in there.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly of interest if you’re in or planning to be in Nepal. The author does have an ego, but he is a lawyer & id say most charity leaders probably do too. But in terms of giving a small impression of what to expect & maybe some cultural preparedness, I think it does an ok job.

[Alicia Rasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great! This is about a man who goes to Nepal searching for adventure, but finds a new purpose for his life in a tiny village far away from the tourist areas.