How your stay at Six Senses Bhutan applies this colorful Kingdom's happiness indexes

In Bhutan, the concept of Gross National Happiness is more important than a materialistic approach to life. Six Senses Bhutan applies the happiness indexes for a truly unique journey through your senses that is sure to leave you beaming.

The Bhutanese government sought help from experts around the world to understand how to measure the population’s happiness levels and defined nine indexes. The four indexes of Good Governance, Community Vitality, Ecological Diversity and Resilience are already central to our Six Senses values. We took the remaining five indexes – Health, Time Use, Education, Psychological Well-being, and Culture – and selected spa treatments and created unique guest experiences, based on our understanding and application of these principles.

In addition, we invite you to find your own path to happiness with a series of self-guided practices. They will stimulate your curiosity and sharpen your awareness of what you see and experience as you travel the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

If you start your journey at Six Senses Thimphu, you’re in for a healing treat, as we’ve dedicated our spa offers and happiness practice to health. A simple step is to take a moment to step out of the ‘doing’ into the ‘be-holding’ of a moment. Without trying to find meaning in something that has just happened, or worrying about what lies ahead, we can experience so much more of what a moment has to offer. We also allow ourselves to experience ourselves, just as we are, in relation to and within this moment.

At the end of your journey at Six Senses Thimphu, we hope you’ll have gained a better of understanding of where you are in your life now and take away a few useful resources and beautiful memories of Bhutan that you’ve experienced along the way.

At Six Senses Punakha, we created an entire journey to assure better rest to achieve time balance and restore the mind, rejuvenate the body and prepare for many cultural experiences and adventures that await you each day.

At Six Senses Paro, which for many of you will be the last location, we focus on setting intentions for going back to life at home and for enjoying life-long education.

Writing intentions on Bhutanese prayer flags, barefoot walking meditation and the inclusion of the Tiger’s Eye crystal in the opening treatment ritual are some of the practices you will experience at this location. Tiger’s Eye is a powerful stone for releasing fear and anxiety, while aiding harmony and balance. It allows you to make decisions with discernment and understanding, and unclouded by emotions.

You’ll be invited to hold the crystal in your hands, while setting positive intentions through breathing and meditation to leave an imprint of Bhutan deep within. This is followed by Bhutanese chanting and singing bowls, promoting stillness, happiness and well-being.

For more information about our journeys, or to create your own itinerary, please email reservations-bhutan@sixsenses.com.