During their life, most spiritual people seek to answer the question: am I an earthly being having a spiritual experience or am I spiritual being having an earthly experience? Most faiths regard our time on earth as a preparatory step for the life that we experience after death.
Most of the faith-based questions that we have are answered by embarking on a spiritual journey. Make sure that that you make use of an international travel SIM card when embarking on your journey.
What is spiritual travel
Spirituality means different things to different people.
Some people are deeply spiritual and may want to go on a pilgrimage as part of a rite of passage. Perhaps that person is traveling with a relative who wishes to embark on a pilgrimage/spiritual journey before they pass on.
Some people may feel that they are spiritually challenged and may be experiencing a crisis of faith. A spiritual journey deeper into their faith through prayer and/or scripture reading may be the only way to resolve this.
For some, a physical pilgrimage and a spiritual journey is a rite of passage. Many Native American youths embark on what is called a vision quest which focuses their mind and spirit to become closer to nature and the society that they live in.
Places to visit for spiritual growth
If you are embarking on a spiritual journey, the best place to start is in a church, temple, mosque, synagogue or a temple. This should be done under the guidance of a faith leader or someone who has embarked on a similar journey before.
Popular pilgrimages include:
- a trip to the Holy Land (Israel) to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ;
- Hadj, or a spiritual journey to Mecca, which is a pillar of Islam and is a requirement for every able-bodied Muslim (man or woman) to participate in at least once in their life;
- the Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years in sites such as Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. Varanasi is seen by many as the spiritual capital of India and draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites.
Lesser pilgrimages include:
- The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) is a network of pilgrims’ ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried.
- Wat Pho (Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples.
- Ganga Talao (commonly known as Grand Bassin) is a crater lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. Mauritian Hindus believe firmly that they should, as often as possible, visit and take a bath in the Ganga to celebrate the main festival of Shiva.
Make sure that you plan your spiritual journey properly.
Further reading: Top 110 Best travel apps.
How to communicate when travelling abroad
Communication when travelling abroad is important.
Make use of WI-FI that is supplied at most hotels or bed and breakfast establishments. Most restaurants and coffee shops have public Wi-Fi networks but be sure to limit your usage over these networks. Alternatively, make sure that you have international roaming enabled on your mobile or make use of a travel Sim card.
Make sure that you know how to handle an emergency when travelling abroad. Further reading: Travel emergency tips.
Spiritual travel benefit 1: It provides a fresh perspective
Travel means change. You are bound to be inspired or enlightened by the next curling wave on the ocean, or the next delicacy you feast on.
Breathing in the different air and meeting new people helps you to break away from your usual life and to experience life in different places.
You’re definitely going to enjoy yourself and free tension in your body, as well as grow spiritually. This is why traveling is good for spiritual health.
Spiritual travel benefit 2: It helps you to live in the moment
Traveling helps spiritual health because it helps you to love in the moment.
If you live in the moment, you’re going to enjoy the best parts of your life. Spiritual health means raising your vibrations, and positive experiences can do that for you any time.
Committing these moments to your memory so you can come back and visit them during meditation can always give you that good energy that you need.
Why not embark on a spiritual adventure in summer? Further reading: Top 10 Best places to visit in Summer.
Spiritual travel benefit 3: Travel develops gratitude
Traveling helps you appreciate the beauty of life.
Clearing your mind and enjoying the cool fresh breeze during a sunset can help you feel grateful for your life. This raises your good energy and positive vibes. Practicing gratitude helps you to attract more good things into your life.
Why not embark on a spiritual adventure in winter?
Further reading: Top 10 Best places to visit in Winter.
Spiritual travel benefit 4: Travel helps you appreciate nature
Traveling means being more in nature. That really helps spiritual health to grow.
Being in nature helps you to balance out your vibrations. Nature helps you to de-stress. Think about green leaves, fresh air, and a smooth gushing waterfall.
It fills you with positive energy. Being connected to the earth enables the negative energy in your body to flow into the ground and be replaced with positive energy.
January is the best month to travel if you want to start the new year off with a clean slate.
Further reading: Top 10 best places to visit in January.
Spiritual travel benefit 5: Traveling means less screen time
Let’s face it—social media can stunt your spiritual growth. It stirs feelings of jealousy because everyone is just living the life of their dreams!
When you’re traveling, you’re enjoying new places and experiencing new things and leaving no time to check your phone. Reducing your screen time is going to help you to live a free existence unfettered by the constant need to go online.
Traveling improves spiritual health through boosting your interest in the real world!
Spiritual travel benefit 6: Spiritual travelling brings you closer to people
Many of us will be embarking on a pilgrimage in a group with fellow devotees.
While you may on the journey to resolve your own crisis of faith, interaction within the group brings you closer together and may help your journey as you listen to others and share your experiences with them.
Lifelong friendships can be made on pilgrimages.
Spiritual Travel benefits FAQ’s
- When is the best time to go on a pilgrimage?
Pilgrimages usually take place in spring and fall which is outside of the harshest seasons of summer (which has extreme heat and often wet weather) and winter (when the temperatures are at their lowest and snow or icy conditions may be experienced in some countries). - Is it best to go on a pilgrimage alone?
Faith is experienced differently by different people. You can go on a pilgrimage whenever you like. However, there is something special about going on a pilgrimage with a group of fellow worshipers. Most faiths arrange a pilgrimage in biannual or three yearly cycles. The traditional Hadj only takes place once a year, so you will encounter other devotees on your journey. The same applies with the Kumbh Mela which is held every 12 years.
- How do I make the most out of my spiritual travel?
Embark on your journey with a specific goal in mind. This goal is personal to you and should not be discussed with anyone other than a religious leader who may be guiding you on your journey. Open your mind and humble yourself to whatever the experience offers you.
- How do I plan a spiritual journey?
Most faiths arrange these journeys on a regular basis, so they will do the logistical work for you. All you have to do is pay for the journey and get a visa for the country you are visiting. If you are embarking on a spiritual journey alone, seek guidance/advice from a spiritual leader.
- Will I feel refreshed/renewed after my spiritual journey?
Often, the experience that you gain on a spiritual journey is equal to the level of effort that you put into the journey. What you put in is what you will get out. If you go into the journey with an open mind and a humble heat/spirit, then there is a good possibility that you will be fulfilled by the journey.
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