Spiritual Travel Kit
I picked up several books and packed them alongside my journal. I had planned on making roadways into, if not completely finishing, a couple of the books I had selected for my week at the beach. The books had gone unread, my journal unwritten. The quiet time I had envisioned for my meditation somehow never transpired. Life had taken over. I had enjoyed exploring the Florida beach but somehow felt that I had not had the vacation I had planned. I felt I had deserted my practice in favor of more trivial pursuits.
Over the years, as my spiritual journey has deepened, my spiritual practices have become more elaborate and mirror the discoveries I have made through readings, recordings and conversations. My daily spiritual devotion begins with a sage cleansing of my space and body. I move into meditations, both silent and mantra-focused, before journaling. After my journaling and throughout the day, I set aside time to read books to explore spirituality in all its forms and practices. Then I commit to moving my body with intention, whether it be yoga class or walking. A full spiritual practice has evolved into a good part of my morning. When I am home alone, my commitment is unwavering.
However, I have found that when I am out of my routine, especially traveling, the rituals of my spiritual practice are often challenged, leaving me feeling unfulfilled and uncommitted. It has taken a while, but I have come to terms with the realization that disruptions of travel will always be present, and I can prepare and embrace a different spiritual practice while away from the sanctuary of my home.
First, I created my mini-travel version of my spiritual practice by adapting and shortening the rituals I have grown to appreciate and love, a spiritual travel kit, per se. The most significant change I have made when not in my home is the time of day I dedicate to my practice. I find that I am more likely to commit to a travel practice if my customary routine is performed in the evening rather than in the morning. And with the exception of walking, all other rituals are practiced after I have gone to bed.
Movement: I commit to walking 10,000 steps a day and maybe a few yoga poses if space and time allow for it.
Reading: I increase my spiritual reading, making it the most comprehensive part of the practice during travel. The additional reading alleviates any lingering thoughts that I am ignoring my spiritual commitment. Before leaving my home, I download several book options. This anticipation increases my desire to read while on the road, in a plane and in a new environment.
Journaling: I use the note app on my phone to reflect on my thoughts of the day. Moving from reading to journaling, or vise versa, on the phone is condensed to a couple of swipes.
Meditation: I replace my yoga-cushion-supported lotus pose complete with mantras with a silent meditation while lying in bed. This also establishes an intention for guidance from the unconscious while sleeping, otherwise known as dream incubation.
Second, I try to find organic spiritual awareness in new experiences and sights. I try to stay in a state of alertness of my feelings, thoughts and bodily reactions and settle into a state of being.
Third, I have let go (mostly) of feeling remorseful when I fall short of even my shortened adapted spiritual practice.
Because my spiritual practice has been a work in progress for years, I feel a deep need to be attuned to my spirit daily. Letting go of my full-course home-version and embracing my spiritual travel kit of rituals has allowed me to enjoy my vacation more.
Update to Spiritual Travel Kit: My trip to the beaches of Florida was 4 years ago and as a result of this awareness I created my spiritual travel kit. Most recently, my great epiphany came while I spent 4 days with my son in the Twin Cities. During a reflection of my daily practice, I began to explore whether my rituals were disguised as spirituality when they were in fact a comfortable way of dismissing life and all the messiness that come with being human.
However hesitant I am to admit, I will concede that there may be truth in my latest spiritual awareness, which, ironically, came to me during travels and time away from my in-depth lengthy spiritual practice. And while my spiritual rituals are important, I have made it an intention to begin to differentiate between when my practice is spiritually nourishing and when it is a cloak to hide from life.
What are some of your travel challenges, how do you work through them and what have you learned?
Love,
Andrea
