A spiritual journey is something we all end up taking in our lives at one point or another. Spiritual travel has so many benefits and going on a pilgrimage for the soul can be a life-changing experience if you allow it to happen and open yourself up to the Universe.
When you go on a spiritual trip, you’re no longer just sightseeing, you’re soul-searching. It sounds kind of ironic, doesn’t it? Trying to find yourself in a foreign country that is. But I believe that traveling is one of the best ways for self-exploration, as it gives us a blank canvas to paint our own story with plenty of moments for deep introspection.
When we step into unfamiliar lands and immerse ourselves in different cultures, we are liberated from the constraints of life’s routines. It’s amidst these uncharted territories that we discover hidden facets of ourselves, untangle the complexities of life (or realize how simple life is!) and connect with the essence of our being.
Every time I travel, it’s always a spiritual journey and I always come home feeling reborn and rejuvenated, filled with new discoveries about myself and the world around me. If what I’m saying resonates with you, then keep reading on and let’s go on this path together.
11 Ways to Turn Your Next Trip into a Spiritual Journey
1. Heed the Call
Before I set forth, I always tune into myself, trying to feel which places are calling me. Like a magnet, the pull is strong as if Mother Earth herself is whispering to my ear: “Come.”
Not every place carries that essence, but so far in my life; whenever I do answer that call, I am thrust into a journey of the soul. It’s as if the universe conspires to guide me towards experiences that shape my very being and ignite the spark of life within.
For me, countries like Cambodia, Peru, Israel, and Mongolia were those places and even now I still hear India and Nepal!
I’m sure you have some countries on your radar right now, but think to yourself, why do you want to visit these places? Is it to take photos of the pretty sights? To check off a bucket list? Or just maybe they are actually the ones beckoning you over?
2. Set an Intention
As always, whether it’s mindful travel or spiritual travel, setting an intention is key. It marks the beginning of your pilgrimage, and sets the tone of the journey.
You can ask yourself, “What do I hope to gain from this trip?”; “What do I want to learn about myself” or you can even just ask the Universe to guide and show you the way.
Similar to an intention, you can set goals on things you want to achieve or let go off, though these goals are not necessarily required to be fulfilled but just being mindful that you’re going to travel with purpose adds more meaning to your trip.
3. Take a Journal
One of the best ways to get in touch with yourself is through journaling.
It can be something as simple as writing how you felt, describing the places, the people you meet, or the things you did that day. By doing so, you’ll always be able to come back to this place no matter how much time passes.
It’s an amazing tool especially if you find yourself being sucked back into life’s hectic routine. With a journal, you can always tap into the learnings you made while traveling to help ground you back.
Other forms of journaling can be dream journaling if you are a dreamer like me or doing gratitude journaling which brings me to the next one on the list.
4. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the hallmarks of spiritual travel. There are a myriad of things to be grateful for as you walk on your path. The fact that you’re in a foreign land, that you’re able to walk the Earth with your own two feet, and even for the things we take for granted back at home.
Learning to be grateful is a step towards self-love! Let me explain, practicing gratitude helps us shift our focus from what is lacking to what is abundant in our lives.
Acknowledging things to be grateful for is one thing, but we can also show gratitude by being kind to others or through offerings. Offerings don’t have to be something financial, though the gift of giving has plenty of lessons to teach us as well.
It can simply be a token that we give back to Earth. For example, I like taking a rock from the foot of a mountain whenever I hike and I offer it at the summit.
We can also offer our time instead, maybe by volunteering and giving back to the country that we’re visiting. Gratitude can come in many forms!
5. Take Time to Meditate
Mindfulness always goes hand in hand with spirituality. Bringing in spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga or reiki to your travels can make the overall experience much more profound as you get in touch with yourself and the world around you.
I know, I know, finding the time to meditate while traveling can be challenging especially if you’re always on the move. It’s exactly the reason why it’s so important to anchor ourselves to the present moment so we don’t get lost and lose sight of what’s really important.
6. Get Present
Even without meditation we can get present while we travel. As I like to say, traveling in itself already has the inherent capacity to bring us to the present moment. But what does getting present actually mean?
It means being fully aware of our surroundings, experiences, and sensations without judgment or distraction. When we are present, we let go of thoughts about the past or worries about the future and instead focus our attention on the here and now.
While traveling, we have a unique opportunity to engage our senses, observe the beauty around us, and appreciate the unfamiliar. We can savor the tastes of local cuisine, feel the textures of different landscapes, listen to the sounds of nature, and embrace the encounters and interactions that unfold.
Being present while traveling allows us to truly connect with the essence of a place, the people, and ourselves.
As they say, there truly is no time like the present.
7. Go Solo
Solo travel is one that I wholeheartedly recommend doing especially if you’re used to going with friends or family. It is through venturing beyond your comfort zone, can you truly discover yourself.
When you’re riding solo, you’re truly free! Free from any social obligations, you can go wherever the wind takes you and explore wherever your heart desires. The world becomes your playground, and the possibilities are endless.
Traveling solo means embracing the unknown. It’s an opportunity to veer off the beaten path and unravel the depths of your being. In these moments of solitude, you have the chance to tap into your inner voice, listen to your instincts, and uncover your true self.
At the same time, when challenges and obstacles arise, you also have no one else to rely on but yourself. It’s usually these moment where we can really truly grow.
As the poet, William Ernest Henley penned “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
8. Disconnect
As you embark on your trip, it really helps to disconnect. What do I mean by that? You’re already taking the first step by disconnecting yourself from the familiarity and comforts of home but what I also mean by that is disconnecting from everything that’s holding you back from fully embracing the present moment.
To disconnect means freeing yourself from the weight of past regrets and worries and shedding the limitations of your previous self.
This includes technology and social media. Instead of being constantly connected to virtual worlds and the noise of the digital realm, get fully immersed in this trip. You deserve that much.
9. Be Open
Keep your heart and mind open and you’ll find just how much you can learn. When you approach your spiritual journey with openness, you create space for new perspectives, experiences, and teachings to enter your life.
By being open, you allow yourself to be transformed by the places you visit and the people you meet along the way. Welcome the unknown with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Engage in conversations with locals, listen to their stories, and learn from their wisdom.
Watch out for synchronicities especially if you’re asking for higher guidance. Be receptive to the lessons that the universe presents to you, whether it’s through chance encounters, unexpected challenges, or moments of awe-inspiring beauty.
Most of all be open to change! True growth happens when you allow yourself to be shaped by the experiences and encounters that come your way. Stay open and stay curious, you’ll go a long way!
10. Visit Sacred Sites
There’s a reason why places like Machu Picchu and Tirta Empul attract so many pilgrims. It’s all about energy, and these places carry with them their own unique spiritual signature.
There are sites imbued with stories worth a thousand years, places like the Giza Pyramids or Stonehenge (both which happen to be Earth’s chakra points) are power spots where we can truly feel the planet’s pulse. It goes without saying, we have to treat these places and the local culture with the proper respect that they deserve.
When you visit these sacred sites, you step into a realm where time and space intertwine, where the echoes of ancient civilizations and spiritual practices still resonate to this day. These places hold a deep connection to the Earth and carry the imprints of centuries of human devotion and awe.
Listen to the whispers of the wind and the echoes of the past. Sacred sites offer us an opportunity for deep reflection, contemplation, and connection. They remind us of our place in human history and our connection to the Earth itself.
When we step foot into such places, we can tap into the collective consciousness, gain insights into our own spiritual journey, and find inspiration in the enduring wisdom of the ancients.
11. Learn to Let Go
I think most importantly, we have to learn to let go. Letting go of our attachments, expectations, and limitations. Let me dig deeper. Letting go isn’t about abandoning responsibility or disregarding your well-being. It is about releasing the unnecessary burdens and attachments that hinder your spiritual growth.
When we let go of expectations, we open ourselves to the beauty of spontaneity. We allow the journey to unfold organically, without being bound by rigid itineraries or predetermined outcomes. This sense of freedom allows us to connect with the flow of life and discover new possibilities.
Letting go also means releasing the things that hold us back, both internally and externally. It involves shedding self-doubt and negative beliefs that limit our potential. It means leaving behind bad habits and patterns that no longer serve us. By doing so, we create space for personal transformation and growth.
I also encourage people to let go of preconceptions and stereotypes. Why do we travel really? Isn’t it to learn about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives? What use are our preconceived notions about a certain people or country when we’re traveling there for the first time?
Embrace the uncertainties, surrender to the process, and trust in the wisdom of the universe. By letting go, you create space for new experiences, profound connections, and personal evolution.
