Posted on May 23, 2009 - by Janice
Solo Travel as a Spiritual Journey
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
From The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
These words by Oriah Mountain Dreamer speak to the essence of what both she and Ainslie MacLeod shared in recent interviews about solo travel as a spiritual journey– that travel helps us understand the true desires of our hearts and souls.
Life is a journey and travel can help get us there.
Every day we move forward in time and space. We grow in small ways and, sometimes, in very significant ways. When we travel, growth is intensified because we are in new territory. From communicating in a foreign language to negotiating different styles of bathrooms, we’re learning every step of the way. But gaining cultural knowledge is not the only way in which we grow.
“Travel is very good for the soul’s growth,” says Ainslie, a psychic, author of The Instruction and a guest on Oprah’s Soul Series. “As you travel and meet new people, you discover them and yourself.” Ainslie experienced this first hand. Before having a family he did a lot of solo travel. He would just go to the airport with a toothbrush in his pocket and see what flight he could get cheap. Going alone he could go inside himself, relax and switch off. He was following his soul’s desire.
“As a psychic, I guide people to understand their lives,” explains Ainslie. “A lot of us have souls that want us to travel. The soul comes here to pick up knowledge and experience the world. Travel is indeed good for the soul’s growth”
That travel is good for spiritual growth was echoed by Oriah, a poet, author and facilitator of workshops on creativity and spirituality.
“When traveling,” she says, “we’re removed from all that is familiar. We discover who we are when no one is looking. Thrust into unfamiliar situations, we sometimes learn that we are not who we think we are – we discover aspects of our personality that we weren’t aware of. And when we have to rely on strangers for help we learn to trust our intuition. All these experiences, this learning, promotes spiritual growth.”
Solo travel is not necessarily traveling alone.
When you consider the many ways that solo travel promotes spiritual growth, it is clear that solo does not necessarily mean traveling alone. New people are important on our spiritual journey. We may meet people, pick up with them for an hour, a day, or maybe more, and then move on. The key is that we experience and learn from them yet they aren’t part of our everyday life. This leaves us free to discover ourselves uninhibited by others.
Soul Safari – a spiritual journey to Africa
In October of this year, Ainslie is going on a true spiritual journey to Africa as a facilitator on the Soul Safari . This is a perfect example of traveling solo while not being alone. The majority of people on this tour are single and going both for the experience of Africa and the desire to better know their own soul.
Click here to save $1000 on Soul Safari
Ainslie explains that “the trip is an opportunity to draw kindred spirits together in an atmosphere of exploration and mutual support. Everyone will be on a similar spiritual path. I’m facilitating but everyone’s involved. I know what I will be talking about and teaching but I don’t know where it will all go. The atmosphere of trust will help to dissipate past life fears so that everyone can communicate with their soul and spirit guides.”
Solo and spiritual
Every solo trip inevitably involves some time when we are truly alone. These are occasions when we can be still. They are precious moments for reflection and for experiencing pleasure without the need to share. Again, Oriah’s inquiring poem is so very appropriate. Here is the final stanza of The Invitation:
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.
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September 6, 2009
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Marlene Affeld said:
Very insightful and informative post. My quiet times alone with nature are the best journeys.
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July 15, 2009
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admin said:
Thanks Gwen. What an eloquent contribution to this discussion.
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July 15, 2009
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Gwen McCauley said:
Great article (again!) Janice! I know from my own life and the experiences my clients have on my retreats to Portugal just how powerful travel is an an invitation to spiritual growth.
Especially if you view spirituality as being about creating meaning in your life, and connecting more meaningfully with your Self and with others, there is nothing like being ‘unhooked’ from all that is familiar to you to set the stage for new discoveries.
I know that part of the reason Portugal works so effectively for me as a destination for these Self discovery retreats is that it is a place on the face of this earth that speaks very deeply and powerfully to the meaning in my life, so my clients benefit from that. I bet Africa has a similar resonance for Ainslie and the folks who are drawn to engage with him there. I look forward to hearing about their up-coming experiences and discoveries.
I think that one of the great blessings of living at this time in history is that we all have so much choice available to us. And folks like you create opportunities for us to focus on which specific choices will support and expand our lives. Many thanks.
Gwen McCauley
http://ouicoach.com
follow me at http://www.twitter.com/gwenmccauley
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June 4, 2009
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admin said:
Thanks Sandy. We will look forward to hearing about the trip.
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June 3, 2009
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Sandy Salle said:
I would be delighted to provide a report of the trip, it’s going to be a very interesting and life changing journey and we’re all very excited. I look forward to sharing our journey with you on our return and we will also post to Hills of Africa Travel at http://www.hillsofafrica.com
Best wishes, Sandy
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June 3, 2009
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admin said:
I’ll make sure that we get a full report.
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June 1, 2009
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marina k. villatoro said:
This is one of the most interesting and different types of tours I’ve ever heard of. I’d love to hear how it comes out!
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May 23, 2009
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admin said:
I’m glad you enjoyed the article and you are indeed fortunate to be going on the Soul Safari trip. I look forward to hearing how it goes when you get back.
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May 23, 2009
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Amy MacLeod said:
‘The Invitation’ has been with me for years. When I hear someone speak about it with respect, reverence or understanding, I know that person is someone I could spend time with. No doubt there will be a resonating depth of refreshing ‘knowing’. Interesting, Janice, that you brought it so creatively into your article about Ainsley. As you know, I am one of the very fortunate people who has been blessed with time, means and desire to explore my soul’s purpose with Ainsley in Africa. And to add to the delight, I will have some one-on-one time with him. I feel like a child who has met her fairy godmother and has been invited to ask ONE question! What will it be…?