6 Transformative Gifts of Sacred Travel Experiences

“Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.”— Yogi Bhajan 

Sacred travel transforms us more than any other experience on earth. These experiences take us outside of our familiar habits and comfort zones, expands our awareness, and broadens our perspective on life. When we visit an unfamiliar place or a foreign country, we feel more alive and one with the universe. In these sacred moments where our present awareness is heightened, we are feeling, sensing, and experiencing life rather than thinking about it.  

There’s no greater feeling than having my suitcase packed, passport in hand, and anticipating my next travel adventure. That’s because travel opens me to a whole new world. It takes my breath away and feeds my soul. With each new sacred experience, my senses delight in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels of where I land. Whether it’s the smiles of the people I meet, the taste of exotic foods, or the sensation of waking up in new place, I live fully present in the moment. Free of expectations and agendas, I ride on the stream of the unknown and accept whatever the universe has in store for me.  

Travel transports you to another place and time. It offers you new adventures where you have no idea what’s in store for you. Through this portal of possibility, you are more receptive to spiritual insights, revelations, and divine downloads. Such sacred space also allows you see your life from a fresh vantage point. 

There will always be bills to pay, household tasks to complete, and family to care for, but sacred travel is a life-changing opportunity. Nothing changes your view on your own life than by visiting other countries, experiencing a new culture, and seeing how other people live. You can also take advantage of the transformative experience travel gives you through eating at your local ethnic restaurant, visiting a culturally diverse neighborhood, or learning a new language.   

Here are 6 Transformative Gifts of Sacred Travel:  

1. You Live in the Present Moment: Travel makes you live in the present moment by taking you out of your element and familiar routines. There are few experiences in life that will inspire you to be still and take it all in like travel can. It’s hard to be reading your latest text message or scrolling through Instagram when you’re having a life-changing experience you’ve only read about. Travel liberates you from your repetitive thoughts and opens your heart to your present experience. It’s as if your eyes are opened for the first time and you become keenly aware of what’s right in front of you, what you are sensing and feeling. Mostly, it helps you unplug from everything that distracts you so you can explore and discover new parts of yourself. 
2. You Expand Your Perspective: Travel experiences change the way you view life. A change of scenery, whether it’s taking a new way home or seeing the Eiffel tower can do wonders to expand your perspective and change your internal geography. Such experience shifts you from viewing things simply in physical terms to seeing why things happen from a higher, enlightened perspective. Like flying in an airplane and viewing the ground below, you obtain a more elevated, spiritual perspective on your life. Not only will you be more appreciative for your own life, but you’ll also have a new sense of wonder and empathy for those around you. Through such conscious awareness, you can access the spiritual information coming through your heart, and act on it without reservation. 
3. You Embrace the Unexpected: Travel shows you how to embrace the unexpected, trust yourself, and go with the flow no matter what happens in life. Like a bamboo tree in the storm, such flexibility allows you to bend without breaking. It teaches you how to let go of your expectations, well-laid plans, or agendas. When flights are delayed, suitcases lost, or plans change, you learn to accept the unexpected and see it as a divine gift. When you view what’s happening from this spiritual perspective, life flows easily, naturally and with grace. You learn how to be calm and not get frustrated or upset when dealing with travel issues that most people face. Such resilience is one of the most valuable skills that you can not only apply to traveling, but the rest of your life.  
4. You Savor the Simple Pleasures: Whether you’re seeing the great pyramids of Egypt or eating a crepe on the streets of Paris, as I have, travel teaches you how to savor life’s simple pleasures and its most precious moments. It inspires real experiences of awe, wonder, joy, and inspiration–amplifying the connectedness of all life.  Through sacred travel, you experience something positive every day. Dwelling on the positive things in your life moves you toward the tipping point of positivity. As your day begins, repeat the mantra, “I am a blessed being.” Bring to mind three things that you feel grateful for or happy about, even if it’s just being alive. When your day comes to a close, reflect on three things that happened during the day that you feel blessed about, and why you believe they happened for you.  
5. You Appreciate Other Cultures: Travel fosters an appreciation of other cultures and how other people live. Not only will you be more grateful for your own life, it widens your circle of compassion to embrace other cultures. It gives you the chance to interact with people from other ethnicities and countries. Through soaking in the language, customs, and values of a new culture, you become more inclusive and less ethnocentric. Traveling as an ambassador of love makes you more tolerant and allows you to go beyond any arbitrary barriers. Spreading your light can help bring about love, peace and tolerance to all people regardless of culture, religion, or country.   
6. You Notice the Sacred: Because the art of travel takes you out of the familiar and predictable, you notice the sacred all around you. In the moment, you may not know why your flight was delayed, a sight-seeing tour was canceled, or you took the wrong bus and ended up in a different part of the city. Some of the most transformative experiences happen from these so-called “mishaps.” Yet, it’s these moments that show you why you are here. Words can’t describe the feeling you have when you view a captivating piece of art, wander into an old church, or step on an ancient sacred site that brings you in touch with the divine. All you have to do is open your heart and take it all in. The sacred experience you just had will last a lifetime.  

Sacred travel nurtures your hearts, liberates your souls, and expands your consciousness beyond any other experience. Make the journey whether it’s abroad or down the street and you will open yourself to these transformative gifts that will change your life forever.