Chances are- if you are reading this article, you are well on your way. Things, experiences might seem different, but is it just your perception? Or is there a bigger change happening in the world around us?

Remember, it is possible that you may experience none of these, one of these or all of these…

20 Signs of Spiritual Awakening

Lets start with the positive effects. Spiritual awakening is a powerful, jolting experience- but it’s not going to be easy. Here are 10 positive symptoms that you might be experiencing in your everyday life:

10 Positive Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening

1. Increased Empathy And Intuition

You find yourself listening less to what people say and more to the feeling or intention behind their words or actions.

2. Feeling Drawn To Nature

We may get distracted when walking outside (even during a busy day) around nature just looking at flowers, birds or the sky.

3. An Aversion To Negative People Or Behaviours

You find yourself less interested in gossip, pettiness or the judgment of others.

4. A Desire For A United Community 

You seem more DRAINED by ‘us versus them’ arguments, energies or consciousness (be it politics, sports, nationalism, racial divides, etc.).

5. Feeling And Believing That All Life Is Sacred

We value all life as sacred. You may find yourself taking small bugs outside to live and perform their purpose (rather than squashing them).

6. Your Consciousness Feels Renewed

You begin to look back on your own life memories as only opinions of your experience versus a concrete reality. You realize now that your entire life experience can be different based on the consciousness you hold.

7. You Are Living In ‘The Moment’

We are less interested in asking yourself “what if”questions. For example, “What if this person never left me” or “What if I had a better childhood?”

8. Increased Inner Peace

You don’t mind a quiet time or alone time. You now tend to shut off the T.V. and social media more often recently.

9. Compassion And Positivity Surges Through You

Rather than competing or wanting ill will for another, you hope we all make it and all are happy because in reality we all are connected.

10. Enhanced Authenticity

You need less attention in crowds, public situations or around others.  Rather you are content to watch, assist and help others to see their own truth and beauty.

Coming into your own has a cost. It’s not going to be easy to open your eyes to the physical world around you as you engage with your community, your family, and your self on a deeper level. Here are a few side effects of spiritual awakening that might at first be frightening or hard to accept as you forge your journey:

Just remember- life is happening for you, not to you.

10 “Negative” Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening

1. Sudden waves of emotion.

Crying at the drop of a hat. Feeling suddenly angry or sad with little provocation. Or inexplicably depressed. Then very happy. Emotional roller coaster. There is often a pressure or sense of emotions congested in the heart chakra (the middle of the chest). This is not to be confused with the heart, which is located to the left of the heart chakra.

Advice on how to deal:

Accept your feelings as they come up and let them go. Go directly to your heart chakra and feel the emotion. Expand it outward to your all your fields and breathe deeply from the belly all the way up to your upper chest. Just feel the feeling and let it evaporate on its own. Allowing the emotions to be felt will keep them from being stored in the body.

2. Food intolerances, allergies you never had before.

As you grow more spiritual, you are more sensitive to everything around you. Your body will tell you what it can no longer tolerate, as if it, too, is sloughing off what doesn’t serve it anymore. You might be cleansing yourself of toxins. Some people find they often have a white residue in their mouth, much like that of runners at the end of a race.

My personal experience: I suddenly had severe excema on my hands and feet. I discovered it was due to gluten intolerance. I can also no longer enjoy a lot of acidic foods- my stomach aches after red-sauce laden meals.

Advice on how to deal:

Take yourself to a naturopath. Look at your diet for known allergens, like dairy, gluten, and nuts. Consider a restrictive diet for a few weeks, and slowly add back foods, one at a time to see if you can target what is causing your issues.

3. Amplification of the senses.

• Sight: Blurry vision, shimmering objects, seeing glittery particles, auras around people, plants, animals, and objects. Some report seeing formerly opaque objects as transparent.
• Hearing:  hearing white noise in the head, beeps, tones, music or electronic patterns.Some hear water rushing, bees buzzing, whooshing, roaring or ringing. Some hear strange voices in their dreams, as if someone is hovering near them
• Enhanced senses of smell, touch, and/or taste: I have a friend that can smell and taste chemical additives in some foods in a rather unpleasant manner. Some mystics have reported smelling the fragrance of flowers now and then (this sounds rather enjoyable)

Advice on how to deal:

Surrender to it. Let it come through. Listen. Be patient. Whatever you do, do not be afraid. Hazy vision maybe relieved by yawning.

4. Vivid dreams.

Sometimes the dreams are so real that you wake up confused. You may even have lucid dreams in which you are in control. Many dreams may be mystical or carry messages for you. And in some dreams, you just know that you are not “dreaming”… that what is happening is somehow real.

Advice: You will remember what is important for you to remember. Don’t force anything. Above all, stay out of fear.

5. Events that completely alter your life:

Death, divorce, change in job status, loss of home, illness, and/or other catastrophes… sometimes several at once! Forces that cause you to slow down, simplify, change, re-examine who you are and what your life means to you. Forces that you cannot ignore. Forces that cause you release your attachments. Forces that awaken your sense of love and compassion for all.

6. Introspection, solitude and loss of interest in more extroverted activities:

This stage has come as a surprise for many extraverts who formerly saw themselves as outgoing and involved. They say, “I don’t know why, but I don’t like to go out as much as before.”

7. A sense of something “Impending”.

There is a feeling that something is about to happen. This can create anxiety.

Advice: There is nothing to worry about. Things are definitely happening, but anxiety only creates more problems for you. All your thoughts “” positive or negative”“ are prayers. There is nothing to fear.

8. Electrical and mechanical malfunctions:

When you are around, lightbulbs flicker, the computer locks up, or the radio goes haywire.

Advice: Call on your angels, and guides to fix it or put up a field of protection of light around the machine. Surround your car with blue light. Laugh.

9. Dizziness.

This occurs when you are ungrounded. Perhaps you have just cleared a big emotional issue and your body is adjusting to your “lighter” state.

Advice: Ground yourself by eating protein. Sometimes “comfort food” feels right. Don’t make any food right or wrong for you. Use your guidance to know what you need at any given moment. Take your shoes off and put your feet in the grass for a couple of minutes.

10. Memories surface

Body memories, suppressed memories, images of past lives and/or parallel lives. We are healing and integrating all our “selves”, so expect to have some of these experiences.

Advice:. Keep in mind that it is best to recall what only what comes to mind, leave the rest alone, don’t analyze everything to death (because you will be stuck in the tape loop of infinite issues to process), and feel your feelings as they come up. Ask for help from your guides.

What Should You Do After Awakening?

It’s pretty common for people to want to know what to do after awakening. But there are a couple of key elements that we need to be clear about to answer this question properly. Are we talking about immediately after awakening? Are we talking about three years after awakening?

In the Short Term:

Immediately after a spiritual awakening, you need to make space, and you need to assess where you are in life. Some people wake up in a situation where they can be a hot mess for 3 years. Maybe they have a spouse who can support them. Maybe they have good close friends. Maybe they have a lot of savings. Others don’t have that luxury. Thus, they have more work ahead of them to create space to fall apart and be reborn.

Creating long-term financial solutions are important for people so that they don’t end up in unnecessary financial and basic needs distress. There tends to be enough ego distress through the initial years as the ego is melted down.

Building a spiritual practice, it should go without saying, is also vitally important.

In the Long Term:

Some of you are much further along in your spiritual growth, and that’s awesome. As the intensity of the initial years of energy subside, it often is important to more actively intensify or re-intensify the energy. The floodwaters of awakening tend to knock down a few things, but it seems rare that they remove every obstacle and leave someone in a state of pure oneness and freedom. Instead, awakening is kind of like resetting the system. It’s a new beginning.

The clarity and freedom earned from dissolving and doing the necessary inner work during the early years offers a person the ability to intentionally dive deeper to break stronger and more powerful attachments. However, going further towards freedom is a choice. Many people are happy to plateau. Some people land in a place of ongoing, awakened flow, and you don’t have to go deeper or further than your soul’s desire. Hopefully if you get into these later years, it’s pretty clear if your soul truly wants freedom or something else, and hopefully, you now can surrender to and live from this truth within you.

The post 20 Signs You’re Experiencing A Spiritual Awakening appeared first on Away We Stray.

When the soft rays of light first tipped over the ridgeway at Crescent Lake, we were already there and ready to plop down our belongings at the lakeside campsites. By the time the remaining campers had risen from their tents, yawning and brushing out their bedhead, my friends and I were ear-to-ear smiles, ready to set sail to the coast. Our mission? Ruby Beach Washington. The most Northwest beach in the area. The energy was infectious; our mornings were spent with steaming cups of tea, enjoying the slow change in the forests’ gradient as the sun slid into view. Followed by a full days’ worth of fun.

The Olympic Peninsula is just far enough away from the large metropolises of Seattle and Tacoma to keep out the hordes of people we were avoiding, but close enough to the coast to justify day our trips out to Ruby Beach, Cape flattery, and even Neah Bay for some surfin’ fun. The ocean’s slap against the sand is louder than anyone’s voice, and the curvy roads that led in and out of the park pick up just 2 radio stations. There’s not a whole lot to distract yourself from quiet meditation.

Though Crescent Lake’s clear blue waters draw a large crowd year-round, it was the lack of cell service that solidified our choice to stay lakeside No distractions, no phone calls, and no Facebook: I’ll call that a win! A true camping experience. There’s not much else you could want-

Olympic National Park really does have it all.

The winding road that labeled Washington’s most northwestern beaches allowed little light through the trees. My eyes slowly adjusted to the bright overhead light as we left the pathway onto the driftwood-filled beaches.  Sharp pinnacles rose from wet earth while the ocean kicked up a salty mist as thick as winter fog, leaving the beaches filled with a mysterious aura. A wonderland of sorts.

Ruby beach, though named after the soft glow that the land formations develop in the evening lights, is filled with discarded art made of driftwood and soft flat stones of all sizes. As you descend along the beach, huge pieces of petrified wood are planted precariously, forming makeshift teepees and other structures. Most, if not all, are filled to the brim with handmade rock mountains. If you listen long enough, you might hear the steady wind as it whistles through.

A quick leap over the frigid tide pools onto the jutting rocks leads to a magnificent view. Strong salty winds billow back my locs, and slide their fingers beneath my tank top. Though the frigid sand will numb bare feet, it’s not too cold to enjoy the summer breeze.

If you squint into the distance, you’ll make out the shape of a dilapidated lighthouse, located on an island aptly called “Destruction island”. I’ve just recently discovered that this area actually held a rather large community for its size, boasting not only shelter, but also farm animals and its own school house!

Other beach-goers stand high on the rocks, holding fishing poles or reading material. Some wade through the warmer pools left inland from high tide. A few explore the cliff faces for birds’ nests, and lovers sneak off into hidden caves just around the bend.

This is by far my favorite beach in Washington State. Ruby beach is iconic, and totally worth the drive for a visit. Tons of adventures await in this area. Have you checked out “The Outdoor Project“? It’s my favorite website to plan my explorations! And Ruby beach does have quite a few….In fact, there are even trails along the forested area just before shore. Check them out here. 

If you are in need of an itinerary for your own Olympics’ trip, check out Carmen and Joe’s itinerary at PackYourBaguios

Happy Adventuring!!

The post Olympic National Park: Best of the Pacific NorthWest appeared first on Away We Stray.

Awaawapuhi Trail

Awaawapuhi Trail has incredible drop-offs and epic views down to the Na Pali Coast. It only takes about an hour and a half each way along the total 6.2 miles out and back journey. If you only have time for one hike on the west side of Kauai, this is your trail.

Heading down the Awaawapuhi Trail might give you some false confidence about how easy the hike will be.  The soft sloping trail is easy to descend into, though the rough roots sticking from the mud path can be quite tricky to navigate. Returning on the path is much more strenuous, as you will be climbing back out from the viewpoint.

Most people stop at the viewpoint overlook, but it is possible to venture down the ridge although this can be quite dangerous. The rocks can be very crumbly and no step is certain on the ridges out in Koke’e State Park.

Awaawapuhi Trail Head Location

Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more popular hikes in the Koke’e Park and subsequently has a large, signposted parking lot. It is before the Kalalau lookout but still takes well over 30 minutes to reach from Waimea Town. The trailhead is on the left of the parking lot.

Kelapa Ridge Trail

The Kalepa Ridge Trail is an unofficial trail that leads downhill from Kalalau Lookout in Koke’e State Park, along the ridge line between Kalalau Valley and Honopu. Although there  are “steep cliff” signs, it’s easy to walk right behind the fence at Kalalau Lookout and trek down to the lookout. This hike was by far my favorite trail!

Since it’s an unofficial trail there is also no official length.  Many people hike down a little more than a mile down the trial to see the incredible, panoramic views of the Na Pali Coast and Kalalau Valley. The whole hike took about 1.5 hours round trip including a lunch break on the lookout, and I believe it was a little less than 2 miles round trip.

Makaleha Falls Hike

If you’re feeling extra adventurous on your trip to Kauai and want to do an excellent hike, then consider the Makaleha Falls hike in east Kauai. The trail meanders along the stream through lush vegetation as you head towards the falls. After the first river crossing, you will come into a bamboo forest. Following the jungle-gym type pathway up the side of the river (be careful to stay close to the banks, as its easy to get lost here), you come upon an epic waterfall with 2 pools to swim in!

Wailua Falls Hike

From the viewpoint the waterfall is spectacular but the Wailua Falls hike allows you to follow the trail down to the bottom pool and enjoy the raw power of this waterfall from up close.

The Wailua Falls hike is only a short trek down a slope, which is often quite slippery and muddy. Despite the short distance, this is a waterfall hike for able-bodied, fit people. This is due to the steep incline and muddy terrain. I hiked while the trail was dry, and had no issues with footing, but I can see this trail being dangerous if the path is just a little wet! Trek with caution

 Sleeping Giant Hike

Climbing the sleeping giant! Native Hawaiian legend tells about a giant who, after great labor and overeating, lay to rest and has yet to be awaken. Myth states that when the natives feared being attacked, they would light fires behind the giant thus frightening the invaders away towards other islands.

This hike shows off the beauty of the island with sweeping panoramic views from the center of the east side. The Sleeping Giant trail, also called Nounou Trail, has three different routes in your attempt to awake the giant. You can take either the east route (most scenic), west route, or the Kuamoo-Mounou route. (We took the east!)

About 3 miles up, you will reach a picnic table where you can see the entire Wailua Valley from Anatolia to Lihue’. This area is known as the “Giant’s Chest” and marks the half way point of the hike. It’s beyond this sign when you’ll begin your adventure hiking over the Giant’s chin and nose.

Past the chin there is a steep trail that will lead you to the nose of the Giant. Once on top, you will be greatly rewarded with a 360 degree view of Kauai! Look towards Mount Waialeale and on a clear day you can see multiple waterfalls flowing. The view is, literally, a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Waimea Canyon

Waipoo falls, or the canyon trail, is a moderate hike has a lookout at the beginning of the trail where you can see the falls and get great photos. 

Waipoo falls is broken into two parts. In the beginning, it has a short fall. It then flows down a steep terrain for some distance before the final plunge that forms the main drop.

This slow turgid waterfall can either be viewed from one of the lookouts along the Waimea Canyon road or can be experienced more closely by hiking the trail all the way to the top.

Hanakapi’ai Trail

Hanakapiai Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes on Kauai. It leads you to the first part of the Kalalau towards Hanakpia’i Beach before heading along the stream towards the booming 300ft+ Hankapiai Waterfall in the depths of the jungle. The Hanakpiai Falls Trail is 4 miles in and 4 miles out. However, many hikers stop at the beach and turn back, opting to hike only to the beach and not the falls. This makes the journey only 2 miles in and 2 miles out.

Unfortunately it was closed this time around, as there were multiple mudslides across the north shore, on top of a terrible flood in April 2018.

This hike should be open July 2019.

Kapa’a Bike Trail

Ke Ala Hele Makalae or “the path that goes by the coast” describes the scenic multi-use path that runs along the beautiful east side of Kauai and will eventually follow the Kauai east coast from Nawiliwili to Anahola. The Kauai bike path offers breathtaking ocean and coastline views starting in South Kapaa and winding North past downtown up to Kealia Beach.

The bike path meanders along the ocean for several miles. Cruise along with great views of the Pacific, see whales breaching and spouting late fall and during winter. We biked up to the north until the path ended, then hiked to a private beach for snorkeling! (Donkey beach)

Kukui Trail

The Kukui Trail is is found at the beginning of the Iliau Nature Loop Trail in the Waimea Canyon As you follow along the first mile you will be treated to two amazing opportunities for photos, each with a bench to rest your feet. Across the canyon you will be able to see sweeping views of several waterfalls. Waialae Falls is the dominant waterfall that cascades to the valley floor.

The 5 mile hike is a bit disorienting. Make sure you bring lots of water and snacks for you trek.

Secrets Beach Trail

High cliff walls, long stretches of sand, and a view of the Kilauea lighthouse make this beach one of Kauai’s treasures. A 15 minute hike gets you to the beach. This isn’t much of a trail, but more of a beach walk that shows off gorgeous cliffs, cerulean waters and a long stretch of sand with practically no visitors.

Okolehao Trail

The Okolehao Trail on the North Shore of Kauai is a 2.5 mile trail that will give you a workout as you climb to 1,250 foot elevation. The trek is well worth it and you will be rewarded with captivating views of Hanalei Bay, verdant Hanalei Valley, Makana, Kilauea Lighthouse and the Napali Coast.

As you are driving north into Princeville, look off to the left and you will notice a mountain that has at its top a shape much like a shark’s tooth. That is Hihimanu.

Okolehao Trail is a moderate trail but the weather really determines how difficult it will be to hike. If the north shore has experienced a lot of rain the trail will be much more difficult because of the mud. In this case a walking stick is a must.

Secret Falls

Uluwehi Falls, located in the lush Wailua River Basin, is often referred to as Secret Falls; however, thanks to its easy access and stunning beauty there isn’t even a modicum of “secret” left here. That said, Uluwehi Falls deserves a stop on your Kauai must-see waterfalls list.   

In order to access the falls, you must kayak up the river and then hike in, crossing streams and meandering over boulders. It was full of tourists on groups while I was there, but I would do this trip over again if I could! The kayak ride leads you to a cliff-jump spot. You paddle through a small cutlet up dense foliage and enter the hiking path along the banks.

Total time: roughly 3 hours round trip.

More Kauai Blog Posts

I spent almost a month exploring the island of Kauai. In particular, I was hiking all of the trails, snorkeling and surfing every break I could find.

The Ultimate (Vegan) Guide to Kauai: What to do, see, eat, and where to stay

10 Reasons Why Kauai is the Spiritual Paradise you’ve been looking for

The post The 10 Best Hikes In Kauai appeared first on Away We Stray.

UPDATED 5/28/2019: Fines have been reported as high as $1000, with people receiving them recently. Security has been upgraded and there is now not only security but also a frequent (but not constant) police presence. Police helicopters have been reported but are very infrequent. Police waiting at the top of the hike to book hikers is very uncommon. Be aware that it is NOT illegal to climb the back way up the ridge to the stairs!

How to climb the Stairway to Heaven (aka Haiku Stairs) in Oahu:

There are plenty of ways to do it without getting a $1000 citation. Be warned. This is not technically a legal climb, and you should be as polite and respectful as possible to those that live in the area. 

To be clear, there is a security guard at the base of the stairs, poised and ready to call the cops. The security guard cannot issue you a citation. The afternoon guard drives a red truck with a giant raiders sticker on the hood. I spoke with him, and discovered that he doesn’t want to have to call law enforcement, but will if necessary. He generally does not call law enforcement, or will cancel a call if hikers descend a different path that leads through the drainage ditch and out of the area. It is harder to catch trespassers this way, and Hawaii doesn’t have the manpower (or the care) to find trespassers if you exit the Haiku Stairs away from the trespassing signs.

The neighborhood residents are a little more staunch, and less kind than the guard. Be quiet. Be respectful. Don’t give them a reason to call law enforcement, or create more distance between main-landers and islanders.

Tips

• If you choose to descend from the main entrance/exit: Do not descend in large groups if you choose to exit through the main gate. You are far more likely to receive a citation (at $1000 per person) in a large group than you are in twos or threes coming out of the Stairway to Heaven in front of the security guard.

• Bring a pair of gloves with grips. Especially if you ascend before sunrise, or the weather is windy or rainy, you will be grateful for the extra grip. There were a few times that I felt far more secure climbing up the dewy railing than with my bare hands

• Bring a headlamp to assist with your climb rather than a flashlight. You will want both hands free for some of the more vertical areas.

• It can get quite chilly and windy at the top. Bring a jacket to put on.The brush can be a little irritating to your skin, so wear long pants. I came down with tons of brambles attached to my clothing and hair

• Water x4 and Snacks, snacks, snacks. I don’t know how you get if you don’t eat, but my boyfriend gets “hangry”. I would suggest at least 1.5 liters each for your ascent.

• Start your climb around 2-4am to avoid the neighbors. The security guards will do their job in calling 911, but the residents are far more aggressive.* The night guard cannot do much in terms of detering you from climbing, and will most likely just log the number of people that are actually climbing the Haiku Stairs to transfer to Mr. Red-Truck.**

• There are 2 flat sections to relax along the way up. It would be a perfect picnic spot!

• Check out these resources to take the ridge way down instead. It will add another 4-7 hours onto your total trip.

  • Resource 1

  • Resource 2

• If you choose not to park a rental car at the base, you might take an uber/taxi and give them an address in Haiku village!

*one resident actually cut me off as I was making my way down the government road and gave me a piece of his mind. I’ve never really understood someone with so much anger, since he didn’t actually catch me climbing, or trying to climb. I was very respectful to him, but that certainly wasn’t reciprocated. The residents of Haiku Village may have had to deal with rude hikers in the past, or perhaps even car break-ins. I tried to keep that in mind as I took the verbal abuse.

**The day guard is quite intimidating. He’s big, heavily tattooed, and has a gold grill. Although I had a respectful encounter with Mr. Facial tattoos, I certainly wouldn’t want to catch him in a bad mood.

Here’s the hard part: how to successfully get to the base of the Stairway to Heaven:

Transportation/Parking

Head over to Kaneohe and park in the Haiku village. Be quiet. Have your gear already prepared, so you can grab your bag and leave without disturbing anyone.

Access

Step 1: Pick your entrance point.

I would suggest ascending through AP1, and descending through AP2, and parking somewhere in between, especially if you are ascending in the dark. It’s easy to get lost in the brush .

Access Point 1 (AP1): The neighbors fortified the gate heavily, including added height, tons of barbed wire, and other pokey-things. Look to your right. You can squeeze between the bamboo and wiggle your way around the gate, sliding down the other side. Be very careful of all the barbed wire. I think more people hurt themselves here than on the stairs themselves. The gate will be open in the afternoon.

Try not to use your flashlight so you don’t disturb the neighborhood. Feel free to use it after the gate.

Walk down the government road. At the first fork, turn left. At the next fork, turn right. Keep your eyes focused on the left side of the path. About 5 minutes down the path, there will be a hole cut into the gate.

Climb up the hill side and reach an overgrown asphalt road. Turn left. Walk about 10 minutes around a few curves of the road and you will reach the security guard and the entrance to the stairs.

Access Point 2 (AP2): This path is quite steep as you reach the stairs. You will enter/exit the Stairway to Heaven about 100 stairs up from the base. This path will avoid the security guard. I recommend it for descending in order to avoid a citation.

You will enter near a street over from the fortified gate and walk up an overgrown path to a bamboo forest, then ascend up the side of the mountain. I recommend this path on the descent only because its easy to get lost in the dark if you aren’t familiar with the area.

Walk along the road until you see the bamboo forest on your left. Push through the bamboo. The H3 highway should be over your head and eventually over your right-hand shoulder as you ascend. Make your way through the brush and you will eventually come upon the stairs, about 300 meters from the base. The trail should intersect with the Haiku Stairs just above the broken section.

**If you choose to ascend through the bamboo forest, be aware that the guard can still see your headlamps in the dark. He will be to your right a few hundred yards.**

Access Point 3: This path is just a bit farther outside of Haiku Village. It will lead you to a water tower/storage area and meet up to AP2.

Climbing the Stairway to Heaven

Additional Resources:

Here are some additional blogs and other resources I referenced when I climbed! Please do let me know if this was useful; send me photos of your climbs! I wish everyone a successful and safe trip up. Much love and Namaste. Don’t forget to subscribe so we can stay in contact, y’all.

• • Sam and Kay’s Adventure Blog

• Yelp

• Trip Advisor

Check out my other Oahu, Hawaii posts:

Best Hikes in Oahu

Swimming with Sharks

For more awesome adventures, check out:

Why Kauai is the Spiritual Paradise You’ve been looking for

The post How to Climb the Stairway to Heaven, Oahu appeared first on Away We Stray.

It’s an island draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs, aged by time and the elements. The most pristine and secluded of the four major islands of Hawaii, the least populated and least visited of all of them. A place where the feeling of old Hawaii still lives. An island boasting the true energy of mother Gaia: Kauai

After a short research, Kauai seemed to have exactly what I was always looking for – jungles, waterfalls, mild temperatures, less tourists, great hiking, diving and surfing. Buildings are required to be shorter than a coconut tree. Most of the island is untouched by civilization- in fact, there’s not a highway that cuts through the bulk of the forest- only a few circumference roads that don’t actually connect through the northern face of the land.

Are you craving for real paradise? Kauai is the Spiritual Destination of your dreams.

1 | NA PALI COAST

Boarded by a landscape of lush rainforest and deep valleys that extend out to the coast, the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park has provided the backdrop to some of Hollywood’s most adventurous storylines.

Jurassic Park, Avatar, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark

These films and their magic are filmed right here in the lush mountains and valleys, waterfalls and beaches, bays and inlets. Especially ruggedly beautiful Na Pali Coast is featured in these flicks.

An environment in a constant state of flux, Hawaiian legends tell of the goddess Pele and her sister Namakaokaha’I who fought each other for the right to claim Na Pali their home. Their battle lives on in the erosive forces that continue to sculpt the shoreline today. As you hike the ridges, valleys, or even the lookouts, a reminder of the ancient battle of souls for their home is prevalent in the mind.

Legend has it that after death, the soul leaves the body and climbs to the top of the Na Pali ridge-line, to be judged by Pele. Those deemed worthy become sea creatures, to travel the ocean waters once more…and those not, well, they are thrown from the heavens to suffer in the fires of the volcanos.

2 | ELITE SNORKELING AND DIVING

If you ever wanted to swim with sea turtles, dolphins or rays in the ocean, Kauai will make your dreams come true.

Since Kauai is millions of years older than the other inhabited islands in the Hawaiian island chain, it has by far the most protective reef lagoons and therefore some of Hawaii’s best snorkel spots! 

I came face-to-face with a stingray, and had the wonderful opportunity to snorkel with a dozen extra-large turtles at Queen’s Bath.

The underwater flora is just as incredible as the animals that inhabit it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The corals were incredible in some areas, rivaling my experience in Bali and beyond.

Bali Snorkeling and Diving

I swam with Sharks in Hawaii

3 | MECCA OF SURFING

Hawaii is known as the mecca of modern surfing and Kauai is one of the most popular islands to ride some great waves. 

Surfing the waves of Kauai will never be monotonous. The “Garden Island” receives both long distance swells and waves that result from surrounding winds on all four sides of the landmass.

What makes Kauai also attractive for surfers of all ability levels is its variety of difficulty throughout the island and accessible beaches and surf spots.

If you are a beginner surfer, Kiahuna Beach on the southeast corner of Kauai will be your best choice . 

For the intermediate rider, Hanalei Bay in the north is the place to be. 

More advanced riders may want to head to the most western point of the island to hit the seventeen mile, white sand wonder of Polihale Beach. Another spot for more experienced surfers can be found at Poipu Beach, as well as the cove at Shipwrecks beach.

4 | WATERFALL PARADISE

On a hot day you can dive into the crystal blue ocean to refresh your heated body…

…or how about a jump into a waterfall?

Kauai is a lush paradise dotted with countless amazing cascades and dramatic natural showers. Some easier to get to than others, but you will have your pick of sky-high showers and crystalline pools of magic to bathe in.

5 | DOLPHINS, WHALES, SEA TURTLES AND MONK SEALS

One day I was snorkeling at Salt Pond beach as the tide came in, crashing over my gear. I surfaced to clear my mask and breather, treading in the warm water. When my face reentered the water, I was within a finger’s distance from a large stingray! I came face-to-face with her, watching her slowly swim by!

I felt so alive in that moment! 

Humpback whales are also plentiful in the waters of Kauai in winter and early spring. You can go on a whale watching tour or simply spot them from Kauai’s beaches and coastal areas as I did.

Another of the amazing animals to be found in Kauai is the Hawaiian Monk Seal. It is one of the most critically endangered animals in the world. Nowadays only 1100 individuals remain! The seals frequently relax on the shores of Tunnels beach, hauling out on the sand, having a long long rest after looking for some food and avoiding their predators like tiger sharks. 

6 | MAGNIFICENT SUNSETS

Kauai has simply some of the most stunning sunsets (and sunrises) that you will ever see. The sky is beautiful, each and every time. It’s hard not to feel blessed as mother nature shows off her best side.

7 | TROPICAL RAINFORESTS

Kauai is called the Garden Island – for good reason.

At Mount Wai’ale’ale it rains nearly every day, making it one of the wettest locations on Earth, receiving about 450 inches (11430 mm) of rain each year. This creates the perfect jungle escape. An oasis covered with tropical rainforests, fertile valleys and lush flora.

8 | WAIMEA CANYON

With deep valleys, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and incredible colors, it’s no wonder that over 100 years ago Mark Twain nicknamed Waimea Canyon the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. Even though smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals in beauty. To me, it’s an even more incredible view.

Waimea Canyon is ten miles (16 km) long, up to 3,000 feet (900 m) deep and offers lots of hiking opportunities. 

Check out the Kelapa Ridge Trail- It’s my personal favorite in the region.

9 | PRISTINE BEACHES 

With 90 miles of spectacular coastline, Kauai boasts more beaches per mile than any other Hawaiian Island, and almost half of its coastline is virtually deserted, making it easy to find solitude on an unspoiled, un-crowded beach.

Some of Kauai’s beaches are accessible only by trail, others by helicopter or solely by sea – but most are available to all visitors. There are beaches full of drama with crashing waves, while others are calm and tranquil.  Whether you are interested in snorkeling, surfing or sunset meditation, Kauai has a perfect beach for you.

My personal favorites include:

• Secrets Beach
• Ship Wrecks Beach
• Poipu Beach
• Anini Beach
• Polihale Beach

10| KAUAI SPIRITUALITY

 Kauai’s spiritual energy is tangible. I felt the urge to slow down reconnect with nature and my inner self. I spent hours meditating on the shores, enjoying the quiet reverence of the island, and enjoying her presence as I hiked through the jungles.

Even Hawaiian monarchs have long voyaged to its shores to seek solace and spiritual guidance. Kauai’s history is filled with stories of enlightenment seekers.

As the oldest, most remote and the only unconquered island of the main islands in the Hawaiian chain, Kauai’s unique energy and spirit can be felt to this very day – in the beauty of its endemic flora, in the gentle cadence of its beaches and especially, in the free and easygoing nature of its people who are opening their hearts and doors to those who arrive on their shores -They will make you feel at home, so you will never ever want to leave!

More Kauai Blog Posts

I spent almost a month exploring the island of Kauai. In particular, I was hiking all of the trails, snorkeling and surfing every break I could find.

The Ultimate (Vegan) Guide to Kauai: What to do, see, eat, and where to stay

The 12 Best Hikes Kauai

The post 10 Reasons Why Kauai is the Spiritual Paradise You’ve Always Dreamed About appeared first on Away We Stray.

When White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared before the Lakota councils she brought the Chanupa, a sacred prayer pipe, and taught the seven sacred rites, including the vision quest, Sundance, and Inipi ceremony. For the Lakota people, the Inipi ritual is sacred. It’s a ceremony of intentional discomfort to vicariously experience the suffering of others in the world and send them prayer with true intent. Most people are more familiar with the English term sweat lodge.

This is my Inipi Experience.

Inipi: The Rite of Purification

Sweat Lodges have been a part of Native American culture for millennia. The Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremonies, called Inipi by the Lakota have been performed as a purification and sacrament to higher power for over 10,000 years. It was such an honor to share such a venerable experience. Inipi is a purification rite and is necessary in order to help the vision quest seeker enter into a state of humility and to undergo a kind of spiritual rebirth.

Warning: This type of ceremony is not for the faint of heart.

What to Expect During An “Inipi”: The Sweat Lodge Ceremony

Sweat lodge ceremonies are about more than just sweating — they’re purification rituals used for a broad range of purposes, depending on the culture and the occasion. Most sweat lodge ceremonies today are associated with Native American cultures, who use these ceremonies to give thanks, to heal, to seek wisdom, and to purify the mind, body, and soul. Native people call their path the “Red Road” (here “red” is not a racial term but rather the sacred color of the North). 

Native American sweat ceremonies typically take place in domed, circular lodges, though some cultures use teepees, or even pits covered with branches or tree trunks. The Lakota ceremony I attended was crafted from young saplings and thick blankets and branches covering the whole. The center was a pit dug into the ground, where the ceremony leader (his name was Darth) placed hot glowing lava rocks.

We sat on the ground, some cross-legged, others with arms clutching knees to the chest. There was no space in between us, we were snugly situated as close as possible. If anyone still felt like they were strangers, we weren’t anymore.

Prayers are said at each stage of the sweat lodge ceremonies. Darth, the firekeeper began by blessing the lodge and burnin sweetgrass within. Our ceremony then began with 14 rocks placed in the center. Darth welcomed each hot stone as it entered the lodge with “a-hoy eon, welcome grandfather”.

We purified the ceremony with sacred sage. Water poured from a sanctified bull horn was passed around to drink and was used to pour onto the fire. The steam was so hot, a towel was needed to hide from the intense steam that burned as it entered the nose and throat.

We sang and prayed aggressively, asking for healing, wisdom, and the release of anything that doesn’t serve anymore.

Spiritual and Physical Health Benefits of Ritual Sweats

There was a heavy hold in my heart that evaporated during the ceremony. At one point, I absolutely had to leave the ceremony- I was sure I was going to pass out. I felt so anxious, anxiety-riddled, and scared. There was some sort of panic arising out of my chest…and then, it was gone. It felt like a giant ball of ugly spewed from my chest.

These types of experiences are common.

The ceremony itself is often divided into four parts representing different spiritual challenges. The sweat lodge is a special place that induces introspection and communion with the Earth and her Spirit, as well as a renewal of social and cultural bonds. Chanting, drumming, and meditation empowers participants to endure the heat for much longer than they usually could, teaching participants to overcome physical discomfort and frustration.

I myself lasted just short of 3 hours in the steam-blasted 120 (F) degree sweat lodge. During the ceremony, the sweat lodge provides Mental Purification & Healing – the mind is freed of distractions, offering clarity of thought as well as Spiritual Healing – it allows for introspection and connection to the earth, to the planet and to the spirit world.

Research has shown that sustained heat releases the same endorphins as heavy physical activity, but without the burst of adrenaline that accompanies a challenging workout. Sweat lodges can also help fight infections by creating a temporary fever state in the body, which some say lessens chronic inflammation. The heat is also a great remedy for arthritis, muscle pain, and skin disorders, which can be improved by the increased blood flow at the surface of the skin.

My Spiritual Experience

Though quite personal to each of us, the sweat lodge provides almost a psychedelic experience as the spirit of our ancestors enters the dome and connects with those participating.

I experienced what I can only describe as a vision.

I believe that my totem animal (or at least one of them) came to me. He appeared before me right before the fire keeper opened the door after our second prayers and let the light in. I saw a coyote, asleep, just for a split second. During the second ceremony I also experienced an indigo-purple gaseous figure that didn’t budge, eyes open or shut. At first I thought it looked like hands, but I felt a strange presence with me that lasted throughout the ceremony, something that I attribute to the strange colored light behind my eyes.

The purple haze scared me at first, because I felt like there was something holding me: A figure, a presence, or something in between.

The anxiety built until the third ceremony, when I stated my prayers out loud and asked for help. I felt what can only be described as a release. I heavy burden left my chest, allowing me to breath again. At this point, I was already crawling on hands and knees before the exit, and I collapsed as I exited the lodge in a sweaty heap on the ground. Another woman followed, wrapping me in a towel and placing my head on her lap. She held me as I gasped for air, offering support and love, and telling me that the pain won’t hold me anymore. I had overcome- and allowed whatever was grasping my soul to pass.

I’ve never felt so much love and support from a community of strangers before. I was so welcomed. I’m not sure what happened to me spiritually inside the lodge, but I can tell you that it feels like I lost weight- not physically, but mentally. My soul feels lighter. I feel different, somehow.

The Inipi ceremony opened my eyes to a dark energy that I’ve been keeping my whole life. Something that I’m now processing, noticing, and actively releasing. I’m more in tune with my well-being, and am actively changing the way I respond to my thoughts. I’m able to see anger that I’ve held towards family and friends that I’d pushed deep in my body. Emotions are rising up, and I’m able to welcome them, and let them go.

Where You Can Participate in A Sweat Lodge in Washington State

My ritualistic sweat lodge was invitation-only. As it was a very small circle and completely free, there’s a need for a barrier from the general public. However, there are a few in the Pacific Northwest that will allow visitors without an intermediary acquaintance or friend. Here are a few that I discovered:

Sweat Lodges in the Pacific Northwest

• Sacred Grove Sweat Lodge
  • Suggested Donation: $25-50
• Four Winds Sweat Lodge
  • Suggested Donation: $20
• Woman’s Way Red Lodge
• Lakota Way Healing Center
  • Donations of Bundles of Wood, $20-50 or Food & Beverages for after ceremony of equal value

I hope this helps you find your healing path!

If you are interested in some of my other spiritual experiences, check out:

Shamanism and Soul Work

Spiritual Travel Destinations Around the World

Ayurvedic Tips For Healthy Healing

Yoga’s Psychedelic Roots

Blessings be.

The post Sacred Lakota Sweat Lodge Ceremony: Finding My Heart In Steamy Darkness appeared first on Away We Stray.

My Zero-Waste Travel Kit Essentials

• I Sustainable Toothbrush ( I buy mine from Brush with Bamboo)
• A bulk-unpackaged Organic Shampoo bar that I use everyday (no need to buy a new one-I use the one that I have in my shower) – I also use this as body soap when I travel
  • Lush Shampoo Bars: they have quite a few, but they contain sulfates, so know this before you buy
  • Etsy Vendors sell quite a few (Here’s my fave)
  • Make your own! (My recipe will be coming soon!!)
• Bulk Conditioner in a small jar. I reuse jars and bottles that I have laying around, and run to a bulk store to fill up. It usually costs ~$2 to do this! The same price as those wasteful pharmacy bottles
• Homemade Body and Face Cream (Shea butter for the win!)
• Homemade Deodorant (i’ll be posting my recipe soon!)
• Reusable Razor – I purchased mine for $4 in Singapore, but you can find them all over the place.
  • Here’s an affordable option I found on Etsy

Along with my essentials list, I also bring:

• Organic Tea Tree Oil- flying, changes in eating habits, and alcohol can cause blemishes which I like to keep at bay using a dab of tea tree oil
• Aspirin/Antacid – when I travel, my eating and sleeping patterns change which can cause upset stomach or headaches
• A handkerchief- I bring this along to serve a variety of purposes, to use as a napkin, to wrap my toothbrush in if it is wet, or in place of tissues
• Lavender Oils to help with anxiety or to freshen up
• A small bottle of rose water/witch hazel to use as a toner and hydrator
  
  

I put all of these items in the same toiletries case that I’ve used for years.. There is absolutely no need to buy any type of travel case! Whatever you have, try to find something that works, even an older makeup bag works well for me in the past. You might also be able to find a reusable bag at your local thrift store.

Safe Travels

The post My Zero Waste Travel Kit appeared first on Away We Stray.

Here is a list of 25 spiritual and metaphysical travel destinations you need to check out. 

Machu Picchu | Peru

Is there any spiritual destination in the world with a more evocative and mysterious reputation than Machu Picchu in Peru? I’ve visited many holy sites around the world, and I can’t think of many that can compare.

Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century during the glory years of the Inca Empire. Just like their Incan ancestors, many in the Andes still believe that apus, or spirits, live in the mountain peaks. You can also see the three main totems of the Inca incorporated in many designs in the region: the condor (representing the world of the gods), the puma (symbolizing the world of humans), and the snake (which represents the underworld and the dead).  Machu Picchu’s location was likely chosen in part because of its proximity to mountains and a river considered sacred by the Incas. Its plazas include multiple shrines, temples and carved stones, some of which are oriented to astronomical events such as the winter and summer solstices and spring and fall equinoxes.

Scholar and explorer, Johan Reinhard, suggests that Machu Picchu formed the cosmological and sacred geographical center for a vast region. It was the hub of a spiritual web, connected to other holy sites in the region and to celestial bodies in the sky, surrounded by deities who lived in the surrounding mountain peaks and the river far below. it’s easy to feel the pull of the sacred at this site, as if you are also being drawn into that web.

Brandon and I reached Machu Picchu by way of the Salkantay Trail, a gorgeous 4 day hike through cloud forest, mountains, and alpine lakes and rivers. I couldn’t recommend a better way to trek to this astounding religious site.

Chichen Itza | Mexico

Chichén Itzá is the largest of the ruined Mayan cities on the Yucatán Peninsula and one of Mexico’s most-visited tourist destinations. According to mythology, the Maya worshipped approximately 250 gods whom it was believed, lived on the peaks of mountains. Thus, grand pyramids were constructed to represent mountain tops where the leaders of the people could commune with the deity. The most awe-inspiring of the many stone structures at Chichén Itzá is “El Castillo” or the castle.

The Temple of Kukulkan, the Feathered Serpent God (also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs and Toltecs) is the largest and most important ceremonial structure at Chichen Itza. Called El Castillo (the Castle) by the Spaniards, the ninety-foot tall pyramid was built during the 11th to 13th centuries directly upon the multiple foundations of previous temples.

What is truly spectacular is the special effect which occurs during the spring and fall equinox. As the sun begins to set on these two particular days every year, a shadow is cast which gives the illusion of a massive snake slowly slithering down along the side of the pyramid. Approximately 5 hours later, it connects with a serpent head at the base of the structure.

To walk the grounds and view these masterpieces, one cannot help but wonder why this superior cult consisting of remarkable mathematicians, architects, painters, sculptures, astrologists, and linguists abandoned what was at the time, one of the most flourishing centers of the Mayan empire.

You can’t miss the cenotes- which the Mayan believed led to the underworld- while you’re in the area.

The Dead Sea | Palestine/Jordan

If you find yourself in Jordan, or on the West side in Palestine, the Dead Sea is a necessary visit.  It is the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley that runs for 4,000 miles from East Africa to southern Turkey. With water that is ten times saltier than sea water, it is the saltiest body of water in the world. It is also the lowest spot on earth, 1290 feet below sea level.

Cleopatra knew about the healing properties at the Dead Sea thousands of years ago. Today, the same healing powers are still sought by people seeking long-lasting relief from incurable chronic conditions such as psoriasis, asthma and arthritis.

The Dead Sea is a place of bibilical prophecy. Though the Dead Sea itself is never mentioned in the New Testament, the sea and its surrounding area holds many insights into Christian history. A few miles north of the Dead Sea, at the shore of the Jordan River (the Dead Sea’s only water source), lies the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It is considered one of the most sacred Christian sites in the Holy Land.Scripture promises, through a prophetic vision recorded by the prophet Ezekiel, that the Dead Sea will live again one-day. When the coming Messiah rules the earth in the Millennial Kingdom, the vision shows that water will flow from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, causing swarms of living creatures to live in and fishermen to line the banks of the Dead Sea.

Sedona | Arizona, USA

There is so much more to Sedona than meets the eye. Locals call Sedona “the Cathedral without Walls” Beneath the endless beauty beats a healing heart. Sedona has long been regarded as a place both sacred and powerful. It is a cathedral without walls. People travel from all across the globe to experience the mysterious cosmic forces that are said to emanate from the red rocks of this region. They come in search of the vortexes.  

Sedona vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex. Vortexes are located at some of the most devastatingly scenic spots found among the towering red rock formations.

Sedona has developed a worldwide reputation as a place of enlightenment. This is home to a large community that promotes a variety of alternative healing and spiritual practices. The raw physical beauty of the landscape recalibrates your sense of wonder- and challenges your belief in the here and now.

Mount Kailas | Tibet

In the remote corner of the exotic west of Tibet, the pristine Mount Kailash dominates the entire region’s landscape. The celestial beauty of Mt. Kailash is not only fascinating, it is also the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon religions from around the world.

Revered by four Asian religions comprising millions of people, Tibet’s Mount Kailash is certainly one of the world’s most sacred places. Pilgrims journey to Kailash to complete a 32-mile ritual circumambulation. Most take one to three days to complete the circuit, although some devotees spend up to a month doing full body prostrations along the ground. All pilgrims respect the sacredness of the mountain by not climbing it.

Mount Kailash is revered as the 7th (Crown) Earth Chakra by many new-age believers. It is said to connect us to Mother Earth’s Kundalini energies.

To Tibetan Buddhists, Kailash is the home of the tantric meditational deity Demchog. Hindus view Kailash as the throne of the great god Shiva, one of the most significant deities. Jains revere Kailash as the site at which their first prophet received enlightenment. And long before Buddhism took root in Tibet in the 7th century A.D., Kailash was venerated by the Bönpo, practitioners of the indigenous religion of the region.

St Peter’s, Vatican City | Italy

The center of Christianity, St. Peter’s Basilica and its glorious dome dominate over the rooftops of the Eternal City. St. Peter’s was until recently the largest church ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom. It is one of the most-visited sites in all of Rome, both for its artistic beauty and for its importance to Catholic worshippers. The Vatican is the place where history, faith, and art combine in a unique synthesis of majesty and beauty. The millennia of history of this city lives within each monument: basilicas, churches, catacombs.

Tour the catacombs and bathe in the spiritual awe of this Christian epicenter.

Uluru, Australia

Uluru is considered Earth’s “Root Chakra” point, part of the energy Ley lines and vortexes that criss-cross our planets crust.

The Anangu people of Uluru have lived there for thousands of years and they are still the traditional landowners today. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is recognised by UNESCO in two ways: for its geological formations and rare plants and animals, as well as for its cultural importance. The red rocks are millions of years old and the Anangu people belong to the oldest culture known to man. One of the most iconic attractions in Uluru is the rock art. These are records of the communities that have occupied this land dating back 5,000 years. They are also an integral practice within the communities for religious ceremonies, teaching and expression to this day.

The Dreamtime Stories of the Indigenous Shamans detail this evolution of the formation of these lands and the Aboriginal laws of existence. These sacred tales are told through song and dance, but are only accessible to join if invited personally. However, the festivals in the area and culture centre performances are open to all. They’re a fantastic way to experience tradition with all of the senses.

Crater Lake | Oregon

Crater Lake is a spectacular mountain lake in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Widely renowned for its great depth and beauty, it is also a sacred lake revered by the Klamath Indians.

Crater Lake was formed roughly 6000 years ago when the volcanic Mount Mazama blew its top in spectacular fashion. The eruption, estimated to have been 42 times more powerful than Mt. St. Helens’ 1980 blast, reduced Mazama’s approximate 11,000 foot height by around half a mile.

The mountain peak fell into the volcano’s emptied neck and magma chamber, and Crater Lake was formed in the new crater. The waters are formed from rain fall- leaving the most pristine blue imaginable. They are some of the cleanest waters in the world, devoid of any living beings, and as crystal clear as the sky.

Crater Lake has long been revered as sacred by the Klamath tribe of Native Americans, whose myths embody the catastrophic event they witnessed thousands of years ago. The central legend tells of two Chiefs, Llao of the Underworld and Skell of the World Above, pitted in a battle which ended in the destruction of Llao’s home, Mt. Mazama.

Today, Crater Lake remains a revered sacred site for vision quests and other spiritual pursuits, for all interested in Native American spirituality. This spectacular lake is a place of religious-like awe.

Stonehenge| United Kingdom

The megalithic ruin known as Stonehenge has created an enigma for many centuries, although many groups such as pagans and druids believe that the stone circle was used for rites and ceremonies, there is no conclusive proof to the purpose of the stones. Stonehenge as we know it was finally completed about 3500 years ago. Containing more than 350 burial mounds including Stonehenge Avenue, the Cursus, Woodhenge and Durrington Walls, this landscape is a vast source of information about the ceremonial and funerary practices of Neolithic and Bronze Age people.

Stonehenge continues to have a role as a sacred place of special religious and cultural significance for many, and inspires a strong sense of awe and humility for thousands of visitors who are drawn to the site every year – especially during the winter solstice, or shortest day of the year.

In ancient Pagan traditions, the winter solstice was a time to honor the cycles of life and death and celebrate the sun’s rebirth as the days would slowly begin to lengthen in the months leading into spring. Many modern practitioners of Pagan and earth-centered spiritual traditions observe the holiday, and at Stonehenge, the celebration is particularly special.

Stonehenge as well as the surrounding areas of Glastonbury, Somerset, Shaftesbury and Dorset all form the Heart chakra of Mother Earth.  Where Stonehenge is constructed is the strongest point of all of this energy.  The Female Ley Line connects Uluru to Stonehenge.

Angkor Wat | Cambodia

You don’t have to be religious to undertake spiritual travel and seek out transcendental experiences. SImply walk the temple pagodas, join monks in spiritual blessings and walking meditations; or indulge in traditional Khmer therapies and cuisine.

Iconic Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu to see over the Khmer Empire that ruled during that time. Built by King Suryavarman II, it served as his state temple and eventual mausoleum and, breaking from the Shaiva tradition of his predecessors, he dedicated it to Vishnu.

The entire complex is magical. The energy is almost palpable, perfect for anyone looking for a serene, life changing experience. Though Angkor Wat itself is a spiritual hub, you don’t have to travel directly here to experience deep inner-work. Cambodia’s history runs like an underground river through the country, but it’s not without it’s own dark side. Look around- and behold the life force that holds Khmer people together through despair, genocide, and repair.

Mecca

Mecca (Makkah in Arabic) is the center of the Islamic world. Mecca is the birthplace of both the Prophet Muhammad and the religion he founded. Located in the Sirat Mountains of central Saudi Arabia and 45 miles inland from the Red Sea port of Jidda (Jeddah), ancient Mecca was an oasis on the old caravan trade route that linked the Mediterranean world with South Arabia, East Africa, and South Asia.

The city of Mecca achieved its major religious significance following the birth and life of the Prophet Muhammed. In 630 Muhammad took control of Mecca and destroyed the 360 pagan idols, with the notable exception of the statues of Mary and Jesus. The idol of Hubal, the largest in Mecca, was a giant stone situated atop the Ka’ba. Following the command of the Prophet, Ali (the cousin of Muhammad) stood on Muhammad’s shoulders, climbed to the top of the Ka’ba and toppled the idol.

Forbidden to persons not of the Muslim faith, Mecca came to symbolize for Europeans the secrets and mysteries of the orient, and as such became a magnet for explorers and adventurers. A few of these daring travelers, such as John Lewis Burckhardt from Switzerland and Sir Richard Burton from Great Britain were able to convincingly impersonate Muslim pilgrims, gain entrance to Mecca, and write wonderfully of the holy city upon their return to Europe..but others were not so lucky. To this day, Mecca remains strictly closed for persons not of the Muslim faith.

Source Of The Ganges, India

In a country where practically everything in nature is venerated, the Ganges is most holy. According to Hindu mythology, the Ganges was once a river of heaven that flowed across the sky. Long ago, she agreed to fall to earth to aid a king named Bhagiratha, whose ancestors had been burned to ash by the angry gaze of an ascetic they had disturbed during meditation. Only the purifying waters of Ganges, flowing over their ashes, could free them from the earth and raise them up to live in peace in heaven.

As the Ganges brought to life the ashes of Bhagiratha’s ancestors, so all Hindus believe that if the ashes of their dead are deposited in the river, they will be ensured a smooth transition to the next life, or freed from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hindus may travel great distances to scatter the ashes of loved ones in the Ganges.

The banks of the River Ganges host hundreds of Hindu festivals and celebrations each year. The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu festival during which pilgrims to the Ganges bathe themselves in the sacred waters. The festival occurs in the same place only every 12 years, though a Kumbh Mela celebration can be found annually somewhere along the river.

Most people who visit the Ganges River come because they have a spiritual thirst they want to be quenched.. Others come in a desperate, last-resort attempt to have a divine interaction that can change the course of their eternity.
Unfortunately, the river has become extremely polluted, and sickens millions of people every year. Due to the number of cadavers dropped into the water and other environmental toxins, many are sicked from drinking the sacred waters. With the addition of rotting animal carcasses, a foamy layer of scum is often seen along some parts of the river. Many cities on its banks have inadequate sewer systems and sewage treatment plants, adding to the toll of children who suffer and die from water-borne diseases. Though it remains a very important part of Indian life, the Ganges is in dire need of help.

Temple Circuit, Japan

On the Japanese island of Shikoku there are 88 temples, a number equal to the evil human passions as defined by the Buddhist doctrine. If you want to free yourself from every one of these passions in a single hit, you can do so by completing the 88 Temple Circuit. Traditionally the 1500km route was walked, even though there’s a space of more than 100km between a couple of the temples.

If you can’t make it to temple circuit, Kyoto is full of many gorgeous temples waiting to be discovered

Kyoto | Japan

Kyoto is the ancient imperial capital of Japan, with more than 1200 years of history.  Visitors here can wander amid exquisite gardens, tour serene Buddhist temples, cross paths with a geisha, and take part in a tea ceremony. Best of all is simply wandering the streets of the city, absorbing the sights, smells, and sounds of this remarkable place.

Also see: Kamakura, Japan 

Mount Sinai, Egypt

In the rugged high desert of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula lies a land with immense historical and religious significance to the world’s three great monotheistic religions. The Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions all have deep ties to the landscape and monuments of this region. Mount Sinai is venerated by the three faiths as the place where God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses.

Both a chapel and a mosque sit atop Mount Sinai, as well as a rock impression resembling a camel’s hoof. The chapel, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was built in 1934 from the remains of a chapel built on Emperor Justinian’s orders. The remains of other chapels lay along the 4,000-step pathway to the summit, known as the Path of Moses. Another chapel, dedicated to St. Catherine, is located atop the 8,668-foot Mount Catherine.

Mt Sinai is also said to be a part of Gaia’s throat chakra!

The Sinai is a holy land and many people come as genuine pilgrims. Apart from Mt. Sinai there are many other religious places. It is also an ideal location for other spiritual and nature based activities, to relax, clear your mind. Today, it’s full of places to practice yoga, experience religious education, receive reiki, or relax and enjoy spas and the ambiance of the monasteries.

Byron Bay | Australia

Byron bay is a little town situated at the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. The local Arakwai Aboriginal people named the area Cavvanbah, meaning meeting place and it was traditionally a place of healing and fertility.  Captain James Cook named Cape Byron after John Byron, circumnavigator of the world and grandfather to the poet , Lord Byron.

Byron has only been a town for just over a century. Before that the Bundjalung people came to this secret bay when they were sick, or to give birth, believing it to be a healing place. Today, its a destination for healing retreats, surf, and wellness. It’s considered one of the world’s energy vortexes, though not one of the main ones connected to Gaia’s chakra system.

The Western Wall | Jerusalem, Israel

The Western Wall, or “wailing wall” is a surviving remnant of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Temple was the center of the spiritual world, the main conduit for the flow of Godliness. When the Temple stood, the world was filled with awe of God and appreciation for the genius of the Torah.

Although other parts of the Temple Mount retaining wall remain standing, the Western Wall is especially dear, as it is the spot closest to the Holy of Holies, the central focus of the Temple. The foundation stone, which is beneath the Dome of the Rock and where the holiest part of the temple was, is still the holiest place in the world for the Jewish nation.

Three times a day, for thousands of years, Jewish prayers from around the world have been directed toward the Temple Mount.

Mount Shasta | California, USA

Mount Shasta is an ice-topped volcano that draws outdoor adventurers and spiritual seekers. Various legends say it’s home to a sacred spring, beings who have transcended the physical plane or a crystal city full of ancient foes of Atlantis.

Mount Shasta straddles the territories of the Shasta, Wintu, Achumawi, Atsugewi and Modoc tribes. Not surprisingly, the imposing mountain shows up in a lot of tribal myths and stories.

Many know Mt. Shasta as the root chakra. It is a very grounded place being atop the volcano. Mt. Shasta in Northern California is considered all around the world to be a portal for spiritual discovery.   There have been many strange, unexplained occurrences that happen in Mt. Shasta.

Mount Shasta is in the geographic region that was once, and always is because everything is now, “ancient” Lemuria.  It is a dimensional gate to the Lemurian civilization, reminding us of how we can live in harmony on Earth.

Mount Shasta co-creates an energetic Vesica Pisces with the Sedona Vortex. Together, they are connected by a line of energy and their radiating electromagnetic fields combine, immersing the geographic locations between them in a resonance of 33 cycles per second

Assisi | Italy

This medieval hill town in central Italy claims two of the world’s most-beloved saints:  St. Francis and St. Clare. For centuries, pilgrims have trekked to Assisi to walk the same steep and narrow lanes on which a rag-cloaked radical monk named Francis preached an antimaterialistic message 800 years ago, rocking the medieval Roman Catholic Church.

Today, Assisi tauts many yoga and meditation centers, and draws many types of spiritual tourists looking for a deeper connection to our physical earth

Petra | Jordan

One of the world’s most visually stunning archaeological sites, Petra (meaning ‘the rock’ in Greek) is an abandoned necropolis of temples and tombs cut into towering cliffs of red, pink and orange sandstone.

The city of Petra is situated at the beginning of Wadi Musa, meaning the Valley of Moses, and this site had long been venerated as one of the traditional sites where Moses struck the ground and the water gushed forth. The region was also revered by the Nabataeans as the sacred precinct of their god Dushara.

Petra is astronomically aligned. The Nabataens built their cathedrals and holy sites with the stars in mind. “During the winter solstice in Petra, the setting sun creates effects of light and shadow around a sacred podium inside the monument known as Ad Deir, or the Monastery, where the Nabateans may have held religious festivities.” – Nat Geo

Nazca Lines | Peru

Professor Clive Ruggles, of the University of Leicester, says the spiral shape traced in the Peruvian desert are likely to have been a labyrinth, created as a spiritual path.

The huge images, which include hundreds of animals and complex mazes in the Nazca desert, can only clearly be seen for the air giving rise to a number of explanations as to who they were intended for.

Prof Ruggles believes the Nazca Lines were not created to be seen at all, but to be walked in single file as part of a spiritual ritual.

“The labyrinth was probably constructed during the middle part of the 800-year-long Nasca period, around A.D. 500. Unlike some of the famous zoomorphic figures, its irregular form provides no reason to speculate that it might have been intended to be viewed from the air, but rather to be experienced from within. It was meant to be walked,” Ruggles wrote on his website.

Recognizable only from the air, the lines, geometric designs and images of animals and birds, some up to 900 feet long, have been a source of mystery since their discovery over a century ago

Lake Titicaca | Peru, Bolivia

Lake Titicaca is a beautiful and much-venerated sacred lake that lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia, near Copacabana. According to Incan mythology, it was from Lake Titicaca that the creator god Viracoca rose up to create the sun, moon, stars, and first human beings.

In 2000, an international archaeological expedition discovered an ancient temple submerged in the depths of Lake Titicaca. The huge structure is nearly twice the size of a soccer field (660 feet long), and was found by following a submerged road that begins near Copacabana. The temple is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 years old.

Several of the 41 islands in the lake are also regarded as sacred. Especially important is the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), located on the Bolivia side. There are also two mountains on the islands, Paccha Mama (Mother Earth) and Paccha Tata (Father Earth), and both are sacred sites.

Lake Titicaca carries a converging balance of male and female energy, giving it a particularly strong tie to the spiritual kundalini energy also known as the sexual energy of the earth. The sacral chakra exists a couple of inches below the navel. It falls in line with the hips, womb, and genitals, embodying pleasure and creation. Lake Titicaca is known as the Sacral Chakra center of Gaia, mother earth.

Great Pyramids | Egypt

An alternative belief about the pyramids is that they were used as powerful healing chambers and not as burial sites at all. Perhaps the Egyptians had access to some advanced knowledge that we just don’t yet know about…

Pyramids are believed to be extremely sacred in many cultures around the world. Many churches are built with pyramid-like steeples and ancient pyramid structures can be found not just in Egypt, but in South America and parts of Asia.

At the spiritual level the pyramid is a symbol for the integration of self-and soul. In dreams the pyramid can stand for the death, but it also contains rebirth. The base of the pyramid stands for the body, the sides show the spiritual attempts, the point symbolises the harmonious union of the human with the ‘higher self-‘ (God).

The Great Pyramids and Mt Sinai together form the The 5th (Throat) Earth Chakra.

Bagan | Myanmar

Known as one of the most important archeological sites in Asia, Bagan is filled with over 10,000 buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries that have survived from the 11th century. Riding around the dirt roads that lead in zig-zag patterns from one site to another, its hard not to get chills from the energy of the area. The sunrise and sunset are pure magic in the area, providing gorgeous views of the sandstone structures.

Myanmar is a land of secret wonders, religious spirituality, human warmth. Tradition of the past, old-world atmosphere, and brutal development of its capital Yangon make it a unique place to visit.

It’s by far one of my favorite countries that I’ve had the opportunity to see, and provided me the perspective I needed to dive into my  own spiritual journey.

Check out these posts:

• Where to See Sunrises in Bagan
• Where to See Sunsets in Bagan
• 5 day Myanmar Itinerary
• Photos to Inspire a Myanmar Trip

La Mezquita, Córdoba, Spain

Known locally as Mezquita-Catedral, the Great Mosque of Cordoba is one of the oldest structures still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus (Muslim Iberia including most of Spain, Portugal, and a small section of Southern France) in the late 8th century. Cordoba was the capital and heart of Muslim Spain.

People of the Islamic Faith have built gorgeous structures all over the world. The great Mosque is a wonderful example of the Muslim world’s ability to brilliantly develop architectural styles based on pre-existing regional traditions. Here is an extraordinary combination of the familiar and the innovative, a formal stylistic vocabulary that can be recognized as “Islamic” even today.

It is believed that before the construction of the Mosque, both Muslims and Christians shared the use of the Visigothic church of St Vincent. The Visigoths were one of the “barbarian tribes” that prompted the collapse of Rome. What you may not know that the Visigoths were Christian “heretics” that lost out at the Council of Nicea.

Seen from the streets outside, the Mosque is an undistinguished building, its size deceptively concealed by its modest height which rises only to some 40ft. Despite its deceptive appearance, La Mezquita and the surrounding area permeate the area with a rich history of many types of worship.

The post 25 Spiritual & Metaphysical Travel Destinations around the World appeared first on Away We Stray.

Even as our body rests, we fulfill our suppressed or repressed wishes. Through our fantasies, we release our anger, tension, stress, and anxiety in a non-harmful way. We meet our sexual and antisocial desires. Some times it helps us to solve our complex problems.

Remembering your dreams is the first step into the ever-illusive “lucid dream,” where you can control what happens inside the fantasy world of your brain. I would love to get there one day, but alas, I haven’t been able to have that much control over my thoughts just yet. One day, I will! To be able to recognize your dreams as dreams while they are happening, you have to be familiar with the way your own fantasms work. Before it is worth your time to work on lucid dream induction methods, you should be able to recall at least one dream every night.

Here are 5 Methods and Tips that have assisted me towards my goals of Dream Recall and improved sleep:

How to Recall Your Dreams

Planning for a full 8-hour rest

Getting plenty of sleep is the first step to good dream recall. If you are well rested, it will be easier to focus on your goal of recalling dreams, and you won’t mind so much taking the time during the night to record your reverie.

Another benefit of getting plenty of sleep is that dream periods get longer and closer together as the night proceeds. The first dream of the night is the shortest, perhaps 10 minutes in length, while after 8 hours of sleep, dream periods can be 45 minutes to an hour long. We all dream every night, about one dream period every 90 minutes.

Dreams are amazingly persistent. People who say they never dream simply never remember their dreams. You may have more than one dream during a REM (dream) period, separated by short arousals that are most often forgotten. It is generally accepted among sleep researchers that dreams are not recalled unless the sleeper awakens directly from the dream, rather than after going on to other stages of sleep.

Start a dream journal

I have a turquoise journal with cherry blossoms wrapped around the cover that I adore. I sleep with it placed beneath my pillow, equipped with my favorite pink pen tucked just inside. Sometimes I awake in the middle of the night and jot down a few words that remind me of the dream I just had- words that may or may not help me remember the fairy gardens I was frolicking through in dreamland.

Find a journal that you like—something special just for your dreams. Keep it next to your bed. Before you sleep, open it to a blank page and leave a pen on it for the night’s dreams. Think about getting a unique, unusual pen for your journal—for your dream journeying. Your preparation shows your psyche that you are serious, and inevitably you will begin to recall your dreams more clearly.

Engage in a Visualization Meditation Before Sleep

This is my favorite thing to do to end my day. I love Jason Stephenson’s meditations on youtube. I’ll link to my absolute favorite galactic reflection for your pleasure.

Jason Stephenson Journey Through The Galaxy

Jason Stephenson Floating Amongst The Stars

I love traveling through the inner spaces of my skull, wandering through the day and allowing my body to melt into the bed. I can feel my body tingle and reset, gently unwinding from the stress of the day. It’s seriously mind-blowing.

By using visualization, you create strong neural pathways in your brain, just as if you had actually performed what you visualize. Because the brain tells the muscles how to move, these neural pathways result in more precise, stronger movements, enhancing your actual efforts.
10-Minute Mindfulness (with co-author Steve Scott)

When you set aside judgments and limiting beliefs while visually meditating, you go to a place within your mind that has no concept of time or physical restrictions. It helps you reach your potential. While imagining that you can run a 10K won’t actually make you physically capable of doing it, full sensory visualization can help you achieve your potential and clearly define new goals. It reduces stress. And, it’s so easy!

If there is one thing you should take away from this article- it’s that visualization meditation is a must-do for dream recall and for maximum mental health benefits.

Decide to remember your dreams more

Before you doze off at night, repeat the phrase “I will know I’m dreaming.” This technique is known as Mnemonic Induction to Lucid Dreaming, or MILD, a fancy way of saying you’re using a sleep aid.

When I decide that I’m going to dream, I usually do. Before bed, I try to think about what I want to tackle in my sleeping hours. I think about whats bothered me, what kind of thoughts have been repeating in my head, or otherwise. It’s a powerful exercise in self reflection

Use a dream anchor

This one is a little more difficult for me to do because I’m so nomadic, which is why I keep my journal beneath my pillow. I tend to sleep on my side, and usually touch the soft edge of my journal as I stretch and move into the waking world. If you are always sleeping in the same bed, this will be easier.

A dream anchor is something you psychologically “tie” to a thought or reminder. Pick an object that you see EVERY morning as soon as you wake up. It could be a picture on your wall or something on your nightstand table. Tell yourself that every time you see that object, you’ll remember your dreams. After a few weeks of telling yourself this every day and actually doing it as well, you’ll find that just by looking at that specific object you can remember your dream easier. You’ve trained your mind to do what you want and remember more dreams!

The post 5 Ways I’ve Improved My Dream Recall and Enhanced My Sleep appeared first on Away We Stray.

I’ve shared a few life updates before, but I often receive questions about “How I afford to Travel”, “Where I find freelance work”, and what I do to make ends meet. There’s a secret that many digital nomads don’t want to tell you…

But first, let me tell you the back
I moved to Bali a few months ago to work for a programming Bootcamp that I used to be a student at: Le Wagon Progamming Bootcamps.

Here’s how I chose my programming school

I am a part-time Teaching Assistant for Le Wagon, and have worked in Morocco, Japan, and Tel Aviv. I loved studying in Bali and was anxious to move back to my “Alma Mater” programming academy….which is how I landed here.

It’s not the first time that I have worked internationally, and I know it wont be my last. I usually just focus on blogging and writing about travel, but this time I have had a completely different motive: writing my book.

Because I spend a lot of time behind a computer screen writing as much as possible, I am a bit of a connoisseur of cafes with good food and wifi. I also visit a lot of coworking spots when I need to spend the entire day working and don’t want to overstay my welcome at a cafe.

The Secret To Becoming A Digital Nomad

This is how I noticed something super cool:

There. Are. Tons. Of. Freelance. Jobs. At. Coworking. Spots.

Seriously. I started working at a coworking spot called Outpost last month and had to start giving away content writing, graphic design and photography jobs to people I have met here.

This is the secret. If you are interested in becoming a “digital nomad” and are looking to start a career becoming location independent, start applying to jobs at coworking spots. Tell people that you plan to stay in an area for a few months, and begin researching where the expat community works. You will find jobs via word-of-mouth. Make sure people know about your skill set, whatever it might be.

How to Find Work as A Digital Nomad

In Canggu alone, I have worked as a photographer, a graphic designer, a copywriter, a travel blogger, a backend developer, and a programming teaching assistant. The opportunities here are endless if you are a bit flexible.

So if you are looking to get a prized “Digital Nomad” job, I highly recommend finding a good coworking spot, paying the $10/day fee to use the wifi (while applying to gigs on Upwork, freelancer, and the like), and attending the networking and play events the location puts on.

It’s that easy.

The hardest part is finding the way you would like to live as a Digital Nomad

Read more: A Digital Nomad’s Search for Belonging

Especially in a place as cheap as Bali or Thailand, you will meet other developers and writers that might be “too busy” (aka fun-loving nomads that don’t want to work so hard) to finish off a lot of their lower-paying gigs. You don’t need much to survive here. And by stretching your budget, working hard to find opportunities online and networking, you will find a way to make it work.

One job turns into two. Word of mouth helps you find other opportunities you might have not thought about. I once met a girl that traveled exclusively by selling her jewelry and offering hair-cut and dread services. I know of another woman that teaches yoga while moving from place to place. The options are endless.

On that note….maybe I’ll see you sometime soon in Bali! 🙂

The post The Digital Nomad’s Best-Kept Secret appeared first on Away We Stray.