tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83936659837138569372023-11-16T08:24:16.499-08:00Spirit Tours BlogSpirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-13690090318694018892018-03-01T12:21:00.002-08:002018-03-01T12:21:25.459-08:00Here's what travelers said 15 years ago...<div style="text-align: center;">
Fifteen years ago, The Center for Spiritual Living began making spiritual pilgrimages with <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/">Spirit Tours</a> to different places in the world to experience local spiritual cultures. Here, in the video below, is what travelers said back then. The testimonials in the video below are as true today.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Dottie Cramer, Bali, 2005, Co-founders of Spirit Tours</td></tr>
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Spirit Tours is celebrating their 15 year anniversary with an all-new itinerary back to the place where it all started, The Islands of the Gods, Bali. Dr. Edward will be presenting an ancient code of spiritual living, for a life of joy and fulfillment. the Yamas and Niyamas.<br />
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(to see the video below on <a href="https://youtu.be/2ij1eEQ40Dw">YouTube, click here</a>.)
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Check out <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/">www.spirit.tours</a> for more information.<br />
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Whether you are a first time traveler or a repeat Spirit Tours pilgrim, isn't it time you went back to the Island of Smiles, the Island of the Gods, and revisit the magic of being immersed in spirituality with your community?<br />
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Click <a href="https://youtu.be/DPJxS0pmkyc">here to see the video below on YouTube</a> about the upcoming all-new itinerary</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-58431345606547915462017-12-27T12:09:00.000-08:002017-12-27T12:09:14.950-08:00Murni, A Legend in Bali, and My Friend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfNGpx6Zoiqgfa-AYPC7OCdKlrr2vaFDGKM-hw4PKVPtrim1kza1sEa0ee_A3u5S6gigY3rIOatb-eXqZEc4XPj9sqnsJUlclOKm_Fy8A8aZg4-ji9KUVlmKNg0KtrdclI2MQ2FQPq21y/s1600/MURNI.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfNGpx6Zoiqgfa-AYPC7OCdKlrr2vaFDGKM-hw4PKVPtrim1kza1sEa0ee_A3u5S6gigY3rIOatb-eXqZEc4XPj9sqnsJUlclOKm_Fy8A8aZg4-ji9KUVlmKNg0KtrdclI2MQ2FQPq21y/s1600/MURNI.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Murni in the 70s</td></tr>
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My Balinese friend Murni is a legend. Not only for owning the famous restaurant Murni’s Warung, but also for being the first Balinese woman to drive a car in Bali. Murni married her husband Pat from Kansas at a time when marrying a westerner was frowned upon in Bali.<br />
<br />When I first visited Bali, Murni had already been a hostess for about 50 years. In 1974 she established a small restaurant just off the bridge at the north end of town in Ubud. It was the only restaurant in Ubud and became a meeting place for westerners who lived there.<br /><br />My family lived up the hill from Murni’s Warung, and we would often go down for a late night snack or dessert. I remember walking down the dark roads where fireflies filled the sky, and the distant sound of flowing rivers or a gamelan orchestra accompanied us.<br /><br />During durian season (a particularly interestingly smelling fruit) Murni and I would search town for the very best durian for a feast. We would take walks across the island from Ubud, walking to the monkey forest in Sangeh. On these walks, Murni would explain Balinese life to me. Being in her presence and basking in the beauty of her radiant smile was a treat. <br /><br />Those were simpler days in Bali when all the tourists in town knew each other. Murni’s daughter, Morni, and my daughter, Gitana, became playmates, and Murni would visit our house in the hills for tea or enjoy one of the health treatment I was practicing at the time.<br /><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim & Murni in 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Murni is a gracious lady, and legend in Bali, but more importantly, she is my friend, and forever part of a fantastic, beautiful memory.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Jim Cramer</div>
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Spirit Tours</div>
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<a href="http://www.spirit.tours/">www.spirit.tours</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-36955335708397865962017-10-09T06:00:00.000-07:002017-10-09T06:00:13.758-07:00Ireland "Home is where the heart is"<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy26MwlAsytAG3jZuVlB6idt9PNmer7khLarLUQCTaSuNjhzuYBIe72dVc5ioY7VF-RQ_PC3lsZf_xNdNsvdbqEy-Y4dVCruW2OiiqfQ0Ro5cFQSyepmHpkvW2vpN2PyElhfmPBSWFNQ/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy26MwlAsytAG3jZuVlB6idt9PNmer7khLarLUQCTaSuNjhzuYBIe72dVc5ioY7VF-RQ_PC3lsZf_xNdNsvdbqEy-Y4dVCruW2OiiqfQ0Ro5cFQSyepmHpkvW2vpN2PyElhfmPBSWFNQ/s320/IMG_0619.jpg" width="239" /></a>When I close my eyes I can still see the bright green rolling hills, I can still feel the wind carrying me across the land, and I can still hear the waves crashing upon the cliffs. This is Ireland the land that lies deep within me, the land that touches my soul like no other place I have ever traveled.<br />
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On this journey, we learned about <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/ireland-celtic-cultural-pilgrimage/">Celtic Spirituality</a>, and it is deeply rooted in the land that we walk upon. I learned that by writing poetry, I could free my mind of worry and sorrow, while all along bringing new joy into my life. <br />
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This pilgrimage brought me back to a place I had forgotten about, a place of innocence, dreams, and playfulness. I am counting the days until I return to the coast of Ireland where I can hear the music of the people, see the beauty of the land and walk on the green grass of my ancestors.<br />
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Ireland is everything they say it is and more. In May 2015 Spirit Tours took a group of pilgrims to the <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/ireland-celtic-cultural-pilgrimage/">land of our family ancestors</a>. During this journey I was once again reminded that “home” does not always have to be where you were born, it may just be “where the heart is”. </div>
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Have you ever traveled to a place that felt like home?<br />
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<o:p></o:p>Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-42415065461212186392017-10-02T06:00:00.000-07:002017-10-02T06:00:18.840-07:00Seeing the world through the eyes of a novelist travelerIn my opinion traveling is the best education out there. My parents started taking me to various exotic, spiritual places at the age of six months old. Their need and desire to travel was instilled in my mind at a very young age. Its safe to say that due to the nature of my job as a travel guide and my past experiences traveling and living in different locations I have become a bit jaded.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkI8_6beZ2BKD63A7vBdMp4AdWd8uzkH0Cz_E5Dl5nDDdq5JmqHodr7Mxyhg05aqkgWSdcj4b3BbCzT9X1R37itNR7NtJgzsh-mhobwzvGnwNmg626ZMh_a70Q0qmuQVHpHolmea8ZL8/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkI8_6beZ2BKD63A7vBdMp4AdWd8uzkH0Cz_E5Dl5nDDdq5JmqHodr7Mxyhg05aqkgWSdcj4b3BbCzT9X1R37itNR7NtJgzsh-mhobwzvGnwNmg626ZMh_a70Q0qmuQVHpHolmea8ZL8/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkI8_6beZ2BKD63A7vBdMp4AdWd8uzkH0Cz_E5Dl5nDDdq5JmqHodr7Mxyhg05aqkgWSdcj4b3BbCzT9X1R37itNR7NtJgzsh-mhobwzvGnwNmg626ZMh_a70Q0qmuQVHpHolmea8ZL8/s400/IMG_0359.JPG" /></a>This all changed when my Fiancée started joining me on various <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/">Spirit Tours journeys</a> around the world. According to him he has always had the desire to travel, however the opportunity never presented itself. In the past two years we have traveled together to <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/costa-rica-spirit-of-nature/">Costa Rica</a>, Sedona, Mexico and Bali. Each adventure in his eyes was so new and fresh. It made me re live the excitement of each place and appreciate each moment so much more. His excitement and amazing positive attitude while traveling allows me to see the world through the eyes of a novelist traveler.<br />
<br />
Where have you traveled, and where do you still want to go?<br />
<br />
Gitana Omi, <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/">Spirit Tours </a>Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-37546782621355271762017-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:002017-09-25T06:00:07.825-07:00Spiritual Exploration, Community, and Shared Experience - A Spirit Tours Pilgrimage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB30zjF9clTYD9dj9LtT4zHEzsmNiqd23ogJDW7q5y2-KHA4EskgElMs8NNPxstAspSxQERAi-WpBIXkUZo1cDYgnEn1pgQYLfYYYbTJc3YAR7xdkPusKK35jwV1kbjQ229zQo9eisVsi/s1600/Chandra+Farnsworth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB30zjF9clTYD9dj9LtT4zHEzsmNiqd23ogJDW7q5y2-KHA4EskgElMs8NNPxstAspSxQERAi-WpBIXkUZo1cDYgnEn1pgQYLfYYYbTJc3YAR7xdkPusKK35jwV1kbjQ229zQo9eisVsi/s320/Chandra+Farnsworth1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Going to France
in April 2017 to explore Paris, Toulouse and Carcassonne was not on my bucket
list.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At least, I didn’t know it was! I
had been to Paris twice, but both trips were many years ago. However, when I
read the description of the <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/france-a-spiritual-pilgrimage/">Spirit Tours pilgrimage to France</a>, I decided to go
and explore part of France that would be new to me.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">I signed up for
this Spirit Tours trip, which was lead by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Edward-Viljoen/e/B00E7HB04W">Dr. Edward Viljoen</a> (Senior Minister
of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa), because once again I was
seeking spiritual exploration, community, and shared experiences. Having been
on three previous trips with the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, and
Spirit Tours, I knew that all three considerations would be realized. Plus we
would be staying in some lovely and charming hotels and eating wonderful French
food!) (Note: Everyone’s food requirements were able to be met during the
entire trip.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO-zGa_Il30CQQwxt53YHrFhc9QVWArkhKVXde3Gj-OewRi1hydJbgcZm_NPGxKqjVsHz8JujeCa2o_v8EKAF46_bELIpKeEiCTJEShShaYC7RlXFxm6CVhL7W09vu3sX6co0wXmewjfR/s1600/Chandra+Farnsworth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO-zGa_Il30CQQwxt53YHrFhc9QVWArkhKVXde3Gj-OewRi1hydJbgcZm_NPGxKqjVsHz8JujeCa2o_v8EKAF46_bELIpKeEiCTJEShShaYC7RlXFxm6CVhL7W09vu3sX6co0wXmewjfR/s320/Chandra+Farnsworth3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Spiritual Exploration</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">:<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The focus of this trip was on the plight of the Cathar people (who were
considered heretics by the Christians), the sacred sites and areas where they
dwelled and the divine feminine in the form of Mary Magdalene. Every day was
filled with beauty, mystery, adventure and amazing experiences.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbykfk-260XbhTL7Hk9mQwJgfCAYZ6m83F5iJEdtQRDiAZygCcNYFGmX3RlwB3Dw8pP22jdFZPYaYKXXwgKiJFwZvVYgTwB5ejcFtwK96uUAiHm45L7QjSZBA7RPXnqFSUDP8xFK2IS_CH/s1600/Chandra+Farnsworth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbykfk-260XbhTL7Hk9mQwJgfCAYZ6m83F5iJEdtQRDiAZygCcNYFGmX3RlwB3Dw8pP22jdFZPYaYKXXwgKiJFwZvVYgTwB5ejcFtwK96uUAiHm45L7QjSZBA7RPXnqFSUDP8xFK2IS_CH/s320/Chandra+Farnsworth2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Community</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">:<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>There were 20 interesting and adventurous people on this trip.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Most were from CSLSR with a couple “friends
of” joining as well as a traveler from New Zealand who was quickly and
completely adopted by our group.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Each
morning we gathered in a circle for prayer, practice, sharing and we also
received an overview of our upcoming day from our Spirit Tours leaders.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were blessed to have Janet Pullen* as our
guide, as she is an authority on the Cathars and the areas of Southern France
where they lived between the 12th – 14th centuries. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Shared Experience</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">: Each day the group visited Cathedrals,
basilicas, museums, chateaus, and fortresses.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We learned about history, architecture, people and religious
practices.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our guides were graciously
and generously available to us as we traveled around Paris and then on to
Toulouse and Carcassonne.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Riding in two
small vans gave us the opportunity to get to know our travel mates along the
way.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Lovely walks –
hikes, views, countryside, gardens, old houses in small villages...I wouldn’t
change a thing about this trip as it was so well planned and guided. I hope you
consider participating in the next one. Talk to me if you want a first-hand
account!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">By Chandra Farnsworth </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">*Janet Renu
Pullen author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Shadows-Discovering-Light-France/dp/1452500185">In Secret and Shadows</a><span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Discovering Light in the South of France</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-5491946247499816072017-09-22T12:41:00.000-07:002017-09-22T12:41:12.933-07:00The Universality of Story Magically Brought to Life - A Spirit Tours Pilgrimage<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DKoxJmTGkQAhPnHmLLV6a5lQksRqHFKb52TCFyiSqNnxlE4fpIXC1AAVP8c7Hx4uIU3InD7pg7xk_pa1npI-poF5DsgGCCHoQICP3ONnv-0hg2Q7JITePv979DlHjI34xeddg2_573it/s1600/pahala-basuki-37918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DKoxJmTGkQAhPnHmLLV6a5lQksRqHFKb52TCFyiSqNnxlE4fpIXC1AAVP8c7Hx4uIU3InD7pg7xk_pa1npI-poF5DsgGCCHoQICP3ONnv-0hg2Q7JITePv979DlHjI34xeddg2_573it/s320/pahala-basuki-37918.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #111111; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Photo by<span> </span></span>Pahala Basuki<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #111111; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span> </span>on<span> </span></span>Unsplash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
There was a point in our masterfully facilitated <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/bali-island-of-the-gods/">Bali pilgrimage</a> where I was reminded of the universality of story. Nestled in our gorgeous landscapes, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Edward-Viljoen/e/B00E7HB04W">Dr. Edward Viljoen</a> narrated and magically brought to life important sections of the great epic Hindu poem – The Ramayana. Two scenes stood out to me – the first is when Rama, the avatar of Vishnu who is destined to become king, is instead banished into the forest. His response to the news is devoid of pity and blame and instead accepts the verdict with dignity, taking his leave.</div>
<div>
<br />The other was Manthara, the handmaiden who never stopped manipulating the King’s third wife Kaikeyi with her relentless gossip and calculated mental poisoning to get all that she could for herself.</div>
<div>
<br />We each have the dignity of Rama as well as the manipulative fear mongering of Manthara within us. Our life unfolds, and mental patterns are established based on which of these traits we become most devoted to.</div>
<div>
<br />What I witnessed throughout our time with Jim Cramer, William Abel, Evan Dow-Williamson, and Edward Viljoen, was pure Rama consciousness. Learning of Jim’s ceaseless years of gaining the trust of the Indonesian Temple authorities so those of us on the journey could be welcomed into temple ceremonies where typical tourist are not, was a remarkably unexpected and selfless gift for all of us to experience.</div>
<div>
<br />I was humbled by his devotion to the Balinese culture and the way in which we each benefitted from the ripple of effect of his decision. And like Rama, when there were criticisms, Jim never wavered from his dignity and did his best to accommodate demands.</div>
<div>
<br />Too, William, Evan, and Edward gave of themselves with such high-level courteousness that I cannot imagine an introduction to Bali with anyone else.</div>
<div>
<br />In times such as these, we are all called to bring to the light our inner Rama - not just on special occasions but as a way of life.</div>
<div>
<br />I am reminded of the quote, "How you do anything is how you do everything." I know that this trip fueled my devotion to allow everything within me to be like Rama.</div>
<div>
<br />I have had the great fortune of experiencing much of the world in my lifetime, but I have to say that this trip nurtured me deeply and I am grateful to Spirit Tours and the Santa Rosa team for this lasting treasure. My lasting, heartfelt thanks!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://slc-atlanta.org/minister/">Dr. David Ault</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://slc-atlanta.org/minister/">http://slc-atlanta.org/minister/</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-5474891406880793262017-07-24T05:00:00.000-07:002017-07-24T05:00:29.818-07:00Develop or Deepen. Yoga in Costa Rica. Spiritual Tourism with William Abel<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT_cHKK3zgKUSKj2y5Eq6O7Kr1WebtDlHIAc0SSFVDR3u0fjx6II9vVm8_Iff3WI0_3HffF4vlgWcNJv2xrsJVSscgon-fN_AO55VAvjZU1XScOFP8kKHmBayJXqvZObbZIwcvC4uGRJU/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="640" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT_cHKK3zgKUSKj2y5Eq6O7Kr1WebtDlHIAc0SSFVDR3u0fjx6II9vVm8_Iff3WI0_3HffF4vlgWcNJv2xrsJVSscgon-fN_AO55VAvjZU1XScOFP8kKHmBayJXqvZObbZIwcvC4uGRJU/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Base in Arenal</td></tr>
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Join me in <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/costa-rica-spirit-of-nature/">Costa Rica</a> (January 15, 2018) and spend some time exploring the nature of this beautiful land, and also, the nature of your being. Yoga is about discovering your true nature, which is peace, and meditation is a method that is used to do it.<br />
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<b>Daily Spiritual Practice</b></div>
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With a daily gentle yoga practice to help bring peace to the body and daily meditation practice to help bring peace to the mind, time in Costa Rica might be just what is needed to help reset a busy mind to a more peaceful way of being, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy time away from your daily routine. <br />
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For people who have never practiced yoga, or for those who prefer a gentle approach, this tour is a great way to learn more about yoga and meditation. Gentle yoga uses classic yoga poses to help build balance, strengthen and flexibility to the body, with modifications to help make the practice accessible to any level.<br />
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<b>Develop or Deepen</b></div>
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Because meditation is an integral part of a yoga practice, time will be spent with different meditation techniques and instruction to help develop or deepen a practice. Even those who have difficulty with meditation can benefit from our time together in the peaceful setting of Costa Rica. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_i55W8UqHqQoWnO4EJJKeVQw1tNPKD3l9TgbhPSJwqpuz02tA3mZNtkiiTUYOJMi0HAIQrXaUlXnk6G6bNlX5gUIdruuATkBo_Y7zg61X5mSkk7dEDCHCTcL5_saXS_qpG0v2E5ztdJ7/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="640" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_i55W8UqHqQoWnO4EJJKeVQw1tNPKD3l9TgbhPSJwqpuz02tA3mZNtkiiTUYOJMi0HAIQrXaUlXnk6G6bNlX5gUIdruuATkBo_Y7zg61X5mSkk7dEDCHCTcL5_saXS_qpG0v2E5ztdJ7/s320/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surrounded by spectacular nature</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4LkjWEALX31Bu9Nw2HLpLjpxBC9TXPm2HWeaxQju4lg9EHT1Olp67DDIzWfcry5cc14Yy5Wu8pFOxOcHwwu2jqgIu8Hmei6l75Y11CDutg8Hl1Di9yiDA8UDK7DdJh8ZwesCiOLzBJeI/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="640" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4LkjWEALX31Bu9Nw2HLpLjpxBC9TXPm2HWeaxQju4lg9EHT1Olp67DDIzWfcry5cc14Yy5Wu8pFOxOcHwwu2jqgIu8Hmei6l75Y11CDutg8Hl1Di9yiDA8UDK7DdJh8ZwesCiOLzBJeI/s320/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A soak in Tabacon Hot Springs is terrific</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnOqCDlHzhvYxNdvE-pL-ktw9IEfUf4MbzesWNrB1EW6T6xJ5OA3lzEsud1DStSCiQT-3pQLk-pZOEfJAPb87RJLoLC6uDZI9cXVk-EvtwL0cWecmPmjcrqQrVKr0WNK8qu7not13fS7o/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="640" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnOqCDlHzhvYxNdvE-pL-ktw9IEfUf4MbzesWNrB1EW6T6xJ5OA3lzEsud1DStSCiQT-3pQLk-pZOEfJAPb87RJLoLC6uDZI9cXVk-EvtwL0cWecmPmjcrqQrVKr0WNK8qu7not13fS7o/s320/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guided trip over the hanging bridges is part of our tour experience</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBOA7I6PeUjNedcED6s1W3P0-fzLKbbF3NoBXa2l5EJxZqQG83j8SHvzF9nTK6oScxJTRjMuDuG5_eRkuHnehwb5SSyPTWvkYMv5FT7MlVdjGByRWiv3Ni5YpjnrzyevsfbuCE236OSN4/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="640" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBOA7I6PeUjNedcED6s1W3P0-fzLKbbF3NoBXa2l5EJxZqQG83j8SHvzF9nTK6oScxJTRjMuDuG5_eRkuHnehwb5SSyPTWvkYMv5FT7MlVdjGByRWiv3Ni5YpjnrzyevsfbuCE236OSN4/s320/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arenal Volcano</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-69261858196839699192017-07-22T15:15:00.000-07:002017-07-22T15:15:18.383-07:00My Trip to New Zealand: Spiritual Tourism<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUbDrS_S3oA8h1jSAwePynTTe4Icxvw2LB2-vKD9ENUGxmLGohAj1J3tky_Nq0Sw00iHxxVeZkm3HwJjPzKo5UOolvAhBAG6nR9T-4OBBfgTSfQG0F0_v7uM4ZIe_ct6zqZy8KDhnDZh3/s1600/Multi+colored+thermal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUbDrS_S3oA8h1jSAwePynTTe4Icxvw2LB2-vKD9ENUGxmLGohAj1J3tky_Nq0Sw00iHxxVeZkm3HwJjPzKo5UOolvAhBAG6nR9T-4OBBfgTSfQG0F0_v7uM4ZIe_ct6zqZy8KDhnDZh3/s400/Multi+colored+thermal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi-colored thermal springs</td></tr>
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<b>Daily Spiritual Practice</b><br />
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While the flight to NZ is long, in winter there is only a two-hour time difference between California and NZ, so jet lag is minimal. A bigger shock is jumping from late fall to brilliant spring. On the flight we were introduced to NZ’s delicious passion-fruit flavored Sauvignon Blank. Each morning Dr. <a href="http://edblogword.blogspot.com/">Edward Viljoen</a> led us in a spiritual practice. These were typically connected with the day’s activities and deepened our appreciation.</div>
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<b>History and Views</b><br />
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We started on the North Island in Auckland and Rotorua. A walk up Mt. Eden gave us a history and the opportunity to walk done into the grassy slopes of a volcano’s caldera. One highlight was a boat trip to Mt. Rangitoto with views of Auckland and a climb through native vegetation to the summit. Rotorua gave us the opportunities to walk through farmer’s markets, visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, see a Maori Cultural Performance, and dine at a Hangi. <br />
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<b>At Home In Queenstown</b><br />
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Then we were on to the South Island, home of adventure sports – next time for us. Queenstown was our base and on our first day we hiked from Arrowtown up the mountains through waist-deep fragrant lupines. We took a ferry across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, an operating sheep ranch and had a lovely dinner.<br />
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Perhaps the highlight of the tour was Milford Sound. The bus trip there stopped at breath taking sights of mountains mirrored in quiet streams, while watching flightless Kea parrots stroll the grounds. At the Sound we boarded a small cruise boat for an over-night stay near the entrance to the ocean. We kayaked around the Sound looking at penguins and fur seals. That night the gentle waves rocked us to sleep.</div>
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Returning to Queenstown we took a gondola up the mountains to the Skyline Restaurant for our farewell. We enjoyed the diversity of the group and as usual, made many new friends.<br />
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Dennis O., Verified Customer<br />
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<a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/">Spirit Tour</a>'s next <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/">Spiritual Pilgrimage</a> to Australia and New Zealand is this November 2017. If you would like more information, <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/">click here</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-15801518345257378222017-07-19T17:29:00.003-07:002017-07-19T17:29:32.001-07:00Why I Enjoyed Peru So Much<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ9XN0Qd7EqbFtANniPUKKS0BTQxCM-HgnYHj8V54SE_No_VBEkqoMpG3lTs5uqKM_h8JQNVNsQ9mV8AKl8qzzGx0sfDjRVTgms4Nw1aktaGcGpS5CXJqEU3lpSqJpS4bDV7dTKI12-rB/s1600/peru+machu+picchu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ9XN0Qd7EqbFtANniPUKKS0BTQxCM-HgnYHj8V54SE_No_VBEkqoMpG3lTs5uqKM_h8JQNVNsQ9mV8AKl8qzzGx0sfDjRVTgms4Nw1aktaGcGpS5CXJqEU3lpSqJpS4bDV7dTKI12-rB/s320/peru+machu+picchu.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward and Kevin Viljoen on Machu Picchu</td></tr>
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This great testimonial from one of our travelers reminds me that we're going to Peru again in 2018! If you would like to have more information about Spirit Tour's pilgrimage to Peru with Dr. Edward Viljoen, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Goodness-Surprisingly-Effortless-Creating-ebook/dp/B01E4WAEZA">Ordinary Goodness</a>, please visit us at <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/peru-machu-picchu-sacred-empire-of-the-incas/">Spirit.Tours</a>.<br />
<br /><br />Dear Dr Edward Viljoen, <br /><br />It is with great pleasure that I write to thank you for helping make my trip with <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/peru-machu-picchu-sacred-empire-of-the-incas/">Spirit Tours to Peru</a> this past summer both heart warming and memorable. As you may remember, I joined the Center for Spiritual Living, Palm Desert under the leadership of Dr Joe Hooper at a time when my life seemed to have been shrouded in darkness. My sister had passed away after a long and painful battle with cancer and my personal and professional relationships had suffered in the process. <br /><br />When Dr Joe recommended that I join his group on this trip, at first, I was hesitant. Visions of sitting around a candle and chanting almost kept me from calling to book the travel. Had I sat in my ignorance, I would have missed the tremendous gift that was waiting for me in Peru. The effortless travel in the most idyllic settings of ancient cultures lended itself to a nurturing environment that helped me start the process of forgiveness and spiritual growth. I remember sitting in our group meditation practices, peeking through one eye at fellow travelers who I later got to befriend and share in their own spiritual journey, thinking I'm not alone in my pain. There were others from all walks of life who sought comfort and guidance in their times of need. Some had lost a husband, a father, a career. Some had a void that needed to be filled, a wound that needed healing or something that needed to be addressed and mended.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ara and Dr. Joe in Peru</td></tr>
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<br />You, Dr Joe and the family at Spirit Tours made me feel at ease in
sharing my challenges. The daily group spiritual growth practices helped
set the stage for several life lessons that I was about to learn and
that I keep with me to this day. Most of all, I remember the release and
levity I felt when I realized that just like the giant granite stones
that were perched on top of mountains at soaring altitudes, there are
structures and circumstance in my life that are both unexplainable and
unknowable; but also, that not knowing how or why things are, doesn't
keep us from basking in its beauty and sharing in wonderment of how we
are all connected. <br /> <br /> So, to anybody who is hesitating in joining us in this <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/peru-machu-picchu-sacred-empire-of-the-incas/">shared spiritual journey</a>, please consider my first experience in making your decision. If you want to take a spiritual vacation at a leisurely pace along people who seek a connection with beautiful places in the world, then, all you have to do is pack lightly and show up, the rest will be taken care of by Spirit Tours and the amazing practitioners that come along. I look forward to walking with you in your journey. <br /><br />Yours Truly, <br /><br />Ara Gabrielian <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-61459930615303335162017-07-19T10:53:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:40:11.580-07:00Silence as a Spiritual Practice: Australia and New Zealand, a Spiritual Pilgrimage<br />
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Experience the refreshing, pristine air, water and land of Australia and New Zealand and discover how silence can become a pathway to inner peace. On November 6, 2017, I'm headed down that way with a group of spiritual pilgrims on <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/">Spirit Tours "Spirit of Nature" retreat</a>. I'll be facilitating nearly daily practices (except when we are in transit) as a way of tuning in with the deep quiet that is already, always present in each person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnR1E11WZuK12Tg0C8_6qDEYVYOM9RKi3HhHtywmDecSQvrabB-uoW31WVvRlEzCIeiocB1zr9gyL0SEglenlbmZEGEovZT5FmALqcOrtmY5aECszJqosL04CA3Rsg-0NuhhpNkfdRyN7/s1600/Edward.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnR1E11WZuK12Tg0C8_6qDEYVYOM9RKi3HhHtywmDecSQvrabB-uoW31WVvRlEzCIeiocB1zr9gyL0SEglenlbmZEGEovZT5FmALqcOrtmY5aECszJqosL04CA3Rsg-0NuhhpNkfdRyN7/s200/Edward.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Using accessible daily contemplation practices, with a booklet to record insights from your silent time, we will explore our inner world, and then we'll venture out together to experience spectacular New Zealand and Australia.<br />
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<br />
Edward Viljoen<br />
Author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Meditation-Ancient-Technique-Access/dp/0399162615">The Power of Meditation </a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Goodness-Surprisingly-Effortless-Creating/dp/0399183914/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0/145-5776334-1085707?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P6RJYBT93KZKM5YZ7573">Ordinary Goodness </a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"With its size slightly larger and population similar to the state of Oregon, there are vast areas of land untouched by human hands. The On the South Island of New Zealand the southerlies blow from the South Pole and purify the air. In Australia, we will explore the world famous city of Sydney and sit and walk Aboriginal people in the Blue Mountain Range. The atmosphere in this region of the southern hemisphere is like no other place in the world. By just experiencing the people, its culture and you will understand why Australian & New Zealanders rarely move away from their native land."</i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/"><i>spirit.tours </i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTppTIbVD2lZG1ZMgiyKSAm-vaBe98dNGylr-9wuB8ButI8z5vEaMPQeUCjuzgIBXxDCnJQxnqGcO-u0EBB_qPTiClB8WgCWVG1fTl_PdvzUTdmOgCwich2uwr_MEaTgaM8d_HJ_nuNpe/s1600/Queenstown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTppTIbVD2lZG1ZMgiyKSAm-vaBe98dNGylr-9wuB8ButI8z5vEaMPQeUCjuzgIBXxDCnJQxnqGcO-u0EBB_qPTiClB8WgCWVG1fTl_PdvzUTdmOgCwich2uwr_MEaTgaM8d_HJ_nuNpe/s400/Queenstown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The general acceptance of the term meditation is contemplation or continuous thought. We mean to convey something more-the recognition of the [Power] within, the certainty of our Oneness with the Whole, the immediate availability of the Power and Wisdom resulting from this Oneness. Such communion with [Divinity] brings harmony into our lives and affairs; establishes the law of health and prosperity, and makes us a light to all who cross our pathway. </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Ernest Holmes</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Science of Mind</span></i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-1745729384942021942017-07-18T17:52:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:09:10.024-07:00Travelers are Amazed by the Magic of the Milford Sound: New Zealand and Australia - The Spirit of Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK_bsvWkaC0QiBJv39yIYJDg7w2F9ZCjAhOMWrQHUSaJR5sEuJmEd9L8XFVERLRwMLhEk6al6zBwbempPPlEVHdVc0HD_ibHC5d0XXRlPIoXkq-M7xPXOAv8J_PVrpB_zsQxw5rTQmtPI/s1600/milfordsound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK_bsvWkaC0QiBJv39yIYJDg7w2F9ZCjAhOMWrQHUSaJR5sEuJmEd9L8XFVERLRwMLhEk6al6zBwbempPPlEVHdVc0HD_ibHC5d0XXRlPIoXkq-M7xPXOAv8J_PVrpB_zsQxw5rTQmtPI/s320/milfordsound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When I went on my overnight cruise in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, I wasn't expecting to be amazed. Words couldn't prepare me for the majesty of this World Heritage site. It's no wonder that it is a top travel destination, and that Rudyard Kipling called it a wonder of the world. Getting there is an adventure too. The bus took us through amazing country side, a photographer's paradise. <br />
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An overnight cruise on the Milford Sound is part of Spirit Tours upcoming trip to Australia & New Zealand, titled "The Spirit of Nature" for good reason. The Blue Mountain Range is another big highlight of the tour, along with visit to the fascinating, and truly charming cities of Queenstown and Sydney. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3pmNuKubkoLWfgzBoVUp1VKJ8crUk8Y467hHfk41BlJoOMbST8fUeCEHUNkM9KcsckfLprrZLMXF3oTfkpc-6XK6W1uXSV49F2Fq2nnIwb5WnFoEM55esS-GfQeb3PfnPfZwA_KlXbKy/s1600/harborbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="382" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3pmNuKubkoLWfgzBoVUp1VKJ8crUk8Y467hHfk41BlJoOMbST8fUeCEHUNkM9KcsckfLprrZLMXF3oTfkpc-6XK6W1uXSV49F2Fq2nnIwb5WnFoEM55esS-GfQeb3PfnPfZwA_KlXbKy/s320/harborbridge.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
For the adventurous, consider climbing Sydney's Harbor Bridge, one of the Australia's most <br />
photographed sites. It is, after all, the world's largest steel arch bridge, and you can climb it! It's amazing, I've done it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3pmNuKubkoLWfgzBoVUp1VKJ8crUk8Y467hHfk41BlJoOMbST8fUeCEHUNkM9KcsckfLprrZLMXF3oTfkpc-6XK6W1uXSV49F2Fq2nnIwb5WnFoEM55esS-GfQeb3PfnPfZwA_KlXbKy/s1600/harborbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I'll be facilitating the tour, making sure we have regular spiritual practice so that our trip has the tone of being a pilgrimage on which we take time to observe what arises within is when we are still. This daily practice (except for one day when we are in transit) allows the spirit of nature to be felt and appreciated more completely. It's my highly of traveling with spiritual community: practicing together.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3pmNuKubkoLWfgzBoVUp1VKJ8crUk8Y467hHfk41BlJoOMbST8fUeCEHUNkM9KcsckfLprrZLMXF3oTfkpc-6XK6W1uXSV49F2Fq2nnIwb5WnFoEM55esS-GfQeb3PfnPfZwA_KlXbKy/s1600/harborbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZazU_I9luyEYwn9z1ZMPfHHoSN1GZIyREf-K8XAqhOboyF5QxFue9z2NUmW8TbMInpXw8SVUDO6gGcHp7W3SWsUg44anSfX1ICWITUZw6cTKEFu-X7-Ad8_z-r2OJWrnbLcZezhEys2Xj/s1600/pilgrims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZazU_I9luyEYwn9z1ZMPfHHoSN1GZIyREf-K8XAqhOboyF5QxFue9z2NUmW8TbMInpXw8SVUDO6gGcHp7W3SWsUg44anSfX1ICWITUZw6cTKEFu-X7-Ad8_z-r2OJWrnbLcZezhEys2Xj/s320/pilgrims.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Would you like to know more about Spirit Tour's Australia and New Zealand tour? Registration is now open to all. You can join me, and Dr. Joe Hooper from Palm Desert Center for Spiritual Living on November 6 through November 17, 2017. Visit <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/">spirit.tours</a> and read more. The price for double occupancy includes round trip airfare. ($5689 good until July 31.)<br />
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Thereafter, land only price is $4189<br />
<br />
Edward Viljoen<br />
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa<br />
Author of <span id="goog_1076529030"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Goodness-Surprisingly-Effortless-Creating/dp/0399183914/ref=sr_1_1/135-3779053-0971812?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500425310&sr=1-1&keywords=ordinary+goodness">Ordinary Goodness<span id="goog_1076529031"></span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><br /></a>
From <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/australia-new-zealand-spirit-of-the-nature/">Spirit.Tours</a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Journey with Spirit Tours staff to Australia and New Zealand. This trip will explore the New South Wells, Australia, The Queenstown area and Milford Sound of the South Islands, New Zealand. Experience optional guided meditations, take nature hikes (Bush Walks), spend the night on Milford Sound, stay in Queenstown, visit local farmers markets, Be guided through the Blue Mountain Range by an Aboriginal cultural expert, journey through Sydney just to name a few. This itinerary was created by Spirit Tours staff, James Cramer and Timothy Omi who both lived there for a short time.</i><b></b><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-63607985643355810852017-07-07T18:53:00.002-07:002017-07-19T11:39:59.085-07:00Spiritual Tourism: Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx-K8jiI4epNmwyukx-cE77eD1qso6waLjB3_2sZMYLUCY-EJ4GTX4EmMbw1bxbqmnpJ1BN7lhyYL1u5ujmwwYpOqtJn8ufgoxFpBbiK18bE1kEwXA8J8VkTPS5_ogR1VQ_Hl1Fos3wVH/s1600/willliam+profile.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx-K8jiI4epNmwyukx-cE77eD1qso6waLjB3_2sZMYLUCY-EJ4GTX4EmMbw1bxbqmnpJ1BN7lhyYL1u5ujmwwYpOqtJn8ufgoxFpBbiK18bE1kEwXA8J8VkTPS5_ogR1VQ_Hl1Fos3wVH/s1600/willliam+profile.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RxD4KIt_GUEV4P2thxG4DgzBT4pxONQTvya7QmMV7EsULGJhijFAMHKg8aK-nNKK6GWlI86J4BDIOn1CFL-2OLvsk_07ftAodk-IRYqcxw2ppGT1UX4raBwYB4RSEsTy0AYVO_XmY4Kf/s1600/YogaWIthWilliam.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RxD4KIt_GUEV4P2thxG4DgzBT4pxONQTvya7QmMV7EsULGJhijFAMHKg8aK-nNKK6GWlI86J4BDIOn1CFL-2OLvsk_07ftAodk-IRYqcxw2ppGT1UX4raBwYB4RSEsTy0AYVO_XmY4Kf/s320/YogaWIthWilliam.JPG" width="213" /></a>Imagine enjoying daily spiritual practice and yoga in the magical nature of Costa Rica. Pristine beaches, vibrant jungles, soaking in hot springs, hiking across suspension bridges over the rain forest, are all part of this yoga retreat with yoga teacher, William Abel.</div>
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William has taught yoga retreats for Spirit Tours in Bali, Mexico, South Africa, and Costa Rica. He is certified by the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco and New York to teach Gentle Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Meditation and Raja Yoga.<br />
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Destination Highlights include<br />
<ul>
<li>Pacific Ocean beach</li>
<li>Guide services by local Costa Rican naturalist</li>
<li>Daily meditation</li>
<li>Daily yoga</li>
<li>Daily breakfast</li>
<li>3 days at the boutique Playa Hermosa beach hotel</li>
<li>4 nights at the Arental Volcano rainforest hotel</li>
<li>Soaking in Tabacon Hot Springs</li>
<li>Sky Tram and Zip Line above the rain forest</li>
<li>Hiking the Hanging Bridges</li>
</ul>
This Costa Rica Yoga Retreat, also known as <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/costa-rica-spirit-of-nature/">The Spirit of Nature</a>, is from <b>January 15, 2018, through January 23, 2018</b>, and is facilitated by Spirit Tours.<br />
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For more information about the <a href="http://www.spirit.tours/tours/costa-rica-spirit-of-nature/">daily itinerary</a>.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-82682162306316536942016-06-10T12:33:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:25:32.258-07:00You Only Live One LifeTo me travel is the best education one can receive. I pride myself on living my life without regrets. This is why in 2012 I quite my job in San Diego, sold my car, moved out of my apartment and bought a one way plane ticket to Taiwan. I needed a drastic change in my life and I knew this could possibly be it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9BJrmNuH1jBy6my345VsuoufmMzlQgT4GJke_SLSp7tdaFq0EcZxJqHTAEs797iGIOU7w0VtXOhIfTRC4Hhak0iPQ56np6qbpPT0L3W4gfLVTLtx-meSauzwvIoJgVYtlVvxC5dUeFs/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9BJrmNuH1jBy6my345VsuoufmMzlQgT4GJke_SLSp7tdaFq0EcZxJqHTAEs797iGIOU7w0VtXOhIfTRC4Hhak0iPQ56np6qbpPT0L3W4gfLVTLtx-meSauzwvIoJgVYtlVvxC5dUeFs/s320/IMG_1684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After six weeks of winding through narrow streets, trying to find my way to one teaching interview after another I landed a job as a preschool teacher. Keep in mind that at this point in my life I had only taught at the college level. Now I was teaching three year olds who up until coming into my class only spoke Chinese. Talk about "culture shock" for myself as well as the little children I was teaching. For the first six months I wanted to quit every day. Everything was so different than what I was used to. I held on in hopes that it would get better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj464ah8Be6RucK2IuuAN5hfOBR8P3tzOYgmRD9IEbW-HD-Mk-anrv1ge4rtkqRXH9ul-LyLrR238i9BmCyazqgiDRWP7G4bHbKepmryqvOUXLq80oFWPj6UP_8_B6rZ6pLW6cndc3do5M/s1600/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj464ah8Be6RucK2IuuAN5hfOBR8P3tzOYgmRD9IEbW-HD-Mk-anrv1ge4rtkqRXH9ul-LyLrR238i9BmCyazqgiDRWP7G4bHbKepmryqvOUXLq80oFWPj6UP_8_B6rZ6pLW6cndc3do5M/s320/IMG_0762.jpg" width="240" /></a>Outside of teaching I was having a fantastic time, meeting new friends, exploring the Island and living the Expat life. I knew that if I could just become comfortable with my job that I would be accomplishing something huge.<br />
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Just like anything in life if you stick with it, teaching these young children became easier. Going to work every day was more enjoyable and I actually felt good about the impact I was making on their lives.<br />
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I ended up living in Taiwan for 18 months, it absolutely changed my life forever. I was able to travel al over Asia taking trips to Vietnam, Philippines, Bali and Thailand. My passion for travel <br />
grew exponentially during this time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmat-4epdACNRe4iYDYWhBC2LP1Ssn_XWgmW1VSwXNmZPTSmr_GpXE9TUwHywXCbd5G3SAeTa95nidC31oGcYLGaznKJ4eA22fr5FcuWgfLj6y9FgFdUIfzs0No9JioxqNktu11_g7vuE/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmat-4epdACNRe4iYDYWhBC2LP1Ssn_XWgmW1VSwXNmZPTSmr_GpXE9TUwHywXCbd5G3SAeTa95nidC31oGcYLGaznKJ4eA22fr5FcuWgfLj6y9FgFdUIfzs0No9JioxqNktu11_g7vuE/s320/IMG_1785.JPG" width="320" /></a>After my teaching contract was over I moved back home, not knowing what the next step would be. I was just as scared to go home as I was to leave, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I moved back in with my dad at the age of 35. The one thing that I was for sure of was that I did not want to work for corporate America anymore and that traveling had to be a part of my life. During those first six moths of being home I almost moved back to Taiwan on several occasion. You see I had something they call "reverse cultural shock". I was lost and not sure of anything. Slowly I started doing admin for my dads company "Sprit Tours". Eventually I was able to try my talents out leading tours. After two tours in Bali and one in Costa Rica my Dad and Brother said that I was "indispensable". The rest is history.<br />
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I know that if I hadn't taken the leap to move to Taiwan, I would never have had the chance to work for the family business. I absolutely love what I do and I am so grateful for all of my experiences. You only live one life, take chances, be happy and have a positive outlook. All of these things will lead you to your destiny.<br />
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<br />Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-27202426672315966932015-12-10T08:50:00.000-08:002017-07-19T11:23:33.571-07:00Retreat in Costa Rica with Yoga led by William Abel <div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Imagine spending 8 days in Costa Rica in the middle of winter. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QEhyphenhyphenTGOM8QNUhP3KM9fa7Wqrw-YzedWMRZ8qgmY4tkhZCh7KHAD3tR1m4qlSTlJahHMPQHyXpGxMgDXgrGNNkiYFvBlvASTZV_EnHywVtm-Ij64g_hBdGZlezejn4u8_4DoE2NauuMrU/s1600/Yogawithwill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QEhyphenhyphenTGOM8QNUhP3KM9fa7Wqrw-YzedWMRZ8qgmY4tkhZCh7KHAD3tR1m4qlSTlJahHMPQHyXpGxMgDXgrGNNkiYFvBlvASTZV_EnHywVtm-Ij64g_hBdGZlezejn4u8_4DoE2NauuMrU/s320/Yogawithwill.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
good news is, Costa Rica doesn't have a winter like ours! And even
better yet, there will be gentle yoga every morning with me, William
Abel. That's right, a yoga retreat in Costa Rica with yoga led by
William Abel, who has taught gentle yoga to travelers in places such as
Thailand, Mexico, Cambodia, South Africa, New Zealand, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and of course,<span style="color: magenta;"> <a href="http://www.spirit-tour.com/bali.html" target="_blank">Bali</a></span>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Join me, and Spirit Tours, for 8 days and 7 nights for a spiritual retreat in Costa Rica.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">February 24th to March 2nd 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.spirit-tour.com/costa-rica.html" target="_blank">Click here</a></span> for more information </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
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<strong>Spirit of Costa Rica</strong><strong><br />
<strong>February 24th to March 2</strong>nd, 2016</strong><br />
Join Yoga Teacher William Abel and Spirit Tours who has led
several trips to Costa Rica for the past 13 years. We will enjoy daily
Spiritual Practice along with adventures such as soaking in Tabacon Hot
Springs, hiking across suspension bridges above the rain forest, zip
lining above the forest canopy and snorkeling in the beautiful ocean. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://spirit-tour.com/itinerary/2016-costa-rica.pdf" target="_blank">View Itinerary</a><br />
<a href="http://spirit-tour.com/registration/2016-costa-rica.pdf" target="_blank">Registration</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-63150264587889090712015-12-10T08:23:00.002-08:002017-07-19T11:09:10.039-07:00Machu Picchu with Dr. Joe Hooper<h2 class="title">
</h2>
<strong>June 28th - July 7th, 2016</strong><strong><br />
<strong>Machu Picchu Sacred Sanctuary of the Incas</strong></strong><br /><br />
$3,274.00 Double Occupancy Land Package Only<br />
Travel with Reverend Joe Hooper and Reverend Edward Viljoen.
Explore the ancient city of Cusco, wonder at the beauty of the Sacred
Valley. Visit the quaint city of Aguas Calientes that sits at the
bottom of the Machu Picchu Ruins. Standing 2,430 above sea level, in
the midst of a tropical mountain forest in an extraordinarily beautiful
setting, Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of
the Inca Empire at its height.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdMj6Uw1jLELGKO3jBQRty0IXZZdgDs7R_99aJXYBhSbInGXSoFBhLuTkGpU6S5HoZBQgRvWBCmXzxhji5tg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a Private Tour.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.spirit-tour.com/itinerary/2016-maccu-piccu-pt.pdf" target="_blank">View Itinerary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.spirit-tour.com/registration/2016-maccu-piccu-pt.pdf" target="_blank">Registration</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please contact Spirit Tours for further information (707) 566-8078 about tours to Peru </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and how <b>you can host your own private tour.</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-54130245619254709732015-11-16T09:46:00.000-08:002017-07-19T11:25:32.230-07:00Seeing the world through the eyes of a young child living in two different cultures<div class="MsoNormal">
Seeing the world through the eyes of a young child living in
two different cultures<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSHxofhrgT9vjaa-y_lMYpPKq6pXjk14__0C_YA0v9BJcBMsAqDm0bo5B6-C2L6CjecFy6nv4qY1O1-B8OfdkdGBvYWqEg91-q7jWHY_oOr-W3FQy958mk-By2fXlsXxfbOe2onZ4EC4/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSHxofhrgT9vjaa-y_lMYpPKq6pXjk14__0C_YA0v9BJcBMsAqDm0bo5B6-C2L6CjecFy6nv4qY1O1-B8OfdkdGBvYWqEg91-q7jWHY_oOr-W3FQy958mk-By2fXlsXxfbOe2onZ4EC4/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" width="320" /></a>I never really thought of my childhood as being unique or
different, until a tour member on our last journey to Bali simply stated “how
unique of a childhood you had, spending half of it in Bali, learning their
customs, beliefs and values and the other half living in the United States
learning a completely different set of norms.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was at this point that I was able to revert back in time to my
childhood and how I felt living in both Bali and the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Bali as a young child there was no electricity, water was
brought up in buckets from the river gorge below our home. I was taught to eat
with my hands; I spent most of my time with the Balinese family whose land we
lived on eating bananas and rice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
that time of my life I felt “Balinese”, in my eyes there was no difference
between who I was and the people who loved and took care of me like I was their
own. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2688qbvxRJ8xHApYR1-avelojZivxUg20Q_pAHzUpORj8sDL5rZc1V5Gsx5sUPBSkiZSsFuxi04WrjvBWmKpMW2v64NGC5j1VCyTBBEqnv57374JF4VAjCfUgVx6XgHrTi8i5_MUQ58/s1600/IMG_1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2688qbvxRJ8xHApYR1-avelojZivxUg20Q_pAHzUpORj8sDL5rZc1V5Gsx5sUPBSkiZSsFuxi04WrjvBWmKpMW2v64NGC5j1VCyTBBEqnv57374JF4VAjCfUgVx6XgHrTi8i5_MUQ58/s320/IMG_1589.JPG" width="320" /></a>I remember my first time back to the United States after
living in Bali for over a year, my first instinct was to use my hands to eat
(who needed silverware). I was of course, immediately told by my parents that I
now needed to eat with a fork and knife. I was very confused and did not
understand why, I remember very much preferring to eat with my hands to using
silverware. This was just one of the very many cultural differences that I had
to get used to after being back in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqICt4epupiVJ9wTnW4E5clgtPDVzIskmNPamg8lZRQHrT66LJMKQCOqcE9WgvhDT1MViw_RsWgAal9HE7se1qptFijzi26xM6sWMaGi6SS0Zr2z-diCI6SEfUjrZ-Bd61UxPIYKPuXbc/s1600/IMG_2068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqICt4epupiVJ9wTnW4E5clgtPDVzIskmNPamg8lZRQHrT66LJMKQCOqcE9WgvhDT1MViw_RsWgAal9HE7se1qptFijzi26xM6sWMaGi6SS0Zr2z-diCI6SEfUjrZ-Bd61UxPIYKPuXbc/s320/IMG_2068.jpg" width="240" /></a>As a teenager I refused to go back and visit Bali because I
didn’t want to leave my friends. Little did I know at the time how lucky I was
to have such an opportunity. Returning to Bali as an adult, I do not take any
of it for granted. It still feels like home, the smell, the sounds and the
people have stayed the same. I now know that the way I was raised was unique
and very special. I feel so very fortunate to have been raised in two different
cultures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you travel growing up? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If so what was your experience?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaste!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Gitana Omi<br />
Tour Guide<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-81043212344120153822015-10-12T15:13:00.002-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.267-07:00Traveling Sangha <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz92lyq-KAEW6Jcvj8cB7wfvg8nxqU0EL7V9_pNn9Tj94f04TgJOUU3QeXq66zEDFm4JKYBHVUNZfJCtv4iJpmXJzb0s66OIWe9VkObR74d4SzVJ_vuTUOUwxzIm4CIpNj1p7_g5sc7CM/s1600/01-IMG_1920-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz92lyq-KAEW6Jcvj8cB7wfvg8nxqU0EL7V9_pNn9Tj94f04TgJOUU3QeXq66zEDFm4JKYBHVUNZfJCtv4iJpmXJzb0s66OIWe9VkObR74d4SzVJ_vuTUOUwxzIm4CIpNj1p7_g5sc7CM/s1600/01-IMG_1920-001.JPG" /></a>I’ve had the pleasure of doing three trips with Spirit Tours,
which are so aptly called “journeys of the soul”. Indeed, each tour was heart
opening, full of unforgettable experiences, and a much needed perspective
reboot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fna3t0AVLjg3ETmKYVqlyRZAGjQFxsGZRqsOdk2F8P4tN9EryMRHTA8JbquDAwGqtVpXJdxoFGUZA08JJD2qH5nWiroTa-ubxNF4TP2ZgaILiPAprnQaGu7qfG42GkwHAPHNvkRxIfE/s1600/02-IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fna3t0AVLjg3ETmKYVqlyRZAGjQFxsGZRqsOdk2F8P4tN9EryMRHTA8JbquDAwGqtVpXJdxoFGUZA08JJD2qH5nWiroTa-ubxNF4TP2ZgaILiPAprnQaGu7qfG42GkwHAPHNvkRxIfE/s1600/02-IMG_2461.JPG" /></a>Bhutan in 2012 was unlike any place I’d seen before – a
country so pristine, so barely touched by Western influence, and so warm and
peaceful, that it’s all but ruined my taste for anything less! I think fondly
of the smell of the wood fire smoke, chanting with the monks, and the golden
sunlight at dawn and dusk. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS9V2WsQtcPesKUHM1FlQz9ikUckA6Nkb0toxWvoQWEEs427QpeUA4h4shVvIlgNanT5zvWwB0yJx7qTDRPLAbluhr_2oeljqZpD6ZMH4HiwNURbF1RjarNG3H-3a6rk5z9JOBJHmlT8/s1600/04-IMG_4560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS9V2WsQtcPesKUHM1FlQz9ikUckA6Nkb0toxWvoQWEEs427QpeUA4h4shVvIlgNanT5zvWwB0yJx7qTDRPLAbluhr_2oeljqZpD6ZMH4HiwNURbF1RjarNG3H-3a6rk5z9JOBJHmlT8/s1600/04-IMG_4560.JPG" /></a><br />
Japan in 2014 was such a delight! Kyoto was a beautiful,
complex, and welcoming city. The tour, which focused on Zen Buddhism and the deity
Kannon, (or Quan Yin), immersed us in the world of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Japanese art, culture, and the Buddhist worship
of the Divine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkmjgbfFIqNSOq0KBBDQcvC9NBjUr5x-RwLEsst-b2j75hHVX_9-gwDcmTnqZizxMkPfwnZNfbvvsewG0TLLKcMPDLJ8f9OpszQD7kVfYkeAZY-Wn72DvseHenXGPfDQ3QymxN4UmqKc/s1600/09-IMG_6397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkmjgbfFIqNSOq0KBBDQcvC9NBjUr5x-RwLEsst-b2j75hHVX_9-gwDcmTnqZizxMkPfwnZNfbvvsewG0TLLKcMPDLJ8f9OpszQD7kVfYkeAZY-Wn72DvseHenXGPfDQ3QymxN4UmqKc/s1600/09-IMG_6397.JPG" /></a>And then, most recently, I traveled to Bali in 2015. Now, anyone
will tell you, Bali is ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR! “Heaven on earth” is a phrase used
quite often, (perhaps why it’s known as the Island of the Gods), and for many, it’s
like no place else they’ve experienced. The accommodations Spirit Tours
arranged were perhaps the most luxurious I’ve ever had – every need was met,
every sense delighted, everything was just so dang beautiful! The ocean and the
lush tropical greenery of the island were breathtaking.</div>
<br />
The people and their
daily lives were so drenched in spiritual mindfulness that you couldn’t help
but adapt to that way of life, too. Bali is nothing short of pure bliss.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjMu4zDIH_6gPfrVhjZ0UZy18f_L-9l7F00YPZ_lbsDOFnnI4hwVqIv_b-QmaJuRyf_zunOTj75axcAmwph86hXJf4iR3yVO04MUgmvQ-vwUujWJ5ezl_qyviB7TlnHL0G445H7eTpsU/s1600/10-IMG_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjMu4zDIH_6gPfrVhjZ0UZy18f_L-9l7F00YPZ_lbsDOFnnI4hwVqIv_b-QmaJuRyf_zunOTj75axcAmwph86hXJf4iR3yVO04MUgmvQ-vwUujWJ5ezl_qyviB7TlnHL0G445H7eTpsU/s1600/10-IMG_3022.JPG" /></a>But I was surprised to find that a major part of my
enjoyment of the trip had nothing to do with Bali itself – and I realized it
had been true of my two previous trips, as well. My favorite part of the trip
was the spiritual family that formed amongst the members of our group, a
phenomenon I like to call “The Travelling Sangha”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQzeUu7jJcidc8uKzqYKlPGvIKp_L1_LIvBmQ0DLexrbAF2BuDt9d-L4B9NAFD0VBlZwWKxa3eu2UtBcaZxBGQj3TdaLMukggLTUq6YW-d6MxXBPNf2Vgft6w4ztBkanZhg3dF8-ozmg/s1600/06-IMG_2856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQzeUu7jJcidc8uKzqYKlPGvIKp_L1_LIvBmQ0DLexrbAF2BuDt9d-L4B9NAFD0VBlZwWKxa3eu2UtBcaZxBGQj3TdaLMukggLTUq6YW-d6MxXBPNf2Vgft6w4ztBkanZhg3dF8-ozmg/s1600/06-IMG_2856.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sangha” is the Buddhist term that refers to the sense of
spiritual community and family and I realize that it’s a quality I’ve often
sought out in my life. As an only child, I was constantly taking on my friends’
families as my own. As a theater major and life-long drama nerd, it was the
sense of community built around a show that really appealed to me. And here,
halfway across the world, travelling with people I didn’t initially know, I
found it again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had not previously met most of the people on this trip.
Usually with Spirit Tours, one travels with a group from their spiritual home
base. But for me and for maybe 7 others, we were joining a group from a
different spiritual center. We were being paired to room with people we had
never met, we were embarking on a journey on the other side of the planet which
would expand and challenge us in ways we could not anticipate. And most of us
were doing it with complete strangers. But we didn’t stay strangers for long. We were all there
with a common goal – to experience the Divine in a completely new place and in a
completely new way, through a completely new culture. Sure, we were also there
to laugh, and get a massage or three, and to maybe enjoy a few cocktails on the
beach, but we were mostly there to experience Spirit in a new way. And part of
that new experience of Spirit came directly from the bonds we formed within our
little travelling sangha.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1y8Xx9bAbDikmCihwQBnBwTyOLMok3O0wMHbYHONpUISNI4ZjmSYdiew7b_NL9Eena28BME14xFuIRS5_kLrB_r6gsEUOsjTRGhYHIJUTUTXIgxM_2buqzq5DQI3N74Qh89JINW4b4Y/s1600/07-IMG_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1y8Xx9bAbDikmCihwQBnBwTyOLMok3O0wMHbYHONpUISNI4ZjmSYdiew7b_NL9Eena28BME14xFuIRS5_kLrB_r6gsEUOsjTRGhYHIJUTUTXIgxM_2buqzq5DQI3N74Qh89JINW4b4Y/s1600/07-IMG_6323.JPG" /></a>At our last morning meeting of the trip, we sat in our open
air meeting space – birds singing, sun shining, green as far as the eye could
see, an inviting infinity pool trickling below us, our bodies invigorated from
the morning yoga and decadent breakfast (don’t get me started on the incredible
breakfasts there!). The group was tearful. We were sad to leave this beautiful
place and for the experience of a lifetime to end, but mostly, and as many
people commented, we were sad to leave the group dynamic we had formed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, as Spirit Tours owner, Jim Cramer (or “Om Jim” as he’s
known over there), reminded us, that connection would carry over back into our
“normal” lives. And it’s true. I’ve found that that sense of connection remains
alive and well after a trip is over. When you return home and run into someone
from the group, your heart lights up. When you see a group member’s recent
accomplishments or pictures on Facebook, your heart lights up. And all of a
sudden, you find that the heart igniting connection to sangha has not only carried
over, but has expanded and broadened back home, too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We travel lovers know that travelling changes us, opens us,
pushes us in unimaginable directions. Some of life’s best memories come from
time spent somewhere else. But I’ve come to find that travelling with a group heightens
and enhances that experience. And the best part is, when you take a trip where
a sangha is formed, you get to bring home an extra souvenir. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Many Blessings,<br />
<br />
Ariana Kaiser<br />
blogger for Spirit Tours</div>
Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-31283539962193443072015-07-16T16:15:00.001-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.221-07:00Ireland "home is where the heart is"<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebCAnedlYPatQHD35vMzBFZLRUqYBpixcFLQ3h5qgx-x4mlsZGH67z0ZyJ1n7HTf8CPzq3TAKviygvwarmRgImsqE3Sh64RfQhfksLjXpJhwxyftgLiRP8DvX70JJM8PYXEPjvop2bGw/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebCAnedlYPatQHD35vMzBFZLRUqYBpixcFLQ3h5qgx-x4mlsZGH67z0ZyJ1n7HTf8CPzq3TAKviygvwarmRgImsqE3Sh64RfQhfksLjXpJhwxyftgLiRP8DvX70JJM8PYXEPjvop2bGw/s320/IMG_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Ireland “home is where the heart is”</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I close my eyes I can see the Ireland's bright green rolling
hills, I can feel the wind carrying me across the land and I can still
hear the waves crashing upon the cliffs. This is Ireland the land that lies
deep in me, the land that touches my soul like no other place I have ever
traveled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ireland is everything they say it is and more. In May, 2015
Spirit Tours took a group of pilgrims to the land of our family ancestors. During
this journey I was once again reminded that “home” does not always have to be
where you were born, it may just be “where the heart is”. Not only was the land unlike anything I have ever seen, the people had an unexplainable joy to them that touched my inner soul.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoZYH3lPR8WHJwMxLG2MiBCkKy2Pe-VEApyc6D0wUh4neNzwx3Pfkni4t7-vOOCVAqB2WwvXeysFu5YOb5aqBX32X8M8pd1phOU27pdgRrOd14Li18Oqv1P76MvwFMLTkoNUuBSrw1pU/s1600/IMG_0627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoZYH3lPR8WHJwMxLG2MiBCkKy2Pe-VEApyc6D0wUh4neNzwx3Pfkni4t7-vOOCVAqB2WwvXeysFu5YOb5aqBX32X8M8pd1phOU27pdgRrOd14Li18Oqv1P76MvwFMLTkoNUuBSrw1pU/s320/IMG_0627.jpg" width="239" /></a>On this journey we learned about Celtic Spirituality and how it is
deeply rooted in the land that we walk upon. I was taught that by writing
poetry you might free your mind of worry and sorrow while all along bringing new
joy into your life. This pilgrimage brought me back to a place I had forgotten
about, a place of innocence, dreams and playfulness. I am counting the days
until I return to the coast of Ireland where I can hear the music of the
people, see the beauty of the land and walk on the green grass of my ancestors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Have you ever felt this passionate about a place that wasn't considered "your home"?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_18wKlvtBKZPilNiOBE3GSy-0h8-3KdVXgMlCxYXVOLOIwJpriAGzvtJgYVivQH3gzgvOGG7W20oED3hX-ULpjJUbuJSi4bAnJ8UMWLILI4KaTJpEu2Hz8ro5YN0uxjOqL8b215eSVc/s1600/IMG_1366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_18wKlvtBKZPilNiOBE3GSy-0h8-3KdVXgMlCxYXVOLOIwJpriAGzvtJgYVivQH3gzgvOGG7W20oED3hX-ULpjJUbuJSi4bAnJ8UMWLILI4KaTJpEu2Hz8ro5YN0uxjOqL8b215eSVc/s320/IMG_1366.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gitana Omi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tour Guide</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you like this blog you may enjoy:</div>
<a href="http://spirittoursblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/spirit-tours-faces-of-spirit-tours.html">Spirit Tours: The Faces of Spirit Tours</a><br />
<a href="http://spirittoursblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/spirit-tours-my-trip-to-cambodia.html">Spirit Tours: My Trip to Cambodia</a><br />
<a href="http://spirittoursblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/spirit-tours-itch-to-travel.html">Spirit Tours: The Itch to Travel</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-55708645614778805492015-05-11T05:30:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.244-07:00Spirit Tours: The Faces of Spirit ToursPeople, the reason why we do what we do! The look of awe and wonder in their eyes when we take them to places where Spirit reveals itself to them. We love that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfozFCyMj9BM_rD_z0tSqyZgoD7GCAdlKDAqmUxt1jyGuWWxhWp7AOf-TDv4V9kNjwV_y8ZNQRErSpsLiEJuSFBuveaBay8lDwx6xZApwRMsjLGESfZ5zNbkYwkeED5d67hcO9CJd5t49N/s640/blogger-image--730276997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfozFCyMj9BM_rD_z0tSqyZgoD7GCAdlKDAqmUxt1jyGuWWxhWp7AOf-TDv4V9kNjwV_y8ZNQRErSpsLiEJuSFBuveaBay8lDwx6xZApwRMsjLGESfZ5zNbkYwkeED5d67hcO9CJd5t49N/s320/blogger-image--730276997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes travelers make new friends. Sometimes, they even marry their new firends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4kk7sQT20NOO-5ubCSWuKtS-K32UlyneBTcqOPGRsh8ARjopQZXkQqCfMTrRWK_Dmne6TAvUC6V_x6l0FN0JBkX0nJ49O7q-MDECa4WS9yS3xkOYlsa3SPdMil2QC6wDW1LXkMSa7P25/s640/blogger-image-1169178645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4kk7sQT20NOO-5ubCSWuKtS-K32UlyneBTcqOPGRsh8ARjopQZXkQqCfMTrRWK_Dmne6TAvUC6V_x6l0FN0JBkX0nJ49O7q-MDECa4WS9yS3xkOYlsa3SPdMil2QC6wDW1LXkMSa7P25/s320/blogger-image-1169178645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each tour is organized around a spiritual experience. Sometimes that experience is focused on yoga, sometimes on Qigong, sometimes on meditation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk44C7w7Sey3WJ-PKNgMcE86VjE_wb90hW_oSKWVLFZA0QCNyhHZos0e61dwrkrPduZsBxSx2qSLpRuRPni24cfFHjXlV7TmTKgsgHYtknBIQSs56QahDnIvLWPUKxQEegn4WtjXIuTkQI/s640/blogger-image-623106502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk44C7w7Sey3WJ-PKNgMcE86VjE_wb90hW_oSKWVLFZA0QCNyhHZos0e61dwrkrPduZsBxSx2qSLpRuRPni24cfFHjXlV7TmTKgsgHYtknBIQSs56QahDnIvLWPUKxQEegn4WtjXIuTkQI/s320/blogger-image-623106502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wherever we go in the world, our passion is that you experience the world in an expanded spiritual way.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You may enjoy visiting our site at:</span></div>
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<span data-blogger-escaped-style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://spirit-tour.com/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://spirit-tour.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or check out our photos on Facebook:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpiritTour" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">https://www.facebook.com/SpiritTour</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or on Instagram:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black;"><a href="http://instagram.com/spirittours" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://instagram.com/spirittours</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-84191673128057269292015-05-04T06:00:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.292-07:00Spirit Tours: My Trip to Cambodia<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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My trip to Cambodia with Spirit Tours was amazing. My highlight was Angkor Wat and the dramatic reliefs showing the history of the country through the Ramayana and other epic stories carved into the four walls of the temple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Mre4q4EA-M1PTT9oK14VUugUqLV6Tj8Qq6WWwIDwmZtEew6Z61OFfK1Z-cBEi23rCSTumRUds7kwiStYJyS1wBLKxwImx0jBxo_HFJUI4TwpTPjpHaIPA3GHzpUH5oJXKiHiYkLZwjk2/s640/blogger-image-292730865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Mre4q4EA-M1PTT9oK14VUugUqLV6Tj8Qq6WWwIDwmZtEew6Z61OFfK1Z-cBEi23rCSTumRUds7kwiStYJyS1wBLKxwImx0jBxo_HFJUI4TwpTPjpHaIPA3GHzpUH5oJXKiHiYkLZwjk2/s320/blogger-image-292730865.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Early morning to view the sunrise of the temple is a life changing experience. So many people, so much to see, so much beauty. It's not something easily forgotten.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ1N0wQzBpWfYZSZ8c6NWldxUhjgKENyrg1wWIBjhNyGAF0DNkz6bZMp5oGY4XgvRhHjHSPiD7mFk-LqcQCSFyWVbhQZyufW4Y_xDIwzu0DNtee4-o3_iCYT0Atn13sXeBZEygbTCcmZ7/s640/blogger-image--1290598801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ1N0wQzBpWfYZSZ8c6NWldxUhjgKENyrg1wWIBjhNyGAF0DNkz6bZMp5oGY4XgvRhHjHSPiD7mFk-LqcQCSFyWVbhQZyufW4Y_xDIwzu0DNtee4-o3_iCYT0Atn13sXeBZEygbTCcmZ7/s320/blogger-image--1290598801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It takes a while to take it all in and frankly, I think I'll need to go back a second and third time. After a while, the senses become overloeaded with beauty and detail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0M2Ty0QR4vBYZ7cR1DDRwFe4PHFshxXqGwL97CzSdshy8xBC4KuvF9ywpYrgH9VDXkJY5VPIYQDmosHwfJsECy5z8JxF5Vr3QrbRYQorXVdZLc97xX6sWbjJRWhvCRKzyvezKNZPDXug/s640/blogger-image-255796108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0M2Ty0QR4vBYZ7cR1DDRwFe4PHFshxXqGwL97CzSdshy8xBC4KuvF9ywpYrgH9VDXkJY5VPIYQDmosHwfJsECy5z8JxF5Vr3QrbRYQorXVdZLc97xX6sWbjJRWhvCRKzyvezKNZPDXug/s320/blogger-image-255796108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our gentle yoga teacher seen above, William Abel, creates an easy way to wake up our bodies after long travel hours. See his site at <a href="http://www.gayatrigardenaccents.com/">www.gayatrigardenaccents.com</a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You may enjoy visiting our site at:</span></div>
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<span data-blogger-escaped-style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://spirit-tour.com/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://spirit-tour.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or check out our photos on Facebook:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpiritTour" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">https://www.facebook.com/SpiritTour</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Or on Instagram:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black;"><a href="http://instagram.com/spirittours" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://instagram.com/spirittours</a></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-80838760960764023982015-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.259-07:00Spirit Tours: The Itch to Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiD0w8AvFfwdpxv636FSM7WjFau4X77AsI3AJv4VwAN3kTTQNZWNOzrtNI_kngyOQpPjpJ9VOCs3hlYUjiKIty795X5AXzuG1q7xcR8HBPRsnsVBsgieNIg-aD9QId88eD071V8MsNBJ84/s640/blogger-image--1680638343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiD0w8AvFfwdpxv636FSM7WjFau4X77AsI3AJv4VwAN3kTTQNZWNOzrtNI_kngyOQpPjpJ9VOCs3hlYUjiKIty795X5AXzuG1q7xcR8HBPRsnsVBsgieNIg-aD9QId88eD071V8MsNBJ84/s640/blogger-image--1680638343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUntFAPR-nfuxOeRZ8-wJ2ZFc_h7tBfCJDWuQdGkOyUHZnIK3GooSRifZargbsOjZPLS9-3NWlwBrXSlNHtr0IFJ6bwNQqJQVawjPg-Itj_COgW99JjzUrDqe8elQLNC5bPcdAtFKlct6X/s640/blogger-image-134252064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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An ancient Hindu temple in Cambodia!</div>
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A giant Buddha in Thailand!</div>
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A mountain top shrine to Buddha!</div>
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Do you have an itch to travel? We'd love to help you realize your travel dreams. We specialize in tours with a spiritual focus. Way beyond site seeing, we create a travel experience that will feed your soul.</div>
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Spirit Tourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284045699482462972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-81488988900698706192015-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.275-07:00Spirit Tours: Is Bali Calling You?Bali in January 2016? Could it be calling you? <br />
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Imagine chanting the Gayatri Mantra daily and engaging in the local prayer ceremonies at World Heritage Site temples. <br />
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Imagine classical Balinese dance performance in Ubud, the center of Balinese culture. </div>
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Imagine amazing daily gentle yoga, group spiritual practice and professional guide services from Spirit Tours. </div>
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Is Bali calling you for 2016?</div>
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<a href="http://spirit-tour.com/itinerary/2016-bali-jan.pdf">http://spirit-tour.com/itinerary/2016-bali-jan.pdf</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-51232910367504205582015-04-13T12:24:00.001-07:002017-07-19T11:38:39.237-07:00Spirit Tours in Peru - Temple of the Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The trek to the top of The Temple of the Sun is worth it, especially when you get back down and look up at the splendid route you just completed. Here our 2015 group, lead by Lori Furbush, Qigong instructor, celebrate an amazing exploration of some of the world's most unique ruins. </div>
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Although strenous, the circular route up to the top of The Sun Temple, has many places to pause and rest to catch breath and take in the view. On the way down, notice the amazing water system, but pay attention to where you're stepping though!</div>
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The view of the Sacred Valley from the top is dramatic and beautiful.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-57174621546477348232014-12-30T13:24:00.000-08:002017-07-19T11:38:39.252-07:00Spirit Tours: Walking the Midlevel streets of Katmandu<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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Flying into the Katmandu valley is unlike any travel experience I have ever embarked on. First off the backdrop of the city’s snow-capped peaks; which are some of the tallest mountains known to man/woman is breathtaking. Then, looking out the plane window and seeing a cluster of unconventional streets, houses made out of mud and the worlds largest Stupa with utter chaos, I could not help but wonder, “What am I doing here?".</h4>
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I arrived at the third world airport terminal and found my way to my hotel transport, nothing seemed better than a nice hot shower and a clean bed. After a rough night sleep filled with jetlag, barking dogs and loud obnoxious truck horns blasting throughout the night I was ready to walk the streets of Katmandu. As I walked out of the hotel and made my first turn towards the Katmandu Dubar Square, which is the old palace dating back to 1069 AD, the first thing that I noticed was the open air butcher shops with half goat heads dripping blood in the streets and flys festering about. The next thing that caught my attention was the open sewers, of which people were using to relieve them selves in in plane open sight. The last thing that made me realize I was not in Kansas any more was the majority of houses made from mud bricks and old wooden beams that had to be at least 500 years old.</h4>
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<span style="line-height: 1.6em;">It also just so happened to be the Hindu holiday of Dashain, which transcribes to the sacrifice of large animals on everything the Nepalese seam to think, is holy. Every statue, cross street, temple and entryway had some </span>reminisce <span style="line-height: 1.6em;">of blood on it.</span><br /><br />While all this may not seam like the ideal travel situation, looking back on it, the archaic nature of this environment was so overwhelming that I was compelled to changed the way I perceive what is normal and what is important in life. I feel when we are pushed beyond our comfort limits we create space to grow and become more conscious beings as a whole. This is why I love traveling and love creating dynamic tours that have lasting consequences on our tour members.<br /><br />I will be leading two small tours in 2015, which will pilgrimage through Katmandu and Bhutan, studying Tibetan Buddhism.<br /><br />Be advised, if you choose to join me it may change your life too.</h4>
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Timothy Made' Omi</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318483254850995894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393665983713856937.post-52513006748152142362014-10-06T10:57:00.001-07:002017-07-19T11:37:59.604-07:00Central Java - Borobudor <div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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<b>Early morning call to prayer from Muslim Mosque rings out chants on speakers into predawn dark. </b></div>
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We're in Central Java at the 1000 year old site of the ancient Buddhist temple, Borobudur. </div>
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We are staying at the Manuhara Hotel on the sacred grounds of the temple, I've been making my pilgrimage up the hill a couple times a day. Situated atop a hill ( Boro-top, budur-hill) it is a monolithic labyrinth with stone carved reliefs (dating from 940 AD ) of Buddha's journey 'caught in the wheel of living and dying' on the path to his enlightenment. It has been such a deep and meaningful circular path for me. So many reliefs ( 1,400) depicting lives in all phases of our humanity. It's all there. I walked clockwise from the east, round and round watching my life unfold and then all my soul's and all souls incarnations and I yearned for release. </div>
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With ten levels rising up the hill one can get overwhelmed by the immensity of centuries of beings in all its diversity of emotions. At the 8th, 9th and 10th tiers the view opens up and two levels of stupas emerge, each containing a Buddha, hands in the mudra, wheel of life. <span style="text-align: start;">At the top is a final large octagonal stupa which contains nothing. Buddha has achieved Nirvana- nothing. </span></div>
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Borobudur is a jewel to behold and to physically experience. Its ancient message and the wisdom it imparts to all willing to immerse in the story of Buddha and Sudhana has uplifted my own soul's journey. I have a renewed understanding and sense of forgiveness for all human actions, and a deeper understanding and reverence for Buddha's message to go forth and show compassion and love toward all living things. Thanks be to the decades of hands and lives who lovingly shaped the</div>
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Temple in the name of Shakyamuni Buddha. And to those who continue to hold it dear in their hearts in preservation.</div>
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This was written by Kyle Omi LeHecka while she was investigating Borobudor for Spirit Tours. Thanks Kyle for the poetic message and your inspirational travel experience. </div>
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For more info on up coming tours please visit <a href="http://www.spirit-tour.com/" target="_blank">Spirit Tours</a></div>
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