Here's what travelers said 15 years ago...

Fifteen years ago, The Center for Spiritual Living began making spiritual pilgrimages with Spirit Tours 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.

Jim and Dottie Cramer, Bali, 2005, Co-founders of Spirit Tours

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.

(to see the video below on YouTube, click here.)

Check out www.spirit.tours for more information.

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?

Click here to see the video below on YouTube about the upcoming all-new itinerary

Murni, A Legend in Bali, and My Friend

Jim and Murni in the 70s

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jim & Murni in 2016

Murni is a gracious lady, and legend in Bali, but more importantly, she is my friend, and forever part of a fantastic, beautiful memory.

Jim Cramer

Spirit Tours

www.spirit.tours

Ireland "Home is where the heart is"

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.

On this journey, we learned about Celtic Spirituality, 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.

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.

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”. 

Have you ever traveled to a place that felt like home?

Seeing the world through the eyes of a novelist traveler

In 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.

This all changed when my Fiancée started joining me on various Spirit Tours journeys 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 Costa Rica, 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.

Where have you traveled, and where do you still want to go?

Gitana Omi, Spirit Tours

Spiritual Exploration, Community, and Shared Experience - A Spirit Tours Pilgrimage

Going to France in April 2017 to explore Paris, Toulouse and Carcassonne was not on my bucket list.  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 Spirit Tours pilgrimage to France, I decided to go and explore part of France that would be new to me.

I signed up for this Spirit Tours trip, which was lead by Dr. Edward Viljoen (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.)

Spiritual Exploration:  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. 

Community:  There were 20 interesting and adventurous people on this trip.  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.  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.  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.

Shared Experience: Each day the group visited Cathedrals, basilicas, museums, chateaus, and fortresses.  We learned about history, architecture, people and religious practices.  Our guides were graciously and generously available to us as we traveled around Paris and then on to Toulouse and Carcassonne.  Riding in two small vans gave us the opportunity to get to know our travel mates along the way.

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!

By Chandra Farnsworth 

*Janet Renu Pullen author of In Secret and Shadows  Discovering Light in the South of France

The Universality of Story Magically Brought to Life - A Spirit Tours Pilgrimage

Photo by Pahala Basuki on Unsplash

There was a point in our masterfully facilitated Bali pilgrimage where I was reminded of the universality of story. Nestled in our gorgeous landscapes, Dr. Edward Viljoen 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Too, William, Evan, and Edward gave of themselves with such high-level courteousness that I cannot imagine an introduction to Bali with anyone else.

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.

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.

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!

Dr. David Ault

http://slc-atlanta.org/minister/

My Trip to New Zealand: Spiritual Tourism

Multi-colored thermal springs

Daily Spiritual Practice

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. Edward Viljoen led us in a spiritual practice. These were typically connected with the day’s activities and deepened our appreciation.

History and Views

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.

At Home In Queenstown

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.

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.

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.

Dennis O., Verified Customer

Spirit Tour's next Spiritual Pilgrimage to Australia and New Zealand is this November 2017.  If you would like more information, click here.

Why I Enjoyed Peru So Much

Edward and Kevin Viljoen on Machu Picchu

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 Ordinary Goodness, please visit us at Spirit.Tours.


Dear Dr Edward Viljoen,

It is with great pleasure that I write to thank you for helping make my trip with Spirit Tours to Peru 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.

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.

Ara and Dr. Joe in Peru

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.

So, to anybody who is hesitating in joining us in this shared spiritual journey, 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.

Yours Truly,

Ara Gabrielian

Silence as a Spiritual Practice: Australia and New Zealand, a Spiritual Pilgrimage

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 Spirit Tours "Spirit of Nature" retreat.  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.


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.



Edward Viljoen
Author of The Power of Meditation and Ordinary Goodness 

"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."

spirit.tours

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.

Ernest Holmes

The Science of Mind

Travelers are Amazed by the Magic of the Milford Sound: New Zealand and Australia - The Spirit of Nature

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.

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.

For the adventurous, consider climbing Sydney's Harbor Bridge, one of the Australia's most
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!

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.

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 spirit.tours and read more.  The price for double occupancy includes round trip airfare.  ($5689 good until July 31.)

Thereafter, land only price is $4189

Edward Viljoen
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
Author of Ordinary Goodness

From Spirit.Tours

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.

Spiritual Tourism: Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica

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.

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.

Destination Highlights include

• Pacific Ocean beach
• Guide services by local Costa Rican naturalist
• Daily meditation
• Daily yoga
• Daily breakfast
• 3 days at the boutique Playa Hermosa beach hotel
• 4 nights at the Arental Volcano rainforest hotel
• Soaking in Tabacon Hot Springs
• Sky Tram and Zip Line above the rain forest
• Hiking the Hanging Bridges

This Costa Rica Yoga Retreat, also known as The Spirit of Nature, is from January 15, 2018, through January 23, 2018, and is facilitated by Spirit Tours.

For more information about the daily itinerary.

You Only Live One Life

To 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.

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.

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.

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.

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
grew exponentially during this time.

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.

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.

Retreat in Costa Rica with Yoga led by William Abel

Imagine spending 8 days in Costa Rica in the middle of winter. 

 
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, and of course, Bali. 

Join me, and Spirit Tours, for 8 days and 7 nights for a spiritual retreat in Costa Rica.

February 24th to March 2nd 2015

Click here for more information 

 

Spirit of Costa Rica
February 24th to March 2nd, 2016
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.
 

View Itinerary
Registration

Machu Picchu with Dr. Joe Hooper

June 28th - July 7th, 2016
Machu Picchu Sacred Sanctuary of the Incas

$3,274.00 Double Occupancy Land Package Only
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.

This is a Private Tour. 

View Itinerary
Registration

Please contact Spirit Tours for further information (707) 566-8078 about tours to Peru 

and how you can host your own private tour.

Seeing the world through the eyes of a young child living in two different cultures

Seeing the world through the eyes of a young child living in two different cultures

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.”  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.

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.  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.

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. 

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.

Did you travel growing up?

If so what was your experience?

Namaste!

Gitana Omi
Tour Guide