Reflection – The art of being present (whilst travelling)
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Simon English
Living in the present allows you to genuinely soak up your destination. Instead of being bummed out about the places you haven’t been able to visit, you’ll learn to appreciate the places that you have been able to visit – whether it’s that spontaneous encounter or that local coffee place that you went to over and over again.
‘It was in the otherworldly peaks of the Indian Himalayas that I discovered cosmic energy. […] Against the snow-capped Nanda Devi peaks, days were spent forest bathing, discovering local wildlife and taking in lungfuls of crisp mountain air. I sensed true presence.’
‘In the mountains, I felt far removed from the stresses of modern travel – the multiple connections, packing logistics, heavy carbon footprint and figuring out the best itinerary or places to eat. My experience of peace and balance was the antithesis to our overworked, chaotic world. It was a break in a very real sense – but one that felt inaccessible to most travellers today.’
‘Yet as it turns out, there are several […] operators that are putting conscious travel at the forefront of their itineraries. Take The Mindful Travel Co., for instance, which offers sustainable vacations to Australia and New Zealand. Founders Emma Penfold and Laura Hughes curate unrushed, meaningful itineraries which leave a positive impact on both the traveller and the destination. "Our customers tend to be eco-conscious, sometimes spiritual and usually looking for a well-deserved break," they say. "For us, travel and mindfulness are about being in the world, in the present, and giving meaning to our existence and to the existence of others."’
Mindful travel in five simple steps
1. Reset
‘The most important step for a mindful vacation is to be present, to disconnect and find joy in simple things. This goes a long way in making other tangible changes which will help you centre yourself, enjoy your trip and not be perturbed by external factors that usually trigger travel-related stress.’
2. Unplug
‘You don't have to swear off connectivity for the entirety of your trip, but some level of disconnection from your work and regular life will eventually feel or do good. Switch on the "out of office", log out of social media and leave your phone in your room (or simply put it in flight mode if you'd still like to use the camera). Many people opt for destinations that have zero or poor connectivity which results in a mandatory hiatus.’
3. Experiment
‘Let go of your usual routine and travel habits to step out of your comfort zone. Even if you have a controlling type A personality, leave an afternoon or two free to see where the road takes you. Explore indigenous flora and fauna, savour your food, feel the wind on your face, the sand beneath your toes and allow your senses to be overwhelmed by the world you're visiting. Strike up conversations with local people and ask for suggestions (and try not feel [fear of missing out] about what you're missing out on according to Google).’
4. Practice
‘Figure out an activity you enjoy and build it into your travels. This could also depend on the destination. If you're in the mountains, try meditating for a few minutes in the wild; take in a vivid sunset on the beach and even if you're visiting a city, pause in a midst of a busy street or museum to sketch or write something that inspires you. Instead of taking pictures, be present. Relish the moment.’
5. Breathe
‘Even (and especially) when things go wrong, don't get worked up over what you cannot control. Have awareness of your physical reactions: is your jaw clenched or shoulders tense? Take a deep breath to relax. Have a book at hand for when you need to kill time in the face of missed connections or transport breakdowns. Often, being grateful for what is going right helps to put things into perspective.’
Words: Jasreen Mayal Khanna - SUITCASE Magazine (click for full article)
