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Hey, what do I do now?
 For many of us, international travel has become a
homogenized, sterile experience and, for the host country, a
consumptive, offensive one. We need a new model for travel
-- a model that allows for discovery and mutual interaction
with others at a heartful level. I call this new model
"mindful travel."
Mindful travel is about being alive in the moment -- being
wide-awake -- being present to what life puts in our path.
It does not involve elaborate itineraries, lists of tourist
sites, high-rise hotels or pre-fabricated tours. When we
become a mindful traveler, we invite events and experiences
to appear at their own time and in their own way. We enjoy
making plans but we are always open to new opportunities. We
allow for surprises and new friends.
When we are mindful, we are aware of choices and
opportunities as they present themselves. We open up to new
experiences and to doing old things in new ways. This is the
essence of mindful travel -- observation and
participation. Mindful travel is spontaneous. Because the
journey is one of unfolding moment by moment, we remain
fully present and come to see more clearly. This can lead to
an acute observation of both ourselves and others. We see
with new eyes and learn to appreciate both others and
ourselves in a fresh way. We experience each new world as if
for the first time. Are we alive to where we are, and not
talking about some other place or somebody else? How are we
affecting the people around us and the environment? How can
we use travel to positively impact the world?
Mindful travelers thrive on what is happening in the moment
and choose actions within that context. Synchronicity
occurs, and we encounter the right person and new
experiences we might never have had. Mindful travel
encourages us to question assumptions that can be obstacles
to mindful travel. Some more common assumptions are.
If you don't already know the language, learn at least a
little before you go. You will continue learning when you
arrive. In fact, learning can be one of the best ways to
meet new people and to start conversations. Have fun being
open to new ways of communicating. You will find that
learning from people is a great way to make friends.
Don't be afraid of traveling alone. You will be much more
approachable to other people and you will be totally free to
respond in the moment, without having to accommodate other
people's plans. A mindful traveler focuses on opportunities
as they arise.
If you travel with someone, plan to go your separate ways
for at least parts of the journey. This way, you each can
have experiences of your own. Your attention will be turned
outward, instead of on each other or on old memories. When
you come together, you will have new insights, learning, and
adventures to share.
Mindful travel is built on the idea of allowing yourself to
be in the moment with people, places and ways of doing
things. Preconceptions can get in the way of mindful travel.
Often, we discover what we expect to find. Mindful travel,
on the other hand, means traveling without expectations. All
that's required is an openness to experience.
Mindful travel gives us a unique opportunity to compare our
own cultural assumptions by observing others, and it
suggests to us a multiplicity of choices when we return
home. Sometimes, when abroad, we find ourselves in
situations that require us to change our cultural habits.
For example, if at home we are used to having our dinner
hot, but local custom is for things to be served at room
temperature, we try the local custom. We may even change our
eating habits when we return home.
Being in the moment is, for example, when you step outside
the door of your pension, you sniff the day and decide
whether to turn right or left. It is stopping when you see
something interesting - maybe spending a little time
observing or discussing it with another bystander.
The mindful traveler avoids duplicating the usual
experiences he has at home. He travels for the purpose of
putting himself in new situations and for the opportunity of
trying new ideas.
If you go to third world countries, realize how even a very
tightly-budgeted North American can seem outrageously rich
to the people in these countries. Find out how long a local
person has to work to purchase a pair of shoes or a portable
radio. Let your heart guide you from there.
Ask yourself these questions:
What are your assumptions? What gets in the way of
mindful travel for you?
Mindful travel means that preparations emphasize freedom,
flexibility, and flow.
What sort of transport will involve you the most?
Local transportation will give you more chances to meet
local people and have new experiences. Asking for directions
is a good way to meet people, and using public transit shows
you how everyday people live and get around.
What accommodations will involve you the most?
Staying at a high-rise, high-price downtown hotel can
insulate you from the real place. Instead, consider staying
at a small local pension or bed and breakfast. For example,
guests come to the Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast, and Art in
San Francisco, because they want to directly participate in
life in the city, its people, and its neighborhoods. They
choose a suitable neighborhood location and allow enough
time to experience their hosts, neighbors, and local shops.
What sort of activities will involve you the most?
What are your interests? Where will you find people from whom
you can learn? Or who you can help? For example, if you are
an entrepreneur, you might seek out local entrepreneurs in
your host country. Find out how their business works and
share your experiences with them. Spend a day or week with
them at their work and contribute what you can. Eat in local
restaurants and buy food in local markets; avoid American
chains. Participate in activities not available at home,
such as local fairs or public religious ceremonies.
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Dream and study for your trip to your heart's content.
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Get a big map of your intended destination. Hang it on the
wall and let your imagination go wild. Learn about
distances and time.
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Concentrate your trip on one, or a very few, destinations,
and allow yourself enough time for in-depth experiences
with the place and its people.
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Read what interests you most about your destination - its
geography, history, lifestyles, customs, and people.
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Learn some of the language.
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Find people in your home town who are from your
destination, such as foreign business people, students, or
travelers. Invite them to your home and listen to their
stories. Exchange language lessons. Make pictures of them
and you together so you can take them as gifts to their
families when you arrive.
How can we assure that our travel has made a positive
contribution to the well-being of planetary tourism?
Everything in our world is interconnected. A butterfly
emerging from a cocoon in an Amazon jungle affects the
health of a child in London. We must make sure that every
action we take counts for good or, at the very least, does
no harm.
As mindful travelers, we discover and respect the
preciousness of all life and take care of the Earth so that
our passing disturbs no one and nothing. We give more than
we receive and respect and value differences wherever we
find them. Mindful travel has no place for greed, grasping,
or resistance. Instead, it requires letting go and, in the
process of letting go, we discover where we are and who we
are.
Mindful travel is not just for those times when we leave
home. It is a way of life and living that seeks to create
understanding among people, to build bridges between
cultures, and to connect with the Earth itself. We can
change the world by changing how we travel.
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here to continue:
Sami Sunchild's World of Travel
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