All posts filed under: Wellness Journeys

planning & equipment, itineraries, activities, learning ~ for body-mind-soul integrated and holistic well-being

Berlin to Copenhagen

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Between a cozy Kneipe in Berlin and a hyggelig hotel lounge in Copenhagen, a seasoned cyclist travels along the Berlin to Copenhagen Bicycle Route, completing the journey in under a week. We may not all strive to be seasoned cyclists, but if you appreciate European capitals and cultural experiences; love national parks and being in nature; resonate with environmentally friendly vacations and exploring something new: here’s your sign. As post-pandemic travel surged, so have accounts of the escalating costs, declining quality, long lines and delays, and misadventures at airports and aboard cramped flights. The phrase “travel isn’t fun anymore” has become like a punctuation mark at the end of dispiriting narratives. To reclaim the vitality of traveling, let us reclaim the journey itself. It is not only about a destination; it is also the way that we lean into: the places we travel through, mindful and flexible, at a human pace — and the people, nature, and cultural expressions we observe and interact with along the way. It is about what emerges from within — when given the …

Beach Holiday in Germany

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Germany’s fantastic beaches are little-known wonders outside of the country. A friend who grew up in a town on the North Sea coast tells me that many Germans used to fly to Mallorca or mainland Spain, southern France, Italy, the Greek islands, or Turkey for their beach holidays, but in recent years northern European beach towns have been receiving more attention from vacationers. With intense heat waves and wildfires in southern Europe, and expanding environmental consciousness overall, more people have been choosing to travel closer to home — to beaches in Germany and Scandinavia. “My hometown is getting more visitors in the summers now. It’s definitely becoming more popular,” she remarks. These coastal towns and beaches are attractive and serene — ideal for relaxing and energizing holidays. It makes you wonder why they haven’t developed the renown of other beaches in modern times, despite all their natural beauty and charm. “Maybe we’re not as good at marketing,” my friend suggests. There is the marketing issue in some places, to be sure. Some beaches and resorts …

Marienbad

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I am in the garden, reading Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine Benyus. Biomimicry is about observing nature’s strategies to come up with advanced solutions for human challenges such as food spoilage and shortages, harmful chemicals, and water scarcity. Landing on the opening quote from Václav Havel, I sense synchronicity, here in the Czech Republic. “We must draw our standards from the natural world. We must honor with the humility of the wise the bounds of that natural world and the mystery which lies beyond them, admitting that there is something in the order of being which evidently exceeds all our competence.“ Václav Havel There is a soft murmuring of water from a fountain behind me and a rippling pool in front, as the swimmers float gently from side to side. I settle deeper into the lounge, adjust the sand-colored shade above the chair and continue reading. A honeybee with the unmistakable aura of purpose arrives. He lands on the top edge of the book, so close that I can observe his stubbly knees. Literally, the …

Timeless in Tuscany

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“Sed fugit interea,fugit inreparabile tempus,singular dum capticircumvectamur amore”  Virgil, Georgics It’s 3 o’clock on a Saturday. Saturn-Day, as in Saturn, the great teacher. We’ve arrived. The grandfather clock behind the reception desk stands still, frozen at some previous, unspecified 4 o’clock. Looking closely, I make out the phrase on its face: tempus fugit. “Fugit inreparabile tempus” (It escapes, irretrievable time), wrote the poet Virgil — later expressed in English as: time flies. While time may fly, it can also stop for a spell. Also not flying on this day: our luggage — left behind by the airline along the way. We check in and then go to the center of this piccolo villaggio, hoping for a shop with swimwear. Aha, a shop: Fata Morgana. This is the Italian name of the Fairy Morgana, the sorceress Morgan le Fay in Arthurian legend. Fata Morgana is also the name of a mirage of sorts, visible above the horizon, once believed to be fairy castles conjured up by witchcraft. Now known as “optical phenomena.” They are sometimes seen in the Strait of …

Lucid Dreaming

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What distinguishes lucid dreaming from dreaming? What makes a lucid dream – lucid? Why explore and develop this skill? How could it contribute to better health and well-being?  To begin exploring this, let us first land upon a story shared in the Zhuangzi, by the master Zhuang. In the “Butterfly Dream”, Zhuang Zhou dreams of being a butterfly, happily fluttering around. He awakens from this vivid dream and – pauses, wonders – is he Zhuang Zhou who dreamt of being a butterfly? Or is he a butterfly, dreaming that he is Zhuang Zhou? “The Butterfly Dream” of Zhuang Zhou is a dream, recalled — and a portal through which we can move between the concepts of dreaming and lucid dreaming. Psychophysiologist Stephen LaBerge specializes in the scientific study of lucid dreaming. He describes lucid dreaming as “fully reflective consciousness during unequivocal (REM) sleep” — and also simply: “dreaming while knowing that you are dreaming.” When you become aware that you are dreaming, myriad new possibilities emerge in your dreams. Applications being explored by lucid dreamers include: …

Caveat Meditator

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| INT. – A bookstore in Rishikesh, India – Afternoon | I am with a yoga teacher from the west. She is browsing the shelves for herself, but then remembers that I, her student, am present. She hands me a book. “Here, this is good. You should read this and practice the exercises.” The book she has handed me is on advanced breathing techniques. While it is a good book, it is not a good book for me at this stage. Curiously, she has not asked me essential questions about my previous training, interests, and goals; so how does she know that this is appropriate for me? Simple answer: she does not know. She has not asked me the questions because this retreat she has organized is not for me or other participants. It is for herself. And this book is not for me—not yet. What little I do know about advanced breathing techniques: they are powerful. One must proceed with proper training, adequate knowledge, and competent guidance. This book requires far more than the one-week yoga retreat …

Hygiene and Wellness

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When it comes to hygiene – personal hygiene – the cleanliness of body, clothing, and home are typically the focus. And while these are important, hygiene is much more: it is about maintaining health and preventing disease – and so that includes physical and mental cleanliness.  In the 19th century, the poet Robert Browning dropped us into the secret inner world of a monk who is enraged at “Brother Lawrence”. What exactly did this Brother Lawrence do? You might wonder, if you haven’t already read the fiercely gnarled interior monologue known as the “Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister”. Well, for one, Brother Lawrence grew melons to share with the order. (Oh, the effrontery! The virtue signaling!) “Oh, those melons! if he’s able   We’re to have a feast; so nice!One goes to the Abbot’s table,   All of us get each a slice.How go on your flowers? None double?   Not one fruit-sort can you spy?Strange!–And I, too, at such trouble,   Keep them close-nipped on the sly!” This is a monk going through the motions of appearing pious, and while we witness his contaminated thoughts …