Wanderlust: A Trip Into The Self

Wanderlust is defined by Webster as, “a very strong or irresistible impluse to travel.” Typically when one hear's the word travel one might think of going on an exotic trip somewhere on the opposite side of the world, well, at least I do.  Under further examination while teaching meditation hikes at Wanderlust Yoga Festival, I find myself traveling inside of my soul, instead of a far away land. 

I taught hiking yoga for this incredible festival and I wanted it to be something more than just going on a walk around town.  I wanted to create something that people could connect within themselves and no matter where they are.  The yoga off of the mat and in the streets with all the grime and grease of life.  If we are always waiting for that next trip how can we enjoy the moment?  How can we find the breath and fully be present into every moment no matter how intense it is.  

I find that when I finally give myself permission to take walk without a desination or caloric burn in mind I’m able to see the beauty in everything I’m experiencing.  You can see the small details of buildings or how flowers bloom that you would otherwise miss while rushing past.  For me, taking time to do these walks is an incredibly grounding practice to reconnect with the magic of life, because if there isn’t any magic what’s the purpose?  I find that if I don’t use this practice of melting into the magic of life I feel more anxious, heavy, and limited.  

Part of being human I feel is to find that place of expansion and tap into our fullest potential everyday including our shadowy parts. Sharing the most vulnerable parts of ourself and our less shiny moments to me can be harder than any asana practice.   I am constantly inspired everyday by other people doing incredible things and their experiences .  I wanted to know those parts of my tribe hikers so here are some of the questions that I asked them to share with their partners:

• When was the last time your felt real joy? 
• When was the last time you felt jealous?
• When was the last time you compromised yourself to please a person or a group?
• When was the last time you felt vulnerable?
• When was the last time you felt angry and what was behind that?

Take a moment and ask yourself some of these question.  Don't think about what comes up, but more tap into how it feels in your body, mind and spirit.   I choose to focus on the gift and beauty of every life experience.  Everything happens for you and not to you.  I would have not had this awareness of any of this if I had not taken my very strong or irresistible urge to travel inside myself and come to know my inner world with all of its cracks, shadows, and of course the light. The saying is true, all who wander are not lost.  So go outside and step inside and take a walk.  Light and love. xx

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