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Eastern Religions


Focus on Eastern Religions

Western travelers have a propensity to romanticize the wisdom of the East. We often seek out places like India, China, and the Middle East precisely because their wisdom is older than ours. We visit their sacred places, their shrines and monasteries and wonder at the odd curves in their architecture.  By traveling East, we paradoxically yearn to connect outwardly with the most spiritual of inner truths. Perhaps it’s precisely that paradox which makes the East so compelling for Western travelers.

Photo Essay: Eisa Dancing In Buddhist Okinawa

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SPIRIT:   From the solemn prayers of Buddhist monks and ritual dances performed during Obon, Okinawans developed their own style of dance.  More »

The Traveler's Guide To Enlightenment

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SPIRIT:   Ian MacKenzie shares one path to nirvana: Zen Buddhism.  More »

Kachin Christmas: Finding Faith In Myanmar

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SPIRIT:   Living among the Kachins opens Tim Patterson's eyes to the enduring power of religious faith.  More »

Can You Develop Your Spirituality Without Visiting India?

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SPIRIT:   Christine Garvin shows you how to look locally.  More »

Total Consciousness Through Gangsta Rap

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SPIRIT:   And you thought bikini-clad women were just for the Christian and Muslim sets.  More »

Will Practicing Buddhism Make You Self-Centered?

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SPIRIT:   Buddhism implores one to meditate in order to learn the art of non-attachment. But could all this time spent "inside" be taking away from being of service to others?  More »

The Tao Of Vagabond Travel

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SPIRIT:   When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. -Lao Tsu  More »

Buddha Booze: The Practice Of Mindful Drinking

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SPIRIT:   Controversial article says mindful drinking is possible.  More »

The Life Of The Buddha [Short Film]

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SPIRIT:   An excellent overview of how the life of the Buddha led to his profound awakening.  More »

The Secret To The Dalai Lama's Popularity

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SPIRIT:   With the goal of inner peace and the charm of a simple monk, what's behind the Dalai Lama's celebrity status?  More »

Church Of Om: Has Yoga Outpaced Organized Religion?

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SPIRIT:   Church attendance is down and yoga classes are up. Is yoga becoming its own religion?  More »

Interview: Olaf de Fleur Follows A Buddhist Monk Attempting To "Act Normal"

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SPIRIT:   From the monastery and marriage, one filmmaker's thoughts on following a Buddhist monk for 10 years.  More »

Discovering Buddhism: 13 Part Series Teaches You The Noble Path

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SPIRIT:   Richard Gere, Keanu Reeves, and various practitioners introduce Buddhism in this excellent (and free) online series.  More »

Getting into the Spirit: A Thai Halloween

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TRIP IDEAS:   While Halloween is not widely celebrated in Thailand, Bangkok brims with otherworldly character.  More »

Five Eastern Thinkers Who Understood Inner Travel

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SPIRIT:   A shortlist of canonical Eastern thinkers to help inspire the inner wanderlust in us all.  More »

Arj Barker Is The Sickest Buddhist

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SPIRIT:   Gangsta-rap video pokes fun at spiritual-materialism, but does it betray a darker truth?  More »

Six Sacred Sites in Central Java

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TRIP IDEAS:   In this ancient land, primeval spirits are still in charge.   More »

The Traveler's Guide To Karma

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