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Eastern Religions


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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.

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 »

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 Traveler's Guide To Enlightenment

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

The Traveler's Guide To Karma

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SPIRIT:   ...  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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Book Review: Buddha Or Bust

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SPIRIT:   ...  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 »

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 »

Six Sacred Sites in Central Java

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

Buddha Booze: The Practice Of Mindful Drinking

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SPIRIT:   Controversial article says mindful drinking is possible.  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 »

Shinugu Matsuri: The Festival That Could Change the World

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TRIP IDEAS:   Matador's Ryukyu Mike travels into the far northern reaches of the Ryukyu Archipelago for this story and returns with a whole new perspective on the world situation.  More »

Heroic Travel: Navigating the Mythic Journey

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SPIRIT:   In part two of a three-part essay, Daniel Harbecke shows travelers how to find their way on the "Hero’s Journey" of Joseph Campbell.  More »

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 »

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