Mindful Travelling: Journeying the World, Discovering Yourself

Meditation instructor Samuel (Mindful Crafting) shares how “exploring the world becomes the perfect catalyst for our journey in life, a journey of self-discovery,” in this informative but uneven guide. Focusing on the traveler’s inward journey while outwardly exploring other places, people, and perspectives, Samuel shows how the power of mindfulness can help with common travel problems, such as anxiety over plans falling apart, the “fear of missing out,” or processing one’s wanderlust after returning home. Unfortunately, with so much focus on the inward journey, Samuel’s personal stories and meditative interludes remain superficial and detached from the world she has traveled, with sections on travel falling flat compared to the meditation tutorials. While heightened self-awareness can certainly be a side effect of travel, Samuel elevates finding one’s soul on the other side of the globe as the main purpose for encountering other cultures and communities. In making mindful traveling all about “the self,” her story brushes by many of the places she seeks to be more intentionally aware of, landing awkwardly between travelogue and meditation guide. While meditators will enjoy her suggestions, seasoned travelers will find many of the tips constrictive. (Sept.)