A person sitting peacefully in a lush forest experiencing a meditation journey in nature

To meet themselves, some walk the famous Camino de Santiago, while others retreat into the quiet depths of a forest. If you are desperately seeking a change in your life and want to depart on a journey of practice, Cosmopolitan has prepared an insightful guide for finding the perfect meditation spot.

Here is a look at how to embark on a journey to find your true self, whether deep in nature or right in the city.

πŸƒ A Journey to Become One with Nature

Meditation is not simply a boring practice of sitting still and enduring the passage of time. It is a profound practice where you can easily reach your goal by laying down difficult past memories and solely meeting yourself.

While you can meditate anywhere, many find it easier to connect with their fundamental self in nature. For example, sitting by a cold valley stream and feeling the sounds of the forest and the movement of the wind can instantly center your mind.

If meditating alone outdoors feels intimidating, guided practice journeys at specialized centers offer incredible experiences. One practitioner shared a life-changing moment meditating at the Jeju Stone Park in the pouring rain. Instead of running from the weather, they accepted nature exactly as it was, newly experiencing the mystery, abundance, peace, and ultimate freedom of the natural world.

✨ A Life Changed by Practice

After starting meditation, many people report a shift from overthinking to intuitive action. Instead of hesitating or lingering in stagnant thoughts, they become action-oriented, setting clear directions and doing what needs to be done right away.

To experience this, you don’t always have to travel far. You can try accessible methods at home, such as ‘cradle meditation’:

  • Sit comfortably and raise both hands about 10cm from your knees.
  • Repeatedly move your spine lightly back and forth and side to side.
  • Feel as if your body is riding in a cradle, naturally lulling you into a meditative state.

You can also experience immense energy by participating in large group meditations, such as the ‘Super Soul Relay’ with Deepak Chopra, where over 1,000 people meditating together created an amazing wave of inner peace and tranquility.

πŸŽ’ 10 Tips for Meditation Travelers

If you are preparing for a meditation journey, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Meditation begins the very moment you notice you are breathing.
  2. The basics of meditation are breathing. Don’t forget to utilize the exhalation between inhaling and exhaling.
  3. There are countless types of meditation practices. Find the practice that suits you best.
  4. Meditation is not just about being quiet, but experiencing all the emotions that arise in the body.
  5. You can wear earplugs to concentrate, but if the ambient noise isn’t too loud, listening to small sounds is also helpful.
  6. The best meditation practice is not missing out on what your mind is doing right now.
  7. Breathing meditation methods stabilize the mind and body while promoting long-term brain health.
  8. It is possible to do it alone, but if it’s your first time, find a good teacher or mentor and start together.
  9. Choose a safe meditation center with a deep history and a clear curriculum.
  10. When traveling abroad for practice (such as to Myanmar), always check if a specific ‘meditation visa’ is required.

πŸ—ΊοΈ Top 4 Meditation Destinations

Looking for a specific place to practice? Here are four highly recommended destinations:

  • Ma-eum Su-ryun (Mind Subtraction): Representative of the 7-step mind subtraction program implemented under the theme ‘A journey to find the true me.’ For a truly transformative experience, you can apply for their 7-night, 8-day intensive meditation program. (To learn more about local mind subtraction programs, contact Santa Clara Meditation at 408-615-0435).
  • Suseonjae: A meditation school in the city. Its Seonae School branch in North Chungcheong Province is popular for its unique atmosphere in a remodeled closed school, filled with warm sunlight and peaceful resting spots.
  • Plum Village: Located in Bordeaux, France, this is a global mecca of meditation established in 1982 by the revered Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Retreats are held every season to comfort exhausted bodies and minds.
  • Elephant Space: For those too busy to travel, this center in Hongdae offers an ‘Inhale Exhale’ program. You can experience meditation surrounded by immersive video projections of the Amazon forest, the Pacific Ocean, and endless deserts.

πŸ“° About the Article

  • Publication: Cosmopolitan
  • Article Title: Where Can I Meditate?
  • Published: October 6, 2017