The first couple that hosted me in Europe was Alex and Mariam, from Mexico and Slovakia. They told me about Taizé, a spiritual place where met and found something incredible. “It’s something you definitely have to live,” both agreed.
Spirituality can be seen as something weird in the beggining when one is not used to. I was like that. But is it necessary to have spiritual experiences in Cultural Travels? Perhaps yes.
For many reasons, in Spiritual retreats, like Taizé, in France, go a lot of people from all over the world. As cultural travelerers, we aim to get to know the world. Which can become a great opportunity to meet more people in one single place.
“This place is magnetic,” a friend that I met there in January said. “Every person that comes here is passing through something important in ther lives.” That’s why you have the chance to find people you can share a spirituality, interest and values with. Through the activities you can make strong friendships. But is it religious? If you are not into religion, there’s also a place for you.
Spirituality and Religion
I have to clarify that when the difference between spiritual and religious. When we talk about religion involves dogmas (or beliefs) that can vary from one to another one. And each one has their traditions and activities.
Spirituality doesn’t involve any dogma specifically. It’s focused in the inner spirit connected to something that is not seen but felt. So the actions are more personal and they don’t follow rules or ideas precisely.
The spiritual community in Taizé is meant for young people around Europe. It’s centered in a personal experience enriched with knowledge of different religions. Although, any person with or without a belief can go to find what they’re looking for.
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So during the Cultural Travel you’ll find countries with more or less religious population. Some others can be not religious at all. At the same time, you will find spiritual people on the way too.
Although, nowadays it’s uncommon to see everyone in one place, Taizé is a point of communion and peace. Where it doesn’t matter where you come from, your age, or your spiritual journey. Everybody carries out together the same spiritual experience and live it according to their own beliefs.
The community was funded in the period of the II World War. During all these years, it has become one of the most important spiritual-community life references in the world. It’s a place where people can express themselves. Thtat’s why every week during summer around 2,500 people go to live the experience!
And something important is that a lot of young people go there, debuking the perception of ages in this topic. In a period of history which greater amount of younger people becomes atheist.
From kids with their parents, teenagers and young adults come and coexist together. Besides, travelers and backpackers who look for a place to fulfill to have the energy needed for their journeys. Because spirituality can also have an impact during a Cultural Travel.
Spirituality in a Traveler Adventure
During traveling there are going to be places where you can practice any kind of spiritual activity. But is this actually necessary as a Cultural Traveler?
When I started my journey (more than six months ago), I realized traveling with a thousand euros was possible, for a short time. Arriving in Paris wasn’t the best first place to save resources, but I landed there.
And then I arrived in Taizé and passed through a process of reflection and silence. Where I discovered how important was to be peace with myself and got endured by embracing solitude.
Something I found out is that everything has a purpose. Traveling with few resources made me to be in places where I had to be by myself, alone figuring out what to do the next day. But I did learn how to find peace in these moments and believed that all this had a porpoise.
So I trust in the path… Weeks later, I found some work that helped me to continue the adventure. I met amazing people during the 3 months trip out of Shengen. All of them showed me why I had to be there: I got lessons, service, friendships and love. Everything had a meaning.
“Every step… has showed me how important is to believe in the path to be happy in this uncertain time.”
This spirituality gave me energy everyday and nailed to arrive to my 6° month, and the adventure still continues. In my case, spirituality gave me something important: a reason to not giving up, strength and hope.
I’m sure I wouldn’t have continued this travel without this help. A spirituality experience has helped me to feel alive and everything has worked out. So I rather keep going like this and see where it gets me.
Every step I have taken here has showed me how important is to believe in the path to be happy in uncertain times. Taizé gave me a clue about mine, then I will continue going to find out what I discover the next time.
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