Travel—it takes us away and it takes us within; the concept holds an entire world of meaning and conjures memories, aspirations and unknowns with as many definitions as there are individuals. But there is an art to moving about the world. How do we decide where to explore? How do we get where we are going?

Many traditions inspire the joy of returning to beloved respite locations, surrounded by views, sounds and colors that trigger comfort and ease. Sometimes adventures can challenge and expand our boundaries into uncharted territory, launching the thrill of new experiences and unexplored cultures, food and geography. All of these endeavors add dimension to our lives, marking the linear timeline of seasons turning and miles traveled.

Regardless of these myriad destinations, a common departure point is our wish to slip away from the mundane, electrified circuitry of daily life and let go of the stressors that accumulate within and around us. Nature’s soothing, refreshing frequencies initiate the transition, and even short excursions or day trips can reset and refresh our systems.

This month’s theme is the sort of travel that is wellness-focused and specifically crafted to include sites or locations that offer activities, therapies and/or education that enhance our quality of life in a direct way. These trips work best when aligned with personal passions, intrigues and even service that speaks to the heart. An interview with Stephen Cope on page 44 adds a vital dimension of considering purpose and calling to the month’s lineup. These trips take us away from the status quo, opening inner potential portals that may trigger insights and perspectives to enhance all forms of discovery.

Any setting that offers a form of sanctuary can remind us that we are held by this Universe and a spirit of unity, even in solitude; and the surrender to our distinct interdependence as individuals in the great web of life naturally becomes a sacred comfort. Still, there are many obstacles to physical travel and journeys into foreign cultures; even for the well-seasoned explorer, logistical details for the most basic trips can be tricky. It is important to acknowledge that the simplest excursions can be the most divine, as barriers of cost and health challenges may pose realistic limitations for travel to new places.

We want to highlight the brilliance of contemplation, memory, visualization and our abilities as human beings to co-create an experience of reality in the raw. Imagination is one of our greatest gifts, transporting us in any moment toward heights of thrill and valleys of rest; our ability to access other “places” can slow brainwaves to a frequency known to enhance healing and peace. Activating the heart in meditation and thoughtful repose, and understanding more intimately this agency of getting to our own cleared space away from daily concerns and known distractions, is free, simple and breathtaking in its own right.

We support and celebrate the opportunities to be in this world in so many ways, so to wherever your heart is calling… onward, friends!

Jacqueline Mast and Kendra Campbell

Co-Publishers, Executive Editors