Mindful Travelling: Journeying the world, discovering yourself

Tiempo de Mirar

by Sarah Samuel

Travelling can be frustrating as well as wonderful, and the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness in technicolor! Mindful Travelling explores why broadening our horizons is good for the heart and soul!  Sarah Samuel shines light on why travelling offers the glorious opportunity to learn more about who we really are–outside of our daily routine and conditioned self.  By embracing the sense of freedom of leaving everyday life and material possessions; facing fears and opening to trust; to setting intentions and  connecting with our own wildness, she reveals how travelling and mindfulness are natural companions.  Through personal anecdotes and meditative insights, discover how to bring the joys of mindful travelling back home in your suitcase–staying open,  curious, and present wherever you are. 

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the mindful series by Leaping Hare Press and this latest is a lovely addition to the meditative collection.

The author, a seasoned traveler-mindfulness practitioner, offers a compelling guide to visiting the world with heart wide open, allowing each new experience to change one in the marrow.

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” — Martin Buber

Samuel provides stories of transformative travel paired with mindfulness exercises, revealing time on the road as a wise teacher that can remake us in the moment and in life, if we are but open.

Highly recommended for travelers new, seasoned or arm-chaired!

Pub Date 03 Sep 2019.

Thanks to Sarah Samuel, Quarto Publishing Group — Leaping Hare Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#MindfulTravelling #NetGalley

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Mindfulness happens effortlessly when we travel. When we take time to step away from our daily routines to enter new surroundings, we naturally become more present. We open up to the exciting and unknown, forced to pay attention as our senses respond to new stimuli – be it witnessing unusual landscapes, tasting exotic foods or watching local people. As we effortlessly respond to the now, we also open up to different aspects of ourselves, expanding our appreciation of not just the world around us, but the world within us, and the joy of being alive.”

A beautiful book that reveals the true importance of travel. It is not just ticking away different places from a to-do list. It doesn’t matter where you go… as long as there is meaning!

[Ann T]

Another treasure from the much loved mindful series.

Mindfulness in travelling is a lovely pocket book to accompany your holiday or simply to read when you have an afternoon to just be. Sending gentle reminders to literally stop and smell the roses, absorb your new surroundings with all your senses and embody the lovely experiences these bring.

A gorgeous book with wonderful writing, highly recommended,
Thank you Quatro and NetGalley for this ARC

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the opening page in this book. I do feel that it is really suited for an audience who is contemplating travel rather then those that have done a fair bit. There were still some really important lessons or pieces that made me consider my why, but also understanding that whilst travel is enriching it can be a form of escapism to be free to be your true self.

This really highlights that we need to stop limiting our true selves from showing in our daily lives. Whether it is feeling fearful of the judgement or shame or perhaps conforming to the social norms of where we live, thus feeling trapped or not feeling the sense of freedom many of us crave when we travel. Really important point and one I would love to explore more for myself - a good journey sparked by this book.

[Allgaemsilver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebuah bacaan yang menyenangkan dan menenangkan. Bukan tentang rekomendasi destinasi wisata atau bagaimana cara2 travelling serta tips dan tricknya. Tapi tentang bagaimana travelling mempengaruhi hidup kita, cara kita memandang diri kita, cara kita memandang dunia, dan bagaimana cara kita untuk bersikap. So wise, tanpa ada kesan menggurui sama sekali.

Sebelum membaca buku ini rasa2nya travelling bagiku hanya sekadar healing. Datang ke suatu tempat sesuai rekomendasi yang aku dapat dari internet, mempersiaplan segala sesuatunya sedetail mungkin agar tidak ada yg terlewat, berangkat, mengabadikan momen, lalu pulang. Ternyata jika aku bisa lebih mindful, bukan hanya sekadar memori yg bisa kudapatkan, bukan sekadar keluar dari rutinitas sehari2, tapi yg bisa kudapatkan ketika aku benar2 dalam keadaan mindful saat travelling adalah diriku sendiri.

Tidak dipungkiri sebagai ibu rumah tangga, pekerjaanku di rumah berkutat hanya itu2 saja. Seolah otak dan badanku dalam mode auto pilot. Semua berjalan sebagaimana biasa, jika tidak berjalan sewajarnya yg ada jadi uring2an. Aku seperti kehilangan diriku yg dulu. Padahal, sebenarnya aku bisa menemukan hal2 baru dan menakjubkan sekecil apapun di sekitarku jika saja aku bisa lebih mindful saat menjalani hari2ku.
Melihat ulat yg menempel di sayuran, mengamati bentuk unik sayuran yg tidak seperti biasanya, atau sekadar merasakan dengan sadar rasa suatu masakan.

Yap, kesadaran untuk keluar dari mode auto pilot ternyata dapat dilatih dengan travelling. Travelling bukan melulu soal bepergian ke tempat2 yg jauh atau ke negara nun jauh di sana. Travelling bisa dengan cara masuk ke daerah di kota kita sendiri yg belum pernah kita kunjungi, berjalan kaki menuju ke suatu tempat yg dekat yg bisa kita jangkau yg biasanya kita ke sana dengan kendaraan, atau bahkan hanya sekadar mengubah rute perjalanan menjemput dan mengantar anak sekolah.

Buku ini benar2 paket lengkap. Aku bisa merasa damai saat membayangkan tempat2 yg pernah aku kunjungi. Membayangkan berada di tempat2 yg hanya bisa kulihat lewat layar pc sambil membayangkan diriku membaca buku ini dalam keadaan tenang. Benar2 buku yg bisa membuat kita bahagia saat membacanya.

Penulis menyisipkan sedikit pengalamannya ketika mengunjungi beberapa negara. Seperti membaca refleksi catatan perjalanan seorang traveller. Aku suka sekali buku ini. Buku ini akan sangat cocok dibaca saat kita sedang melakukan perjalanan di kereta, sedang menikmati deburan ombak di tepi pantai, merasakan sepoi angin sambil menikmati hijaunya pegunungan, atau seperti aku, menikmati buku ini di sofa sambil membayangkan tempat2 yg pernah dan ingin aku kunjungi ❤️

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion!

Wonderful guide to mindfulness while you travel as the author gives us excellent examples on your journey to mindfulness and state of being.

Favorite Quote .... many of us are not used to our own company, solo travel gives us that!

What did I like? Author gave us a few exercises to practice mindfulness and I felt like they would work. Life becomes hectic and social media is full of vacation photos and pics but I wonder truly how much are we letting go. Even on vacation I feel hurried, when all I want to do is sit and relax. I’m guilted into doing things I don’t want to just to satisfy a child or person I’m with.

Would I buy this book? I’m told this might be part of a series, of mindfulness books that are being released so I would pick up this book. Mindfulness is something I feel that happens more as you get older and you realize the years have passed. You want more quality and not quantity.

Thoughts for the author? Loved some of the quotes, and thanks for allowing an ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have noticed that, when I travel to somewhere new, I am more present, either because everything is new and exciting or because I need to be present in order to find my way or to find everything I need in order to fulfill my needs. That is why I was interested in this book. And this book did not disappoint.

The author begins by reminding the reader that mindfulness not only provides us with joy and relaxation, but it also provides us with an opportunity to face aspects of ourselves and our lives that we would not otherwise want to face. For this reason, the author uses this book to encourage the reader to use travel to step outside of our comfort zone, so that travel becomes a way to improve our lives and to get to know ourselves a bit more, to let go of fear and insecurities in order to enjoy the new experience to the fullest.

Nice quotes about mindfulness are scattered throughout the text of this book. Effective meditations are also interspersed among its pages.

This book is beautifully bound and would also be perfect for gift-giving.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[RaeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just the delight I was looking for. I found myself so intrinsically connected to this message of travelling. Ironically, I don't love travelling. But as I read, I could see that I have made my lifestyle as one of the traveler. (which I think is why I love being at home). I'm almost always looking for beauty and exploring my city, my neighborhood, my surroundings with wonder. I have fought to learn the lesson of presence and I find myself stepping into new insights and freedoms almost daily. This book felt like a representation of the way I live. For me it really resonated as journeying, not really the mere physical act of travelling. I found so much encouragement in it. I was also reminded of some things and challenged in a few others. Like I said, it was simply a delight to read. A real gift!

[Chelsea Hardwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more a 3.5 from me, and not just because I'm cynical and jaded. The book is interspersed with pull quotes about traveling and half to two-page "mindfulness exercises." These exercises often broke up the flow of a sentence and took me out of reading. Felt more like a textbook.

I am well-traveled (very well depending on the friend group) and still found things to learn and appreciate in this novella.

There was more meditation and yoga focus than appealed to me. Also, there is some denigration of lists. I happen to enjoy and function better with lists, just how I operate.

Finally, there is some very British mindset to this book when it comes to travel availability and ease. Americans should travel more, yes, but we do have a big ol' ocean or two to cross to see 3/5 of the world.

[Johnny Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mindfulness is the big thing right now in how to cope with the anxiety and depression the modern world throws at us so it's super-duper helps to find Mindful Travelling by Sarah Samuel.

We need the cold water of epiphany mindfulness and focusing on our wellbeing can give us, especially travelling in this big ol' modern world we live in.

[Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A sweet lil uplifting read about traveling and the emotional benefits (and more we reap) while experiencing the world outside of our normal shell, and how we can take some of this magic home with us and infuse it into our daily lives. (Got this book for free at my library for reading this summer hehe)

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this wasn't exactly what I expected - it focused more on a meditational approach to travel, and only a bit on how to be a mindful visitor in other lands - it was nonetheless interesting, easy to read, and had some good food for thought.

[Laia-Felicitat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro sobre la meditación durante los viajes, la ruta hacía una misma y sus emociones y la importancia del perdón y la compasión hacia los de demás y hacia tí. Creo que es un libro que todo el mundo debería leer. Yo lo haré una vez al año

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todo referente a viajar y ser consciente merece la pena, y más si van de la mano.

Una de las cosas que me gustan de viajar es  ver el mundo como un niño, con curiosidad y apertura

Ir hacia lo desconocido da miedo, más si vas solo.

[Alethia Martínez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bonito libro para conectar con una misma a través de los viajes. De hecho escogí esta lectura para un viaje y ha sido una buena elección. Ayuda a abrirte a experiencias con todos los sentidos puestos para sacarles todo el provecho. Me ha gustado sentirme tan identificada con la autora.

[Jade Swarbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in travel and self discovery. It was a light easy read and was inspiring and provoked self exploration through mindfulness exercises, and stories of the authors travels.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindful Traveling is a fantastic book with great information. The book is well written and easy to understand.

[Alexandrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindful Traveling, is a simple book about, well, being mindful while traveling. An easy read and necessary reminder.

[Angel Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how this book forced me to look at how I travel. This book has many great gems that I will be looking back on to reflect on my life.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I can relate to so much of what it talks about. I have also learnt to approach life and travelling (or not) in a new way. It was meaningful to me.

[Charlie Driver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up after 40 pages…. It’s not for me xx

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt very repetitive and I was bored while reading it. Maybe if you haven't read anything about the principles of mindfulness you would get more out of this.

[Apollos Michio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a lovely and quotable book about mindful travelling that summarises the reasons why people travel and highlights the ways in which we can be more aware and present in our travels. Easy to read and assimilate, this book shows that travelling is more a journey of self-discovery than external exploration. Can’t wait to fly off!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight to doing travel. A different look into travelling for you, the planet and those around you. Makes you think a few points.

[Gav451 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mindfulness has a lot to offer us but having read a few in this series I think I may now have the central message. It appears that the same message is being applied again and again to different hobbies in this series and it is not something for bulk reading. I may need to come back to this when I begin to be less mindful.

One comment I have to make however is there is a risk in the book of making people think that in order to be mindful one must first be rich. The mindful Reading avoided that but in this book and bird watching the book felt like a list of more and more exotic places the author had been to. The book started to impact less as it became more about cool things the author wants to tell us they have done. That is a shame.

[Lidia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me costó mucho acabármela, creo que es un libro que no te dice nada nuevo si sabes un poco del tema. Quizás para alguien reciente en viajar y preguntarse qué siente haciendo puede estar bien para iniciarse.