Written By Neelakshi Malik
Travel within! There’s a world within you
—Rumi
Travel where sustainability meets spirituality, and every mindful mile becomes a sacred step. A gentle journey through the world and the self, where the path leads inward – toward presence, peace, and purpose. Where we explore the earth to awaken the soul,
Learn the art of inner travel, and reconnect with the spiritual quotient that lives within.
Because in the end, the most profound destination is you.
Sustainable travel is more than just reducing our carbon footprint – it’s a mindful way of moving through the world. It’s about journeying with a heart open to nature, culture, and community, while ensuring that the places we visit flourish from our presence, not suffer because of it. But what if this sense of conscious travel extended inward, too?
What if, alongside breathtaking views and vibrant cultures, we began exploring the terrain of our inner worlds?
What does travel mean to you?
Pause for a moment. Ask yourself: What is travel to me? Your answer may be a single word: peace, adventure, connection, introspection, life. When I asked this question to many, the word that kept echoing back was connection. And not just with others, but with oneself.
But how do we reach that place within? How do we travel not just across the earth, but into our spirit?
For me, the answer came wrapped in the memories of my spiritual mentor. Since childhood, I had accompanied him on journeys filled with devotion – satsangs in sacred spaces, far from the noise of city life. At the time, I didn’t realise it, but those travels were nurturing something deeper: they were feeding the spiritual quotient of our being.
Inspired by this, I began hosting travel experiences with a sacred intention – not just to visit holy places, but to create space for inner transformation.
A journey of introspection and intention
As a solo traveller, my most transformative journeys have been the ones that brought me back to myself. These aren’t trips filled with luxury or sightseeing – they are silent walks, slow mornings, deep breaths, and soul-deep conversations. They are spiritual and emotional detoxes, wrapped in the beauty of the natural world.
One of my favourite journeys is during Holi, which I celebrate every year in Braj Dham – not as a party, but as a pilgrimage. One day, I felt called to invite others along, not just to play Holi, but to celebrate it as a spiritual awakening. Thus, began Holy Holi in Braj Dham, a zero-waste, soul-led retreat into the heart of devotion and presence.
We carry our own utensils, wear old clothes to play colours, and practice mindful living, respecting the land we walk on while cleansing the soul within.
The art of being present while travelling
Every part of our journey is infused with intentionality. We pray before meals. We listen to bhajans as we move between places. We reflect, journal, sit in silence, and share thoughts that touch the soul. We let go of the need to ‘do’ and learn instead to be.
And in this stillness, something magical happens.
I’ve seen people who had never engaged in any spiritual practice find themselves moved to tears in a temple courtyard. I’ve seen laughter turn into silent reverence, and strangers become soul-friends. Because this isn’t about religion – it’s about remembering who we are beneath the noise.
We often think transformation is grand. But sometimes, it’s a warm plate of prasād offered at the perfect moment. Like the time our plans were delayed due to a taxi issue, and I found myself unsure how we would eat. We arrived at a gaushala where, unexpectedly, we were offered a simple but divine meal: chulhe ki roti, fresh white butter, and organic vegetables served with utmost love and care. A moment of surrender answered by grace.
These aren’t coincidences. These are divine interventions, whispered answers to silent surrender.
The inner landscape: Lessons from the road
On these trips, we also learn to embrace the discomfort, uncertainty, solitude, and the quiet pull of emotions we often push away. These moments, though challenging, hold mirrors to our truth. They teach us sensitivity, awareness, and resilience.
This is the essence of travel within: A sacred space where outer movement meets inner stillness; where nature’s rhythm reminds us to slow down; where conversations turn inward; and where the act of travelling becomes an act of healing.
We practice mindful miles – choosing sustainability, embracing zero-waste practices, and cultivating empathy for both the planet and each other. We leave no trace on the earth but carry back the imprints of awakening.
What do we bring back?
Not just photos. Not just stories. We return with awakened consciousness. With a deeper connection to our breath, our values, and our truth. We return with the understanding that peace isn’t found on a mountaintop – it’s discovered in the quiet chambers of our heart.
This journey is guided not by an itinerary, but by surrender. We trust the divine to lead us where we are meant to go. As the saying goes, “Heeng lage na phitkari, rang chokha ka chokha.” Sometimes, the most vibrant colours come without effort – when we let go and simply allow life to unfold.
So, the next time you think of travel, consider this: What if the destination was you?
This journey or travel nurtures what I call the spiritual quotient – the inner dimension of travel that expands awareness, deepens connection, and fosters emotional balance. Each day begins with a spiritual intention or sankalpa – a conscious commitment to something greater than the self. It might be the intention to surrender, to forgive, to be present, or simply to listen deeply. These gentle practices set the tone for the day, guiding our energy inward even as we explore outward.
We take intentional time to reflect on the deeper, spiritual meaning of the places we visit – be it a temple, river, or forest trail. Each space becomes a mirror for our inner journey: the temple symbolising our inner sanctum, the river teaching surrender and flow. These moments go beyond sightseeing, inviting quiet reflection and a deeper connection to self through the sacred.
Another powerful practice woven into the experience is our forgiveness and gratitude ritual. In quiet, safe spaces, participants are invited to write letters – to themselves, to loved ones, or to parts of their past they are ready to release. These letters need not be sent; their purpose is healing. We also practice expressing gratitude, both silently and aloud, which shifts our mindset from scarcity to abundance. These rituals, though simple, are profoundly transformative – they soften the heart, ease emotional burdens, and create space for grace.
We believe healing doesn’t end with the journey – that’s why we guide each traveller in integrating their experience into daily life. Through simple tools like journaling, spiritual rituals, or mindful check-ins, we help maintain the inner connection. Travel within isn’t just a retreat – it’s a lasting shift toward a more present, peaceful way of living.
“East, west, south, or north makes little difference. No matter what your destination, just be sure to make every journey a journey within. If you travel within, you’ll travel the whole wide world and beyond.”
— Shams Tabrizi.