True Nature Travels Blog

Mindful Travel: The Journey of Awakening

image of 1140x530

998cbfc255a3e88b0a7c45dd05152825For many of us, international travel has become a homogenized, sterile experience and, for the host country, a consumptive, offensive one. We need a new model for travel — a model that allows for discovery and mutual interaction with others at a heartful level. This new model of travel could be called, “Mindful Travel.”

Mindful travel is about being alive in the moment — being wide-awake — being present to what life puts in our path. It does not involve elaborate itineraries, lists of tourist sites, high-rise hotels or pre-fabricated tours. When we become a mindful traveler, we invite events and experiences to appear at their own time and in their own way. We enjoy making plans but we are always open to new opportunities. We allow for surprises and new friends.

When we are mindful, we are aware of choices and opportunities as they present themselves. We open up to new experiences and to doing old things in new ways.

f1b85aa44f6487855266b083c6d08069This is the essence of mindful travel — observation and participation. Mindful travel is spontaneous. Because the journey is one of unfolding moment by moment, we remain fully present and come to see more clearly. This can lead to an acute observation of both ourselves and others. We see with new eyes and learn to appreciate both others and ourselves in a fresh way. We experience each new world as if for the first time.

Mindful travelers thrive on what is happening in the moment and choose actions within that context. Synchronicity occurs, and we encounter the right person and new experiences we might never have had. Mindful travel encourages us to question assumptions that can be obstacles to mindful travel. Some more common assumptions are.

5e0240289dd2421096d82163cbdf16baAre we alive to where we are, and not talking about some other place or somebody else?

How are we affecting the people around us and the environment?

How can we use travel to positively impact the world?

(adapted from www.peacefulworldtravel.org)

Are you ready to begin a new journey?  Book your next trip with True Nature Education – find out how right here.

True Nature Travels Blog

The Meaning of Pura Vida: Setting Intentions for the Universe through Service

image of 1140x530
Village Rep Lindsay Padilla
One of our TNE Village Representatives, Lindsay Padilla

About 4 years… About 1460 days… About 35,040 hours… About an amazing person…

I still can remember the exact moment (which was four years ago) when we had the pleasure to welcome a group from the True Nature Education Costa Rica Center in our village. They painted two houses for many happy faces in our community.

People always say that time flies so fast. Maybe this is true, however, in this moment, time just decided to stop in front my eyes.

We were ready to toast with a cup of sugar cane juice in my garden, and my friend, Raylene Gerber, was there, with a beautiful student group as well as two more great women (the teacher and a mother).

But before I can continue with this testimony, I have to tell you something…

Anita, a smart 11-year-old girl, had just appeared there (two days prior), and we invited her to join us. Raylene turned to me and said with a smile, “She was the girl who has a brother (Ariel) and lives just there (pointing to Anita’s house). I remember her; we painted her house.”

Wow! Raylene has been volunteering here in my village for many times for many people, and in this moment, she remembered Anita’s face, recognizing her four years later.  I can’t imagine how many people she has seen in the last four  years, but she recognized her!!! That makes me think that when you make something with love, when your heart is open to new experiences and when your intention is to write a beautiful story in the pages of the universe, things like this happen.

10173176_10201812334766101_1843104376_o
TNE Village Representative Raylene Gerber on the left

Raylene Gerber, you are a blessing for the Earth! You did more than just paint her home… You put color to my week! You made me feel so happy to know how much you love everything you do. That is exactly what Pura Vida means!!!

I can spend all night writing about the beautiful experiences we have seen through the support and endless effort that Joshua Canter and his family have done in our community. I can say that True Nature Education really offers an opportunity to anyone interested in taking part on the positive change we all wish to see in the world.

After sharing this, at the end of an amazing week, I can say Buenas Noches, amigos. 

True Nature Travels Blog

Letting Go to Your Own True Nature…

Last night we took part iCR2010-0647n our TNE “Letting go exercise”. The focus of the exercise is to let go of something and
welcome some new energy into our lives. For many in the group, it was the first time taking part in an exercise like this.
To let go is the most superior way of telling the Universe… and ourselves: I trust.
Is to give up the need to be right and it is certainly a great way to recognize where we have an opening to a new way of seeing things.
But it goes beyond that… It touches our most intimate self-limitations, challenges us and compromises us to a new door that we didn’t know of. A door where self pitty and comfort zones are not welcome, a door where our higher Self lives and rules. A door to truly be as High and shinning as we are in the ultimate reality.
And the actual fact is that we belong to that path. We deserve to live where Trust reigns and we know we are deeply loved and supported at all times. We deserve to know that there is so much more in the invisible permanently for us… and that we can simply let ourselves go.  And flow, and trust.  And learn from that one hill, that turns into the Universe when we stand up and see ourselves from the true love perspective.
True letting Go is a state of mind. Permanent and Absolute… It is the one road that will take us to the peace and the Joy that we were meant to have from our very first day on this Earth.
 CR2010-0384
Letting Go is a leap of faith to fall in the arms of the unknown and being happy about it. Every day, every hour and every minute.
Letting Go at the end is our ultimate  present moment decision to enter the sacred waters of trust and float on  them forever.
And the awesome part of this is that as we let go.. We truly open ourselves to everything!
Surprises come, gates open, people shows up, happy coincidences happen every minute. Synchronicity turns to be our way of life.
We get used to feel loved and supported and life changes… it will never be the same now.
Now we know… and we already crossed the Wisdom line. We are born again to a new Being.. and every moment Life starts again.
Blogging from the Field
Olga Saenz
True Nature Education Group Leader

True Nature Travels Blog

Learning to Let Go – From the Road with the Society in Costa Rica

Beach Cleanup
Cleaning up Costa Rica’s beaches.

One of the main themes that we practice at True Nature Education is the function and meaning of mindfulness.

We have found by subtly utilizing mindfulness in our programs our participants are able to have a more memorable, rewarding, and profound experience while traveling with us. Why is this? Because when we are mindful we are able to experience the moment more fully, and therefore can truly enjoy the fruits of our life. These “fruits” are especially rich and inspiring are especially rich and inspiring when traveling, on retreat, and learning new things, in a new place.

On the second day of our retreat, the National Society of Leadership and Success group members had a great discussion about using mindfulness in letting go of unnecessary elements and allowing room in our mind, body, and spirit for the incredible raw beauty that Costa Rica was shedding upon us in our journey through the country.

Beach Cleanup Post Group Shot
Post beach cleanup group shot!

Here’s some reflection from Kathryn, from this discussion:

Have you ever thought about what you’d like to let go of in your life?
At 6:15 AM, I decided let go of the hate to make room for forgiveness.
Letting go was the theme of the Day 3 as we entered into the Second Stage of our Costa Rica Journey. I began my morning with yoga and ending my night listening to a young man’s beyond inspiring poetry. Today was another wonderfully full day, filled with cleaning up the beach, parasailing, and becoming one with the rain forest at Manuel Antonio National Park. Every day that I am here I learn more and more not only about the wilderness, but about the fascinating people who I am sharing this adventure with, and most of all, about myself. Today was a good day. Todo Bien. (“All good”). Pura Vida.
– Kathryn Hima, Western Connecticut State University, CT

 

Stay tuned with us on Facebook and Twitter for snippets of the program in action. You can also visually follow us on Instagram, @truenatureeducation.

True Nature Travels Blog

On Thanksgiving and the True Nature Education Mission

A note from Joshua–

In a time where our world is becoming more and more of a global community, what better way to become part of the bridge of support we are creating than by finding a way to give back to those in need.

As Thanksgiving approaches our united focus comes to that of sharing appreciation for all that we have as well as sharing with those that might not have as much.

The essence of Thanksgiving lies at the heart of True Nature Education. We planted the seeds of this grassroots company fresh off of moving into a small rural village in Costa Rica. So moved by the authentic openness, generosity, and hospitality of the local, simple-living Costa Ricans, we then vowed to implement a service component into all of our programs, from yoga retreats to corporate retreats to travel abroad programs.

The CREER Service Organization, TNE’s sister organization, continually strives to do in-depth research to understand the true needs of the people in the villages of Costa Rica which we visit. Here are the three areas of service which our volunteers take part in when joining us in Costa Rica.

Read more

True Nature Travels Blog

Travel Tip Thursday: Mindful Awareness in New Surroundings

When giving orientations and presentations to first-timers, we always emphasize this as the number one key aspect to being safe in Costa Rica. There is so much life in the beautiful land of Pura Vida, Pura Life. With this, there are also many creatures (just to name a few….sloths, monkeys, lizards, alligators) and places to visit where you need to use caution. To do this, the simple teaching is to be aware.

There are many amazing volcanoes and mountains for the hiker, but be sure to plan accordingly. The terrain can be challenging so be sure that you don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you’re not in good shape, know that there are many 3K and 5K trails that are just as worthy of accomplishment. When you embark on your journey uphill, bring along an ample water supply as the water can be quite hot and humid. Stay in tune with your hydration level to avoid any mishaps. As you trek through rainforests, pay close attention to your map and compass; it’s easy to get lost, so be sure to remain in the moment and be attentive to your surroundings.

Costa Rica has some of Central America’s most poisonous snakes, including the fer-de-lance and the bushmaster. Be aware of each step you take as

Read more

True Nature Travels Blog

Travel Tip Tuesday: Learn Costa Rican Spanish Slang

If you do not know any Spanish, we recommend learning the basic Costa Rican slang prior to your travel ventures. Even if you do know Spanish, it’s important to keep in mind that you may overhear words and sayings that are unfamiliar to Spanish language that you hear in other Spanish-speaking countries. Recall from our earlier Travel Tip blog discussing the reference of the Costa Rican locals as ticos. 

These words and sayings are called idiomatic expressions. They are a useful guide to understanding the humor and character of that culture. They may seem peculiar as they do not translate directly with their meaning, however if you are aware of them before you are immersed in the culture, it will be much easier for non-native speakers to embrace and understand them.

Be sure to keep an open mind when conversing with locals, as they tend to directly address others more so than we do in the English language that may seem blunt or offensive. This is not the case, as it is just the way that the converse with each other, and should be thought of as friendly and light-hearted. For example, it is common that women be referred to as mamita, madre, or mi hijita. Locals also tend to use characteristics as nicknames, such as flaco (“fat”), flaco (“skinny”), negro (“dark-skinned”), chino (“Asian,” if you have slanted eyes, regardless of if you are actually Asian or not), or gato (“blue or green eyes”).

Here is a list of popular words and sayings that you will hear often and will certainly be helpful to know, especially when interacting with the locals.

Read more

True Nature Travels Blog

Travel Tip Tuesday: Slow Down and Enjoy the Pura Vida

Take Part in the Pura Vida Lifestyle

If you are coming from the high paced culture of the United States or Canada, you will find that, almost immediately, in Costa Rica things move much slower. You have two choices: resist, or go with the flow. Of course, we always recommend going with the flow! Take time to enjoy some serious hammock time, watch the sunset, spend time with your loved ones, plan less, and experience more…

You may have heard the motto Pura Vida in discussions concerning Costa Rica. This is the motto of the ticos, meaning the “pure life.” It comes as no surprise that Costa Ricans have a deep value and appreciation for the beautiful country that they live in, with the abundance of clean air, clean drinking water, clean food, that translates into a clear and pure way of life. For this reason you will find that as you travel the country you will be surrounded by this energy in which locals slow down their pace of life to be mindful within each and every moment of a joyous celebration of the simple yet fulfilling factors that contribute to the Pura Vida.

As you travel through the cities and the rolling countryside of Costa Rica, engage with the ticos by simply murmuring “Pura Vida!” and you will immediately light up the faces of those you are engaging with. This phrase, embodying the general mentality and pace of life of the country, is one that reflects happiness, well-being, conformity, and satisfaction with their beautiful homeland that you can become a part of. Locals take much time to enjoy and be fruitful with friends and families, and if you take the time to engage with them, you will find that they will most often immediately invite you to share in this pace of life.

 

True Nature Travels Blog

Travel Tip Tuesday: Immersing into the Costa Rican Culture with the Locals

Make it a Point to Dive into the Costa Rican Culture

The Costa Rican people, known as ticos, are known as some of the friendliest people in the world. When visiting a foreign country there is no better way to have an authentic travel experience than to connect with the local people. Try out your Spanish speaking and listening with the locals, move your body dancing salsa at a fiesta, enjoy a delicious cup of cafe con leche (coffee with milk), have a bowl of gallo pinto (rice and beans), or go visit one of the numerous pueblos (small towns/villages).

The word tico itself is a term that originates in the Spanish language from the diminutive, formed by dropping the final -o or -a and replacing it with an ito or ita, depending on the gender. This is commonly used out of friendliness and familiarity. Thus, the term tico in its own right is a word referring to all locals within the overall, extensive Costa Rican family.

Generally speaking, ticos seem to be fond of visitors from other countries and are eager to engage in conversation if you approach them on the street, along the countryside, or wherever you may find them throughout your travels. They are family-oriented and are very polite, gentle, and open people. As you engage with the locals you will discover the most of the tico culture through their passion for dance, music, food, and overall good company.

1
2