Slightly real, slightly surreal, artist Emma Rodriguez’s mystical landscapes transport you into an alternate reality that we’d very much like to visit in the flesh, or at the very least, our dreams.

Conscious Lifestyle Magazine: How have your life experiences influenced you art?

Emma Rodriguez: My art is based a lot around my own mental health. For me, it is a means of escape—not only the creative process but the final image represents a way of getting out of the world that surrounds me and transporting me into another place.

When I go through low stages in my life, sometimes I feel that is when I am most inspired to create something that represents the opposite of what I’m going through, or sometimes, even the exact thing I am going through.

CLM: Where do you draw your inspiration for your work?

ER: I draw a lot of inspiration from surrealist artists like Dali and De Chirico, and the whole surrealist movement in general as it was something I was very interested in during my time at university. I always intend to create something “other worldly”.

CLM: What messages does your artwork convey or what do you hope it sparks in viewers?

ER: I have had a lot of messages from people who said my art has helped them through tough times and has healed them in some kind of way, which is beautiful to me. I create the art for my own mindfulness and self-care, and to know that it helps others with their own situations is one of the main reasons why I carry on making what I make.

CLM: How do you create your artwork? What is the process of birthing a piece like for you?

ER: I can’t say I really have a process; I never really have when making art. I think I just get so excited by the vision of a final piece that I go straight into making what I have in my mind,

and then it either works or it doesn’t. All my work is digital, so I first source the images I imagine in my head and form them together using Photoshop.

CLM: If you could share one important piece of wisdom or message with the world, what would it be?

ER: If I have learned anything from experience: it’s okay to take a break. If you need a day to stay in bed all day and feel rubbish, then go ahead. You need to rest and recharge and give yourself permission to take a break from trying to be productive and pretending that you’re okay all the time when you’re not.

Emma Rodriguez (also known as mooncrab) is from Bristol, England. She graduated from university with a degree in drawing and printmaking. Her primary focus is on digital mediums and landscape-based work. Her art is inspired by her own ups and downs, as it’s often these moments in which she desires to create something that helps her get away. Her work can be found at @mooncrab.jpg on instagram and mooncrab.co.uk

About The Author

Justin Faerman is the co-founder of Conscious Lifestyle Magazine.

bow lake, icefields parkway. photo: billy dekom

A trip to Banff National Park Canada will leave you in awe of the sheer power of Mother Nature. Everything in the Canadian Rockies feels larger, grander, and wilder. Some of the mightiest peaks stand over 3,000 meters high and hundreds of species of wildlife call this 6,000-square-kilometer stretch of wilderness “home.” You can expect to share these Rocky Mountain views with a few of these wild creatures and fellow adventure seekers from around the globe. Last year, over four million people from various corners of the world came to visit this park. And after you’ve spent a little time wandering around the steep trails, turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, and glacier-studded mountain ranges—it becomes abundantly clear what drew them here. Swapping city skylines for crisp mountain air and wide open spaces leaves you feeling more at ease as soon as you pass under the “Welcome to Banff” road signs. As you drive along the main highway, the sweeping glacier-carved valley will continue to climb up past dense tree lines and up to rugged summits—the scale of which feels almost impossible to capture with pictures alone. The peaks in Alberta are truly massive. Staring up at them you can’t help but feel acutely aware of your smallness in the world and wonder what must have happened geologically to bring these giants into existence. Standing among these towering mountains, you can breathe deeply and let that sweet feeling of oneness with nature and your surroundings wash over you. Here is just a sampling of what stands out in this national park along with some of the top things to do in Banff, Canada.

The drive alone through this park is stunning and makes for an epic road trip.

Even just standing outside a café in Canmore or strolling between stores in the Town of Banff—you’ll be immersed in jaw-dropping 360-degree mountain views. The wild beauty of this place is, in a word, inescapable. The first trip we took here, we remember driving along the paved highway cutting through the park. We were ducking down and twisting, turning, and craning our necks trying to catch a glimpse of the mountain tops through the rental car windows. Clouds swirling slowly and hypnotically around the highest peaks. It’s the kind of drive where you end up turning the radio dial down low. Keeping an eye on either side of the road, pointing excitedly across the windshield. Looking, searching, taking it all in. Hoping to spot ribbons of water cascading down the steep slopes. Squinting for signs of critters between the evergreens. Peering past the edge of the road as the ice blue Bow River comes into view. You almost don’t know where to look, there’s just so much beauty to take in. While this park certainly attracts a subset of people drawn to challenging outdoor sports and activities—there’s tons to see just from the road or by those able to take short walks to the water’s edge. Further up in Banff, along the Icefields Parkway, you can spot glaciers from the road. Look for large snow-white masses tucked into the mountains and don’t be surprised if you find yourself stopping at almost every turnout, viewpoint, or lake along the way. mistaya canyon. photo: billy dekom

Canada’s first national park is best known for its stunning glacial lakes.

There is no denying that the breathtaking glacial lakes are considered the best of Banff. The color of the water here takes on such vibrant tones of blue and green that you almost have to experience them in person to believe they’re real. Varying from deep jade to vibrant turquoise, these glacier-fed lakes draw people from all over the world who hope to stand at the water’s edge and see them with their own eyes. Crossing their fingers that the shots they take from the shoreline will capture the color well enough to inspire others to make the trip north. These lakes owe their signature color to something called “rock flour,” which is made of fine-grained particles of rock created by the grinding of bedrock during the glacial erosion process. Since the material is so small, it becomes suspended in the meltwater—making the water appear slightly cloudy and giving it that solid-looking, surreal blue-green color (totally different than clear blue ocean water). Along with the ability to see some of the world’s remaining glaciers, these bodies of water are what set Banff apart from any other vacation destination.

Banff is a dream destination for adventure seekers.

Wondering what to do in Banff if you love an adventure? There are ample opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, mountaineering, running, paddle-boarding, and sightseeing. As the snow melts in the summer and the higher elevation trails start to reopen, you can expect the park to draw more travelers. But the winter months offer slightly smaller crowds. In those months, you can also take advantage of the snow-packed trails and frozen lakes to enjoy some downhill skiing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snow-shoeing.

The vastness of this place will keep you coming back.

We’ve spent a combined six weeks, spread across two summers, exploring this stretch of Alberta and still the list of things we have yet to see continues to grow. The sheer number of things to do and places to explore in Banff can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of things to do in Banff. If you come visit in the summer months, you may leave itching to see the same lakes you hiked around when they’re frozen in the winter time. Or wonder how magnificent the landscape looks during larch season in the fall. You’ll want to find a way to see, hike, and do it all, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself making a “must-see” list for your next trip as soon as you wrap up your first one. We’ve heard park rangers say that even if you were to stay there all summer long and backpack the entire time…you still wouldn’t make a dent in it. That’s how vast the number of lakes, trails, and peaks is. And while it would be a fool’s errand to try to capture all of its wonders in just these few pages, in this travel guide to Banff, we’ve collected a list of what keeps us coming back year after year. bighorn sheep on the icefields. photo: billy dekom

1. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

There are a lot of things to do in Banff National Park, which include wildlife viewing. Wildlife is abundant here. Like much of the American Rocky Mountains, this is bear country. Banff National Park is home to both black bears and grizzlies. They share this territory with a number of other species—including other predators like wolves, foxes, coyotes, cougars, lynxes, and various birds of prey. You’ll also see elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, caribou, deer, and moose along with plenty of smaller animals like pine martens, marmots, pikas, squirrels, and more. But don’t let the wildness of this place scare you off. With simple respectful, sensible practices and an awareness that these are indeed wild animals—you can travel very safely throughout the park. Just stop by any visitor center to speak to a friendly park ranger for a quick, but thorough, lesson on wildlife safety practices. Bear spray is also available throughout the park for purchase, and you’re encouraged to carry it if you plan to hike or camp during your stay. Some of the best times to view wildlife are at dawn or at dusk, when they are most active and out foraging for food. Bow Valley Parkway is supposed to be one of the best spots to see them but we’re willing to bet you’ll stumble across plenty of them just on your drives throughout the park.

2. Experience a Sunset at Moraine Lake

Experiencing the sunrise at Moraine Lake is one of the many things to do in Banff. When you search for “Banff National Park” chances are very good that an image of Moraine Lake at sunrise will come up right away. This spot is known for its picturesque views and is particularly striking at sunrise. Early in the morning, the still lake waters look like glass—perfectly reflecting the snow-capped mountains on its surface. This lake sits in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and taking in a sunrise here can be a very calming, spiritual experience. moraine lake. photo: billy dekom Another reason to arrive early is that the parking lots at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise tend to fill up very quickly. Occasionally they do have overflow parking lots with shuttles available, but it’s worth it to sneak some time in while everyone else is asleep. Park at the lot right near the lake edge and make your way up on top of the rock pile. It’s a short walk up there, but this height lets you fully appreciate the reflective views. On your way up, listen for high-pitched squeaks coming from the rocks and keep your eyes peeled for the darling little critters called pikas. They are tan colored with short bodies, round ears, and no tails. You can also take in the view from the water’s edge or rent canoes to paddle out onto the water. From this spot, hikers can choose to take the Larch Valley Trail to Sentinel Pass. In September, the larches start to change to a lovely golden yellow color—making for a very striking autumn scene in the valley along the trail. Photographers travel to this spot every year to try to capture the larches turning.

3. Stop and See Lake Louise

No Banff travel guide would be complete without recommending this stop. The main draw of this area is its namesake body of water—Lake Louise. Sitting at the edge of the Fairmont Chateau, its turquoise waters are truly stunning. People traveling in groups will love how easily accessible Lake Louise is—just a few hundred feet from the main parking lot.You can take in a view from the rocky lakeshore, rent canoes to spend time out on the water, or walk around toward the backside to see where the glacial melt feeds into the lake itself. You’ll be mere steps away from the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise—and, even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s a great place to wander around or grab a meal.

4. Hike from Trail to Tea House

Not surprisingly, hiking is one of the many things you can do in Banff, Canada. From Lake Louise you have your pick of several hiking trails. Two of which have tea houses waiting for you once you arrive at your destination. What makes these tea houses so unique is that they have no electricity and no running water—supplies like flour and sugar are flown in by helicopter at the beginning of the season. All fresh food is packed in by the tea house staff members, carried on their backs up the trail. All trash is packed out the same way. Their menus feature specialty teas and made-from-scratch goods. Heading off to the right side, up and away from the lake will take you up to Lake Agnes—another glacial lake with clearer waters and a tea house serving snacks, sandwiches, desserts, and tea. You’ll want to bring cash with you if you’re interested in enjoying some food while sitting by the lake. If you continue past the tea house, you can take the trail even further up to Big Beehive, which overlooks Lake Louise and the Chateau down below. Those craving a challenge can head up for an even higher vantage point at the forebodingly named Devil’s Thumb. Going back to Lake Louise, if you chose instead to take the trail that goes around the shoreline, it will lead you to the trail of the Plain of Six Glaciers. This will also take you to a tea house; but between the two options, this is the one we prefer to spend our money and time on. It’s decidedly less crowded here and the Swiss-style rustic building (built in 1924) is very charming. There’s also a friendly dog, named Arlo-Barlo, who has spent the last ten summers living up at the tea house. It’s a sweet place to enjoy some tasty food in Banff and pause before continuing to the final area where you can view the Plain of Six Glaciers. And depending on the time of year, you may even spot an avalanche off in the distance. In contrast to the one at Lake Agnes, where you’ll find long lines (for the food and for the outhouses) and people talking loudly, bustling around—at the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House you’ll find most hikers and patrons are often quieter. Smiling at each other over sips of tea, remarking upon the delicious bread freshly baked that same morning. Respectfully, calmly taking in the scenery around them. Happily sharing tables with hikers who have just arrived, regardless of whether they know one another or not. Chili and hot meals are made on a propane stove, along with freshly baked goods, and an impressive selection of specialty teas (especially considering this spot is a 6.4 kilometer climb away from the trailhead). Experienced hikers might try hiking from tea house to tea house—connecting the two trail routes we’ve laid out here with little detours to Big Beehive or Devil’s Thumb.

5. Hike along Rushing Water and Waterfalls in Johnston Canyon

One of the best places to stay in Banff if you want to relax is in Johnston Canyon. There’s a number of hiking trails sprinkled along the Bow Valley Parkway but one of the most rewarding day hike areas is in Johnston Canyon. Like most places in Banff during peak season, get here early to avoid the crowds and park in the lot right at the trailhead. In the early morning driving in, you may be able to spot wildlife feeding along the road. johnston canyon. photo: billy dekom The paved trail and series of walking bridges follows rushing water up to several beautiful waterfalls. You can even take the trail further out to an area called the Ink Pots—where five gorgeous, turquoise pools in an idyllic meadow setting will be waiting for you. These pools are mineral springs, and you can sit on benches and watch sandy pools swirl in circular patterns. With mountain ranges surrounding you and Johnston Creek just past the pools, it’s a perfect place to picnic after this moderate hike.

6. Take a Gondola up to Sunshine Meadows

One of the best places to escape the crowds and see wildflowers is in Sunshine Meadows. You can take a shuttle up to a gondola that drops you off at the very top. With a view of Mount Assiniboine in the distance and a platform overlooking three stunning lakes, you can take in some gentle hiking trails up here and see a huge variety of flowers. Even with a wildflower guidebook in hand, we still came across some blooms that we’d never seen before or didn’t know the names of. The views up here are breathtaking, and because you have to drive a bit away from town and pay for a ride up—you’ll shake some of the crowds by heading up to this gorgeous day-hike area. On the gondola ride, keep an eye out for bald eagles circling in the skies, and see if you can spot the winter ski lifts glimmering on the other hills in the distance. Tickets are available online for advance purchase. If you are still wondering what to do in Banff, this is a great option for many. Lush greenery and tall trees are everywhere you look. And if you find yourself here during peak wildflower season (mid-July to mid-August), you’ll find bright blooms of all shapes and colors dotting the landscape too.

7. Take a Road Trip up the Icefields Parkway

Along the drive up the Icefields Parkway, you may feel the urge to pull over the car and stop at every viewpoint. This is one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in the world, and there really aren’t any “bad” places to stop to take it all in. Not only can you spy glaciers from the road but there’s an unbelievable number of peaks surrounding you along the way. As you leave behind the busy Lake Louise village area and your cell service drops out, you’ll start to become fully immersed in miles of ridgelines. It is one of the funnest things to do in Banff because you can choose your own adventure. Stop at Herbert Lake, just off the road, for a beautiful mirrored view of the skyline. Then continue up the parkway to see even more gorgeous lakes. Once you arrive at Bow Lake, pull into the parking lot and take the short trail out to the water’s edge. Walk along the shore and cross the little bridge to get a better view of Bow Glacier Falls across the water. Further up the parkway lies Peyto Lake—where you can park and take a short, paved walk up to a viewing platform. Further past the platform, you’ll find a trail that heads out to an even more scenic spot. Keep going on the paved section until you see a dirt path disappear into the trees. Take that path. It leads you to a large rock pile and open area overlooking the lake where you can enjoy the views with far fewer people. peyto lake. photo: billy dekom Mistaya Canyon is another beautiful spot to stop at—a few minutes’ walk will take you to a bridge overlook where you can see and hear the water thundering through the narrow slot canyon. Cross the bridge to access spots that take you even closer to the edge, though be wary of wet rock ledges in the summer and slippery ice in the colder months. One of the most impactful and scenic hikes along this stretch of the parkway is Parker Ridge. A hike up to the top gives you a fantastic perspective of the Saskatchewan Glacier just on the other side. The ratio of distance to wow factor can’t be beat here—for a relatively short hike you will be rewarded with epic views. Now, that we’ve covered what to do in Banff, you might be wondering where to sleep, where to eat and where to explore next!

Lodging

When it comes to lodging, you’ve got several choices of where to get a restful night’s sleep. Within the park boundaries, the Town of Banff offers a number of hotels to choose from. The advantage of this is that it places you close to restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and cafés within walking distance from your room, but expect crowds and difficulty finding street parking. Look for a hotel that offers free parking for guests, and keep in mind that many of these underground garages have a height limit (good to know when you’re choosing a rental vehicle that bigger isn’t always better). For a unique experience just outside of town with stunning views, check out the Juniper Hotel. Perched up on the hillside, many of its rooms have a panoramic view of the park. There’s a bistro right on site, making it one of the best places to stay in Banff. The Lake Louise area also has a handful of places to stay, but with fewer dining options available. You can expect prices per night to be about the same in either area but expect to pay a premium if you choose to stay in the historic hotels. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Fairmont Banff Springs both offer luxe accommodations for those looking for an upgraded experience. Just outside the park boundary is Canmore. After two three-week trips to this area, this is our favorite place to stay and where we recommend you go if (like us) you’re crowd averse. There are plenty of options here for dining and shopping, with a much more laid-back vibe than the touristy (but lovely) Town of Banff. Plus, there’s a greater selection of grocery stores and a Canadian Tire (a large department store where you can pick up any outdoor gear you forgot to pack for a cheaper price than shops in the park). No matter where you choose to stay, try to secure your bookings in advance. Places fill up quickly in the summer and in peak season you’ll be hard pressed to find vacancies in town.

Camping

Of course, the most affordable way to experience this area is to opt to stay in the many campgrounds sprinkled throughout the park, which is also one of the most highly recommended Banff National Park things to do. Tent camping, trailer, and RV sites are available. Some can be reserved in advance and others (usually the ones sprinkled along the Icefields Parkway) are first-come first-serve. Something unique about Canada’s park service is that it stocks many campgrounds with wood piles for campers to use—just ask at check-in if fires are allowed and pay for a fire-permit for your site. Each place has different amenities available, and it’s worth noting that not every one has showers—so if you aren’t mixing your campground stints in with hotel stays, choose one that has the facilities you need. Having tried a few of the campsites and places to stay in Banff, we recommend trying to reserve a spot at the Lake Louise campground. While this will put your home base further away from the dining options in Banff and Canmore, the campground is fantastic. Clean, large sites; showers; flush toilets; and an electrified bear fence surrounding the entire campground. Plus, it’s just a short drive away from Moraine Lake and Lake Louise if you want to catch a sunrise or get an early start out on the trails. Parks Canada has an online reservation service you can use with detailed information on each of their campgrounds, along with pictures of each site when you book.

Where to Eat

There is a variety of food in Banff. Just outside of the park in nearby Canmore is our favorite spot to eat when in Banff—Communitea Café. They have options for vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike, with a variety of nourishing bowls, fresh salads, in-house baked goods, and a truly delicious breakfast burrito. They serve up fantastic coffee from Pilot Coffee Roasters. Pick up a bag of their light roast called “Academy” to take home with you as a souvenir. The Town of Banff also has some great options for food and dining: The panoramic view of Banff from Juniper Bistro is hard to beat, some even considered it the best of Banff. Definitely plan on coming here for brunch at least once. The menu has healthy foodie favorites like avocado toast, a “brekky salad,” and shakshuka. But the indulgent brie-stuffed French toast is also worth consideration. Balkan Restaurant has delicious, fresh Mediterranean fare with lots of gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly options. The Greek bowl makes for a great lunch. The creamy feta dressing is wonderful, and the crispy fried chickpeas taste like buttery croutons, but better. Indian Curry House has delicious food with plenty of options for omnivores and vegetarians alike. Hidden in an upstairs location, it might not seem like much at first glance, but their garlic naan, coconut rice, and tikka masala are fantastic. Indulge in some of the world’s best ice cream at COWS (ranked number 1 on the world’s top ten places to get ice cream by Tauck World Discovery in 2017). On a hot summer day, you can spot the line snaking out the door on Banff Avenue. They have classic and unique flavors—including strawberry ice cream made from fresh-picked berries from Prince Edward Island. Some of our other favorite food in Banff includes Park Distillery + Restaurant + Bar (quality food with a commitment to sustainability practices) and Earl’s Kitchen + Bar (offering a wide selection with a great choice of mocktails). In the Lake Louise area, we recommend skipping the eateries in the village area. Drive up to the Chateau instead. For something light, head to the very back of the hotel to visit Jusu Bar (featuring fresh juices, acai bowls, and smoothies). For lunch, just past the main lobby, you can dine at the Lakeview Lounge. It has fantastic views overlooking the lake, and you won’t want to miss out on their sweet potato fries or house-made seasonal sodas. Grocery For those who want to cook on their own (whether in an Airbnb or in their camp kitchen), you can stock up on healthy food staples at the natural grocery store—Nutter’s Bulk and Natural Foods—in Canmore. This is the only place we were able to find things like stevia, organic snacks, clean bath and body products, nut milk, and quality local honey. There’s also a Safeway in Canmore with a lot of produce options. And if you’re really in a pinch, there’s two grocery stores within the Town of Banff with much more limited selection—IGA and Nester’s Market. Farmer’s Market We also suggest that you look into the farmer’s market schedule while you’re in town. Although it’s not one of the top things to do in Banff, the combination of fresh produce, local goods, and mountain views can’t be beat. In the summer, Canmore has a farmer’s market every Thursday—check out the artisan soaps, local berry jams, and fresh food vendors. The Town of Banff holds theirs on Wednesdays.

Beyond Banff

If you have time to explore a little beyond Banff’s borders, consider making the drive out to any of the adjacent parks. Here are some of the most notable spots where you can experience even more of the wonders that the Canadian Rockies have to offer.

8. Jasper National Park + Mount Robson Provincial Park

When it comes to hiking here, the 360-degree views from the top of Sulphur Skyline are well worth the steep trail it takes to get there. After trying out all the interesting things to do in Banff National Park, traveling here could be the best idea. For a relaxing trip on the water, book a boat tour at Maligne Lake out to Spirit Island, one of the most photographed spots in the entire world. athabasca glacier. photo: billy dekom For an unforgettable bucket-list experience, book a tour with Ice Walks to spend some hours walking on the Athabasca Glacier. Do yourself a favor and skip the tour with the rovers—you can spend some real time on the ice, peeking into ice-blue crevasses and trying a sip of pristine glacial water with a mountaineering guide instead. A short drive outside of Jasper and into Mount Robson Provincial Park will take you to the world-renowned Berg Lake Trail. The full trail up to Berg Lake is a multi-day hike for experienced hikers and backpackers. But there’s a gentle day hike out to Kinney Lake that offers exceptional views as well and gets you closer to the base of Mount Robson—the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

9. Yoho National Park

After hiking the best of Banff, traveling to Yoho National Park is highly recommended. About a 15-minute drive from the Lake Louise area will take you out of Alberta and into British Columbia where the Banff National Park terrain transitions into Yoho National Park, which sits just to the west. Hikers will recognize Yoho as the home of famed Lake O’Hara—another beautiful glacial lake area with miles of trails. Besides the gorgeous color of the waters, what makes a stay at Lake O’Hara so unique is the limited access. Unlike some of the other lakes in this area, you cannot just drive up to it—you have to park your car at the bottom of the 11 kilometer road and either hike up or take the paid shuttle bus. You’ll need advance permits if you want to snag a camping spot in this idyllic hiking destination. You can also look into advance reservations if you prefer to stay at the Lake O’Hara lodge. Either way, expect to call (and call again) on opening day for reservations—it’s an internationally sought-after destination for lovers of the outdoors.

10. Kananaskis Country

If you have extra time to visit other locations beyond the stunning town, you may choose to drop by the Kananaskis Country. Just southwest of Banff, this area includes several other provincial parks all in one park system. Away from the hustle and bustle of the Town of Banff or the tourist-packed Lake Louise area, things look and feel a little wilder out here. This area has a number of ridge hikes for those who are up to challenging hikes and scrambles. Opal Ridge in particular offers exceptional views from the top. The hike up is difficult—you’ll have to use your hands to scramble up the last stretch of scree to the top, but the view from here is well worth it. This lesser-trafficked trail means you might have those views all to yourself. If possible, try to schedule enough time up here to weave in a trip that doesn’t just include spots in Banff but includes Jasper and a few other surrounding areas as well. You won’t be sorry you did. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Alberta, there are hardly any wrong choices. The abundance of beautiful trails and ways to spend your days up there can feel overwhelming, but we hope this Banff travel guide inspires you to keep coming back season after season.

About The Authors Lauren Kenson is the recipe creator and writer behind Free Your Fork, a taste-driven yet health-minded food blog. She is passionate about helping others discover the joys and benefits of cooking in their own kitchen. Her blog is a resource for those looking to develop more mindful eating habits and a happier relationship with food. She is committed to using local, seasonal, and organic ingredients whenever possible. Outside the kitchen, she is an avid long-distance hiker who loves camping and exploring the outdoors with her partner and food photographer, Billy DeKom. Learn more at freeyourfork.com Billy DeKom is a self-taught landscape and adventure photographer based out of the California Bay Area. He’s an avid hiker and backpacker who is passionate about conservation, leave-no-trace, and eco-friendly practices. Billy seeks to encourage others to get out and explore the outdoors by showcasing some of nature’s wildest places through his photography. His Instagram and website are inspiration for those who love to travel. He also does food photography for his wife’s wellness blog, Free Your Fork. Learn more at billydekom.com

Artist Devany Amber Wolfe combines symbolic and esoteric imagery with distinctly feminine forms to create cosmic dreamscapes that invoke the most mystical aspects of our psyche and soul. Conscious Lifestyle Magazine: Where do you draw your inspiration for your work? Devany Amber Wolfe: Dreams are a large factor. Landscapes in my dreams are always epic and psychedelic. The desert, of course, is a recurring theme—I am deeply inspired by how alien and hostile of an environment it is. It distills things down to their essence and forces growth—that’s why I place so many of my subjects there. I am also fascinated with attempting to represent the idea of “The Void,” which I often talk about as the place where all things from the heart and mind arise—a universal vista we all share. It is the place where dreams occur. Its inexplicable, but art does not use words to deliver its messages. So, I am always trying to bring things down from the ether and make a visual representation of how this vast Void feels. CLM: How has your Kundalini awakening experience influenced your art? DAW: I’ve always been drawn to the more surreal side of the spectrum—I feel it provides an open door into deeper parts of the psyche; but after my Kundalini awakening, the subjects of my art became a bit more specific—focusing on ancient, universal symbolism, sigils, and archetypes. Despite the fact that my Kundalini experience was unique to me, I believe that Kundalini as a force opens one up to a sense of unity in all things. So I see symbols and archetypes as a natural step from there, for they are something found throughout cultures and eons of the world. I look forward to continued study with this in the new year. CLM: What messages does your artwork convey or what do you hope it sparks in viewers? DAW: I’m not sure what precise message it conveys—I leave that up to the viewer. I myself hope it conveys a sense of awe, wonder, exploration, timelessness, and relatability. I hope they see something of their universal essence it. CLM: How do you create your artwork? What is the process of birthing a piece like for you? DAW: The process generally is either I will see something—an object or a gesture—that catches my attention, and I will begin with that. Or I will have a color scheme in my mind that I am dying to see come to fruition. Either way, the idea is usually quite nascent. When I was younger, I used to create paintings with very specific intentions, and it would not allow for what actually needed to come out, to arise. So I have, in my later years of practice, sort of stepped out of my own way. Sometimes, even that initial color scheme or gesture does not end up in the finished product. I play a lot, and I am unattached to outcomes, which is why I feel my work has been so successful lately. I don’t mind at all what ends up in the completed piece, as long as whatever message that needed to come through, did. CLM: If you could share one important piece of wisdom or message with the world, what would it be? DAW: It’s a tad bit cliché these days because it’s become a buzzword, but self-love. It is the foundation of everything you will do. It will determine how far you will go. It will decide how healthy you are, physically, emotionally, and mentally. It makes all the difference. I’ve learned that self-love practices do not have to be epic or “impressive”—especially during times of challenge or trauma—they can be very simple and humble. But as long as they are at the core of everything you do, they will support and uplift you. There is another cliché (which I think is slowly dissolving, thankfully) that in order to be a successful artist or creator of any type, you must be starving and suffering. I believe this is just an antiquated notion perpetuated by the fact that living artists were often not supported, and so suffering for one’s art was the norm. But now we are able to promote ourselves much more easily. Some of my best work has come from when I’m in a very good place, emotionally and spiritually. I hope that all creators may find that for themselves. Devany Amber Wolfe is an artist, writer, tarot maker, and Kundalini advisor currently based out of Toronto, Canada. Her work and mission is focused on depictions of, and discussions about, the archetypal, timeless nature of human evolution. rough a compelling combination of word plus vision, she wills the viewer into greater self-understanding and acceptance. Her work can be found at @serpentfire on instagram and serpentfire.ca

About The Author Justin Faerman is the co-founder of Conscious Lifestyle Magazine.

photo: artem bali

The Importance of Voting with Your Dollar: How to Save the Planet as You Shop

Let’s cut right to the chase: Every time you buy a product or service, you are either voting for a sustainable, humanitarian, and ecologically sound future for all life or one filled with pollution, destruction, and inhumane treatment of workers, plants, and animals. This concept is called voting with your dollar, and it is one of the most powerful ways you can help make big, positive shifts in the direction of a healthy, sustainable future on this planet both locally and globally. Every time you support and shop with brands or stores that promote ethical, environmentally sound values, you direct money away from companies with harmful practices, forcing them to either change and stop their destructive practices or go out of business. Not only that, but the more people are buying organic, sustainable, fair trade, and natural products, the cheaper they get due to economies of scale. Due to this fact, it is now cheaper than ever to shop sustainably; and unlike years past, there are socially conscious options for virtually every product on the market, so you can powerfully vote with your wallet. Make no mistake about it, this is how we solve the planets biggest problems starting right now.

Where to Find the Best Eco-Friendly, Fair Trade Brands and Products

But all of these options present another set of issues: How do you know which brands to vote for that are actually doing good versus those that are just marketing themselves as sustainable when they are really not (aka greenwashing)? And beyond that: How do you know where to find these companies and products in the first place? Up until recently, to find and keep track of all the brands and companies doing good in this world, was basically a part-time job involving serious time spent researching and seeking out these products. But that’s all changing thanks to The Etho—an online marketplace founded to promote and expand fair and ethical trade practices by exclusively selling ethically sourced items.

The Biggest Challenge in Voting With Your Wallet Just Got Solved

The Etho saves you countless hours of endless searching and vetting by bringing all of the best sustainable, eco-conscious, transparent, and ethical brands all into one place, making it easy and convenient to live a life of positive environmental and social impact. This woman-owned and operated company, is like an online Amazon.com of only products and services that contribute to the life and planet-supporting future that we all want—without having to sacrifice comfort, luxury, style, quality, or any of the other things you love. In addition to highly fashionable clothing for men, women, and children, The Etho has everything from handmade jewelry, luxury vegan handbags, and biodegradable yoga mats; all kinds of beauty and self-care products; and even home goods like candles, artwork, and bedding. The Etho’s mission was inspired by the CEO’s time spent traveling abroad in which she regularly saw beautiful places filled with hard working people (and the unique things they made) who were almost always stuck in crippling poverty. As a result, they’re on a mission is to create a higher standard of living for marginalized communities around the world, by supporting trade relationships that reflect a higher ethical standard, and changing the way people think about and participate in commerce. They have spent thousands of hours vetting and sourcing brands and products from around the world that meet their stringent quality standards, so you don’t have to and can simply feel good about what you are buying, knowing that you are contributing to a better world with every purchase. Literally. The Etho is making it easier than ever to do the right thing. Every brand they sell must adhere to their 7 Core Principles of Ethical Production, which are adapted directly from the Fair Trade principles set by the WFTO. No matter what you are shopping for, whether clothes, coffee, beauty, or cleaning supplies, each purchase is supporting fair wages and safe working environments for workers across the globe. As you shop this holiday season and beyond, remember that you can play a major part in setting positive change into effect RIGHT NOW by making a commitment to voting with your wallet—by voting with your dollars. Every purchase counts. Every purchase matters because they collectively add up to a lot of money and can be the difference between perpetuating an environmentally and socially destructive enterprise or shutting it down forever in favor of a future that works for us all. To learn more about some of the eco-friendly, ethical, and innovative products and brands that The Etho supports, visit their website: The Etho This article is a sponsored post written in collaboration with The Etho, whose products and ethos complies with Conscious Lifestyle Magazine’s stringent quality and integrity guidelines.

About The Author Meghan McDonald is the Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Conscious Lifestyle Magazine. She holds a master’s degree in social psychology from San Diego State University where she conducted award-winning research into the nature of human social behavior. She is an advocate for many environmental and social justice causes and a champion of social impact-focused brands and products that adhere to high sustainability and ethical standards. As a regular travel and lifestyle contributor to Conscious Lifestyle Magazine, Meghan funnels her extensive knowledge of natural products, organic living, and consumer behavior into researching and reviewing brands and products that promote health, wellbeing, sustainability, equality, and positive social change. She has traveled to over 25 countries and loves exploring diverse destinations worldwide while documenting the local artisans and businesses offering conscious, healthy alternatives.

If you have ever experienced being in flow, you know it’s a peak experience. And if, for some reason, you haven’t, here’s what it’s like: Imagine an immensely pleasurable feeling of being connected to everyone and everything around you—in perfect harmony with yourself, your environment and the people in your life. Then imagine that, on top of this blissful sensation, you also feel a wildly expanded sense of possibility, creativity and intuition mixed with moments of joy, laughter and profound moments of inspiration. Time slows down, you are fully locked into present moment awareness, and you start to wonder if this is what it’s like to be enlightened. That’s what flow feels like, and—just like it sounds—it is a truly incredible experience. For most people, it strikes somewhat infrequently and haphazardly, making it unreliable at best, however, there is a segment of society that has spent years studying how flow happens in order to engineer it on command so that the benefits of living in this expanded state of consciousness can be used to better our lives individually and collectively.

HuMandalas: Activating Flow States

One of those people is Daniel Levy—and while he probably wouldn’t call himself a flow expert in the classical sense, he’s found a way to help people tap into these peak flow states at will—through the use of a special type of connection technology called HuMandalas. And more specifically, Daniel is an expert at producing group flow—that is, bringing not just one person into flow, but an entire of group people, which is quite a feat. Daniel Levy began his journey into experiencing and understanding these types of expanded states of consciousness through simple practices like breathing; moving with the waves of nature; and ancient practices like yoga, ecstatic dance and the study of sacred geometrical forms. These flow-activating disciplines gave him great insight into the nature of flow, particularly in groups, and Daniel refined this art through countless workshops and as a facilitator and consultant within numerous communities at festivals, schools and organizations worldwide. After over a decade of real-world testing, the HuMandalas process was birthed. It is a deceptively simple but profoundly effective way to quickly bring groups of people into flow states together. As he describes them, HuMandalas is a form of guided movement meditation for groups that allow participants to get in sync with each other and the environment around them by using special kinds of intentional connection, toning and visualization practices. In order to make all of his knowledge and expertise of bringing people together through movement and formation accessible to all, Daniel created a deck of 52 HuMandalas cards and a corresponding digital app that allow others to drop into the experience of group flow and expanded awareness on their own. Using the HuMandalas card deck trains you to align your biorhythms to the universal flow of nature through guided interactions that mirror the sacred geometry of creation. The practices the cards guide individuals through draw from qigong, yoga, reiki and elements of sacred dance, all of which are known to produce peak flow states in the individuals who practice them.

Bring Your Relationships into Harmony and Flow

So how exactly does this work in real life? Using the cards is a simple but profound experience that is highly versatile for any group experience where flow, coherence and deep connection would be useful. Think company meetings, family dinners, workshops and retreats, before yoga classes, for sports teams before or after games, for musicians and just about anything else involving two or more people. The process goes something like this: one or more people draw a total of five cards for the group—one from each of the five categories: connect, share intention, cultivate energy (with movement and sound), offer blessing and anchor memory. Then you simply follow the instructions on the cards. Easy right? And it is on one level, but on another there is a high degree of wisdom, intention and insight that went into creating each card and designing the deck as a whole, so that you are able to create a seemingly endless variety of experiences that will lead you into individual and group flow like clockwork. Each time you pull cards the sequence is unique and engaging, but each time it reliably leads to a peak experience. Just like in nature, the cards are never quite the same as they were before, and this newness also helps to keep your brain from falling into expected patterns—something that can work against getting in flow in the long run. And perhaps, best of all, the decks are very affordable and a tree is planted with every purchase. To learn more visit their website: HuMandalas.com This article is a sponsored post written in collaboration with Humandalas, whose products and ethos complies with Conscious Lifestyle Magazine’s stringent quality and integrity guidelines.

About The Authors Meghan McDonald is the Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Conscious Lifestyle Magazine. She holds a master’s degree in social psychology from San Diego State University where she conducted award-winning research into the nature of human social behavior. She is an advocate for many environmental and social justice causes and a champion of social impact-focused brands and products that adhere to high sustainability and ethical standards. As a regular travel and lifestyle contributor to Conscious Lifestyle Magazine, Meghan funnels her extensive knowledge of natural products, organic living, and consumer behavior into researching and reviewing brands and products that promote health, wellbeing, sustainability, equality, and positive social change. She has traveled to over 25 countries and loves exploring diverse destinations worldwide while documenting the local artisans and businesses offering conscious, healthy alternatives.

dusk falls on the heart of the old city of jerusalem, just as it has for thousands of years.

Editor’s Note: The following article documents a seven-day cultural journey we embarked upon with a group of 50 leaders in the health and wellness space as part of the annual Schusterman Foundation REALITY Wellness trip—an epic journey into the heart of Israel for global changemakers on a mission to repair the world. It’s unfortunate that the only time most people hear about Israel is when there is some sort of controversy being stirred up by the media. What those stories fail to capture is the incredible beauty, strength and resilience of the people, the rich cultural history pouring from every square inch of the deeply spiritual land and the complexities of daily life in a country caught between extremes of every sort—old and new, conflict and peace, hope and despair, history and future.  Looking in from the outside it all seems so simple, but once your feet hit the ground, a different reality unfolds—a juxtaposition of all of the above and beyond that creates a cultural tapestry so intricate and varied it could take a lifetime to fully comprehend. And we should know, since we traveled in the company of one of the great historians, professors and storytellers of our time, Michael Bauer, who is one of the leading experts in the world on Israel and Middle Eastern geopolitics. Some of his first words to us were that Israel is complex and he himself has more questions than answers.

A Fresh Perspective on The Land of Milk and Honey

With that being said, let us be clear that we are going to tell a different kind of story about Israel—one that you may not have heard. A story that diverges from traditional narratives… not about its past, not about its conflicts, but its bright future as an emerging nation floating in a sea of possibility amongst great uncertainty. Because the Israel we saw was filled with the hopes and dreams of multiple generations for a place to call home, to love, to feel at peace with, no matter what cultural group, religion or identity was being represented. And while yes, there are those who don’t fit that mold and perhaps even want the opposite of that, they are very much in the minority. Like most places on earth, everyone is simply trying to get on with their lives as best they know how.

Tel Aviv

Our journey began in Tel Aviv, the rapidly evolving economic and technological capital of Israel, where you might be forgiven for thinking you had ended up in a middle-sized city somewhere in South Europe was it not for the Hebrew lettering on most of the signs. It’s a fusion of modern international architectural styles with a fair bit of Bauhaus and eclecticism thrown in—just enough to make you never quite sure what to expect around the next corner. This gives the city a sort of mosaic feel—each block slightly different than the next, similar but also distinct, sometimes historic, but mostly modern given how the city didn’t really exist before 1909. That’s with the exception of Jaffa, of course, the ancient Arab port city (which archaeologists date back to nearly 7500 BCE) now neatly incorporated into the southern coastal bosom of Tel Aviv. If you are looking for old world charm, this is where you will find it because the rest of the city seems like it’s racing toward the future with its growing urbanization and development. perched on the edge of the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean sea, tel aviv has a little bit of chill built right in. photo: justen tabert These days, Tel Aviv is attracting the country’s best and brightest searching for a future in the startup space, tech, finance, the arts, academia… anything really that is more aligned with the future than the past. While we were there we were treated to an art-infused organic vegan dinner with Avital Sabag, a forward-thinking dietician, chef, teacher, chinese medicine and holistic health expert, in a modern loft somewhere in the heart of the city. The morning after we wandered historic Rothschild Boulevard (where the statehood of the country was declared) and the fruit tree-lined alleyways of ultra-hip Neve Tzedek, the veritable SoHo of the city. Michael led us over to meet Ohad Naharin of the word renowned Batsheva Dance Company and experience his ecstatic dance hybrid movement practice called Gaga at the hands of one of his top students. We were then treated to an impromptu rehearsal of his latest dance production, which was a blend of hip-hop and racy cultural commentary that seemed more appropriate for the streets of Brooklyn than the biblical story land of Israel you hear about in synagogue or church. But, that just goes to show you, that’s a stereotype fostered by outdated cultural narratives and the reality of daily life here is anything but what you’d expect. The Tel Aviv we saw was a young, modern, culturally rich, first-world city on par with any North American or European capital emerging into the 21st century. It’s no wonder that it has become a sort of under-the-radar mecca for twenty- and thirty-something designers, jet setters, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs over the last few years. It’s sexy, hip, cool and the weather and food are pretty hard to beat.

Galilee & The Golan Heights

After a beachside lunch at the nearby, dazzlingly picturesque Michmoret Beach, we headed north for a long drive to the edge of the Golan Heights, arguably one of the most beautiful areas of the country. The drive there was nothing to sneeze at either, winding through Garden of Eden-esque scenes of rolling, rocky, tree-lined hills in full bloom after recent rains. Michael narrated the drive with fascinating bits of modern and ancient history, helping to unravel the cultural complexities of the land and its peoples. That night we had the pleasure of staying at the Mizpe Hayamim Resort—an organic farm and food wonderland overlooking the tranquil Sea of Galilee of biblical fame. That’s right, the place where Jesus is said to have walked on water and performed countless other miracles. Such is the nature of Israel—modern life coexists right alongside ancient history like few other places on the planet.

Mizpe Hayamim Eco-Resort

Mizpe Hayamim served us up some of the best food we had on the trip—a truly farm-to-table experience, sourced from the grounds of the hotel and the surrounding organic farmland on which it sits. Dinner was a 5-course meal of locally inspired fusion cuisine, and breakfast didn’t disappoint either—some that traveled with us said it was the best they had ever had, all delivered with a distinctly Israeli flair. We are happy to report that the organic food movement in Israel is growing and Mizpe Hayamim is poster child of what’s possible in terms of holistically integrated living, not just in Israel but worldwide. From the shores of the Galilee we headed northwest to the small village of Peki’in—a rarity in the Middle East. Peki’in is a predominantly Christian Arab and Druze town—two ethnic groups that are very much in the minority in both Israel and other Arab countries on the whole. While cultural integration is still a touchy issue in Israel, the Middle East and, in some sense, the world as a whole, Peki’in is an anomaly in that it is a place where Jews, Arabs and Druze people live in harmony and peace.

The Birthplace of Kabbalah

While there we saw two remarkable things: The first was the birthplace of Kabbalah—an unassuming entrance to a small cave where Rabbi Simeon bar Yochai is said to have divined the Zohar, a foundational text in one of the most profound systems of esoteric spirituality known to man. The second was Grandma Gamila—an inspirational and entrepreneurial Druze woman who built a $50 million per year natural soap empire in the face of overwhelming cultural oppression from humble roots in the village. We spent an hour with her, hearing her story and gleaning gems of life wisdom from an icon of women’s rights and entrepreneurial success.

Tsfat: The Hilltop Town of the Mystics

From there we headed north to the historic hilltop city of Tsfat (also spelled Safed), a hotspot of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, where we had a lively group discussion with Evan Yisrael Strauss on the finer points of the nature of reality, consciousness, human psychology and their intersecting path at the heart of Jewish philosophy, Kabbalah and metaphysics on the whole. Our backdrop was The Way Inn, an impeccably designed, biblical-chic sanctuary in the heart of the historic artist’s quarter of the city. Run by the heart-centered but sassy husband and wife duo Gita Zohara and Rony BarEl, think equal parts cozy, bohemian, metaphysical and boutique with some of the best food in the country cooked up in-house with a healthy mediterranean flair. If you are in the area, stopping by is an absolute must, and we couldn’t think of anywhere else we’d rather stay in the city. master storyteller and historian michael bauer regals the group with the history of tsfat. photo: sam lucid After a stroll through the quaint but impressive art market, a quick meditation in a secret alleyway near a laughter-filled playground with Expectful founder Mark Krassner and a couple glasses of fresh-squeezed local pomegranate juice, we departed the city for the Syrian border.

Getting Up Close and Personal at the Syrian Border

The Golan Heights, for those of you who don’t know, is a controversial place. At once phenomenally placid and beautiful with lush green fields of rolling grass, wildflowers and farms, it has a war-torn past that can still be felt right up to the modern day. To the northwest it borders Lebanon, and while things have settled down there for the most part, tensions still run high. In the northeast, it borders Syria and, as of this writing, Syria is in the middle of civil and regional war. And when you start to get close to the border, you can tell. Fences and signs warn you of entering seemingly innocuous fields due to unexploded land mines, and gun shots can sometimes be heard in the distance, echoing in from nearby border towns in Syria. We got as close to the border as we could—a bombed-out Soviet-era building only a few hundred meters from the fence. There is not much to see other than a few destroyed villages, but it was, at least for us, more about what the place represents culturally and politically in the region. Just a few hundred meters further south you might have to pinch yourself to believe an active civil war is going on less than a mile away—there are tracts of residential housing and life seems as beautiful and normal as it does anywhere else, but the future of the area is uncertain. Michael, in typical fashion, artfully explained the delicate complexities of the situation as objectively and philosophically as possible. It’s a mess, to put it lightly, but there was a story of hope among it all—that Israeli soldiers, in a voluntary showing of humanity and compassion, would freely treat the injured Syrian victims of war left at the border fence by friends and families in modern Israeli hospitals nearby. When strong enough to leave, they returned them to the communities from whence they came, hopefully with a touch of gratitude in their hearts for the selfless care they received that transcended the false boundaries of race and ideology. I couldn’t help but wonder what the solution to a problem of such intensity and complexity was.

Mt. Bental

The answer came as we climbed nearby Mt. Bental, perched in stunning panorama of the region—the intention for all involved parties must be harmony, cooperation and peace. For some it is, but for many it is not—it is still about who is right and who is wrong, who controls the power, the money, the politics. Or worse yet, hatred, hurt and retaliation still being harbored for past wounds and losses. The situation reflects the collective consciousness of those involved and, in that sense, thing are headed in the right direction. The region is stable and peaceful now compared to how it has been in the past, but more healing and evolution is needed to get it to where it needs to be. We held this vision for a new future of harmony, cooperation and peace in our hearts and minds during a group meditation before we headed back down toward our destination for the night. the group meditating for peace and harmony on mt. bental overlooking the border of syria and the expanse of the golan heights. photo: sam lucid Our last stop in the Golan was the family-run Assaf Winery, where we enjoyed yet another beautiful farm-to-table dinner, created with love from food grown and harvested from surrounding farms. Over a round of their delicious wine, we shared and celebrated the family’s vision of actively owning and operating a family-run wine business in this wild region of the country, bringing normalcy and peace to reshape the land and culture towards a more holistically integrated lifestyle.

Jerusalem

The next morning we set off toward Jerusalem, arguably the spiritual capital of the world, with three of humanity’s five major religions considering it one of, if not the holiest place. And with good reason—the city is hands down the greatest collection of sacred sites and treasures on the planet. You can feel it too. Coming into the city we all were taken aback by thousands of years of collective spiritual intent and prayer we felt radiating from the ethers of the biblical stone walls. the iconic dome of the rock in the heart of the old city of jerusalem. photo: justen tabert I once asked a man who had been to every country on earth what the most interesting place he ever visited was and, without hesitating for a second, he said Jerusalem. And it’s not hard to understand why—there truly is nowhere else like it on the planet. Architecturally, it’s a work of art—a veritable labyrinth of endless limestone alleyways built atop a series of hills that make it impossible to tell where the ground actually is. Like a living M.C. Escher painting, the streets snake upwards, downwards, sideways and diagonally in the old city—where one person’s roof might be another’s walkway. For thousands of years the residents have been building on top of sacred ruins and each other’s houses trying to cram ever more matter into a fixed, architecturally challenging space. The sheer ingenuity of the whole setup is a spectacle in and of itself, with Arabs, Jews, Armenians and Christians all jumbled together in a mish-mash of ever-shifting neighborhoods and streets. And in the middle of it all you have historical treasures like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Wailing Wall, the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock and countless other lesser known but extremely important world heritage sites littered like grains of sand across the city. Interwoven into it all are colorful old world markets, modern boutiques and the to and fro of daily life for the hundreds of thousands of people who call the area home.

An Ancient City For Modern Times

Sprawling outward from the epicenter of the old city lie the newer neighborhoods, thankfully still built in the same gorgeous, timeless Jerusalem style, which house everything from residential neighborhoods, to bohemian artists’ colonies to the century-old Machane Yehuda Market, which functions as a farmer’s market selling fruits, cheeses, meats and other fares during the day but at night transforms into a hip, thriving scene that attracts the young and trendy from all corners of the city with its vibrant selection of food and secular bar scene. If you are not from Israel, it’s easy to think of Jerusalem as a “holy land” and forget that nearly a million people call it home and operate much the same way as we all do in the rest of the world. The Machane Yehuda Market might as well be in San Francisco, if it weren’t for all the people speaking Hebrew and Arabic. light night adventures in the machane yehuda market with stephen brooks, co-founder of envision festival, punta mona and all around master permaculturist. photo: sam lucid We stayed at the famous Mt. Zion Hotel just outside the old city, overlooking the edge of the Palestinian territories, where we were treated to a presentation by the program directors of MEET—an organization that partners with MIT and is working to foster friendship, community and positive social change between Palestinian and Israeli youth through innovative, technology-based programs. Our last night in the city we visited the Western Wall and let ourselves get swept away in the sea of spiritual pilgrims offering ritual prayers and intentions en masse as they have been for thousands of years. We ended the night with a traditional Shabbat dinner at the Harp of David Art Gallery where we were serenaded by one of the top up-and-coming Israeli musicians Hadas Kleinman and her amazing husband Giora Israel, who embody everything about what is working and progressive in Israeli culture and who are beacons of consciousness and creativity in the region.

Masada and the Dead Sea

No trip to Israel is complete without visiting the Dead Sea—one of the great natural wonders of the world that sparkles from miles away like a sapphire oasis in the otherwise dry and desolate desert environment. The clash of the crystal blue waters against the sterile off-white backdrop of the dusty desert is an extraordinary sight to behold, especially perched high upon the edges of the crumbling cliffs of the infamous Masada fortress. As we toured the mysterious ruins of the  centuries-old stronghold under the watchful eye of our faithful guide Michael and the Schusterman team, who were the thoughtful masterminds behind our journey through the sacred land, the blazing midday sun pushed us to the point of no return, and we descended the mountain for a soak in the beckoning sea. one of the most starkly beautiful places on the planet, mount masada is in many ways the gateway to the dead sea and all that lies beyond. photo: justin faerman I won’t say much about the experience, lest I ruin some of the surprises this magical body of water has to offer, but suffice it to say that it is quite the sensual experience on every level. From the unusual feel of the hyper-saline waters, to the unique geological formations hiding just below the glassy surface, to the sacred geometry-infused clusters of salt that form on the shores, it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves you feeling deeply refreshed and rejuvenated as your body soaks up the highly concentrated trace minerals abundant in the salty sea.

Mitzpe Ramon Crater and the Deserts of the South

After a quick shower, we headed further south into the famous Negev Desert, somewhere between the borders of Egypt and Jordan, making a beeline to the Mitzpe Ramon Crater to catch what turned out to be an epic sunset. Mitzpe Ramon is, in every sense of the term, in the middle of nowhere, where the lines between civilization and nature blur into a hazy palette of orange-hued desert pastels. Spanning nearly 40 kilometers long by 9 kilometers wide and almost a 1000 feet deep, it’s the largest erosion crater in the world—a fact that is not easily forgotten as you stand precariously close to the edge of its vertical cliffs, staring off into the vastness of what seems like the edge of the world. As our journey edged ever closer to its close, the 50 or so of us who journeyed together that week as part of the Schusterman REALITY Wellness trip came together to name our appreciations and gratitude for the group we traveled with and to seal the container with a shamanic ceremony at the cusp of the crater, the desert wind scattering our intentions for the future of Israel, Palestine its people and the world across the desert lands. if you are looking to get off the beaten track, head south to the negev desert for a stop at the absolutely massive and surreal mitzpe ramon crater, where you might just see some wild nubian ibixes. they are very friendly, just for the record. photo: amir a We greeted the wild Nubian ibexes native to the region who wander the area in search of food and made our way back to the impeccably designed Beresheet Hotel perched precariously close to the edge of the cliffs before heading down into the crater itself for a private celebration deep in the heart of the abyss. This was a night that could only be described as a peak experience for everyone involved. We feasted, we danced, we laughed, we cried, we connected at incredibly deep levels and solidified friendships that would last lifetimes. We emerged from the valley in the early morning for a too-short night of sleep before heading back toward Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for our final goodbyes.

Looking Toward the Future

On the way back toward Tel Aviv from Mitzpe Ramon, you can’t help but pass by David Ben-Gurion’s grave. For all intents and purposes, he is the founder of the state of Israel, which means that, depending on who you ask, he’s either a hero or someone to be hated. Whatever side of the coin you fall on, you can’t deny that he was a visionary and someone who inspired millions of people to do something next to impossible. And when you strip away the politics and endless debate over right and wrong, in many ways the greatest lesson we can learn from him is the power we all individually and collectively have in shaping our future through intention, vision and determination. So much so, in fact, that he decided to spend the later years of his life working to settle the Negev Desert—one of the most harsh and barren (and beautiful) pieces of land on the planet—because of his deep belief that it was an area that could be settled peacefully and without encroaching on the lands of other people already living in the Palestine area when Israeli statehood was formed. As the story goes, he asked to be buried there at Sde Boker and sure enough, his vision lived on as a result—development continues in the area to this day with the formation of a University and the settlements around the Mitzpe Ramon crater.

Shanti House

After the meditative stop at Sde Boker, we made our way to Shanti House, a forward-thinking sanctuary of peace and support created for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth by Mariuma Ben Yosef whose abusive home life left her homeless as a teenager. To date, the two Shanti House locations that she runs in conjunction with her husband have welcomed over 46,000 youth ages 14 to 21, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, gays and lesbians—there is no discrimination, only two rules: no sex, no violence. According to Mariuma, “It doesn’t matters what you believe it matters what you choose.” Some of the youth who end up there live long term and others come for just a few hours, building a much-needed bridge of support between Shanti House and their actual home, knowing they always have a community to turn to in times of need. As we wandered through the grounds, which include a farm, gardens and modern art projects, among many other interesting projects they have birthed, we saw just how much love and intention Mariuma and her husband pour into their work. When it seems like no one else will, they do everything in their power to make sure the young adults who find them are supported mentally and emotionally through various therapeutic modalities, as well as creatively and physically through interaction with art, nature and animals.

Organic Israel

After our visit at Shanti House, we continued onward to the home of Hedai Offaim for one of the most delicious freshly grown, farm-to-table meals of our lives. A pioneer in the sustainable food movement in Israel, Hedai has co-created an innovative, holistic farming system with his brother, Yinon, that allows them to profitably grow organic food using the best of both new and old-world practices. Offaim grows his crops slowly, by hand, without pesticides, preservatives, hormones or genetic engineering, and all his products are sold locally in and around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Hedai’s fruit-tree lined property was the perfect backdrop for our closing ceremony where we collectively reflected on what we had learned, how we had grown and what had been forever altered by our masterfully crafted trip through these magical lands.

The Oasis of Peace

As we headed back toward the airport in Tel Aviv, there was one final stop at Neve Shalom (also called Wahat al-Salam), a forward-thinking, integrative community on the outskirts of Jerusalem where Palestinian Arabs and Jews live together in self-governed harmony and peace—a reflection of what we can only hope is to come for the region and its people. Giora and Hadas, who call Neve Shalom home, once again took the stage to give us insight into how the community operates and the principles behind why it works so well in a region where people often have such a hard time getting along. They bid us farewell with a profoundly deep meditation and musical performance as the reality of returning to our lives back home loomed on the horizon. And as if in a final farewell from the land and her people, a hushed silence fell over the country as a network of sirens blazed in the background commemorating Israel’s independence day so many years ago. It was an auspicious reminder of the past in a town so focused on the future. Such is the nature of this land of paradox that so many desire to call home. We are forever grateful to Yaniv Rivlin, Seth Cohen, Shir Marom, Cas Feder, Michael Bauer, the Schusterman family and the Schusterman Family Foundation team for facilitating this incredible and deeply transformational journey. Thank you.

About The Authors Justin Faerman & Meghan McDonald are the co-founders of Conscious Lifestyle Magazine, working to change the world for the better for all people, cultures and identities from the inside out so that we may collectively live in harmony, peace, equality and mutual compassion, cooperation and respect.

science meets spirituality at the annual science and nonduality conference in san jose, california. learn from the world’s greatest philosophers, teachers, scientists and wisdom keepers what is happening at the cutting-edge of higher consciousness.

Imagine being surrounded by the world’s top consciousness researchers, philosophers, spiritual teachers, scientists and artists—all sharing their deepest insights and wisdom into the nature of reality, consciousness and spiritual evolution. Now imagine that you are in a historic mansion in beautiful Northern California surrounded by fellow seekers from around the world, all there to grow, expand and evolve on every level; exploring interactive workshops on everything from health and wellness to the nature of reality, spirituality, meditation, mindfulness, energy medicine and just about anything else you can think of.

Cutting-Edge Science Meets Ancient Wisdom for Powerful Personal Transformation

It’s a powerful experience that happens every year as part of the Science and Nonduality Conference aka SAND. Grounded in both cutting-edge science and ancient wisdom, SAND brings together interdisciplinary thought-leaders from around the globe, headlined by dozens of luminaries as diverse as Deepak Chopra (physician, metaphysican, author of 70+ books); physicist Peter Russell (who uniquely blends scientific rationale, global vision, and intuitive wisdom); Sally Kempton (meditation teacher and spiritual philosopher); and legendary physicist and mystic, Fritjof Capra (who encourages us to look at the interdependency of all systems in our lives and the universe as a whole). This year’s theme, The Mystery of Being Human, will be a 5-day immersive gathering to explore what Non-dual teacher and author Will Pye (who learned how to thrive despite having a brain tumor) calls the “BIG questions, utilizing all lenses in a fun environment.” From the perspective of emergence—even with the unique challenges of the 21st century—SAND is a celebration of both science and timeless wisdom traditions that validate the core truth of our existence—that we are not limited or separate.

Over 100 Talks and Workshops: A Selection of Some of Our Favorites

With over 100 speakers and talks, interactive workshops will present cutting-edge theories and practical tools on everything from inner space to outer space, with the potential that your individual awakening shifts a complex, chaotic worldview—what IONS Chief Scientist Dean Radin calls “a major breakdown in how civilization works”—into a composed, unified and humanistic paradigm, a fractal, of how your next-level consciousness affects not only society but the cosmos. Stephen LaBerge, Ph.D. and Mark Gober, exemplify SAND’s twin themes. LaBerge is the first scientist to empirically prove the existence of the phenomena of lucid dreaming. His work has developed this technique into a powerful tool for studying mind-body relationships in the dream state and he has demonstrated the considerable potential for lucid dreaming in the fields of psychotherapy and psychosomatic medicine.  Gober, a Princeton graduate and financial analyst turned consciousness researcher, will be discussing the everyday implications of the findings that consciousness does not emerge from the brain but is a fundamental aspect of reality. You’ll have a chance to learn how these somewhat existential topics actually apply in quite practical ways in our day to day life for greater happiness, health, awareness and ultimately peace of heart and mind. From the past to the future, from the head to the heart, topics will be wide-ranging and compelling; here’s just a sampling:

+ Healing ancestral trauma with Mark Wolynn author of It Didn’t Start with You;

+ Charles Eisenstein’s insight on the ecological initiation and opening the masculine heart;

+ Awakening to the divine feminine with Nadeshwari Joythimayananda;

+ Quantum physics and the boundless mind, presented by Jean Houston, scholar, philosopher and researcher on the human potential movement;

+ Understanding how the Enneagram provides an elegant mapping congruent with current neuroscience and psychological understanding to create a receptive mind;

+ Exploring consciousness through both dreaming and awakening with lucid dreaming expert Stephen LaBerge;

+ How tapping into practical applications of spirituality can create socially impactful, deeply fulfilling and prosperous lives and businesses;

+ On-site, experiential guided meditations and embodiment/movement workshops with leading teachers and researchers.

Join an inspired and vibrant community of co-creators for a 5-day immersion filled with talks, panels, meditation, performances, music and dance that takes place at the elegant, century-old Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose, CA. Stroll the palm-dotted gardens while contemplating the great mystery of being human.

Where Science and Spirituality Meet

SAND is a “a real meeting of science and spirituality” comments Peter Russell and author Will Pye concurs, “It’s the connecting of the head and the heart.” Expect these workshops and events to help you find more peace, joy, self-expression and to deepen your understanding of how your unique gifts have a ripple effect that truly creates a shared reality. “Guaranteed at least one person will touch you and change your life forever!” quips ‘Guru Puppetji’.

How to Attend This Years Event

SAND kicks off October 24th-28th with one day of pre-conference workshops. The main conference begins on Thursday evening Oct. 25th at 7 p.m and ends on Sunday afternoon Oct. 28th at 6 p.m. To get tickets, see a program listing with all the talks, workshops and speakers and get all your questions answered, visit their website here: Science and Nonduality Conference

michelle rodriguez participates in an traditional plant medicine ceremony under the guide of a watchful shaman. photo: the reality of truth

The Reality of Truth is a new documentary film directed by Laurent Levy and written by Mike “Zappy” Zapolin. The film documents Zappy’s search for deeper, existential meaning as he travels to the Amazon to partake in a psychedelic ritual. The documentary opens with a volley of important questions that many of us ask ourselves: what is reality? Do any of us, even those of us who are successful in life and economically affluent, really know? How do we connect with the spiritual dimensions of our being—for our health, healing and growth—in a materialist society that so glorifies material wealth and affluence as the end-all, be-all?

Diverse Thought Leaders Explore Reality

The Book of Exodus describes a “small round thing”, the “Manna” to be eaten. The Rig Veda references the sacred “soma”, a mysterious plant used for ritual and visionary experience. Zappy starts the film narrative with a phone call to Deepak Chopra to discuss some strange, and controversial, Biblical references that allude to the use of psychedelics. Did ancient civilizations ingest psychoactive substances (we know this to be true, in many cases)? If so, Zappy asks, can we use these substances, along with other altered states of consciousness, to help modern society? In many ways, this documentary answers that question with a resounding yes. More so through a deeply personal, sometimes harrowing journey with plant medicines, Zappy and his fellow “psychenauts”, meaning “sailors of the mind”, come to understand how important it is to tend to these inward vistas. Some of the most compelling parts of this documentary featured thought leaders and spiritual teachers, like Marianne Williamson, John Hagelin, Bruce Lipton, Ram Das, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Each teacher presents their own take on the deep questions, but if there was a general consensus, it was our society’s materialism isn’t the end-all, be-all—reality is beyond materialism. Beginning with an exploration of meditative states, Zappy learns about the power and effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation (T.M.) developed by guru Maharishi—the same teacher who became known for being the “spiritual advisor” to The Beatles—and the widespread cultural adoption and interest in contemplative practices. What was particularly striking was Christian author and heavy hitter Joel Olsteen’s casual admission, in Zappy’s interview, that the “Manna” in the Bible was probably a mushroom! There are many gems in the documentary that I will leave the reader to discover for themselves, but it’s through these profound conversations with modern wisdom teachers that Zappy receives varied—even sometimes conflicting—opinions on how psychedelics might fit into our lives. Some, like Marianne Williamson, see psychedelics as a temporary glimpse of the “mountaintop.” Some recommend using them only at at certain levels of spiritual attainment. Others, such as a medical professional, can’t recommend them yet, but foresee their legitimate usage in therapeutic settings for end-of-life care. Still others in this section boldly advocate psychedelics that a single session with some psychedelics can rival “ten years of psychotherapy”. Ultimately, a conversation with Ram Das catalyzes Zappy to take that leap of faith and travel with his friends to Peru for a plant medicine ceremony.

The Medicine: Healing Stories

San Pedro, “Huachuma”, is a drink made from the San Pedro cactus, used in the Andean region for religious ceremonies for over 5,000 years. Ayahuasca, as more and more people are finding out, is an tryptamine-based plant medicine from the Amazon made out of a combination of two different plants. In the Ayahuasca ceremony, Zappy confronted his personal fears around death and discovers how “dynamic” death really is. It also yielded total cosmic visions of universal balance and the sheer joy. Michelle Rodriguez shares some of the deep pain and loss that the San Pedro helped her to let go. Her Ayahuasca trip also helped her to accept—and even embrace, at a spiritual level—the traumatic loss of her friend and The Fast and the Furious series co-star Paul Walker. After their trip to Peru, the group touches base again with Deepak to reflect on their inward journeys. Zappy learns Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Sudarshan Kriya breathing practice to continue to integrate his plant medicine experience. He is amazed by the ability of Sudarshan Kriya to alter his state of consciousness and, as Sri Sri mentions, it can be done at will. As someone who has personally learned this form of kriya from Sri Sri’s Art of Living retreats, I can attest to the potency of pranayama, or breathwork, to shift consciousness into a dynamic, beautiful and receptive state.

Coming Full Circle

Gerard Powell, who let Deepak and Zappy film together in his beach house, ended up taking the advice of Deepak and trying plant medicine, too. Facing a downward spiral of substance abuse, he traveled to Costa Rica in the hopes that Iboga—a powerful psychoactive plant from Central Africa—might help to cure his addiction. During a visionary, healing journey, Gerard uncovered a childhood memory of traumatic sexual abuse. He was able to heal—literally given a new heart by the spirit of the plant medicine—and went on to found the Rhythmia center. Rhythmia: Life Advancement Center is a medically licensed resort in Costa Rica, a convergence point of exactly the kind of breathing techniques and plant medicines Zappy has been exploring in this film. There are a series of profound connections between Gerard’s experience, Zappy’s quest for answers to our deepest spiritual questions, and that first conversation with Deepak. But you’ll have to watch it yourself. And find out where this story intersects with yours. We’re at an amazing moment in culture. In history. Politics seem worse than they’ve been in a long time. But, more than ever before, our culture is waking up to the potent, entheogenic (literally meaning the divine within) allies of plant medicines and other altered states to transform their lives. These allies, when understood properly—as the San Pedro shaman Fredy Puma mentions in the film—can become powerful aids as we work to actualize a personal and collective transformation; but we must be willing to take those next big steps. It cannot take us all the way. The Reality of Truth sets the stage for the next step. It asks the viewer, it asks you: what will that be? Learn more and watch the film for free here: https://therealityoftruth.com

About The Authors Jeremy Johnson, Essayist and culture writer. Contributing editor at Reality Sandwich magazine. Forthcoming author of Passages From Tomorrow. Writer at OMNI, Disinfo, and Evolve and Ascend. Philosophy, culture, and futurism.

its finally happening: clean, renewable energy is becoming available to almost everyone.

If you are like most people, you eagerly want to start using clean, renewable energy as soon humanly possible… But you don’t have the $20,000+ it can take to outfit your home with solar panels or even live in area that gets enough sun to make it worth doing so.  And, if you are like most people, your local power company doesn’t offer electricity derived from renewable sources, making it even harder to go green. But that all just changed: Enter Arcadia Power.

How to Start Using Renewable Energy In Your Home For Free

Arcadia Power is an innovative, downright revolutionary company thats working to change the power game from the inside out by giving anyone the ability to start using renewable energy.  For free.  Thats right, free. They’ve figured out a way to make it ridiculously easy to replace your current energy footprint by matching your electricity usage with renewable energy they purchase on your behalf from sustainable wind energy farms across the US. Here’s how it works: 1. You sign up for free here on the Arcadia Power website. 2. Then you’ll link your current utility account with their system so they can track your energy usage. 3. For every kWh of energy you use, they will purchase renewable energy credits from wind farms on your behalf to match your current power usage. 4. This renewable energy is then fed back into the power grid making it available for homes and businesses across the country to use, increasing the percentage of energy that comes from green sources nationwide. The best part is you don’t have to cancel your current utility account with your local power company making it super simple to get started.  After filling out your zipcode on their website you’ll be directed through a series of steps that get you setup in their system. They even have a user friendly interface that allows you to monitor your renewable energy and regular power usage so you can track how much you are doing for the environment. Its simple to use, easy to get started and its doing quite a bit to save the planet.  What’s not to love? Sign up here: Arcadia Power

About Arcadia Power

To top it off Arcadia Power is one awesome, forward thinking company: Endorsed by environmental conservation giants like the Sierra Club, Arcadia Power is also a Benefit Corporation which means They are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. To learn more about their mission to make renewable energy accessible to the masses visit their website here: Arcadia Power

About The Author

Meghan McDonald is the Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Conscious Lifestyle Magazine. She holds a master’s degree in social psychology from San Diego State University where she conducted award-winning research into the nature of human social behavior. She is an advocate for many environmental and social justice causes and a champion of social impact-focused brands and products that adhere to high sustainability and ethical standards. As a regular travel and lifestyle contributor to Conscious Lifestyle Magazine, Meghan funnels her extensive knowledge of natural products, organic living, and consumer behavior into researching and reviewing brands and products that promote health, wellbeing, sustainability, equality, and positive social change. She has traveled to over 25 countries and loves exploring diverse destinations worldwide while documenting the local artisans and businesses offering conscious, healthy alternatives.

finding and connecting with your soul tribe is more important than ever—not just for connection but also to thrive in our modern society. photo: grant benton

Like many of us on a path towards more alignment, expression and purpose, you may also be finding it hard to attract and connect with a strong community of conscious and like-minded humans, affectionately known as your ‘Soul Tribe’. With the ability to connect with anyone, all the time (online) we find ourselves crowded with ‘connections for connections-sake’ and lacking intention or curation with those we spend time with. Maybe you can resonate with this?

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

– Jim Rohn

Many say we are ‘more connected than ever before,’ which is very true and exciting for the online world. We can see and feel though, that culturally and on the ground we are lacking this sense of connection and community with our soul tribe. As people who are seeking more purpose and a more aligned lifestyle, having the company of aligned people with similar values and beliefs is incredibly important. The human experience is created by the elements of psychology, physiology, sociology and ecology. All of these are required for us to thrive. Some of these we can deal with on our own, but others, particularly sociology and ecology, require that we be in community with and connection to others of like heart and mind. It is said that the environments and the company we keep are two of the greatest influencers on our own experience and behaviors, which very much define the overall quality of our lives and the level of happiness, contentment and fulfillment we are able to achieve. As such, finding your soul tribe is extraordinarily important if you value the above things. But how exactly do we go about finding and attracting our soul tribe? How—and where—do we need to show up in order to align ourselves with those we feel closest to in the jungles of social media and more importantly, in real life time and space? Technology is shuffling the way society functions and operates at the most fundamental levels, especially in relation to forming and connecting with like minded community and our soul tribe. So in this modern world, it’s extremely important to understand the underlying principles and mindsets that lead us to align with and attract our soul tribe. I dive into this topic in significant depth in my new book Modern Tribe which I wrote to address the very problem of finding your tribe in the modern, digital age. Below you’ll find the formula and some simple but powerful practices for attracting your soul tribe effortlessly—as a natural extension of your self expression and who you are.

The Formula for Finding Your Soul Tribe

Self-awareness + Expression + Intention = Attracting your soul tribe without constantly ‘trying’

1. Self-Awareness

Like with most things on our hero’s journey of personal evolution and spiritual growth, we need to start with self-awareness. Ask yourself: + When you envision the future experience you will have, what does it feel like? + What values do you embody? Usually these will be very similar, if not the same as the values your soul tribe holds. Maybe it’s openness, creative expression, adventure and nature or something else. Getting clear on your values and personal vision is extremely important for finding your soul tribe. You want to find the group of people who share these values and vision. No matter what you value and what your vision is, there is a similar-minded group of people out there waiting for you somewhere. With 7 billion people on the planet, you can be sure your soul tribe exists. Sit still in stillness in an environment that inspires you, meditate and visualize what your ideal tribe would feel like. Not seeing what it looks like, but what it feels like!

2. Express and Embody

Now that you are aware of this feeling you would like to experience, your challenge is to actually embody and express these values in your life fully. This is the most challenging step! It is easy to think up some words and values, but it takes a bit of vulnerability and commitment to embody them fully. However, this is crucial to attracting your soul tribe. To help, try writing a personal vision statement about your new story and the new values you are committing to living by. “I am present, listening to my intuition, expressing my creativity and sharing my love of biomimicry,” for example. This is a powerful affirmation that you can repeat to yourself daily to help you stay calibrated to your values and vision. Acting in full alignment with these values and vision is hands down the fastest way to attracting and aligning yourself with your soul tribe. Write this somewhere that you will see it often and make it a habit to read it and feel it every morning before you enter your day!

3. Intention

The next and final step you need to take in attracting your soul tribe is consciously and intentionally placing yourself in the right places and spaces. You can express your values for calmness, presence and sustainability but if you put yourself in bars and clubs where there tends to be a shallow culture, you may be misaligning yourself with where your soul tribe is locationally in the world. Alternatively, you can go to yoga and meditation classes or volunteer at a community garden and experience much higher locational alignment with where your soul tribe is likely to be. Ask yourself, where might your soul tribe hang out? Where would you most likely strike a spontaneous conversation with your next best friend that shares the same values and/or vision with you? Immerse yourself and express yourself in these places as much as possible! Be open to exploring new places to find your soul tribe. Don’t get discouraged if the first few places don’t foster the connection you had hoped for.  Often times they do! But other times it’s a bit longer journey.  Keep at it because soul tribes operate on the network effect, which means once you get connected to a few people in your soul tribe, most everyone in the world is connected to those people within a few degrees of separation. You don’t personally need to know everybody. You just need to know a few people and through the wonders and interwoven web of social media and personal networks you will soon be connected to an international soul tribe of like-minded people.

How to Create Even More Connection and Tribe

I believe that fostering meaningful connection and community is the solution to many of our world’s biggest problems. Many of the planetary challenges we face—war, poverty, environmental destruction—stem from a lack of deep soul connection and community.  We need to reimagine how we live together. There is a new living philosophy based off tribal living and sharing that is emerging that I believe addresses the fundamental issues at the core of our disconnection: I call it the Modern Tribe. For more exercises like this to help you find your tribe and be part of the movement towards a more communal, enlightened future, order your copy of Modern Tribe today at publishizer.com/modern-tribe. Each order is a vote for a new, thriving future for humanity. Join us.

About The Author Al Jeffery is an international speaker, facilitator and impact-entrepreneur, listed in Australia’s Top 30 Under 30. Founder of Base Coliving and Realise Flow, Al is a thought leader on topics around emergent cultural and community development, modern urbanisation, personal performance and human potential. Visit his website: aljeffery.com