Often I find myself on transformative quests to understand the profound dimensions of the human spirit and revelations of our living planet. These journeys can be far away or close as home. I am fascinated by the complexities of humanity and the colorful mosaic of our world’s cultures. Many of us seek spirituality and experiences of a sacred and personal nature. For some this may be through organized religion and for others it may be through immersion in nature for connection and clarity. My brother Gary took this beautiful picture of his daughter meditating.

There is an undeniable spiritual power manifested in large scale classic churches both in the U.S. and abroad. The Saint Remi Basilica in Reims France is such a building. It was erected between the 11th and the 15 centuries.

Small churches have their power as well. On an early visit to see my sister on the Isle of Guernsey we visited the “Little Chapel” in Les Vauxbelets Valley. The tiny chapel was begun in 1914 by Brother Deodat. The photo above is the 3rd construction and is embellished with broken pottery from around the world.

Once on a trip to Guernsey we met up with Joanne Davidson, the Society editor of the Denver Post, who was on a European cruise. We took her on a tour of the island and of course we visited the “Little Chapel.” 

“Bell Rock” is Sedona Arizona’s best known “Vortex” meditation site. These “power spots” are said to have swirling centers of energy which are conducive to healing, meditation, and journeys of self-exploration.  I did feel energized and uplifted while hiking in this beautiful place!

Our daughter and her family visited the incredible Royal Sainte-Chapelle chapel within the medieval Palais de la Cite in Paris last year. They were totally mesmerized by the incredible stained glass windows! This is the epitome of the Rayonnant Style of Gothic architecture.

Marla and I find beautiful sunsets to be sacred experiences in themselves. God’s magic was on full display during a visit to Krabi Thailand. I rated it a 6 out of 5 on the “Amaze” scale!

Modern day followers of Saint Francis and tourists alike flock to the Umbrian town of Assisi in Italy.  Religious pilgrims have come here for centuries to visit the Basilica of San Francesco where St. Francis is buried. The town is a must stop for all travelers in this beautiful part of Italy.

On a cycling trip in coastal Tuscany I came upon this ancient little chapel. The assorted stone and brick construction fascinated me.

I spent a magical afternoon by the Cathedral in Pienza, one of Tuscany’s most charming small hill towns.

This was a special moment of humanistic connection at a Maasai village in Kenya.

This is all part of the human mosaic: A child’s smile, a sense of curiosity, …and wonder.

The idea behind Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Catholic Basilica in Barcelona sprang from a creative dream. He took over the project from another architect in 1883 and began to build the most amazing church anywhere in the world! It was a project of faith, love and obsession. 136 years later it isn’t quite finished yet but is VERY close! Marla convinced me to ride up to a top level on an open construction elevator on an early visit. I hate heights and I still don’t know how I made it!

The Sagrada Familia towers are the tallest church towers in Europe!

The Hassann II Mosque looms majestic on the Casablanca Morocco skyline. 25,000 worshipers can fit inside.

Istanbul is a must destination for travelers seeking a broader perspective of history and culture. The Blue Mosque is an iconic structure in the Islamic late classical Ottoman style. Built between 1609 and 1619 it is still used for worship today.

Istanbul’s Hagia Sohia is an absolute spiritual wonder! Construction began on the Greek Orthodox Christian Basilica in 527 and it was used as a church for 916 years. It was later used as an Imperial Ottoman Mosque for 482 years. In 1935 it was converted into a museum.

India is one of the most spiritually diverse countries in the world. Definitely add this to your spiritual journeys itinerary! The majority of Indians (79.8%) practice Hinduism, while 14.2% practice Islam. The remaining 6% practice Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, etc. 

Marla and I were fortunate to be invited to a party celebrating The Holi Festival in Delhi India. It is a spring festival, symbolizing good over evil, and a time of colors, play and laughter. The attendees were all business owners, doctors, and family. During the Holi Festival they really have fun and let loose.  The host had a large estate in Delhi and filled a hole with mud for the partygoers to get crazy in.

Our spiritual travel always includes The Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. The celebration begins with the wonderful world famous “Glide Ensemble” and the “Change Band” singing “Do Not Pass Me By”

One of my favorite churches is the Cathedral in Amalfi, on Italy’s Amalfi coast. It is dedicated to the Apostle Saint Andrew and features stunning architecture and fascinating relics.

Pilgrims of a different nature come to visit Madonna del Ghisallo high in the hills above Bellagio on Italy’s Lake Como. I was one of those pilgrims as I cycled up the steep pass to the tiny chapel dedicated to famous Italian cyclists. I came to honor the memory of Gino Bartali who won the Giro d’Italia three times and the Tour de France twice. His greatest achievement was not known until after his death when it was found he had risked his life to save over 800 Jews during World War II. He helped Jews escape Italy by hiding transport documents on his bicycle. The story is totally inspiring and was the subject of books and a film “My Italian Secret.”

Visitors to Prague often come to the Old Jewish Cemetery I found this to be a sacred place of reflection.

All of our grandsons have visited the graves to honor their relatives at the Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, California. It is important for them to remember ancestors of the past who helped create who they are today. This is a sacred journey for all of us. 

Journeys to connect with nature are essential for understanding the connectedness and entirety of all organisms on our living planet. One of my favorite memories was on a safari on the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. We spotted two cheetah brothers sitting on top of a termite mound. 

I will leave you with a colorful and sacred sunrise. The beginning of a miraculous new day.

 PHOTOS: All photos by Dick Gentry except opening image by Gary Gentry, and Little Chapel from visitguernsey.com