Sacred Traditions of Our Journeys
Discover the rich tapestry of spiritual wisdom that guides our pilgrimages across India's sacred cities and Colorado's mystical Crestone Valley. Each tradition offers unique pathways to the divine, yet all share the common thread of seeking truth, compassion, and unity.
Hindu Journeys
Hinduism, one of the world's oldest spiritual traditions, forms the foundation of our Sacred Cities Journey through India's seven sacred cities. Each temple, ritual, and practice connects pilgrims to the eternal dharma - the cosmic order that governs both individual souls and the universe itself.
Our Hindu journeys encompass the full spectrum of devotional practice: from the fire ceremonies (havan) at Haidakhandi Ashram in Crestone to the ancient Ganga Arati at Varanasi's ghats. We visit Jyotirlingas, Shakti Peethas, and temples dedicated to Vishnu's avatars, each offering unique pathways to divine realization.
Sacred Sites & Practices
- Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Arati, liberation teachings
- Ujjain: Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Kal Bhairava Temple, transcendental practices
- Mathura & Vrindavan: Krishna Janmabhoomi, ISKCON Temple, devotional singing (kirtan)
- Ayodhya: Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, dharmic strength practices
- Kanchipuram: Kamakshi Amman Temple, Divine Mother worship, sacred arts
- Dwarka: Dwarkadhish Temple, ocean ceremonies, truth expression
- Haridwar: Har Ki Pauri, grounding practices, foundation ceremonies
- Crestone: Haidakhandi Universal Ashram, fire ceremonies, Babaji teachings
Buddhist Traditions
Buddhism's profound teachings on liberation from suffering and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion are central to our Crestone Valley experiences. The tradition's emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, and ethical living provides practical tools for transformation that complement our pilgrimage journeys.
In Crestone, we encounter both Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, each offering distinct approaches to awakening. The mountain setting provides the perfect environment for deep meditation practice and contemplation of the Buddha's teachings on impermanence, interdependence, and the nature of mind.
Centers & Practices
- Zen Mountain Center: Japanese Zen meditation, mountain monastery life
- Vajra Vidya Retreat Center: Tibetan Buddhist practices, meditation instruction
- Tashi Gomang Stupa: Sacred Buddhist monument, circumambulation practice
- Meditation Practices: Sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindfulness
- Dharma Study: Buddhist philosophy, ethics, wisdom teachings
- Community Practice: Sangha gatherings, group meditation, dharma discussions
Christian Contemplative Traditions
The Christian contemplative tradition, with its rich heritage of mystical prayer and monastic wisdom, finds beautiful expression in Crestone's Nada Hermitage. This Carmelite monastery represents centuries of Christian contemplative practice, offering a path of union with the Divine through prayer, silence, and service.
The contemplative Christian path emphasizes the interior journey toward God through practices like lectio divina (sacred reading), centering prayer, and the liturgy of the hours. These practices complement the pilgrimage experience by providing tools for deep listening and surrender to divine will.
Contemplative Practices
- Nada Hermitage: Carmelite monastery, contemplative prayer
- Centering Prayer: Silent prayer practice, divine union
- Lectio Divina: Sacred reading, scriptural meditation
- Liturgy of Hours: Communal prayer, sacred time
- Desert Spirituality: Solitude, silence, simplicity
- Mystical Prayer: Union with God, contemplative awareness
Indigenous Wisdom Traditions
Indigenous wisdom traditions form the foundational spiritual heritage of both our journey locations. In Crestone, we honor the ancestral Ute and Hopi peoples who recognized this valley as sacred long before modern spiritual communities arrived. The Hopi prophecies speak of Crestone as the place where "light enters the world."
These ancient traditions teach us about our sacred relationship with the Earth, the importance of living in harmony with natural cycles, and the wisdom that comes from honoring our ancestors and the seven generations to come. Their teachings about reciprocity and respect deeply inform our approach to pilgrimage.
Sacred Teachings & Practices
- Sacred Geography: Recognition of Crestone as place where light enters the world
- Earth Connection: Ceremonies honoring Mother Earth and natural cycles
- Ancestral Wisdom: Teachings passed down through generations
- Tobacco Offerings: Sacred plant ceremonies and prayers
- Seven Generations: Decision-making considering future impact
- Reciprocity: Giving back to the land and community
- Vision Quests: Solo time in nature for spiritual guidance
Rastafari Traditions
Rastafari is a living spiritual tradition that emerged in 1930s Jamaica with the revelation of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I's coronation as Emperor of Ethiopia. For the Rastafari faithful, the Emperor represents the returned messiah, Christ in his kingly character, as the 225th descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, root and offspring of King David.
This worldwide movement emphasizes the universal principles of righteousness, love, and unity while celebrating African heritage and spiritual consciousness. Through reggae music, made famous by the great Bob Marley, Rastafari teachings of peace, justice, and spiritual awakening have spread across the globe, inspiring seekers of all backgrounds.
Sacred Practices & Community
- Colorado House of Rastafari: Community center for Rastafari practice in Crestone
- Nyahbinghi Drumming: Sacred percussion, chanting, and prayer ceremonies
- Reggae Kirtan: Musical worship combining Rastafari and devotional traditions
- Oral Tradition: Sharing of spiritual history and worldwide movement teachings
- Community Gathering: Public concerts and spiritual fellowship
- Righteousness Living: Natural lifestyle, spiritual consciousness, unity principles
- African Heritage: Celebration of roots, culture, and spiritual identity
Unity in Diversity
While each tradition offers unique pathways to the divine, all share fundamental principles that unite humanity in our search for meaning, compassion, and transcendence.
Compassion & Love
All traditions emphasize love as the highest virtue - whether expressed as Hindu bhakti, Buddhist metta, Christian agape, or Indigenous care for all relations.
Service & Giving
Selfless service (seva, dana, charity, reciprocity) is central to spiritual growth across all traditions, recognizing our interconnectedness.
Inner Transformation
Whether through meditation, prayer, or ceremony, all paths seek to transform the heart and awaken our highest potential.
Sacred Community
Spiritual growth flourishes in community - sangha, congregation, tribe, or ashram - where we support each other's journey.
Reverence for Life
All traditions teach respect for the sanctity of life and our responsibility as stewards of creation and the Earth.
Seeking Truth
The sincere search for ultimate truth and meaning drives all spiritual inquiry, whether called God, Brahman, Buddha-nature, or Great Spirit.
Interfaith Dialogue & Understanding
Millennium World Peace Summit
The historic 2000 gathering at the United Nations brought together spiritual leaders from around the world to address humanity's greatest challenges. This landmark event demonstrated that religious and spiritual traditions, despite their differences, share a common commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity.
The Summit's legacy continues to inspire interfaith cooperation and reminds us that our diverse spiritual paths can work together to heal our world's divisions and create a more compassionate future for all beings.
World Parliament of Religions
Since 1893, the Parliament has provided a forum for interfaith dialogue, bringing together representatives from the world's religious and spiritual communities. These gatherings celebrate both the diversity of human spiritual expression and the underlying unity that connects all seekers of truth.
The Parliament's ongoing work demonstrates that when we approach other traditions with respect and openness, we discover not threats to our own faith, but complementary wisdom that enriches our understanding of the divine mystery.
One Mountain, Many Paths
Just as rivers from different sources eventually flow into the same ocean, the world's spiritual traditions, though arising from different cultures and times, ultimately lead to the same summit of divine realization. Our pilgrimages honor this truth, celebrating both the unique beauty of each path and the universal destination toward which they all lead.
Experience These Sacred Traditions
Join us on a transformative journey that honors the wisdom of all traditions while deepening your own spiritual practice and understanding.