To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
William Blake
Tina‘s challenge this week is Spiritual Sites. ”While many associate spirituality with religion, the Oxford dictionary defines it as “relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things”, a much wider interpretation.”
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.
― Herman Hesse
I will post some of the most spiritual places I have visited. Starting with New Zealand and Tane Mahuta, the biggest Kauri tree left in the world. His name means ”Lord of the Forest”, and he is indeed impressive. The forest around him whispers his name.
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without
― Siddhārtha Gautama
Lhasa, Tibet, and the Pothala Palace. Walking in silence up to the palace on those massive, worn stones, in the thin air, was overwhelming. The palace lies on a cliff, 3700 m above sea level, so you have to walk slowly. And that is the true way to register all impressions with all of your senses.
Pilgrimage is a powerful metaphor for any journey with the purpose of finding something that matters deeply to the traveler.
– Phil Cousineau
Bhutan talks to you as soon as you arrive – the Himalayas and the Dzongs, the monks, the prayer flags and the people. A pilgrimage to the Tiger’s Nest monastery is a must.
It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.
– Eckhart Tolle
To see the sunset over the Amazon from a Kapok tree – was one of the most spiritual things that has ever happened in my life. The Amazon, the lungs of the world, and the sounds of the jungle and its inhabitants…is an unforgettable experience. We don’t know for how long we will have the Amazon with us, but I am sure that when we do everything we can to make it survive – then the Earth and our world will survive too.
In my country, the forests are, for many of us, the most spiritual places, and the churches of course. But for our Sámi people, there are also mountains, cliffs, caves and open land. Our most renowned landmark up north is Cuonjávaggi/Lapporten (the gate to Lapland). Here the Paddus nature trail leads to an old sacred Sámi area and the cliff Baddusdievva in Abisko national park. But you don’t really need to know that – you will feel the prescence of the old spirits in your body and soul when you walk.
Finally, I will echo Tina’s words:
”…remember to pay attention to your spiritual side. It will remind you of the positivity in the world when its chaos seems overwhelming.”
Welcome to join us this week and share your thoughts on spirituality and the places where it can be found. Be sure to link to Tina’s post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag for reader. Sincere thanks to Brian of Bushboy’s World for last week’s wonderful Fragments, and to you for all your creative and beautiful responses. Patti will lead next week on her lovely Pilotfish blog so be sure to check her out next Saturday. Until then, stay safe, be kind and enjoy the journey.
Leya 
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Your photos of these amazing spiritual places are stunning, AC. I truly enjoyed them. I hope one day that I can visit them, too. You’ve been all over the world!!
I am grateful to have been there. Thank you, Patti! And you are on a travel spree, so maybe!
Beautiful. I have great memories of the walk up to the Tiger’s nest too.
Yes, I remember you went up there too!
Great great photos, all. Love the Buddha peeking over the hill. What great places to have visited.
Thanks, John. Memories to cherish!
The spiritual life takes many forms, as you demonstrate here. But a place in nature often seems central – as you also demonstrate! Wonderful images.
Thank you, Margaret. Yes, many forms and different thoughts. A beautiful challenge.
Unique examples for the theme.
Love the mountain cliffs and the Sunset.
Thank you so much, it was a challenge that spoke to me.
You are welcome, AC
Wow, Leya! It is hard to pick one location over another. Tibet is so mysterious. Your photos clearly transported me there. Thanks for your wonderful post.
I am glad you liked them, Egidio, thank you. I always wanted to go there after reading about Shangri-La as a child!
Ann-Christine, your photos are spectacular for this week. 😀 😀
💛💛❤️
Wonderful, Ann-Christine. A trip to another world somehow. The cloister glued to the mountain side, viewed on eye-level, surrounded by nature is absolutely gorgeous 👍👍👍 I love it.
Thank you – happy to share!
You’re welcome 😊
👌🏻👌🏻📷👍🏻. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Thanks!🙏🏼
Thank you – 💛
Beautiful sights from your journeys Ann-Christine, but my favorite is your last. It is such a beautiful and calming scene.
Thank you, Anne, and yes I love Lappland 💚
You have been to some amazing places Ann-Christine. The Pothala Palace is incredible. I could never climb up there (well maybe 40 years ago). It must have been a very moving experience. Overall a very emotive post.
Thank you, Jude. Yes, I get more and more emotional over those experiences. Truly glad you liked this post.
Beautiful choices Ann-Christine ❤ To watch the sun setting from that kapok tree must indeed have been a very special experience. I love your photos of the Tiger’s Nest monastery too! I learned a bit about the Sami people and their culture from a very interesting lecture on the Hurtigruten ship.
Thank you, Sarah, I am glad you liked them. And yes, special experiences…you must have had many!
Those are powerful photos, Ann-Christine! The words of William Blake are wonderfully evocative for this challenge.
Thank you, John. They are also the sign of my blog.
> Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.
>
> ― Herman Hesse
Oooh. I love that quote, and I agree entirely. I love that photo of the large tree in the rainforest.
❤️Thank you.
Absolutely wonderful post, A C….you have certainly had some marvellous experiences. One of the mot uplifting must have been the visit to the Tiger’s Nest monastery.
Thank you, Sue – unforgettable.
Indubitably
Amazingly beautiful post. Travelling the world through your eyes with these fabulous photos. Brilliant
Thank you, Brian! Always a lovely companion!
Tibet, love the photos. Trees , nature so can relate. Great response to the topic
Thank you, Ritva. We both love nature💚💛❤️
Overwhelming beauty in all your images this week, Ann-Christine. It’s as if the sad times you’ve been going through have poured into them and lit them from your soul. I can imagine the depth of beauty and spirituality you would have found in all of these. My favourites are Tibet and Bhutan, walking slowly beside you.
❤️Loved you walking beside me.
Meaningful words and priceless images . . . personal walks remembered and hoped for dreams coming . . . . thoughts travelling north and wishes to be able to share . . .
❤️
Amazing images!
Thank you, Dawn!
Beautiful quotes and photos
Must have been simply amazing to take in such beauty
Thank you, Alison, it was. Unforgettable.
Some astoundingly beautiful examples this week Ann-Christine. You have seen some truly amazing things. I think I would feel as you do about the Amazon – I hope one day to experience it.
Thank you, Tina. A journey well worth everything. 💚
I can feel spiritual connection as you lead us through this journey AC. The forest whispers, the elevation reminds you to slow down and take in your surroundings. The pilgrimage must have been a life changing experience. I love the photo of the person on the trail, the flags and the distant statue. Wow, how I would love that journey.
I love that you finish your post with your own country and…”you will feel the prescence of the old spirits in your body and soul when you walk.”
Thank you for your beautiful answer, Donna. And I know you would have loved walking there. Life changing.
Such amazing photos Ann-Christine! really good responses to this challenge.
Thank you so much, Anne!
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Your definition (or the dictionary’s) not only makes more sense than just religious places, but opens up the possibilities as well. That walk in Tibet must have been quite something…and then you have to walk back down!! That last photo speaks to my heart.
Thank you, Janet. Yes, tough walking for 5 hours, but worth it!