MindTravel

Living in Southern California, there is a plethora of adventures to explore.  Okay, it’s fun using the word “plethora” in a sentence.  And saying it out loud.  But it’s true.  If you want entertainment, you will find it here.

I belong to a “Gal Pal” group put together by a good friend who gathered up various women in her life, bringing us together and tasking us with her intention of play!  Explore!  Enroll each other to attend events or just walk on the beach.  The adventures are fun.  The camaraderie is priceless.  In the year or so since we had our inaugural planning meeting, we have met up many times for movies, museums, botanical gardens, brunch, parties, cribbage lessons and other sundry events.

One day, one of our members said that she was going to attend “MindTravel” at the local beach and was anyone interested?  Hmm…Mind Travel…?   What is that?  Meditation?  Mental exercises?  Slide shows of someone else’s vacation?  Tasty mushrooms and an out of body experience?  But I trust Joy and it sounded intriguing and, as many of you know, when I approached 60 my world imploded. Life was not what it used to be, and I began recreating myself to be my best self.  I decided to live into my future and not remain stuck in the past and wanted to exercise my curiosity muscle.  (I probably should work harder on exercising other real muscles but that is another blog post.)

According to the MindTravel website (MindTravel.com): “MindTravel uses music, the language of emotion, to bring the mind and heart together through immersive experiences and embodied learning.  MindTravel seeks to foster inspiration and awakening.” This is in an effort to rediscover human connection through music, nature and mindfulness.

This particular event consisted of a grand piano overlooking the beach, surrounded by sunflowers and large lanterns,. Attendees wore headsets to block out the distraction, so you hear music and nothing else.  Joy and I picked up our headsets and settled into our beach chairs about 15 feet from the piano.  The backdrop was the setting sun and the Pacific Ocean.  Not a bad way to ease into Saturday night.

Okay, this adventure was amazing!   The pianist played lovely music for about an hour.  Everyone experienced it in his or her own way.   I had assumed I would use the music as a way to meditate and check out.   Instead, I spent my time people watching people, dogs and the setting sun.  Others walked down to the beach and dipped toes in the water (the headsets have a 200-yard reach).  The night’s theme was “Joy.”  And my friend’s name is Joy.  Serendipity.

MindTravel is a national organization, and in California, they reach several of the coastal towns throughout California.  In October, MindTravel is stopping in Del Mar, Redondo Beach, Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara.

If you are looking for something unique to fill a few hours of your time, I give MindTravel two thumbs up as a lovely adventure.  Bring a picnic, a comfy beach chair and a sweater or blanket and open up your mind to music and a new experience.   Oh, and the sunset was stunning.