The power of mindfulness

By Carolyn Ray, Publisher, JourneyWoman

Women’s Travel Wisdom is a five-day travel and wellness retreat designed to empower women through travel, presented by women’s travel leaders JourneyWoman™ and Girls’ Guide to Paris and Beyond. Drawing on the wisdom of best-selling authors, life coaches, activists, award-winning photographers, entrepreneurs and travel experts, speakers will share their wisdom and life experiences to help travelers see the world through a different lens.

Keynote Speaker: Caren Osten

Caren Osten is a certified positive psychology coach, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, public speaker and New York Times contributor. She works with individuals and groups, who seek to cultivate greater positivity, clarity and calm as they navigate life’s daily stresses, challenges and shifts. 

Caren has led workshops at Kripalu, the JCC Manhattan, MNDFL meditation studios, and speaks publicly, sharing the benefits, practices and science of optimism, self-compassion, mindfulness and resilience. Also a contributor to Psychology Today, Mindful magazine and others, Caren writes about travel, health and well-being.

What will women learn from you?

“During the retreat, it is my hope to share with women that no matter where they are in the world, they can access and gain the great benefits that come with mindfulness,” Osten says.

“The cultivation of mindfulness and the power of awareness nurture positive experiences and emotions, such as gratitude, awe, connection and self-compassion. With my training as a positive psychology practitioner/coach and mindfulness meditation teacher, I will discuss the background and research of these practices and offer practical tools for women to take on the road.”

“I think positive change through travel can be obtained with kindness and compassion. Opening our minds, hearts and our awareness to others, and showing kindness and compassion can, I believe, have a ripple effect that could change the world. One act of kindness can change the trajectory of someone’s day, and in turn impact another, and another, and another…”

How have you learned from the wisdom of others?

“It may sound cliché, but the person who has influenced me most is hands-down my mother,” Osten says.

“Born in Paris, my mother had a traumatic childhood, and due to her resilience, she always strived to be her best self while maintaining an inner strength and deep authenticity. She gave me a love of travel, a sense of curiosity about all people and places, and an understanding that there was nothing I couldn’t do if I tried and worked hard. She role modeled a capacity to balance life/parenting and work. She taught me how to savor artistic and natural beauty, and connection. She had a joie de vivre that eventually made me understand the power of living in the moment and letting go of all the rest. And mostly, she taught me how to be a mother who loves unconditionally.”

Women’s Travel Wisdom keynote speakers include Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Doni Belau, Diana Eden, Brenda Holder, Caren Osten, Debbie Phillips, Carolyn Ray and Loung Ung.

Workshop leaders, including Robyn Griggs-Lawrence, Nora Livingstone, Shawna Robins and Krista Stanley, will provide practical tools to help women travel with intention, incorporating mindfulness, wabi-sabi, animal conservation and Indigenous wisdom.

Attendance is limited to 80 women. Learn more at www.womenstravelwisdom.com.