Letters From Wanderlust

An abrupt, core shaking, spiritual experience led me to quit my job and fly around the world on one-way tickets. Wrote a book on the wisdom garnered and life adventures.  

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Top 5 Spiritual Books of All Time

I’ve been receiving loads of questions lately in regards to my favorite spiritual books, so I complied a short list of my all time treasures just for you! Let’s not waist anytime and jump right in. 

#5 The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Songyal Rinpoche

This book was a catalyst during my awakening. The wisdom shared here is unmatched. No other book will prepare you for an enlightened life and death such as this one. It’s a masterpiece. 

#4  This one is a tie! As they should both be read to fully absorb the magic and wisdom of author Dan Millman: 

Way of the Peaceful Warrior 

Dan Millman transforms himself from a hardcore jock to a Peaceful Warrior. All with the help of a sagacious gas station attendant name Socrates, he meets by chance. Dan’s journey is beautful, humorous, haunting, and enlightening.

Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior

In this book you can experience the growth of the author both in his writing and wisdom. I strongly recommend you read it immediately after Way of the Peaceful Warrior. 

Dan ventures to the Hawaiian rain forests in a thrilling search of a shaman, himself and uncovers heirlooms of experiences and wisdom. 

 #3

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

An international best seller a million times over. One cannot simply walk the spiritual path without reading this treasure for the soul. Abounding in travel, adventure, inspiration and wisdom this is by far one my favorite books. It’s also an easy read and can be read in one sitting. 

#2

The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle

Indeed, a timeless classic for anyone on the spiritual path.  I’ve read this book multiple times and always takeaway an extra special life lesson from it. 

#1

Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain

I’ve carried few possessions with consistency throughout my life. If you've read my book Letters From Wanderlust you're aware of the fact that I sold most of my belongings in 2012 to travel the world on one-way tickets. The one item I have never let go of since the late 1990′s is my copy of this book. This is a tried and true, timeworn gem. If the book The Secret had a wise woman as its older sister this would be it. It abounds with affirmations and exercises to heal all aspects of your life. 

Did you enjoy this list? Be sure to check out my latest book Letters From Wanderlust, A Once in a Lifetime Spiritual Adventure, on One-Way Tickets here:

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Wanderlust-Hector-Jesus-Arencibia/dp/1483449092/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494606717&sr=8-1&keywords=letters+from+wanderlust

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"Create a good day." I scanned these life changing yet simple words whilst reading Dan Millman's book: Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior. And they led me to a raging firestorm of thoughts. For my whole life I've been told to "Have a nice day". It's like a spell -- a bad one -- a hex, really. What exactly do I mean? Telling someone to "have" versus "create" a good day is disempowering. It strips us of our responsibilities as conscious creators. Its basically saying that the goodness of our day can only be experienced via an outside source. Um, what? Wait a minute. You mean to say that I have to wait for a series of events that are socially accepted as "good" for my day to be a good one? No way, Jose! From now on I will opt to create a good day and take responsibility for my life. Whether the sky is falling or I'm basking in the golden rays of the sun on a beach in Tahiti it's all the same: I created it all. #CREATE A GOOD DAY! Love this post? Be sure to check out my book Letters From Wanderlust for tons of travel adventures, life lessons and spiritual wisdom. #lettersfromwanderlust #lightworker #loveyourself #love (at Chichén-Itzá, Yucatan, Mexico)

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I think about how much I've traveled and realize that the more of the world I see, the less I know about it. It's a paradoxical statement, I know but it's also an incredibly humbling thought process and oh-so true. See, I can get so caught up in what I think I know of the Earth and forget how much I don't know; that is until I travel. Visiting any new place is a surefire way to unwrap worlds within worlds. Even the tiniest most remote village has a history; a human story I know nothing of -- rivers I've never bathed in. Now imagine a massive and ancient megapolis like Cairo where thousands-upon-thousands of years have witnessed the lives of millions of souls -- how much we'll never know -- rivers that have run dry. ------------------------------------------- I snapped this pic of the statue of Ramses II in Memphis, Egypt -- Ramses II; a guy I never heard of in a city I never knew existed. See what I mean? #egypt #memphis #lettersfromwanderlust #consciousness #spiritualbeing #spiritualjourney (at Memphis, Mesir)

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Seriously; don't take yourself too seriously. I mean, this whole unraveling of self to find ourselves is challenging enough as it is. We need not introduce a kill-joy attitude for the sake of "enlightenment". Either way enlightenment is not a destination, it's a perpetual lifelong process. Might as well have tons of giggles along the way. This is me holding a teapot whilst pretending to be said teapot in Petra, Jordan. I was also singing that teapot song some of us learned in Elementary school. #petra #jordan #lettersfromwanderlust #consciousness #worldtravel #spiritualawakening #spiritualbeing (at Petra, Kingdom of Jordan)

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Keep it simple: Over accumulation of unnesscesary material things is bound to complicate ones life, thus leading us to confusion, indecision and ultimately unhappiness. Too much clutter will negatively affect the psyche. Go through your closets, drawers and desks and take stock. You'll quickly realize that your home is overflowing with things you've accumulated over your adult life and never use. Do really need the same shirt in five hues of pink? Sell or donate most of it. Whilst in this purging stage, use affirmations to emphasize on the fact that what you're doing is releasing these items to bring in the life you really want. My fav affirmation for letting go is from Shakti Gawain: "The more I outflow, the more space I create for good things to come to me". #buddha #zen #om #lettersfromwanderlust #books #spirituality (at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

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We're always manifesting. Whether we're consciously aware of our creations or not, we're creating our own reality. Our thoughts are conduits for materialization. Use them wisely. Never let your thoughts or dreams get warped from by the opinions of small minds. Stay on your path of ambition at all times, no matter what others may say or think, for it was these same type of small thinkers that believed the earth was flat, that we could never fly a plane, or much less venture into outer space. Partial exert from my book Letters From Wanderlust. Link to purchase in bio. #spirituality #clouds #spiritualawakening #lettersfromwanderlust #spiritjourney #spiritualawakening #sunrise (at Las Tumbas, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba)

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If you ever find that the sun isn't shining in your life; that your heart's a little sad, know that enchanting towns like Tulum, Mexico exist. Here; cheery colors abound, Palm trees never cease to sway, music perpetually plays, and the sun always shines: Tulum Pueblo Magico. #wanderlust #tulum #mexico #lettersfromwanderlust #inspired #inspirational #spiritualawakening #palmtrees #sun #beach (at Tulum Pueblo Mágico)

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No words on this one peeps. Just pure Caribe Mexicano vibes. #beach #palmtrees #mexico #lettersfromwanderlust #instalove #sky #instalove #instamood (at Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian'Kaan)

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At times it's the most unassuming of places that hoodoo me; sucker punch me with delight. Whilst wandering the Chinese mecca of gambling, Macao, drowned in award winning world class architecture, twas this tiny alley that prompted me to have my photo taken and sparked the most joy in my heart. And such is life: Albeit we have our skyscraper moments where the world applauds our success: landing that new job, getting that diploma, walking down the aisle or what have you, we realize that the alleys (the tiny steps taken) were the most enjoyable. It's always about the journey; never the destination. ------------------------------------------------If you enjoy this post be sure to check out my new book Letters From Wanderlust as it's bountiful with stories of travel, wisdom and spirituality from the world over. Link to purchase is in bio. #spirituality #lettersfromwanderlust #travel #macao #china #spiritjunkie #spiritualbooks #instabooks (at Macao, China)

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A few months back I visited the ever-so potent vortexes of Sedona, Arizona. One of my favorite moments there was spending quality time hiking with a fellow artist/author Krista Raisa a.k.a @galacticfaery . Her partner the hyper-cool, uber smooth @arcturus91 also joined us (actually he led the way) for a mini expedition to some semi unknown ruins framed by jaw dropping pine forests and glistening red rocks. This pic was snapped whilst resting during that hike. #lettersfromwanderlust #sedona #arizona #spiritualbooks #spirituality #spiritjunkie #spiritjourney #spiritualgangster #love (at Sedona, Arizona)

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For as much as I want to be a constant provider, and help the world, I must also let the world assist me, and in order to receive its help I must remain meek. -- excerpted from my new book Letters From Wanderlust and something I truly live by now. I'm not afraid or too proud to ask for help when it is needed. So please if you have a few extra minutes and have read my book drop me a review on the site you purchased it from. #spiritual #lettersfromwanderlust #goodvibesonly #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #spirituality #goodreads #spiritjunkie (at Miami, Florida)

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Last night I was watching Earth's Natural Wonders, a @pbs documentary on @netflix . If you're enamored with global culture and the natural world as much as I am, I strongly recommend it. The swoon worthy visuals and compelling story lines, on local, time worn traditions from the world over will undoubtedly accelerate your state of wanderlust -- full throttle. However there's more to this post than recommending mind-expanding TV. What I'm about to share is a heart wrenching truth about the meteoric state of modernization and the loss of authentic human culture. Whilst watching this documentary (also when traveling) I couldn't help but notice the infiltration of the West amongst some of the most remote populations in the world: Mongolian Nomads wearing Las Vegas baseball hats, Masai Warriors using cell phones; Amazonian tribesmen clad in basketball gear. I thought to myself "gees in a few decades we may loose most of our ultra-rich human heritage if this continues". I also whole heartedly understand necessity and the wanting to assimilate to live more comfortably. I just wish there was a happy medium. In any case I will continue to travel and document as much of the world for as long as I can. Check out these two cool dudes I snapped a pic of at a Cao Dai Temple in Vietnam. Cao Daist practice: "prayer, veneration of ancestors, nonviolence and vegetarianism with the goal of union with God and freedom from saṃsāra. Estimates of the number of Caodaists in Vietnam vary; government figures estimate 4.4 million" -- @wikipedia Lastly do not miss the eye on their hats as it's deeply symbolic for the religion. The eye serves to remind Cao Đài believers that the God witnesses everything, everywhere, constantly. #spiritualbeing #culture #spiritualjourney #lettersfromwanderlust #goodvibesonly #caodai #vietnam #cultural #love (at Xã Cao Đại, Huyện Vĩnh Tường, Tỉnh Vĩnh Phúc)

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If there's ever any doubt: That we're not part of something magnificent; something omnipotent; something creative beyond anything we could ever fathom; please focus your attention to the natural world. More info on this vortex of peace and healing found on page 49, paragraph 2 of Letters From Wanderlust. Link in bio. #instagood #esvedrá #ibiza #spain #vortex #spirituality #spiritjunkies #spiritualbooks #spiritualbeing #spiritualgangster (at Es Vedrà)

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This whole being an inspirational author thing is still quite new to me. I kid you not, when I say that I shed a few tears of joy almost everyday when you guys DM to share with me how my book has positively impacted your life. I'm still in complete awe; each and every time. So you can imagine how many tears of joy I've just shed when @fire_goddess1 sent me this pic. To me this is an absolute honor. I mean, she's holding four copies of my book to gift her friends with. I really can't thank you guys enough for you ever support. The only thing I can do is intend with all my heart and soul that your support is returned a million fold by the Universe -- forever indebted. #spiritual #instabooks #lettersfromwanderlust #inspiration #spiritjourney #spiritualquotes #spiritjunkies #spiritualbooks #instagood #spiritualgangster

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June 10, 2012 The White Isle, queen of the Balearics, I had yearned for this encounter for as long as I could remember. The countless stories I've heard of the healing presence one feels the very second the double glass doors of the tiny airport pry open, fall short. -- excerpted from my latest book Letters From Wanderlust. Learn about the healing properties of this power site on page 49 of the book. Purchase link in bio. #vortex #spiritualawakening #spiritualjourney #spirituality #lettersfromwanderlust #spirituality #love #ibiza (at Es Vedrà)

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Vulnerability: An invaluable life lesson I learned in wanderlust was allowing myself the gift of being vulnerable (full story is found on pages 18-20 of my book --I abruptly run out of money in Sydney, Australia). I've unearthed the immeasurable power in disarming myself of ego and allowing love to flow in a space of humility -- tender humanity. I could sit here and ensure that every-single-one of my posts are always perfectly spellchecked, that every picture has the ideal angle and filter. As a visual story teller and a writer that could be the right thing to do but I'm not just those things -- I've a message. And that message is deeper than grammar and aesthetics. I want people to understand the strength behind a perceived weakness; the transformative power of vulnerability. And the only way I can convey that message is if I embody it. So here's to posts and videos that I at times may overlook the spelling of word or two, mispronounce stuff, not get the perfect angle and do other silly things that make me, me! 1000%; vulnerable me! #spiritualawakening #spiritualgangster #spiritual #spiritjunkie #lettersfromwanderlust #spiritualbooks #spiritualwarrior (at Cañón del Sumidero)

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I never imagined myself sojourning down the spiritual path but that is the beauty of the Universe; it has the power to uplift and heal us all, no matter how unorthodox our choices in life are. It's been 1,898 days since my abrupt, core shaking spiritual awakening. During these five years I've sensed every emotion a budding soul can feel on earth: from the seemingly endless dark-dingy-night-of-the-soul to the purest-of-pure states of blissing out. I've traveled the world over numerous a time in search of something greater than myself and have picked up incalculable amounts of life lessons. One of the most important pieces of wisdom I've garnered during this Goliath like spiritual expedition is the following: We cannot be fearful and faithful at the same time. For fear is the sheer embodiment of faithlessness. Destiny's benevolence strongly favors those hearts with pure conviction. So if you're seeking your life purpose or pursing a dream note that absolute belief is required at all times; even during the most fervent of nights. Dream, believe, become. Photo by @gui.rain #spiritualgangster #spiritjunkie #lettersfromwanderlust #spiritual #spirituality #spiritualbooks (at Pérez Art Museum Miami)