Less money now, and possibly even less money in the future, is making people think again about their vacation plans. How to rejuvenate without spending money? That’s the challenge.  

Here’s an idea: Take a holiday at home -- nothing special there. But make this also a vacation from both speed and noise.  

Take a vacation from rushing around, and from all those devices that allow you to be anywhere but where you are -- in pictures, sound, or by carrying your body at great speed through time and space. “Jet lag” is the interruption of circadian rhythms, exacerbated by having one’s energy field spread like butter across miles of air, water, or road.  

During this vacation, spend all your time -- physically, psychically, and telecommunication-wise -- right where you are. Talk only to those people who are physically with you. Pay attention only to events that happen right where you are. (Don’t worry. It will all be waiting for you the moment you decide to tune in again.) 

As for noise, we have become a culture of sound addicts. Machines, traffic, trains, planes, and inside every building, on sidewalks and in parking garages, musak blares. Even at home, we turn on the TV, radio, or CD player without even thinking -- or listening.  

The body is no barrier to sound waves. All that noise goes right through us, and, over time, can actually change the structure of the cells. When your teenager says he can’t concentrate on his homework without loud music blaring in his ears, he may be telling you the truth. He is literally addicted to that sound. As with the teenager, so with us.  

Make your next vacation a “Rehab” from too much speed and noise. 

Here are some suggested guidelines, a fairly strict regime, but it will give you something to shoot for. Take as much as seems beneficial. You may be surprised how much you enjoy it. 

1. Operate at the speed of foot-power. Don’t move faster than your body can propel itself. In addition to the obvious walking or running, this includes foot-powered devices like skates, bikes, or scooters.  

2. Get in synch with your children and your pets. Set no appointments, schedule, or deadlines. Give your children and animals as much of your complete attention as they will accept from you. This will naturally slow you down and bring you to a focus right where you are. 

3.   Play games.  Not electronic games or anything that makes noise on its own. Play board games, conversation games, Pictionary, Charades, things that people of all ages can enjoy together.  

4.  Read. Not just thrillers or popular romances, but great, interesting, classic literature, for children or adults. Read out loud to each other. Try Shakespeare. Or, if your vacation is long enough, start, and finish something really ambitious like Lord of the Rings, or a popular version of The Mahabharata. Get a book of poetry or humorous stories, like Ring Lardner, Mark Twain, or P.G. Wodehouse. 

5.  Cook your own food. Don’t go out, or order in. Food prepared by others brings with it their vibrations, which you ingest. This is a time to get in tune with yourself and with those you love. Involve friends and family, including children, in food preparation. Then sit down together and enjoy what you’ve created. Cook from scratch as much as possible. Don’t even use the microwave. It adds neither nutrition, nor flavor, all it does is make noise and save time. You don’t want noise and you have plenty of time.  

6.  Sleep outside. If your neighborhood is safe, quiet, free from biting insects and inclement weather, move your bed outside, or set up the equivalent with a comfortable mattress, sheets, pillows, and blankets. Don’t try to sleep on the hard ground. And don’t use a tent, fall asleep looking at the moon and stars, wake up in the early light in the fresh dawn air. It will do amazing things for your health and your perspective. 

7.  Stay alert. Don’t do anything that desensitizes you or depresses your consciousness. This is a time to become more inwardly aware, not inebriated or high, but crystal clear on your own energy. 

8.  Be here now. Avoid everything that takes you away from the present place and time. No passive entertainment. TV moves too fast, makes noise, and takes you away from where you are. Radio is the same. Skip the internet, too. Not forever, but as an exercise in being focused right here, right no. No telephones, no e-mail. All of that moves you through time and space, involving you in things and people away from the present moment. Be practical, but as strict as you can be, as an experiment to see how different you feel without that constant distraction and stimulation. 

9. Make music. You don’t have to be good, just entertain yourself. If you don’t play or sing and you want to listen, make listening your single focus. Don’t have music as background. If it is playing, listen. When you stop listening, turn it off. 

10.  Be creative.  Knit, sew, paint, garden, carve, write poetry, anything that engages your creative artistic self. 

11.  Be in nature. Even if it is only your backyard. Or walk to a nearby park. If there is a great nature spot not too far away, consider a short drive in the car. But  only a short drive. And don’t play the radio. 

12. Relax upward. Instead of having down time, try having up time. Meditate, do yoga, pray, practice mindfulness, try walking meditations.  Read scripture, or inspiring literature, get a picture book of great art. Listen to self-development classes, or sermons from a church that interests you. Whatever you choose give it your full attention. Don’t let it be just voices in the background. 

13.  Talk to the people around you. Invite friends over to spend time in conversation, or in doing together all those things listed above. Be with one another without having your attention drawn off to times, places, and events brought in via electronic media.  

14. Be patient. This could be a shock to your system! But if you stick with it, you’ll find yourself resting and renewing on a level you didn’t know was possible. It could turn out to be the cheapest, and the best vacation you’ve ever had. 

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About the Author: 

Asha Praver is a lecturer, teacher, counselor, Spiritual Co-Director of the Ananda Palo Alto Community, and author of Swami Kriyananda as We Have Known Him.  Asha has been trained in yoga, meditation, and spiritual living by Swami Kriyananda, who was a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda.  Since 1969 Asha has been a disciple, a meditator, and an intentional community member. Visit Asha Praver’s website at www.ashapraver.org. To learn more about Asha's book, please visit www.aswehaveknownhim.org.