Travel Paves the Way to Freedom

 BOOK REVIEW

Journeys to Nirvana: Travel Opens the Path to Liberation

Vivek Bammi 

Aleph Books

New Delhi

‘Journeys to Nirvana: Travel Opens the Path to Liberation’ presents a captivating exploration of the world, featuring countries as diverse and far-flung as Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, India, China, Japan, Laos, Spain, the United States, Italy, Taiwan, France, Denmark, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Cambodia.

In elegantly crafted prose accompanied by stunning photographs, traveler and educator Vivek Bammi discusses the impact of travel on the human spirit. The book takes us through the six stages of existence that travel enables: awe and humility, wonder and catharsis, endurance and efflorescence, solitude and resilience, fluidity and transience, and ultimately, emptiness and release. Each stage is influenced by the emotional and psychological impacts that travel has on a person, serving not merely as an escape but as a means of discovery and enlightenment. 

Bammi’s photography encapsulates a wide range of subjects, from the tranquil majesty of Norway’s fjords and the elaborate architecture of Uzbekistan’s mosques to the vibrant streets of Italy and the varied communities of Indonesia. His atmospheric depictions of Japan’s autumn leaves, raindrops on foliage, nazunias, and violets evoke profound contemplation. The path to nirvana reaches its zenith at the ghats of Varanasi in India, where one finds a serene sense of fulfillment. It serves as both a visual feast and a poetic roadmap for personal transformation. 

Vivek Bammi is a global educator who has imparted knowledge in the fields of Humanities and Critical Thinking across schools in the United States, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and China. 

In the book, Bammi delves into the transformative nature of travel as a spiritual and reflective endeavor. Instead of merely serving as a travelogue, the book functions as a meditation on travel as a pathway to personal development, spiritual enlightenment, and ultimately, liberation. It encourages readers to contemplate how travel can initiate spiritual transformation. 

Bammi portrays travel as more than mere physical movement—it is a sacred practice. By exploring new territories, facing challenges, and welcoming solitude, the traveler is led towards self-reflection, a release from material cravings, and a profound connection to the mysteries of life. 

In Buddhism, nirvana is regarded as the ultimate objective—freedom from suffering and the cycles of rebirth. The spiritual path entails the development of: Ethics (sila); Meditation (samadhi); Wisdom (prajña). The Noble Eightfold Path directs practitioners towards liberation and encompasses principles such as right view, right intention, right speech, and right mindfulness.

Travel frequently evokes a sense of awe and introduces individuals to the sublime, fostering humility. It promotes introspection and self-discovery, reflecting Buddhist practices of mindfulness and self-reflection. Additionally, it enables encounters with both suffering and beauty, cultivating compassion and detachment.

As illustrated by Bammi's experiences, travel transcends mere exploration—it evolves into a transformative journey that aids in releasing attachments, cultivating wisdom, and advancing towards spiritual liberation. 

"Journeys to Nirvana: Travel Opens the Path to Liberation" highlights how intentional travel can act as a conduit for personal development and freedom. Through narratives and reflections derived from transformative experiences, Vivek Bammi inspires readers to perceive travel not solely as an external adventure but as a profound opportunity for spiritual growth and the quest for nirvana.