What is spiritual tourism and why is it dangerous? The number one focus of a Christian is Jesus Christ and our endless efforts to be like Him in word, thought, and deed. This is the life of continual repentance. The number one focus of the evil one is to distract you from doing that, to keep you focused on this world. This is the life of darkness, deception, delusion, and addiction. The life of this world offers no life, no light, no healing. Spiritual Tourism is disguised as a very holy sounding way to be distracted and invite the pride of a person to remain untouched, no, to be enhanced. Bear with me here. By spiritual tourism I mean the desire to go and see, the thought that if I go to the “Orthodox Countries”, this will make me holy, this experience will advance me in holiness. If I visit lots of other churches, go to lots of monasteries, I will be growing in Christ, almost automatically. If I wear these clothes, this head covering, have a nice prayer rope made on Mt. Athos and talk about fasting, I am really climbing the ladder. I can take lots of pictures, post them on social media and show everyone how cool I am and how obviously holy I am, because, Look where I am!! Or, look at me at the latest greatest conference, with the hottest new celebrity speaker. I read this great new book! I am holy by association. If only that worked! Now please don’t overreact. I am not saying you should never visit another church, that you should never go to a sane and holy monastery, (not all are). And I would never say, Don’t go to Greece!! Nor should you spurn speakers or conferences. Visiting holy places is amazing and can be very spiritually profitable, it is a holy tradition that is very ancient and bless-able. See The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrimage of Egeria. This is about the heart, as are all things in Christ. Recent converts, I am talking mostly to you. What is needed is stability. Sameness. Boredom. The same parish, the same priest, the same people, week after week, with a very occasional break to clear the noetic chamber. And BTW, this would include spiritual tourism of the internet. You have been trained by our culture to acquire knowledge as if it were in and of itself holy, as if you can think your way to holiness. You have been trained to be a consumer, always scrolling for the latest and greatest (and easiest) way to better myself. But it is way more boring and painful than that. You have been taught to see boredom as a disease, flee to distraction, shorten your attention span! Watch this ad. Try this supplement. You have been taught if it isn’t fun, I ain’t doin’ it. This is why the island in Pinocchio was called Pleasure Island. And what did that island of pleasure do? It made boys into asses. Like the dog in the movie always being distracted by “Squirrel!” I am easily distracted by flashy stuff, by the quick fix, by “lose 30 lbs. in only 10 days!” It is hard to unlearn this. It is a great struggle. It is so attractive. It is delusion. The desert fathers called it acedia, despondency, the demon of noonday. This is human frailty. This is fallen mankind. This is what we are to be repenting from. You are so normal, for a human. The local parish should be under “Home” on Google Maps. This is where, along with your family, that God has called you to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12-13) You have two families. A biological one you didn’t choose and a spiritual one you choose to stick with. Yes, you will go on vacation. You should go on an actual pilgrimage. Someday. (pilgrimages aren’t vacation, or sightseeing, or fun). When you travel you should attend the local Orthodox parish. This should not be done willy nilly, but with a blessing, and sobriety. Not as a lifestyle. The principal of stability is don’t be quick to seek answers somewhere else, as if you will find it easier to get saved if I only lived …..; or if only he were my spiritual father, if only I was a monk. The friction, the sameness of the local parish is not something to avoid or be afraid of, it is life. You don’t realize that this is also life in a monastery. You cannot escape yourself. The Church is The Ark of salvation, your access point to this ark is the local parish. Plant yourself in your parish. Put down roots. Love the ones you are with. The ark contained stinky animals, poop, boredom. It is a stinky ship, but it will get you there. (Fr. Alexander Schmemman) Most of the time the grass is greener somewhere else, but weeds are also green. We trust in Christ. Iron sharpens iron. Slow down. Seek quiet. Practice silence. Embrace difficulty. Learn to look into another person’s eyes and see God. And allow that person to truly “See” you. Offer your goals to the Lord, pray that He show you any wicked ways hidden in them. Don’t assume you have it all figured. If you have been Orthodox for less than five years, don’t trust your opinions, thoughts, or motives. Even after 5 years you should never fully trust them without spiritual counsel, sane advice, offering up your plans, desires, dreams to the Lord and spiritual father. By which I mean your parish priest. Fr. Stephen Lourie For more insight: https://www.pravmir.com/the-forgotten-virtue-of-stability/