How to Be Spiritual in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, "The City Different," is New Mexico’s state capital and a popular destination for those with a spiritual bent. This southwestern gem is a haven for artists, healers and progressive outside-the-box thinkers. A wealth of spiritual resources and places for exploration permeate this wonderful city.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Where does the spiritual crowd congregate for meals? Aztec Café, a small funky, artsy eatery; Body, a full-menu organic café located inside a yoga studio; and Annapurna, which offers vegetarian/vegan fare.
2. Places to expand your spiritual mind: Loretto Chapel (see the "Miraculous Staircase"), Upaya Zen Center, The Ark Bookstore, Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat Center, Tushita Buddhist Center, The Light Institute, Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Body of Santa Fe (lectures, workshops, music) and the Center for Spiritual Living.
3. Santa Fe’s landscape is enough to inspire spirituality, so explore the many hiking trails and pueblos. Take Hyde Park Road up the Santa Fe Ski Basin area for great hiking. Go to Bandelier National Monument, 45 minutes from Santa Fe. Soak in a blissful outdoor hot tub at Ten Thousand Waves while overlooking the mountains. Many pueblos are located along I-25 as you head south toward Albuquerque, or you can take a 2-hour drive north to the Taos Pueblo.
4. Consider taking a class in yoga, tai chi, qigong or Nia dance. You can find classes at the White Cloud Institute, Body of Santa Fe and YogaSource.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a copy of the local alternative newspaper, “The Santa Fe Reporter.” This free paper comes out every Wednesday and is loaded with spiritual events happening throughout the city.
• If you go to The Ark Bookstore, make sure to check their bulletin board in the back of the store for current spiritual events and workshops.