I was 16 the first time I traveled to Greece. Although I didn’t know it then, I was beginning a conversation with a place I would return to decades later—one that would teach me about listening to the heart of Life.
I traveled a lot in my childhood, mostly in Europe. We’d just come through Rome and were headed to Egypt. I remember reading Bulfinch’s Greek Mythology in school and could not wait to get there.
We only spent a couple of days in Athens, enjoying the old town and the Acropolis, but Greece did not disappoint! One evening, we watched a sound and light show projected on the Acropolis, telling stories of ancient Greek history and the Greek gods.
I was enchanted, mesmerized, and knew that one day I would have to return for a longer visit.
Returning to a Place That Stayed With Me
I got the chance to return this year, exploring, creating, and preparing for a new Greece tour for Spirit Tours. We examined hotels, traveled into the countryside, and ate great food while determining which sites we’d see and what spiritual deepening opportunities we could create for our travelers.
It was everything I had hoped for from my memories of Athens. What I didn’t expect was how much Greece would speak to my soul and lift my spirit.
I expected archaeology and tourist attractions. What I got were ancient ruins embedded in nature, like my favorite ruined cathedrals in England and Scotland. Open-roofed, with pillar-created windows, these structures frame Spirit rather than try to capture It inside. Looking through the pillars of Poseidon’s Temple on a hill above the Aegean Sea was like being in an art gallery of sun and sea and wildflowers, all framed in marble.
Vibrant life. Something we can experience but never contain. Nature has always been my sanctuary.
As we drove north into the Greek countryside, I was surprised to discover natural hot springs and mountain monasteries. Hills, villages, and a carved sandstone landscape took my breath away.
Beyond the ancient stories, another story is being told every day by ordinary people as they live, love, and celebrate life. Color, taste, texture, and beauty harmonize into a culture that isn’t caught in the past but rather transforms it for today.
Listening to the Heart of Life
Because I love Greek mythology and have studied some of the ancient mysteries, I was especially looking forward to visiting three major ancient oracle sites.
The ruins were there, and the Greek myths remained fascinating. But what truly moved me was learning that, before the Greeks, these sacred places were Oracles of Gaia.
They were not only oriented upward toward the gods or inward toward the self. They also listened deeply to the Mother, attuned to the heart of Life itself.
That understanding changed my experience of these places. Each time we sat in silence, meditating and listening, I found myself moved beyond words. My soul expanded, and my spirit was lifted.
Perhaps these ancient places were reminding me of something I already knew: how to listen.
Slowing Down to the Rhythm of an Island
We decided to end our exploration in the Greek islands. I mean, how could we leave them out?
Being more of the off-the-beaten-path kind of people, we opted for two less well-known islands closer to Athens, where the locals go.
Stepping off the ferry on Serifos felt like stepping back in time. A simple village. Lovely beachfront restaurants. Low-key and intimate.
The first day, we drove around the island through mostly open countryside, surrounded by outrageous wildflowers and views.
At lunchtime, we came upon a tiny village on a tiny cove with a tiny beach. Lovely small tables invited us to sit and enjoy seafood and wine. The shade from the trees, the lapping of the waves, and the gentle hum of conversation kept us there all afternoon, sinking into the peace.
The next day, we decided to find a beach considered one of the top 20 along the entire Mediterranean coastline. After getting directions and finding the top of the stairs, we made our way down the hillside to a quiet beach of soft white sand, with only a modest number of people enjoying the sun and waves.
Heaven. Another day spent doing nothing but swimming and sitting on the beach, listening to the breeze in the trees.
What Greece Sent Home With Me
Greece did not disappoint! The shopping was lovely, the food was amazing, the people were friendly, and the sites were powerful.
But what I brought home was something else. I came home with a desire to listen more deeply to the heart of Life—not somewhere out there, not in the past or future, but right here.
In quiet moments in nature. Beyond the noise of modern life, our clamoring devices, and the constant hum of machinery. Ancient Greece reminded me that there is ancient wisdom all around us—in ancient trees, birdsong, wildflowers, the rhythms of the seasons, and the never-ending, endlessly new cycles of life.
I can’t wait to go back!
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Petra Weldes is the Co-Owner of Spirit Tours. Dr Petra recently retired as the Spiritual Leader of CSLDallas a role she held since 1998. She is a gifted speaker, teacher, and interfaith leader who brings heart, humor, and insight to everything she does. Over more than three decades, her work has inspired thousands to live with greater joy and spiritual awareness.
An award-winning minister and author, Dr. Petra has led workshops and retreats around the world, helping people connect with their purpose and inner wisdom. She has also created courses on practical spirituality and co-authored three journals on living with joy. Through her teaching and storytelling, she creates welcoming spaces where people can explore, grow, and truly feel at home on their spiritual journey.
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