I recently returned from a nine day trip through Israel and Jordan, following in the footsteps of Jesus. Our group of 27 was led by Deepak Chopra, who provided insightful commentary on the spiritual, cultural, and historical significance of the places and events of the region. We began in the north of the country, and wound our way down until we spent our last day in Eilat, after touring the spectacular ruins of Petra, in Jordan. An afternoon floating in the Dead Sea, lunch at a Golan Heights winery, and the spectacular views from the mountaintop fortress of Masada were memorable.

My personal highlight was a dinner we enjoyed in the Judean desert. Our bus departed the hotel and wound through pitch black desert darkness until we arrived at a trailhead lit with a series of lamps. As we snaked our way down into an ancient Wadi, our hosts suddenly threw on a dazzling series of lights that painted the spectacular canyon walls in a splash of rich colors. We were in a narrow canyon, at the base of a first century Roman fortress. We gathered around a sprawling Acacia tree with cushions and mats, and Deepak led us through a group meditation while a soft, warm, and fragrant desert breeze eased past. This was followed by a spectacular dinner while a three-piece band echoed ancient Bedouin melodies mixed with modern riffs. After dinner, we danced beneath the same rising moon that witnessed the rise of all three monotheistic religions in this very place….