Soccorpo Cathedral (Lamia dei Morti) (Cemeterio) (Church of S. Croce), Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, Gravina, Bari, Alta Murgia, Apulia, Italy

Cathedral, Trani, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy

Crypt, Cathedral, Trani, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy

Crypt, Cathedral, Trani, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy

Crypt, Cathedral, Trani, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy

Basilica of St. Martin, Piazza Plebiscito, Martina Franca, Taranto, Apulia, Italy

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Whirling Dervish dance performance (Mevlevi Sema), a spiritual ceremony performed by whirling dervishes, Istanbul, Turkey, Eurasia

Tourists at Whirling Dervish ayin music performance (Mevlevi Sema) a spiritual ceremony performed by whirling dervishes, Istanbul, Turkey, Eurasia

Buddhist sand Mandala, a spiritual and ritual symbol representing the Universe, Paris, France, Europe

Buddhist sand Mandala, a spiritual and ritual symbol representing the Universe, Paris, France, Europe

Main Altarpiece, Cathedral of the Holy Savior, UNESCO, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria della Madia, Monopoli, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria della Madia, Monopoli, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Church of San Benedetto, Massafra, Taranto, Apulia, Italiy

San Nicolo Cathedral, Noto, UNESCO, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Koneswaram Kovil Hindu temple, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, Asia

Cathedral of the Holy Savior, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

Capela Nossa Senhora da Agonia (Chapel of Our Lady of Agony), Viana do Castelo, Minho-Lima, Portugal

Lecce Cathedral, Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and Sant'Oronzo, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria della Madia, Monopoli, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Mother Church of St. Nicholas, Corigliano d'Otranto, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Mother Church of SS. Peter and Paul, Galatina, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Galatina, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Lecce Cathedral (Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and Sant'Oronzo), Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Lecce Cathedral (Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and Sant'Oronzo), Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist, 1685, Church of Gesu (Buon Consiglio), Museum of Sacred Art, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Main Altarpiece, Cathedral of the Holy Savior, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

Co-cathedral of Ruvo di Puglia, Ruvo di Puglia, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Our Lady of the Incarnation Church, Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal

Museum of Sacred Art, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Cathedral interior, Braga, Minho Province, Portugal

Lecce Cathedral (Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and Sant'Oronzo), Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Metropolitan and Primatial Cathedral Basilica of Santa Tecla (Tarragona Cathedral), Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Chiesa di Santa Chiara interior, Noto, UNESCO, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Drombeg Stone Circle, County Clare, West of Ireland

Crypt, Basilica of St. Nicholas, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Metropolitan and Primatial Cathedral Basilica of Santa Tecla (Tarragona Cathedral), Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Capela Nossa Senhora da Agonia (Chapel of Our Lady of Agony), Viana do Castelo, Minho-Lima, Portugal

Church of San Domenico, Viana do Castelo, Minho-Lima, Portugal

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela), UNESCO, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

Duomo (Cathedral) interior, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Cathedral of San Salvatore, Aix-en-Provence, Bouches du Rhone, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela), UNESCO, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

Crucifix of Jesus Christ at traditional religious fiesta at Villaviciosa in Asturias, Northern Spain

Spiritual retreat in Solesmes Benedictine abbey, Solesmes, Sarthe, France, Europe

Aside from a life of simplicity focus on divine, many sadhus engage in a diverse array of practices both internal external in order to attain higher states of awareness consciousness. This sadhu chosen hatha yoga shows results--a well-disciplined, strong body--while holding kukkuta asana, or cock posture. India

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrim take rickshaw to the main temple in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Sadhus rally initiation at ujjain kumbh mela, indi

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrims walk through the entrance banner at main temple in bodhgaya. They carry kusha grass for offering. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Chatral senge dorje rinpoche seated on a tiger skin, yonglesho, Nepal

A young sadhu reads holy scripture near fire. Worship is part of daily life. Some sadhus chant mantras. gayatri mantra is of several mantras that sacred incantations or mystical formulas of ancient literature. gayatri mantra given by brahma mentioned in rigveda is named after consort of brahma: o that glory- of savitri most high. Oh divine us mediate upon. it inspire understanding. goal of recitation is to attain realization. Practice lead mind into a transcendental union with deity.Pashupatinath, kathmandu, nepa

Buddhist monks prostrating at maha bodhi temple complex in bodhgaya. Prostration is a gesture used in buddhist practice to show reverence to the triple gem (comprising the buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Trulshig rinpoche, blesses. Tulshig rinpoche blesses. Tulshig rimpoche s followers believe that he, like many other lamas, reassumes a human body after death in order to return to disciples. previous incarnation of tulshig rimpoche spent several years at dzarongpu monastery (highest monastery in world located at 16,500’ within sight of northern side of mt everest) served as of ngawong tenzin teachers. He promised to return in next life, so at tulshig s death ngawong tenzin norbu sought found reincarnation. current tulshig rimpoche then came to monastery studied with ngawong tenzin norbu. relationship between teacher student, in which a teacher returns to study from former student, maintains lineage over generations. Bhutan

Monk prostrating in front of maha bodhi temple. Bodhgaya prostration is a gesture used in buddhist practice to show reverence to the triple gem (comprising the buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Forehead designs, called tilakas, show a sadhus religious sectarian affiliations range from a simple daub of color to complex designs involving entire face. Vertical design of this sadhus tilaka shows to be a vaishnava, or follower of vishnu, preserver of universe. He is a benevolent gentle. gentility is reflected in worshippers devotess. application of a tilaka is usually done at start of each after bathing as a to sanctify body prepare it to receive divine. India

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrims offer holy kusha grass (amrisso). Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

74 year sadhu stands on meditates. Nepal

Purchang (cremation palace) of h.h. Dilgo khyenste. Bhutan. H.h. Dilgo khyentse rinpoche (1910-1991), tutor to present dalai lama revered as of greatest exponents of dzogchen- teachings of great perfection. Khyentse rinpoche®s purchang (cremation palace), satsam chorten, below paro takstang, bhutan, november 4, 1992 never forget swiftly this life will be over, like a flash of summer lightning or wave of a hand. that have opportunity to practice dharma, do waste a single moment on anything else, practice with your energy.oe h.h. Dilgo khyenste rinpoche, heart treasure of enlightened ones my delight in death is, greater than delight of traders at making vast fortunes at, or of lords of gods vaunt their victory in battle or of those sages have entered rapture of perfect meditative absorbtion. So just as a traveler sets on road when time come to go, i will remain in this world no longer, will dwell in stronghold of great bliss of deathlessness. -longchenpa, fourteenth- century dzogchen master

Community and home based care service is one of the critical care and support services provided to people living with HIV in Nepal. CHBC Teams provide basic health services, social, emotional and spiritual support, reinforcing the concept of ?positive living? and reducing stigma and discrimination in the community. Doti, Nepal

In month of november before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They call down spiritual deities to bless medicine. Amchis making torma, a ritual food offering. India

In month of november before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They call down spiritual deities to bless medicine. Amchis making torma, a ritual food offering. India

In month of november before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They call down spiritual deities to bless medicine. Amchis performing puja at potenization ceremony. Amchis performing rituals during potenization ceremony. India

Tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Sadhu, indi

Sadhu puting chandan tilaka, india

The Tham Ting spiritual caverns from the Pak Ou caves site, on the Mekong River, with many Buddha sculptures, north of Luang Prabang, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

The Tham Ting spiritual caverns at the Pak Ou caves site, on the Mekong River, with many Buddha sculptures, north of Luang Prabang, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

The Tham Ting spiritual caverns at the Pak Ou caves site, on the Mekong River, with many Buddha sculptures, north of Luang Prabang, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Iceberg calved from Dawes or Sawyer Glaciers grounded on the terminal morraine in southeast Alaska, USA.

Icebergs and bergy bits that have calved off the Sawyer tidewater Glacier in Tracy Arm, Southeast Alaska, USA.

Icebergs and bergy bits that have calved off the Sawyer tidewater Glacier in Tracy Arm, Southeast Alaska, USA.

Icebergs and bergy bits that have calved off the Sawyer tidewater Glacier in Tracy Arm, Southeast Alaska, USA.

Caucasian man with beard wearing robe in forest

Caucasian man with beard wearing robe in forest during winter

Gargoyle statue overlooking cityscape

Caucasian man with beard wearing robe in forest during winter

Caucasian man with beard wearing robe in winter

Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona, in Catalonia. It is the site of a Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary. Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range near Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. The main peaks are Sant Jeroni (1,236 m), Montgrós (1,120 m) and Miranda de les Agulles (903 m). It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary. Montserrat literally means "saw (serrated, like the common handsaw) mountain" in Catalan. It describes its peculiar aspect with multitude of rock formations which are visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. Montserrat was designated as a National Park in 1987. On this mountain we will have access to the Monastery of Montserrat which houses the virgin that gives its name to the monastery, although it is also known as La Moreneta

Replica of the grotto at the Lady of the Lourdes shrine in the Convent of the Concepcionistas. Viveiro, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, Europe

Cemetery, Barbate, Cadiz, Spain

Torii gates at Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary,Kyoto, Japan

Monk blessing a woman, in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Woman, women, biking, Bridge and South Gate of Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Daibutsu (bronze Great Buddha). Kotoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan

Aspara sculptures in bas-relief on the wall, in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Detail, Bayon temple, Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Silver Pavilion and Zen garden symbolizing Mount Fuji and the sea, in Ginkaku ji temple, Kyoto, Kansai, Japan

The Daibutsu (bronze Great Buddha). Kotoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan

The Daibutsu (bronze Great Buddha). Kotoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan

Invocations to the fortune at Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary,Kyoto, Japan

Souvenir shop, inside Rangaji Temple ( Ranganath Temple ), Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Pilgrims making a ritual offering, and praying, ghats in Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Praying, in Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi, India

woman praying, in Wat Phra Singh temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Group of women praying, in ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mural paintings, in Wat Chiang Man Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Asia

Minaret and domes of Jama Masjid mosque, Delhi, India

pilgrim bathing in the sacred pool Amrit Sarovar, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Buddha head in banyan tree roots at Wat Mahathat temple, in Ayutthaya, Thailand