I'm seeing for myself that the sacred lives in every moment.
I'm Lauren Gabrielle Foster: writer, storyteller, ordained OneSpirit Interfaith Minister, and full-time nomad living out of a 36-liter backpack. Itchy feet, curious eyes, and a seeking spirit direct my path around the globe.
In December 2023, I gave up my secluded cabin in the Appalachian Mountains, my car, and nearly everything else I owned, and started wandering. I accidentally followed winter across the globe for the first two years. Lesson learned: now I follow summer.
I wake up most days before the sun, and I love every magical new beginning.
…in Takaka, on the South Island of New Zealand. I was alone on one of those early mornings, in a grove of ancient trees. As I stopped to touch one of these ancient beings, I felt the true meaning of Wu ji, active stillness, my favorite qigong state. The one that is like that tree, perfectly still and yet vibrantly alive.
That moment is the essence of my daily spiritual practice.
A hitchhiker who turns out to be an Indigenous guide. Water so clear you can see a whole other world within it. The way grief and wonder can live in the same heart with neither pushing out the other.
My publication is called Everyday Magic: The Sacred Ordinary. It lives on Substack and is for women who want real depth and meaning in their lives, but not doctrine or rules.
If that's you, you're in the right place.
My encounter with Lauren changed my life. Happiness radiates around her and overflows to others. She has such a wonderful personality and leaves those that cross her path with a ray of sunshine. She's an excellent leader and a great listener. If you ever need someone to light up your dark area, Lauren Foster is the woman for you. Thank you Lauren, for being part of my journey. I appreciate you!
- Cynthia Okun