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The name Sapira is an Aramaic word meaning ripe, healthy, or well and is related to the words for clarity and “the first glimmer of light.” Through a Sapira pilgrimage we hope to give our clients the opportunity to experience those first glimmers of light pointing the way to clarity and ripeness for change and renewal.

Vision:

Be the preeminent spiritual and educational resource for contemporary pilgrimages.

Mission:

Provide a journey with purpose to explore the sacred in the world and oneself.

Guiding Principles:

The universal tradition of pilgrimage or sacred journey is a movement through landscapes which stirs the inner journey of the traveler.

Through pilgrimage an individual or group has the opportunity to explore connections among people, place and oneself.

A journey that explores the universal truths in the world and oneself may awaken a deeper wisdom and passionate wonder about the mystery of life.

The traveler may develop a greater clarity for everyday choices and be an agent of positive change by acting upon new visions gleaned on the journey.

Core Beliefs:

We affirm that there is but one God, known by many names.

We recognize that each person's image of God evolves over time and that every individual's idea, belief, or notion of God is personal, distinctive, and special. We honor and respect each person's idea about God, name for God, and system of beliefs about God without judging them. We honor God as mystery.

We affirm that every human being has an innate spiritual life.

The life of the spirit and the life of the body are fundamental to every human being. They are inextricably bound together. Paying attention to the life of the spirit brings one in touch with the deepest aspirations of love-the core of the spiritual life.

We affirm that there are many pathways to encounter the sacred in everyday life.

We hold that there is no single means or perfect way or exclusive meeting place to encounter the mystery of the sacred, the holy, or the divine. There are countless pathways to follow and numerous ways to tend to the ineffable longings and leanings of one's heart.

We honor the metaphor of journey as the preeminent image for the changes one can experience in one's exterior and inner landscape.

For centuries, humankind has found the image of journey to be a fitting expression to represent and signify important passages and transitions through life that are both formative and transformative. In a journey involving travel to a hallowed place, we often speak of the individual as a pilgrim, the journey as a pilgrimage, and interior changes as the fruits of a journey with purpose.

We uphold in a special way the contemplative traditions of the East and the West.

In providing a journey with purpose, we espouse the practices of the eastern and western contemplative traditions as a time-honored way to discover the sacred in the world and oneself.

We honor and uphold the equality of men and women.

Apart from certain customs in some societies, cultures and traditions, we hold that all human beings are created equal. We honor the human dignity of each person, and value cultural diversity as gifts to be respected.

Operating Values:

Preeminent Pilgrimage Experience: Sapira and its guides provide unparalleled opportunities for meaningful and spacious experiences for all aspects of the journey. By fully integrating historical, cultural and spiritual stories of the people and the land our clients receive the most authentic, safe and creative adventures possible. Unique to Sapira is integrating practical contemplative tools with time honored wisdom common to all faith traditions as a support to continue the experience long after the journey has ended.

Impeccable Client Service: Sapira provides extraordinary experiences for our clients supported by excellent service and caring support with impeccable attention to details. Small group sizes, less than 14, allows for flexibility and generous hospitality from our hosts in each country.

Dedicated Respect: Sapira respects the culture, traditions, and spiritual wisdom of the people and places we encounter and with whom we commune. Our focus is to contribute to the people and culture of the lands we visit, preserve the integrity of the environment and honor the faith traditions of all.

Exceptional Community: Sapira guides and pilgrims travel in caring community by being respectful and supportive of each other, honoring each person’s faith tradition and respecting the land and people we encounter. Each member is responsible to each other for traveling with integrity and authenticity to provide a memorable and enriching journey.

Solid Foundations: Sapira prides itself on impeccable corporate foundations built on integrity and sound relationships. Staff members, guides and resource contacts all work closely together and spend many hours behind the scenes to provide you with a seamless travel experience.

Visionary Leadership: Sapira designs and pioneers journeys with purpose that will take you to new dimensions of both an outer landscape and the inner landscape of the heart and soul. The mind will be stimulated through historical facts and stories, the heart will be warmed through meeting new people and cultures, the soul will be expanded through the many connections of the journey to your own stories and the spirit may just take flight and soar on new paths after the journey ends.