Virginia Beach isn’t exactly a hidden gem. Around 3 million people visit this coastal Virginia city, and with good reason: there’s a lot to do, from exploring the local restaurant scene to strolling the famous boardwalk as you scope out a prime spot on the sand. Yet while Virginia Beach is well-known for its sun-kissed tourism, it’s also an underrated gathering spot for spirituality and enlightenment.
Home Base for Enlightenment
Virginia Beach is the headquarters for Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment. The headquarters itself is named after the psychic and medical clairvoyant that’s considered by some to be the father of holistic medicine. The center attracts over 100,000 people from around the globe annually, from health care professionals, philosophers, and scholars to vacationers looking to achieve an extra dose of spiritual healing during their trip.
The headquarters’ primary draw is the A.R.E. library, which is home to over 14,000 Cayce readings as well as numerous books covering holistic health, psychology, and comparative religions. It’s also home to the A.R.E. Health Center & Spa, which has been offering spiritual-based holistic healing and therapeutic body treatments since 1967. The center also hosts numerous lectures and special events aimed toward providing a deeper exploration of spirituality throughout the year.
Trickle Down Spirituality
Because Virginia Beach is home to one of the country’s most important and influential bases for spirituality, it’s no surprise to find the city is ripe with options for spiritual meet-ups. Indeed, there is a wide range of meetups and support groups around the city. Each of these groups take deep dives into different aspects of spirituality, which can ultimately provide people with a chance to channel their energies into one aspect of their spiritual lifestyle.
Spirituality Classes
You don’t necessarily need a lecture or event to connect to spirituality in Virginia Beach. The city is home to several classes that offer yoga and meditation services that can aim to connect your mind and body. In some cases, these classes can be incorporated into retreats that take place outside of Virginia Beach, which can potentially enhance the spiritual vibe though natural surroundings.
Regardless of what level of spirituality you wish to connect to, Virginia Beach offers you plenty of options to do so. Ultimately, these options can be used to nurture your level of spirituality that aligns with your own spiritual goals. This is about as enlightened as it gets.
by Jennifer Dawson