From Haredi Life to Global Wanderer: Miro's Journey of Self-Discovery
Miro, a 27-year-old Israeli, has embarked on an extensive journey around the world, seeking experiences far removed from his upbringing in a Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) home in Migdal HaEmek. After leaving the religious community at age 21 and later abandoning a new life in Tel Aviv, Miro began his travels, which have included studying Hinduism in India, participating in shamanic rituals in Siberia, and staying in a Buddhist temple. He notes a striking resemblance between the children in these communities and his own past in a yeshiva (religious school).
During his time in Varanasi, India, Miro witnessed cremation ceremonies on the banks of the Ganges River. As someone from a priestly background who had never visited a cemetery, this direct encounter with death was profoundly impactful. He described the experience as incomparable to anything else in his life, a sentiment that would have astonished his former yeshiva peers.
Miro's first trip abroad, to Germany at age 21, was a significant turning point. Lacking English proficiency, he found the experience exhilarating and began to discover his own resilience and capacity for exploration. It was in Spain, after this trip, that he formally left religious observance. The nickname 'Miro' also originates from this period.
His decision to undertake his current extensive journey was influenced by the events of October 7th, prompting him to stop postponing his travels. He left behind a newly established life in Israel with no concrete plan, driven by a desire not to give up on himself. He has been traveling for nearly two years, prioritizing human connections over landscapes.
In India, he experienced profound hospitality when a stranger invited him to his home, where 17 children lived in a single room. They celebrated his arrival, sharing their food and culture. Miro also found parallels between the strict, rule-bound environment of the religious boarding school he observed in Varanasi and his own yeshiva upbringing, noting the children's adherence to schedules and the harsh discipline he witnessed.
Miro's travels have also taken him through Mongolia and Siberia. In Siberia, he faced significant challenges, including running out of money and encountering difficulties with local authorities. He spent three weeks navigating the region with the help of strangers, relying on their kindness and developing basic Russian language skills. He also connected with indigenous communities who shared their spiritual beliefs about nature and their rituals for honoring the dying.
An incident involving his drone in Siberia, which was attacked and taken by an owl, led to a spiritual lesson from locals who suggested he was too focused on documenting his experiences rather than living them. This prompted him to reduce his filming and become more present in his travels.
