Steve Beimel is a tall, slim, enthusiastic kind of man, with a great love for his fellow man, and a desire to bring peace and beauty to others.

“While studying at the University of Santa Monica, I chose as my second year project the recreation of my work life to center around projects which sing in my heart. I found that one of the most interesting things I could do was to take people to meaningful, exquisite places — places which could also become meaningful to them,” Steve exclaimed.

Beimel lived for six years in Japan as an English teacher and had come to love the simple, understated art, architecture, crafts and other creations of that country. So he conceived of the idea of leading groups of people on walking tours of mostly Japan, but also China. These tours would explore the high art of gardens, the spirituality of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, the peace of rural areas, and would include the workshops of artists and fine craftsmen.

His first effort in 1992 resulted in only four people taking one of his trips. Last year, more than 600 people participated in these walking tours now offered through Esprit Travel, of which Steve Beimel is the president. Esprit Travel offers tours for the general public as well as tours for the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA) and related organizations. In the Peace Theological Seminary tours, which are actually retreats, he handles the logistics and touring lectures, while the facilitator handles the actual class teaching.

Steve finds his work “all-time consuming,” working both at the Esprit Travel office at 2101 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica and at his home in Woodland Hills. Steve has been an MSIA minister for 27 years, and he demonstrates his ministry through these walking tours.

“We focus on visits to sacred places, creating the space which allows people the freedom to enjoy them in their own way regardless of their religious background or beliefs,” he said. “Other than historical background, I don’t really need to say anything, since the places speak for themselves. Just visiting these beautiful places is enough to inspire some people to meditate or find ways to simplify their lives.”

He also edits, publishes, and writes, along with other authors, the Kyoto Diary, a quarterly, non-profit magazine. Selling for $15 a year, the publication focuses on “arts which enhance people’s lives.”

“For example, in Japan, you can buy a beautiful, cedar lunch box. So, rather than taking your lunch to work each day in a plastic box or paper bag, you can experience the joy of eating out of an exquisitely-crafted container and enhancing your enjoyment of the day,” he said.

The aesthetics of the arts and crafts, of course, vary from country to country. Steve says: “Chinese arts and crafts follow a decorative esthetic, with lots of ornamentation, while Japanese esthetics are much more understated and simple with a hint of refined rusticity. One aesthetic is not better than the other, but just reflects a difference in personal taste and culture.”

The Kyoto Diary celebrates traditional and modern arts, of which there are more than 100 in Japan, including painting and weaving, crafts, the way of tea, Kendo (Japanese fencing,) and the growing of bonsai (miniature) trees. Stories and photographs featured in a recent edition include: The form and design of an aspect of textile art, garden design, carving, calligraphy, origami, hand-crafting and playing the shakuhachi flute (the shakuhachi flute was first created and played hundreds of years ago by Zen priests and Samurai, who meditated as they played).

While living in Japan, Steve met and married his wife, Ritsuko. Their son Ronnie, 16, sometimes accompanies his father on the walking tours. Steve’s ministry is not only his job, but his passion, hobby and recreation. It truly brings joy to his heart.

For more information about Esprit Travel and the walking tours, visit Esprit’s web site at http://www.esprittravel.com