- Time of past OR future Camino
- Yearly and Various 2014-2019
Via Monastica 2022
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I had a wonderful experience on the Camino in March this year, after I happened to be staying at the albergue in Rabe with a devoutly Catholic family from Alaska. We'd had a lively heartfelt discussion that night, and the next day walked to Hontanas together in a driving sleet storm. There was such a powerful sense of connection and commonality among us all--one that included our many differences in views and opinions about things of the world rather than denying them. As far as the world went, we couldn't have been more different--but it really didn't matter. We were pilgrims in the freezing wind and we took care of each other with genuine care, kindness, and respect.
So it is here on the forum. Given the wide variety of avatars, I'm willing to bet that there's huge diversity here, of ages, genders, political views, ideas of what 'fun' is...whatever. And yet, by and large, we're a remarkably kind and respectful and helpful bunch. Even when we disagree, there's a foundation of care and mutual dependence. We're all in the same pilgrim boat.
Yes, we have a wonderful group of very good and patient and vigilant mods, and rules about where not to go...but...it works, I think, in large part because the spirit of the Camino holds us here just as it does out there.
Today, the question in my mind given everything is how can we as peregrinos and peregrinas bring this attitude to where we live, and use it as a tool to bridge the widening gaps in our communities and countries?
All over the world there's a crescendo of nastiness coming from all sides--anger, name calling, demonizing each other. The more it happens, the more we do it--it's a horrible feedback loop. But can we pilgrims somehow harness the togetherness that comes from long walking to help put the brakes on this? What are we going do about it?
I have no idea. But if we can do this in Spain and here on the forum, we should be able to bring it home. We can all connect, and model the kindness that comes from that. Once people meet 'the other,' and see 'them' at a heart level, separation and any '-ism' that results becomes impossible.
Our world needs us to try something different...and much is at stake.
the issues that divide people can become less important than the objectives that are shared.
I agree entirely, Doug.Afterwards, when those shared objectives are more remote, their unifying power wanes.
Beautifully expressed @Albertagirl - I hope that this is true for me too. I know that each Camino has helped me to clarify my own belief and ethical system, without rejection/judgement of the beliefs of others. I hope that I'm a more peaceful and tolerant person in my daily life, but this is definitely a work in progress! On a very practical level, the Camino has reminded me of the healing and energising power of nature. I'm definitely more attuned to my own needs and those of others when I spend time outdoors on a regular basis.@Viranani
Who I am is being formed by the Camino..
That's the challenge, isn't it? Why is it so hard to hold onto the unifying spirit when we return to the 'real world'? I think we can only hold onto that spirit if we actively choose to live it, especially in divided societies and in a rising tide of intolerance. For me, that means speaking up and challenging unfairness and inequality. It means trying in a small way to show that there are different ways of seeing the world. I've done voluntary work in this area for over 20 years and the Camino has been a big factor in helping me to continue this work, despite feeling a little burnt-out in recent times. Yet another gift from the Camino!I think if we come to the camino and experience its precious magic of unification, but then go home and turn a blind eye to division, separation, road rage, racism, gratuitous name calling, you name it...whatever...we have lost a precious opportunity.
That's the sort of thing I was wondering, Nuala. We have to make the choice. So how can we actively take the gifts of the Camino home, and what does that look like? Because if we as human beings can't find a way to do this more and more, we're toast.That's the challenge, isn't it? Why is it so hard to hold onto the unifying spirit when we return to the 'real world'? I think we can only hold onto that spirit if we actively choose to live it, especially in divided societies and in a rising tide of intolerance. For me, that means speaking up and challenging unfairness and inequality. It means trying in a small way to show that there are different ways of seeing the world. I've done voluntary work in this area over 20 years and the Camino has been a big factor in helping me to continue this work
I suppose it means doing, as well as thinking. 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.'That's the sort of thing I was wondering, Nuala. We have to make the choice. So how can we actively take the gifts of the Camino home, and what does that look like? Because if we as human beings can't find a way to do this more and more, we're toast.
Me too--and 'out of the box' ideas about how to spread harmony rather than divisiveness.I suppose it means doing, as well as thinking. 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.'
I'd love to hear other views and experiences of this.
I had a wonderful experience on the Camino in March this year, after I happened to be staying at the albergue in Rabe with a devoutly Catholic family from Alaska. We'd had a lively heartfelt discussion that night, and the next day walked to Hontanas together in a driving sleet storm. There was such a powerful sense of connection and commonality among us all--one that included our many differences in views and opinions about things of the world rather than denying them. As far as the world went, we couldn't have been more different--but it really didn't matter. We were pilgrims in the freezing wind and we took care of each other with genuine care, kindness, and respect.
So it is here on the forum. Given the wide variety of avatars, I'm willing to bet that there's huge diversity here, of ages, genders, political views, ideas of what 'fun' is...whatever. And yet, by and large, we're a remarkably kind and respectful and helpful bunch. Even when we disagree, there's a foundation of care and mutual dependence. We're all in the same pilgrim boat.
Yes, we have a wonderful group of very good and patient and vigilant mods, and rules about where not to go...but...it works, I think, in large part because the spirit of the Camino holds us here just as it does out there.
Today, the question in my mind given everything is how can we as peregrinos and peregrinas bring this attitude to where we live, and use it as a tool to bridge the widening gaps in our communities and countries?
All over the world there's a crescendo of nastiness coming from all sides--anger, name calling, demonizing each other. The more it happens, the more we do it--it's a horrible feedback loop. But can we pilgrims somehow harness the togetherness that comes from long walking to help put the brakes on this? What are we going do about it?
I have no idea. But if we can do this in Spain and here on the forum, we should be able to bring it home. We can all connect, and model the kindness that comes from that. Once people meet 'the other,' and see 'them' at a heart level, separation and any '-ism' that results becomes impossible.
Our world needs us to try something different...and much is at stake.
Sorry, I should have been clearer--we're talking about what happens at HOME.No matter what @Viranani says do NOT bring your dog - for the benefit of - your dog! Buen Camino, SY
Reading your post takes me back to the 1970s and my well spent youth - sigh.... we thought that we could change the world and gave it our very best tryAll over the world there's a crescendo of nastiness coming from all sides--anger, name calling, demonizing each other. The more it happens, the more we do it--it's a horrible feedback loop. But can we pilgrims somehow harness the togetherness that comes from long walking to help put the brakes on this? What are we going do about it?
I have no idea. But if we can do this in Spain and here on the forum, we should be able to bring it home. We can all connect, and model the kindness that comes from that. Once people meet 'the other,' and see 'them' at a heart level, separation and any '-ism' that results becomes impossible.
Our world needs us to try something different...and much is at stake.
Valid point @dougfitz yet the unification is always there bubbling away under the surface and rising up again in times of tragedy and disaster. We tend to come together best in difficult times such as bushfires or our recent floods. Once again, your point about the objectives that we share does explain this - an outcome that depends on others and is impossible to accomplish on our own. Just as on the Camino everyday problems fall away and we look to what is important and look to each other knowing that, even as we give, we too will one day need help.@Viranani, my personal observation is that, on the camino, the issues that divide people can become less important than the objectives that are shared. This results in the latter being able to unify pilgrims, at least for the duration of their pilgrimage. Afterwards, when those shared objectives are more remote, their unifying power wanes. It can be brought home, but my feeling is only in places like this forum, friends associations and the like. And there are plenty of opportunities of that nature where we can continue to contribute.
Exactly why I posed the question, because we desperately need to build bridges of human connection in this world--without anyone needing to change anyone else's mind.If we are to build a better society and in turn a better world, we need to include everyone in that vision.
I know this pain and anger well. My parents were both refugees from Eastern Europe who fought for their homeland with the British forces. The trauma and dispossession of the war never left them and affected their lives even after emigrating to Australia from England. My father was a very angry man and remained so until his death at 89. Tragic really but the huge injustice that life had dealt him was a blow that he never recovered from. It drove him from his church, his countrymen and any chance of happiness. It was a force that had a tragic life of its own.But the bigger kinds of pain that drive people (on all sides) to act out anger in the public arena? For some reason that's much harder to open to--and we need to learn how, or the world will become ever more balkanized.
Exactly why I posed the question, because we desperately need to build bridges of human connection in this world--without anyone needing to change anyone else's mind
(You have a very good point, Meri, about the only thing any of us has the ability to directly change our own heart's response to the world...and...when we do that there is a natural reaching out to each other out of kindness and compassion. In in doing that we can affect change.)
This actually made me giggle out loud. Can you imagine the current crop all together in an albergue? (Really, really not wanting this thread to end up getting locked down, so we should leave it at that--but it is a delicious thought.)I absolutely agree with TaijiPilgrim above - not just with every president, but every politician - should have to walk the Camino for an entire month before taking office.
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