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I do wonder how different pilgrims have embraced (or not) a more contemplative mind.
Hi Suzanne,I'm reading Joyce Rupp: Walk in a Relaxed Manner in which she talks about gradually (& not always easily) letting go of being 'busy'. Letting go of distractions (music, books, newspapers, Internet...). Letting go of the need to fill her mind with so much 'stuff'.
Whilst I DONT wish to start another debate about using technology on one's Camino, I do wonder how different pilgrims have embraced (or not) a more contemplative mind.
I also recall Vagabondette finding her Camino tedious & stopping, and I wonder if I'll manage to slow my brain down (one of the reasons I want to do this first Camino the moment I retire).
Suzanne
Can you share your prayer Kevin? I used to continuously recite " In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" in English, French and Latin. Time flew by...I do have a 12 word prayer which I repeat to the timing of my feet.
What I find happens it that what I long for and what I need converge.
I want the rain to stop, the pain to ease, the rise to finish , the bird song to continue, my companions to remain
Then the worries I brought with me have been replaced by the simple things which the Camino provides
Can you share your prayer Kevin?..
Just realised I left out a few words !! Now edited -Thanks Kevin!!
Ditto Kevin's use of the Jesus Prayer. Good read:"The way of the Pilgrim" describing a Russian pilgrim seeking God and his constant prayer, "Lord Jesus, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Greek Orthodox monks use prayer ropes as they say this prayer. Good meditative practice with inhaling during first part of the prayer and exhaling at the "have mercy on me, a sinner."Hi Sueque12, I use the Orthodox "Jesus Prayer" - Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner- once you get into a rhythm it seems to fit and I'm sure it acts much like your own in freeing up the mind as one pounds out the miles
I'm reading Joyce Rupp: Walk in a Relaxed Manner in which she talks about gradually (& not always easily) letting go of being 'busy'. Letting go of distractions (music, books, newspapers, Internet...). Letting go of the need to fill her mind with so much 'stuff'.
Whilst I DONT wish to start another debate about using technology on one's Camino, I do wonder how different pilgrims have embraced (or not) a more contemplative mind.
I also recall Vagabondette finding her Camino tedious & stopping, and I wonder if I'll manage to slow my brain down (one of the reasons I want to do this first Camino the moment I retire).
Suzanne
Beautifully spoken words of wisdom William!!I feel that living in the present...
And being able to find and maintain the inner calm and as you say-find and remember the way to it,
Is a key to open a door toward grace
It takes courage, to let go of the aggravations of life
It takes integrity, to be honest enough with yourself to self realize and work to conquer the ego..enough to not let it get in the way to inner peace
Walking in inner peace...
Why yes.
It is more of a goal for me,a destination of sorts.and imw still walking toward it...
Joyfully
Blessed be the Pilgrims
You are truly inspiring William!! God bless you as you walk through the pain into His Light!Mikevasey
Your plugged in.
Its when the pain is building and your gait is beginning to faulter that seems to clarify things.
Be blessed with your injurys,i hope they dont slow you down!
I tend to lurch about when i walk
One leg seems to grow shorter?
And as i tire,the pain from my back seems to draw my head down to where i can see tbe trail...reaaaly well...lol
The more pain ime in,the closer i get to understanding some great mystery
I detest pain as i live in it 24 hrs.
But pain is the great equalizer
And it clears the concious noise clear
So i begin to hear
Closer and closer to the cloisters bells i hear in the misty distance
Calling out for aeons to countless,doubtless unbiden pilgrims
I will never find peace from the pain
So i choose to engage the inner peace,separate and sovereign,above and beyond the mortal bonds
It is an ongoing lesson...
As Marcus Aurelius told once ...
Pain is only a sensation
You are separate and above from the mind and spirit...or to that effect
Sueque ,thank you
I adore the Joyce Rupp book -- thank you for bringing up this topic. We focus on shoes, back packs and blisters -- and yet, the Camino can be so much more.I'm reading Joyce Rupp: Walk in a Relaxed Manner in which she talks about gradually (& not always easily) letting go of being 'busy'. Letting go of distractions (music, books, newspapers, Internet...). Letting go of the need to fill her mind with so much 'stuff'.
Whilst I DONT wish to start another debate about using technology on one's Camino, I do wonder how different pilgrims have embraced (or not) a more contemplative mind.
I also recall Vagabondette finding her Camino tedious & stopping, and I wonder if I'll manage to slow my brain down (one of the reasons I want to do this first Camino the moment I retire).
Suzanne
We all have our own way of approaching the Camino and " letting go". Myself I only take the guide book and my phone as distractions.
The book I use briefly to plan the day or to tell me about points of interest.
The phone I keep my Australian SIM card in so I am not tempted to use it except in the evening if I have wifi.
This allows me to clear my head and communicate with fellow pilgrims or just be alone with my thought.
It's a welcome change to my life at home.
Mikevasey
Your plugged in.
Its when the pain is building and your gait is beginning to faulter that seems to clarify things.
Be blessed with your injurys,i hope they dont slow you down!
I tend to lurch about when i walk
One leg seems to grow shorter?
And as i tire,the pain from my back seems to draw my head down to where i can see tbe trail...reaaaly well...lol
The more pain ime in,the closer i get to understanding some great mystery
I detest pain as i live in it 24 hrs.
But pain is the great equalizer
And it clears the concious noise clear
So i begin to hear
Closer and closer to the cloisters bells i hear in the misty distance
Calling out for aeons to countless,doubtless unbiden pilgrims
I will never find peace from the pain
So i choose to engage the inner peace,separate and sovereign,above and beyond the mortal bonds
It is an ongoing lesson...
As Marcus Aurelius told once ...
Pain is only a sensation
You are separate and above from the mind and spirit...or to that effect
Sueque ,thank you
.What gives me comfort, is that somewhere out there i can simply...be.
Patience is the key - that's a good thought to retain, @mikevasey. In fact, 100 thanks to everyone for their different comments/ perspectives.....Just occurred to me .... that the basic essence of contemplation or meditation is patience, to stand still inside of yourself and not be distracted or pulled into things that are not important or necessary.
time-honored and pilgrims-proven method is the rosary, or similar prayer beads. It occupies your mind with quiet but powerful repetitions, so your spirit can soar into the space.
That is one of the most amazing posts I have read. Thank you.On every camino there are stretches which seem to be in another world. Past are the hoards of camera-clicking tourists and/or pilgrims as well as any urbane atmosphere with a bar at every corner. All is reduced to simple basics; I am alone on a seemingly endless gravel path beneath the vast dome of an immense sky. The only sound is the companionable crunch of my boots and perhaps distant birdsong.
Happily for me while tramping along and alone I often sense that special moment when everything 'clicks' realizing that this is, indeed, MY way and that all is and will be good. ...Perhaps such secular transcendence felt while walking might be akin to what runners call 'the zone'. Your body can handle the task while your spirit glows with the effort. Neither easy, nor impossible; all simply is. ...Thus, thankfully you continue.
MM
I have often thought that being on a schedule would be taxing mentally...did I walk far enough for a break?...Do I have time to stop and see the sights? So I have decided to just go with how it goes. When I walk I will be putting aside up to two months to do it. I know I will probably be finished before this...but then again maybe not. I don't want to walk to the point of not seeing anything that is around me. We don't know where life will take us but if it takes me to the Camino then it is my obligation (in my thinking) to make sure I see it, feel it, know it, live it. I don't plan on using the guide books for anything other than references and I am taking a phone only because of my family. I also have elderly parents and would not want to be out of contact for such an extended period of time especially if something were to happen. I am not a big phone person anyway but I am sure being away from my computer will be difficult at first. But I am looking at it as a "fast". I will do what I can to not use the phone or internet as much as possible but I won't beat myself up if I do need to use it for some reason. I think the idea is to just walk. As some have said here, just let it be what it is. I have hiked before...camped before. For periods of up to two weeks and I notice by the end of it I do not miss the noise whatsoever. I think probably (not having walked the Camino) that the first two weeks will be almost like withdrawal as I do plan as much as possible to walk alone. It is in the silence that God speaks to me loudest. I am looking forward to my conversations with Him.Having a tight time schedule does indeed occupy the mind, because it colors almost every choice you make during the day: Can I stop here to enjoy the view? Can I pause five minutes longer to enjoy this mid-morning snack? So avoiding (or learning to ignore) those time pressures will help.
As for other methods for quieting the mind, I have had good success with three methods: keeping a journal (serves as a draft for teh blog, but also contains more personal writing; reading (I carry a Kindle, as I generally walk alone); and a terrific phone app that teaches meditation skills (https://www.headspace.com/).
And that is truly a "thin place." (If you don't know the meaning, Google it.)On every camino there are stretches which seem to be in another world. Past are the hoards of camera-clicking tourists and/or pilgrims as well as any urbane atmosphere with a bar at every corner. All is reduced to simple basics; I am alone on a seemingly endless gravel path beneath the vast dome of an immense sky. The only sound is the companionable crunch of my boots and perhaps distant birdsong.
Happily for me while tramping along and alone I often sense that special moment when everything 'clicks' realizing that this is, indeed, MY way and that all is and will be good. ...Perhaps such secular transcendence felt while walking might be akin to what runners call 'the zone'. Your body can handle the task while your spirit glows with the effort. Neither easy, nor impossible; all simply is. ...Thus, thankfully you continue.
MM
I like the idea of your post. I found on my 1st camino that I did not listen to any music for about the 1st week. I was walking alone on the camino Norte and just was carried away with the people the epic views of the coast day after day the animals farms and just the thrill to be walking in Spain without a care in the world, except for getting lostI'm reading Joyce Rupp: Walk in a Relaxed Manner in which she talks about gradually (& not always easily) letting go of being 'busy'. Letting go of distractions (music, books, newspapers, Internet...). Letting go of the need to fill her mind with so much 'stuff'.
Whilst I DONT wish to start another debate about using technology on one's Camino, I do wonder how different pilgrims have embraced (or not) a more contemplative mind.
I also recall Vagabondette finding her Camino tedious & stopping, and I wonder if I'll manage to slow my brain down (one of the reasons I want to do this first Camino the moment I retire).
Suzanne
I like the idea of your post. I found on my 1st camino that I did not listen to any music for about the 1st week. I was walking alone on the camino Norte and just was carried away with the people the epic views of the coast day after day the animals farms and just the thrill to be walking in Spain without a care in the world, except for getting lost.
Following in the footsteps of all those souls who had come before and all the millions who undoubtedly will come after.
Then slowly after about 1 week I returned gradually to my music, a great love of my life and it began to even add more to my beautiful camino.
I guess for me it was just allowing the camino to unfold. Long days of quiet reflection then fun social times walking with a group of kindred spirts for days on end. Would not change a thing
change a thing
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