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Nicely written. Brings to mind the floating feather at the opening of Forest Gump? Enjoyed your post, buen camino.Passing along scrubland and forest plantation on the Frances just prior to the descent into San Justo de la Vega on the outskirts of Astorga, a Camino marker two metres back from the path had been graffitied with two lines in heavy black marker. Intrigued I wandered over and read the (familiar) words;
"The answer my friend is blowin in the wind"
Ten days later I had arrived at albergue La Estrella in the suburbs of Santiago. I was delaying my arrival at the Cathedral until the following day so having secured food and a cold beer sat on the grass bank above the residential block that housed the albergue.
I sat there reflecting on my journey from St Jean, what I had left behind (Divorce, grown up children and a competed 30 year career) and what I would be returning to (starting out again) and what was present in the moment. The sun, passers by below, people playing football nearby, local life carrying on as normal, regardless of my presence.
The pink blossomed trees on the slope which in the instant I focused on them were caught by an unseen breeze. And in that captured moment the blossom gently lifted from the trees and rode that breeze. A murmur of pink petals shaken and at once scattered over the grass slope. Something becoming something else.
Someone becoming someone else.
The jolt of awareness, my answer was indeed "blowin in the wind".
And so I realised all things are indeed transient. Whatever it is we think we have, whatever it is we think we know, who ever we think we are and what we will become. The only sure thing, the only security of outlook is an acceptance that it will pass.
I had known that before, but in that instant I knew I truly understood it at a far deeper level. And that I suppose is what an epiphany, what a Camino, is all about.
Beautiful. 100 likes, @Don Camillo!And so I realised all things are indeed transient. Whatever it is we think we have, whatever it is we think we know, who ever we think we are and what we will become. The only sure thing, the only security of outlook is an acceptance that it will pass.
I had known that before, but in that instant I knew I truly understood it at a far deeper level. And that I suppose is what an epiphany, what a Camino, is all about.
And so I realised all things are indeed transient. Whatever it is we think we have, whatever it is we think we know, who ever we think we are and what we will become. The only sure thing, the only security of outlook is an acceptance that it will pass.
My 'Epiphany' came a month after I returned home. I had a very tough first Camino with pneumonia after the Pyrenees, a broken bone in my foot after Cruz de Ferro, walking with a miserable old woman and her abuse for 21 days...I returned home in tears and instead of feeling proud of completing every step, I was distraught. I had not enjoyed much of my trek and searched for why...why I felt so strongly that I had to walk. I was looking for some sign, some answers to questions, comfort of grief, peace...and felt I had received none of that.
Then the thought came to me as clear as any thought I had ever processed, with the message being, " This was not MY camino". I had to go, had to walk, had to endure the entire thing because OTHERS had to walk. You see I am both a registered nurse and a clinical psychologist. It was no coincidence that I was asked to repair dozens of feet along the way, pulled a bee out of an eye, debrided an ulcer on a heel, wrapped wounds, applied KT tape, extracted slivers, treated sunburn, even shared medications and electrolytes. It was no coincidence that I walked solo at times to be met by unexpected fellow pilgrims, seemingly out of nowhere,who almost immediately disclosed that they were struggling with the memories and wounds of having been sexually abused in their younger lives, overwhelmed by anger, guilt, shame...And the many who have heavy hearts dealing with loss. In my profession as a psychologist, I specialize in sexual trauma and abuse. It was absolutely no coincidence that our paths intertwined.
As for the hateful old woman, it was my lesson to learn: you need not take abuse from others you are trying to help. There will be times that one must cut the rope or be dragged under.
My own intentions were not meant to be heard on my first walk, but my services were meant for others who needed to complete their's. Selfishness dissolved. Within 5 weeks of returning home feeling beaten and discouraged, I was planning my next.
My biggest epiphany : It's not always about you.
I have been changed forever.
You were blessed. That ‘chip’ will never sit on your shoulder again. If it tries, you know how to swat it off!My 'Epiphany' came a month after I returned home. I had a very tough first Camino with pneumonia after the Pyrenees, a broken bone in my foot after Cruz de Ferro, walking with a miserable old woman and her abuse for 21 days...I returned home in tears and instead of feeling proud of completing every step, I was distraught. I had not enjoyed much of my trek and searched for why...why I felt so strongly that I had to walk. I was looking for some sign, some answers to questions, comfort of grief, peace...and felt I had received none of that.
Then the thought came to me as clear as any thought I had ever processed, with the message being, " This was not MY camino". I had to go, had to walk, had to endure the entire thing because OTHERS had to walk. You see I am both a registered nurse and a clinical psychologist. It was no coincidence that I was asked to repair dozens of feet along the way, pulled a bee out of an eye, debrided an ulcer on a heel, wrapped wounds, applied KT tape, extracted slivers, treated sunburn, even shared medications and electrolytes. It was no coincidence that I walked solo at times to be met by unexpected fellow pilgrims, seemingly out of nowhere,who almost immediately disclosed that they were struggling with the memories and wounds of having been sexually abused in their younger lives, overwhelmed by anger, guilt, shame...And the many who have heavy hearts dealing with loss. In my profession as a psychologist, I specialize in sexual trauma and abuse. It was absolutely no coincidence that our paths intertwined.
As for the hateful old woman, it was my lesson to learn: you need not take abuse from others you are trying to help. There will be times that one must cut the rope or be dragged under.
My own intentions were not meant to be heard on my first walk, but my services were meant for others who needed to complete their's. Selfishness dissolved. Within 5 weeks of returning home feeling beaten and discouraged, I was planning my next.
My biggest epiphany : It's not always about you.
I have been changed forever.
I just re-read your post. Almost for the first time... but yes, I did remember it, and see I had liked it. This time, this is what stood out:Passing along scrubland and forest plantation on the Frances just prior to the descent into San Justo de la Vega on the outskirts of Astorga, a Camino marker two metres back from the path had been graffitied with two lines in heavy black marker. Intrigued I wandered over and read the (familiar) words;
"The answer my friend is blowin in the wind"
Ten days later I had arrived at albergue La Estrella in the suburbs of Santiago. I was delaying my arrival at the Cathedral until the following day so having secured food and a cold beer sat on the grass bank above the residential block that housed the albergue.
I sat there reflecting on my journey from St Jean, what I had left behind (Divorce, grown up children and a competed 30 year career) and what I would be returning to (starting out again) and what was present in the moment. The sun, passers by below, people playing football nearby, local life carrying on as normal, regardless of my presence.
The pink blossomed trees on the slope which in the instant I focused on them were caught by an unseen breeze. And in that captured moment the blossom gently lifted from the trees and rode that breeze. A murmur of pink petals shaken and at once scattered over the grass slope. Something becoming something else.
Someone becoming someone else.
The jolt of awareness, my answer was indeed "blowin in the wind".
And so I realised all things are indeed transient. Whatever it is we think we have, whatever it is we think we know, who ever we think we are and what we will become. The only sure thing, the only security of outlook is an acceptance that it will pass.
I had known that before, but in that instant I knew I truly understood it at a far deeper level. And that I suppose is what an epiphany, what a Camino, is all about.
as we see the caterpillarSomething becoming something else
I saw a "Yo soy el Camino" written on a wall. And at that moment recognized the line from the Gospel of John. And my view of Christ and my life changed forever. I stood there suddenly seeing. -- I had always thought that when Jesus said he was "the Way" he meant a simple direction,-- not rocks and hills, hot sun, cold wind, and blisters and limping from too small shoes. I didn't realize that the Way was people and life-- and that somehow this is Christ.
I have to say that the title of this thread rubs me the wrong way. I think that too many people walk the Camino thinking that they will have an epiphany, that the Camino will magically sort out their life and all their problems back home. I'm happy for all those who have gained this kind of insight, but the idea that everyone will have an epiphany on the Camino (though I know that wasn't the intention of this thread) can lead to disappointment. I remember reading a post here a couple of years ago, when I was new to the forum from a pilgrim who had been walking several weeks, and she wanted to know when she was going to have her epiphany, because she was disappointed that she hadn't had one yet.
I saw a "Yo soy el Camino" written on a wall. And at that moment recognized the line from the Gospel of John. And my view of Christ and my life changed forever. I stood there suddenly seeing. -- I had always thought that when Jesus said he was "the Way" he meant a simple direction,-- not rocks and hills, hot sun, cold wind, and blisters and limping from too small shoes. I didn't realize that the Way was people and life-- and that somehow this is Christ.
I have to say that the title of this thread rubs me the wrong way. I think that too many people walk the Camino thinking that they will have an epiphany, that the Camino will magically sort out their life and all their problems back home. I'm happy for all those who have gained this kind of insight, but the idea that everyone will have an epiphany on the Camino (though I know that wasn't the intention of this thread) can lead to disappointment. I remember reading a post here a couple of years ago, when I was new to the forum from a pilgrim who had been walking several weeks, and she wanted to know when she was going to have her epiphany, because she was disappointed that she hadn't had one yet.
I have to say that the title of this thread rubs me the wrong way. I think that too many people walk the Camino thinking that they will have an epiphany, that the Camino will magically sort out their life and all their problems back home. I'm happy for all those who have gained this kind of insight, but the idea that everyone will have an epiphany on the Camino (though I know that wasn't the intention of this thread) can lead to disappointment. I remember reading a post here a couple of years ago, when I was new to the forum from a pilgrim who had been walking several weeks, and she wanted to know when she was going to have her epiphany, because she was disappointed that she hadn't had one yet.
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