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newfydog said:My wife and I, who are closer than ever, head out for the fourth pilgrimage in a couple of weeks.
I'm not sure the people who face an upheaval upon returning are doing a bad thing. Maybe they should live the life that suits them rather than fritter away their time miserable.
fiddletree said:I think I gave away/threw out almost all of my possessions,
I think Lynne has hit the nail on the head- for most people it does seem to be a transformational experience of some sort.lynnejohn said:It's the power of a transformational experience. Your life is never the same. Work, relationships, priorities are now seen in a new light. It is what it is. lynne
Steve.Belfast said:I wonder does the Camino bring change or is it that people already in a process of some life change bring themselves to the Camino?
Steve.Belfast said:I wonder does the Camino bring change or is it that people already in a process of some life change bring themselves to the Camino?
I'll second that, as his wife. It gave us both an aim for retirement, a way forward and a deepening of our relationship. Meeting Terry in Santiago and attending the Pilgrims' Mass at Pentecost was wonderful. I wondered how the Camino might change him, but would say it has all been positive. One thing that I believe helped, both while Terry was walking and on our return, was the prayer support of friends and church communities.TerryB said:I have been thinking along the same lines. For me, my Camino last year was the 'bridge' between retirement from full-time ministry and a new (and different!) way of life. What it did was affirm me in the way ahead and strengthen my relationship with my wife who willingly (and trustingly!)let me go off for 5 weeks on my own..................
Blessings and Buen Camino
Tio Tel
Steve.Belfast said:I wonder does the Camino bring change or is it that people already in a process of some life change bring themselves to the Camino?
On the Camino I was accepted as myself - no-one knew what I was unless I told them! For me, the assistance given, the welcome and acceptance of 'Terry' as a human being, made my pilgrimage.
On the camino, you don't know where I live, what I drive, what I do, how much money I make, etc.
I wonder how transformative it would be for the teenagers if they also went, maybe at a different pace than the parent. Young people need that kind of break as well, and the Camino offers a wonderful time.
Artemisofephesus said:I wonder how transformative it would be for the teenagers if they also went, maybe at a different pace than the parent. Young people need that kind of break as well, and the Camino offers a wonderful time.
I was 17 when I walked in winter last year. Fresh out of school, life, everything... the camino was great. It was so comforting knowing that you had a bed and food waiting for you at the end of the day. No existential thoughts or feelings. Just peace. And very painful tendonitis. But ah well.
Strangely enough though, it's like a dream now, I'm right back where I was before I left (granted with a bit of having seen the world and walked the camino). There wasn't a transformation. Just something to look back on fondly. But sadly, after only six months it's already fading.
pat.holland said:I. What is going on with this 'transformation' for us pilgrims?
but the one that proved the hardest to pin down is the general topic of using the camino as a theraputic space, a journey to work something out, to create some change
So what am I saying: I wonder if the 'vague desire for a transformation' is something us pilgrims should work on a bit before going to the Camino. The Camino after all is only a long long long walk. It has its magic but if we are to have a transformation, could we ask ourselves before we start, What is it we want from the Camino, What will this transformation be like when we get it, How will we know we have it and then consider what do we have to do to get it.
This may seem a bit cold/clinical but reading some of the messages above, a lot is about change. Some wanted change and got it, some were afraid their partner would change and they did or did not. Some still cherish the memory of the Camino, as I do so dearly. But is this 'transformation' stuff about changes made and not made? Could the Camino be better for us if we were clearer about why we are going ?
You raise lots of interesting points Pat- and I just want to comment on these two.pat.holland said:The Camino after all is only a long long long walk..... Could the Camino be better for us if we were clearer about why we are going ?
Artemisofephesus said:I was 17 when I walked........There wasn't a transformation. Just something to look back on fondly. But sadly, after only six months it's already fading.
The Camino teaches that what's more important than any problem, real or imagined, is to BE ALIVE, to BE HAPPY, to share what we have and be grateful for what is offered. It teaches us to walk when we have strength, and take time to rest when we're weary. It teaches us to help others and to accept help when we need it. It teaches us to look past appearances and language. It humbles us. It teaches us not to worry about whether there will be a bed because we WILL sleep, one way or the other!
I did the Camino in September alone and for the very same reasons you state. This is a very personal pilgrimage and a good partnership must allow the room required.I am very seriously contemplating walking the Camino in a year and a half (50th bday) and I loved ready everyone's perspectives. However, I have a question/thought how does one address to one's significant other that they wished to walk alone? I feel like I REALLY want to do this on my own to reflect, to ponder, to heal, to cleanse.. I feel like if he were to come with I would forever be worried whether is OK, (He is older than I by many years). Worried about his well-being will stress me out. Yet at the same time not sure how to run this need by him.. Anyone??
Hi All:
I am very seriously contemplating walking the Camino in a year and a half (50th bday) and I loved ready everyone's perspectives. However, I have a question/thought how does one address to one's significant other that they wished to walk alone? I feel like I REALLY want to do this on my own to reflect, to ponder, to heal, to cleanse.. I feel like if he were to come with I would forever be worried whether is OK, (He is older than I by many years). Worried about his well-being will stress me out. Yet at the same time not sure how to run this need by him.. Anyone??
Hi All:
I am very seriously contemplating walking the Camino in a year and a half (50th bday) and I loved ready everyone's perspectives. However, I have a question/thought how does one address to one's significant other that they wished to walk alone? I feel like I REALLY want to do this on my own to reflect, to ponder, to heal, to cleanse.. I feel like if he were to come with I would forever be worried whether is OK, (He is older than I by many years). Worried about his well-being will stress me out. Yet at the same time not sure how to run this need by him.. Anyone??
I did the Camino in September alone and for the very same reasons you state. This is a very personal pilgrimage and a good partnership must allow the room required.
If your ’significant one’ wants to do the camino together, you could consider a compromise: Every peregrino will tell you about how you keep on meeting the same people along the entire way; you walk a while together, then part with a "buen Camino" but you bump into each other again at a cafe or albergue. They same can work for you, provided that you manage to firmly agree that both will walk freely and at your own pace. Designate meeting points ahead according to your needs and keep in touch with each other by phone-messages. You will very happily embrace each other in Santiago! If ’he’ does not agree to this, you definitely should do your Camino all alone. How about suggesting to do a test-run (by yourself) next year, –perhaps a shorter distance– and plan the mutual Camino as your b-day gift?
Wishing you a buen Camino,
Pierre aka Don Pedro
plainlost, may I send you a private message? It will come up in your email as a message from Ivar.Hi All:
I am very seriously contemplating walking the Camino in a year and a half (50th bday) and I loved ready everyone's perspectives. However, I have a question/thought how does one address to one's significant other that they wished to walk alone? I feel like I REALLY want to do this on my own to reflect, to ponder, to heal, to cleanse.. I feel like if he were to come with I would forever be worried whether is OK, (He is older than I by many years). Worried about his well-being will stress me out. Yet at the same time not sure how to run this need by him.. Anyone??
Once again I have to say - The Camino de Santiago ends in Santiago de Compostela but the Camino never ends.
Life is change. The moment we are born till the moment we die are lives change for better or worse. The Camino can be part of that life if you choose to walk it. If you choose not to your life will change , like or not. Please don´t blame all you misfortunes because you walked the Camino. Much better if you try to enjoy it, learn from it, remember it as you move on to your next change.
Ondo Ibili !
From the bottom of my heart as one human to another.................. You're welcome.*sigh* If only ...
Thanks John, for your thoughtful reply!
From the bottom of my heart as one human to another.................. You're welcome.
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