How Do YOU Keep the Camino Spirit Alive in Your Heart?

[Robo]

I'd love to hear your stories.........

I'm a 'one shot' Pilgrim so far, having walked the CF from St Jean this year.

This first Camino was everything I had hoped for ...........and more.

Through all the great sharing and advice on this Forum, I think I was as prepared as I could have been, Emotionally and Spiritually, if not Physically. But that's another story

One of the things I often thought about whilst walking, was "How will I maintain this feeling and emotion post Camino"?

I can honestly say, that whilst there were extreme highs and lows through the journey, I found pure joy, happiness and contentment along the way. And so many more emotions of course.

I try to recall those feeling and emotions daily. And remind myself of some of the 'life lessons' I learnt along the way. Hopefully I am a changed person, for the better, through this experience. I think so...

But the Camino is such a unique experience. Those who have not walked it, would find this hard to understand I know.

But how to maintain that 'lift' that the Camino gives so many of us?

One of the things I enjoyed and found emotionally grounding during my walk, was to stop and reflect and give thanks for being able to make the journey.

Whilst not a religious person in the traditional 'Church on Sundays' sense, I have always been quite Spiritual. I found walking the Camino heightened this sense to almost 'off the scale'! Maybe one day I'll pluck up the courage to share some of those deeply Spiritual experiences

I took great comfort each day to stop in a Church, or beside a wayside cross and just say Thank You, for allowing me to continue on this journey. And each time I made a promise to walk with an open heart and an open mind....if I was allowed to continue my journey.

When I got home, I missed those moments of quiet reflection and thanks.

So I created my own little piece of the Camino in our back garden. OK, call me crazy

It's a nice quiet spot where I often sit to reflect....

OK. So what do you do to maintain that 'Camino Feeling' ? Whatever it was for you......

Not much of a Carpenter I know....I was going for the rustic look

About 10 days after my Camino, I tried to express what I had learnt and how I would try to take that forward.

I refer back to it often to remind myself The Part 7 video on this page:
http://robscamino.com/camino-de-santiago-video-series/

Afternote. Now a 3rd shot Pilgrim.... and counting....

 

[leeann31]

I'd love to hear your stories.........

I'm a 'one shot' Pilgrim so far, having walked the CF from St Jean this year.

This first Camino was everything I had hoped for ...........and more.

Through all the great sharing and advice on this Forum, I think I was as prepared as I could have been, Emotionally and Spiritually, if not Physically. But that's another story

One of the things I often thought about whilst walking, was "How will I maintain this feeling and emotion post Camino"?

I can honestly say, that whilst there were extreme highs and lows through the journey, I found pure joy, happiness and contentment along the way. And so many more emotions of course.

I try to recall those feeling and emotions daily. And remind myself of some of the 'life lessons' I learnt along the way. Hopefully I am a changed person, for the better, through this experience. I think so...

But the Camino is such a unique experience. Those who have not walked it, would find this hard to understand I know.

But how to maintain that 'lift' that the Camino gives so many of us?

One of the things I enjoyed and found emotionally grounding during my walk, was to stop and reflect and give thanks for being able to make the journey.

Whilst not a religious person in the traditional 'Church on Sundays' sense, I have always been quite Spiritual. I found walking the Camino heightened this sense to almost 'off the scale'! Maybe one day I'll pluck up the courage to share some of those deeply Spiritual experiences

I took great comfort each day to stop in a Church, or beside a wayside cross and just say Thank You, for allowing me to continue on this journey. And each time I made a promise to walk with an open heart and an open mind....if I was allowed to continue my journey.

When I got home, I missed those moments of quiet reflection and thanks.

So I created my own little piece of the Camino in our back garden. OK, call me crazy

It's a nice quiet spot where I often sit to reflect....

OK. So what do you do to maintain that 'Camino Feeling' ? Whatever it was for you......

About 10 days after my Camino, I tried to express what I had learnt and how I would try to take that forward.

I refer back to it often to remind myself The Part 7 video on this page:
http://robscamino.com/camino-de-santiago-video-series/

I am embarking on my first Camino in two weeks! I love your reminder here to stop and give thanks for this opportunity! I want to build intentional gratitude into my journey. Thank you for sharing that.
Lately I've been so frustrated with the lack of gratitude of my stepson (lovely yet challenging middle schooler)...I needed the reminder that I too am spoiled and can learn to be so thankful for the chance to do this pilgrimage. I pray the journey gives me much to savour post-Camino also.
Gracias!!!

 

[Robo]

I am embarking on my first Camino in two weeks! I love your reminder here to stop and give thanks for this opportunity! I want to build intentional gratitude into my journey. Thank you for sharing that.
Lately I've been so frustrated with the lack of gratitude of my stepson (lovely yet challenging middle schooler)...I needed the reminder that I too am spoiled and can learn to be so thankful for the chance to do this pilgrimage. I pray the journey gives me much to savour post-Camino also.
Gracias!!!

You might enjoy the Part 3 Video which is about the Emotional and Spiritual Journey That was really a highlight for me.
http://robscamino.com/camino-de-santiago-video-series/

You will have such a great time! Buen Camino

 

[LTfit]

First of all I think that it is wonderful that you have made your own "Camino retreat" in your back yard, a place that is yours.

I have a little "altar" in my kitchen which is added to after each walk. It wasn't planned but morphosed into such as I didn't know where to put the pins, arrows, stones etc that pilgrims gave me along the way. It always puts a smile on my face as it also reminds me of my Camino buddies. But what I do for myself is to keep my life simple (that could be a whole other topic!) and to keep walking - outside and whenever possible in the dunes by the coast. Why? Well when I got home after my first Camino in 2010 I asked myself what made me so happy during the Camino. The 3 most important aspects were the simplicity of it all, being outside and in nature.

Keeping connected with the Camino also helps and returning often! I also volunteer as a hospitalera.

Un abrazo peregrina

 

[mspath]

We all remember and hope to give back a part of what has been gleaned. Some may serve as hospitaleros offering physical assistance to fellow pilgrims. Others share their journeys anew offering tips/advice by writing to unknown readers as for example in blogs, books or on this Forum....Every morning I wake and wonder how it might be walking that day in such heat or rain or snow. Every evening when offering silent thanks for the gift of the present day I give special thanks for personal camino memories and hope that I may wear a pilgrim shell until the end.

Margaret Meredith

 

[Kanga]

For me the end of one Camino is just the beginning of the next. I do like your idea of a special place in the garden @Robo.

 

[Ellerby]

Robo,

Thanks mate. Really timely post as I was thinking the same thing. I am only walking a section and start next week and I too have been wondering how to capture the essence and keep a strength in me when I return. You have given me food for thought.

I appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

L

 

[ebrandt]

I hang out here! And I try to go to my "Camino Place" each day. Its not a physical place, but more a state of mind. I just make sure I take some time that is truly quiet and reflective. Its away from phones and from the computer. Sometimes I get there when I walk in the early morning. Sometimes I get there when I go to church. Sometimes I get there by just sitting and day dreaming. Sometime I will read a post here, read a blog or look at someone's pictures, and I am instantly transported. When that happens I try to put everything down and go for a walk. But no matter what I try to make sure I go to my Camino Place every day for at least a little bit of time. Liz

 

[zzotte]

I have learned that the real camino does not start in Spain or ends there

Zzotte

 

[Walid Medawar]

OK. So what do you do to maintain that 'Camino Feeling' ? Whatever it was for you...

I say : Just Remembering the Camino Bring me back to it , like I re-feel each and every Moment .
I admired your new Camino Garden , and If You may , I would love to duplicate the idea in My Garden back Home.

 

[Icacos]

I hang out here! And I try to go to my "Camino Place" each day. Its not a physical place, but more a state of mind. I just make sure I take some time that is truly quiet and reflective. Its away from phones and from the computer. Sometimes I get there when I walk in the early morning. Sometimes I get there when I go to church. Sometimes I get there by just sitting and day dreaming. Sometime I will read a post here, read a blog or look at someone's pictures, and I am instantly transported. When that happens I try to put everything down and go for a walk. But no matter what I try to make sure I go to my Camino Place every day for at least a little bit of time. Liz

Just love what you have written. I, too, hang out in this Forum, and I hang out on the Camino in my mind. The Brierley guide is a constant presence in my life; it has no place on any bookshelf in my house as it is either on my desk, on the coffee table or, as it is right now, laying open on the kitchen table, at Stage 14.

Also, yesterday I sent in my application for hospilatero training next month.

 

[LeAnn Blackert]

I am embarking on my first Camino in two weeks! I love your reminder here to stop and give thanks for this opportunity! I want to build intentional gratitude into my journey. Thank you for sharing that.
Lately I've been so frustrated with the lack of gratitude of my stepson (lovely yet challenging middle schooler)...I needed the reminder that I too am spoiled and can learn to be so thankful for the chance to do this pilgrimage. I pray the journey gives me much to savour post-Camino also.
Gracias!!!

I found myself thanking my body every day - a little prayer of gratitude and thanks for feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders, heart, lungs, and entire body for doing all the hard work so I could do the journey! Was quite an amazing little moment early in each day - and I am reminded the body works for me every single day to keep me going!

 

[LeAnn Blackert]

Just love what you have written. I, too, hang out in this Forum, and I hang out on the Camino in my mind. The Brierley guide is a constant presence in my life; it has no place on any bookshelf in my house as it is either on my desk, on the coffee table or, as it is right now, laying open on the kitchen table, at Stage 14.

Also, yesterday I sent in my application for hospilatero training next month.

Where is this training? I walked this spring and have thought about going back as a volunteer!

 

[lindseh]

Just love what you have written. I, too, hang out in this Forum, and I hang out on the Camino in my mind. The Brierley guide is a constant presence in my life; it has no place on any bookshelf in my house as it is either on my desk, on the coffee table or, as it is right now, laying open on the kitchen table, at Stage 14.

Also, yesterday I sent in my application for hospilatero training next month.

Icacos, I believe I will see you there! In Victoria? I am so looking forward to it.

 

[Icacos]

Where is this training? I walked this spring and have thought about going back as a volunteer!

Here's the link:
http://canadianhospitaleros.blogspot.ca/ First paragraph - click on 'Victoria' (as in Victoria, BC) I've been told there may not be a training session next year.

 

[Dave2525]

It was a year and a day ago that I left St Jean. I often think about the experience and I try and post here when I think I can be of help.

When I got back I said I would never do it again as I tend to try and not do the same things over again.

As I read more and more about people just starting out it makes me think.....maybe...at least one of the other routes...or maybe the CF and what would I do differently.

 

[SabsP]

I stumbled upon this thread and I'm grateful to read all these comments. Everybody is so eloquent in witing down their thoughts.
This fourth Camino ( only the second time I made it to Santiago ) made me realise that it is ok that I don't have an answer for everything. I learned "to accept" that accepting and receiving makes me a more humble person. I prefer to be on the giving end.
It made me see that I need to own even less than that I have now.
The refugee issue was predominant on the news during this walk and the old idea of mine that I want to volunteer as a guardian for a refugee minor makes even more sense now. We will see if I can do this.
I hope that I can stay more in " the here and now " even when I return to work next week. And to lay off that cynical shield that I sometimes like to put on too much for my own liking...
Ok my preach is done...

 

[clearskiescamino]

Easy. I like to give back the information that people have given me. I've given a talk on the Camino on Saturday and I got a real buzz from that.

 

[Yellowfriend]

First of all I think that it is wonderful that you have made your own "Camino retreat" in your back yard, a place that is yours.

I have a little "altar" in my kitchen which is added to after each walk. It wasn't planned but morphosed into such as I didn't know where to put the pins, arrows, stones etc that pilgrims gave me along the way. It always puts a smile on my face as it also reminds me of my Camino buddies. But what I do for myself is to keep my life simple (that could be a whole other topic!) and to keep walking - outside and whenever possible in the dunes by the coast. Why? Well when I got home after my first Camino in 2010 I asked myself what made me so happy during the Camino. The 3 most important aspects were the simplicity of it all, being outside and in nature.

Keeping connected with the Camino also helps and returning often! I also volunteer as a hospitalera.

Un abrazo peregrina

Hi/hoi,
Nice to read your words as I am just back from my first Camino and I miss it so much....like normal life fits not good anymore. Planning my next Camino now. Can you tell me something about the volunteer work as a hospitalera? What do you do ?
Groeten

 

[LTfit]

Dag @Yellowfriend
Yes, I understand how you must feel.
I volunteer with the Spanish Federation (HOSVOL - hospitaleros voluntarios). The organization is based in Logroño and places volunteers during 2 week stints in albergues along the Francés (about 20 municipals and parrochiales), Aragonés (Arres) and Vía de la Plata (Castilblanco de los Arroyos, Salamanca and Zamora).
They require that you take a weekend course and have walked a Camino prior to placement. Here is a link to a section of the Forum with more information:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/hospitaleros.51/

The Dutch organization supplies volunteers for the albergue in Roncesvalles.

If you would like more info just let me know.

Groetjes,
LT

 

[Yellowfriend]

Dag @Yellowfriend
Yes, I understand how you must feel.
I volunteer with the Spanish Federation (HOSVOL - hospitaleros voluntarios). The organization is based in Logroño and places volunteers during 2 week stints in albergues along the Francés (about 20 municipals and parrochiales), Aragonés (Arres) and Vía de la Plata (Castilblanco de los Arroyos, Salamanca and Zamora).
They require that you take a weekend course and have walked a Camino prior to placement. Here is a link to a section of the Forum with more information:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/hospitaleros.51/

The Dutch organization supplies volunteers for the albergue in Roncesvalles.

If you would like more info just let me know.

Groetjes,
LT

Thank you! I Will read the links. I am now planning to go in may for the Camino Frances. I didn't sleep in albergues before so I am Reading and thinking a lot how to do the Camino this time. Can I mail you in Dutch or send a pb ?
Groetjes

 

[LTfit]

Thank you! I Will read the links. I am now planning to go in may for the Camino Frances. I didn't sleep in albergues before so I am Reading and thinking a lot how to do the Camino this time. Can I mail you in Dutch or send a pb ?
Groetjes

Natuurlijk!

 

[Yellowfriend]

Thank you! I Will read the links. I am now planning to go in may for the Camino Frances. I didn't sleep in albergues before so I am Reading and thinking a lot how to do the Camino this time. Can I mail you in Dutch or send a pb ?
Groetjes

How can I send you a pb?

 

[SYates]

PM = Conversation, just click on somebody's forum name and select "start conversation" in the pop-up. SY

 

[Yellowfriend]

PM = Conversation, just click on somebody's forum name and select "start conversation" in the pop-up. SY

Thanks

 

[Penny Kingma]

I'd love to hear your stories.........

I'm a 'one shot' Pilgrim so far, having walked the CF from St Jean this year.

This first Camino was everything I had hoped for ...........and more.

Through all the great sharing and advice on this Forum, I think I was as prepared as I could have been, Emotionally and Spiritually, if not Physically. But that's another story

One of the things I often thought about whilst walking, was "How will I maintain this feeling and emotion post Camino"?

I can honestly say, that whilst there were extreme highs and lows through the journey, I found pure joy, happiness and contentment along the way. And so many more emotions of course.

I try to recall those feeling and emotions daily. And remind myself of some of the 'life lessons' I learnt along the way. Hopefully I am a changed person, for the better, through this experience. I think so...

But the Camino is such a unique experience. Those who have not walked it, would find this hard to understand I know.

But how to maintain that 'lift' that the Camino gives so many of us?

One of the things I enjoyed and found emotionally grounding during my walk, was to stop and reflect and give thanks for being able to make the journey.

Whilst not a religious person in the traditional 'Church on Sundays' sense, I have always been quite Spiritual. I found walking the Camino heightened this sense to almost 'off the scale'! Maybe one day I'll pluck up the courage to share some of those deeply Spiritual experiences

I took great comfort each day to stop in a Church, or beside a wayside cross and just say Thank You, for allowing me to continue on this journey. And each time I made a promise to walk with an open heart and an open mind....if I was allowed to continue my journey.

When I got home, I missed those moments of quiet reflection and thanks.

So I created my own little piece of the Camino in our back garden. OK, call me crazy

It's a nice quiet spot where I often sit to reflect....

OK. So what do you do to maintain that 'Camino Feeling' ? Whatever it was for you......

Not much of a Carpenter I know....I was going for the rustic look

About 10 days after my Camino, I tried to express what I had learnt and how I would try to take that forward.

I refer back to it often to remind myself The Part 7 video on this page:
http://robscamino.com/camino-de-santiago-video-series/

I love it