Philosophical About Connections to People and Self on Long Distance Walks

[alhartman]

This 15 minute TED talk reflects much of what I have felt about my Camino experiences. And Andrew struggles to bring his ‘Camino-like’ connections and simplicity into everyday life just as I have after every walk. And after listening to his talk, I am not sure he has found ‘the way’ in his everyday life any more than I have—which is why I keep coming back. But he definitely gives some helpful vocabulary and context.

In his connection stories about people, self, and landscape echoes the Camino, I was particularly taken with his calling out the many types of walking—hurt, high, dream, fear, and weep. Like the many Inuit words for snow, they really describe facets of our inside connections as we experience the Camino. I would add the 'silent monkey mind' walking as well--my rarely experienced but much desired state.

Our Camino connections (at least on the Frances) are mostly fellow pilgrims unlike his cross USA walk. His were more with the locals which parallels my wonderful experiences on LePuy, Toulouse, and Vezelay.

A bit philosophical to be sure. But I love his emphasis on Listening.

(And simple math gives his daily average rate of about 15km.)

 

[nycwalking]

@alhartman,
Thank you ever so much for post.
Young man exemplified why we walk again, and again, and again: radical gratitude, and making connections with others resonated with me.