chilledKat
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June/July 2014
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Such a simple sentence....but oh so hard to do at times. I do love it though. Thanks for sharingTo try to take it as it comes enjoying the good and bearing the bad. After all this is life.
Oh I love it TrentPre-Camino I knew I needed to do something. Something was missing but it felt just beyond my grasp, slightly beyond my grasp. I was compelled to do the Camino. I started and completed during June/July of 2013. My one year anniversary of leaving June 2 is quickly approaching. I had no assurance I would find what I was seeking yet I was confident I would. Shortly into my journey I realized I had found "it". Don't ask me to define "it" though. I just knew my life would be different from that point on. I would be different. Rarely, if ever, does an event exceeded our expectations. The Camino exceeded mine.
Had no great epiphany when I finished. No cartoon light-bulb lit up above my head when I was done. Didn't really expect one to, mind you. In fact the day I finished was a bit anticlimactic. I had expected to stay in Pedrouzo that day, but missed my turn and ended up walking all the way to Santiago, getting there late in the afternoon. That was one long day of walking.
Like I have said before on here, it was just a really cool and unique experience and one I just had to do upon learning of it.
I am loving this thread.....such beautiful tidbits....like tapas or pinxtos.......hope I work out the differenceAlthough i did these things, I want to do them all MORE, next time.
I won't be so time poor this time so I hope to be much more relaxed too.
So:
To be in the moment more.
Smell the roses! And appreciate.
Walk more slowly.
Talk to more locals
Dare to practise my Spanish
I know now whether I want to carry more or less. (Less for me).
Know how my feet handled the walk so trying to get it right for next time.
A lot of people are clever and have this so well sorted from their training and questioning the forum etc. Some of us learn from our mistakes.
If you have any particular interest, (ie churches, history, geography etc) research more before u go, so you don't walk by and miss the opportunity. Read a lot of threads for some of this research. And blogs too.
Buen Camino
Annie
You are a lucky fella...Camino and a luxury cruiseI did the Camino after arriving in the UK with 7 weeks of ocean liner luxury from Sydney to Southampton. Been back in Australia a few days now and it's the Camino that occupies my thoughts. Already I am missing the freedom, the friendships, the human beauty. Relax, don't overthink it and enjoy!
Additional philosophic and spiritual reasons are cited in my profile.
"What advice would I give myself?"
Expect nothing. To meet the challenge of ensuing doubts, recall the quote from that estimable philospher, Christoper Robin, of the Book of Pooh: "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Finish with the postscript "Remember that the Camino provides."
"Did I overhaul my life?"
Not in any dramatic fashion. Rather, I learned to be appreciative of the graces provided every day. That has dramatically overhauled my attitude toward my life and so, the quality of it.
You ask hard questions. These are just my "Reader's Digest" versions of answers.
Buen Camino,
B
As long as you are harvesting nuggets, here are a couple that I always kept in mind as I am generally uncomfortable in groupss and can be a bit ill-tempered.
"I may be the only Scripture that some people read." (unattributed)
"You only love God as much as you love the person you love the least." (Dorothy Day, I think)
I needed them, I used them, they helped. There can be a lot of cultural and personal differences which are trying.
B
What about on your return home Mark? Did anything change for you? The way you viewed yourself? The world? Your place in it?
Someone said to me recently, "oh cool, you are going on a holiday!" which I promptly laughed at, as bizarrely I don't see it as a holiday....More like I am Atlas with the world on his shoulders hoping to have some respite and put it down for a whileGive that mantle to someone else for once.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I have stopped searching for happiness. Everything I need...I already have.
What about on your return home Mark? Did anything change for you? The way you viewed yourself? The world? Your place in it?
Someone said to me recently, "oh cool, you are going on a holiday!" which I promptly laughed at, as bizarrely I don't see it as a holiday....More like I am Atlas with the world on his shoulders hoping to have some respite and put it down for a whileGive that mantle to someone else for once.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Mark that was wonderful to read. Absolutely not rambling at all. I love waking up and reading this forum and seeing the dedication and energy people take to invest in their responses. It is like my little secret haven, my own escape from the banalities. I feel like part of a secret club that welcomes all.....all you have to do is front up. Many don't though....why? Because unlocking the unknown is fraught with fear......Now how is that for ramblingI know exactly what you mean about the 'holiday' reference. It never felt like the word to describe what it was for me, either before or after.
Anyway, this may not be directly relevant to your question, and I suspect I'm edging dangerously close to rambling, so I'll stop.. here!
You're going to have a wonderful experience, and I guarantee that whatever your expectations on day 1 in St Jean, by the time you reach Santiago you will have been surprised many times. It won't always be easy, but that's part of what makes it so special.
Did you take the ukelele with you on your Camino Tim???...now that would be fun!I bet you will want to do another Camino once you have been bitten by the bug ( hopefully NOT a bedbug). Enjoy with an open heart.
How special to share this experience with your son. I am really relishing hearing others experiences.Pre-camino advice to myself --- Research diligently, plan flexibly, prepare steadily, pray regularly, walk in the moment, and hold on loosely to any desires and expectations.
Personal goals --- A time of extended retreat and rejuvination. A spiritual pilgrimage with my son.
Post-camino changes --- My relationship with my now 16 year old son (we walked together) runs deeper, though still turbulent at times. Also, there are subtle and deeper fruits in my spiritual life that continue to bubble up unexpectedly (I spent much of my time walking to audio versions of the writing of St. Teresa of Avila and reflecting on the spiritual life she describes in her Interior Castle).
Thanks Gil......your first line sounds intriguing. Am having a look at your blog now. Thanks for sharingI want to tell you something but I don't know how. I had some marvellous moments, very emotional and spiritual. Mass at Burgos cathedral, Cruz de Ferro, O'Cebreiro, and at Santiago's cathedral.
If you want to learn more about my experience look at my blog: gilcamino. Blogspot.can
Buen Camino
Thanks Laurie, if I might be so bold to say though....don't sell yourself short. You have perfectly articulated what you needed to share......I love that you have the Camino bug. Keep travelling Laurie.I love reading everyone's answers to these questions, and I can't help but notice how many people are much more eloquent and clear about their answers than I can ever be.
Buen camino, Laurie
How about.....“Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.” (Mae West )
Hi Jen,Hi ChilledKat -- I hope i'm not too late to reply.
Pre-camino advice to myself: Trust trust trust. Train and get good footwear. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Ask for support.
Personal goals: I wanted to come back changed. I had a number of spiritual questions and looked forward to a time of retreat to contemplate the first half of my life.
Post-camino changes: Oh, Lordy there have been a lot. I'm a deeply reflective person by nature, so this may have helped me in recognizing the changes.
Physically, I felt stronger and more confident than I ever have in my life -- and that's despite returning home with pneumonia and a prescription for Amoxicillin! Mentally, I cared less about stupid stuff, worried less, and trusted that everything was supposed to be happening already WAS! I stopped arguing with reality and made peace with it. This was huge for a worry-wart like me.
Emotionally, I was wrecked. I was stunned for the first few weeks, unable to articulate what had happened for me on this journey (I took 7 weeks including walking to Finisterre). I developed a very close friendship on this journey that might have had a different outcome had I not already been involved. Hard. My heart was bursting at the seams and I felt really disillusioned with how life (and especially mainstream American culture) compared to the highs of my pilgrimage and the spontaneous community that was part of my journey.
Spiritually, I had some truly significant insights as I walked. I brought no screens or distractions, not even a camera -- and I think that helped me hear that small still voice guiding me more deeply toward my soul's calling. I got clearer about liveliood issues. I got clear about my spiritual path (I chose to leave the Church, but with love not anger). I let go of a lot of old issues and found forgiveness in their place. All of this was while I walked, so when I returned home, I started taking steps that aligned my life with those insights.
(Am I rambling yet?)
It's been a year to the day that I stood at the lighthouse on Finisterre. In that time, I've let go of a lot of meaningless possessions. I've started to redirect my career path. I've recommitted to my primary relationship. I'm significantly further out of debt (yesss!). And am holding an intention to own a small farm in 10 years or less.
Next weekend, I'm hlding a Camino party for/with all the people who supported me while I walked, some of whom are past pilgrims, and we're going to make sopa de ajo and ensalada mixta together with Santiago cake for dessert! Slowly, slowly the insights are coming to fruition, as long as I don't push and just keep trusting.
I'm still writing about my experiences at jenscaminojourney.wordpress.com in case you want to read more -- and I'm writing a book!
I guess I got a lot of mileage (pun intended) out of my seven weeks in Spain!
Warmly,
Jen
Oh Simeon....I love what you wrote and wish I could be that succinct yet eloquent.The Camino takes from me what I want and gives to me what I need.
I ask to have revealed my strengths when I am weak and my weaknesses when I am strong.
Both painful and joyful. Time to return.
Keep a smile,
Simeon
Hola Everyone,
Firstly am loving this Forum. Love and generosity abound <3
Being the Camino virgin that I am (although I will be embarking on my first one 15th June from SJPP..) I am really curious to know what you felt like going into the experience, and what you derived from it coming out the other end...other than a heap of blisters
What had you hoped to achieve (be it a spiritual or physical goal) and did this come about?
What advice would you give yourself now with the wisdom of hindsight?
I read that someone went home and ended a very long term relationship after the Camino as it helped them to gain clarity. What changes, if any, did you make on your return? Was it hard to settle back into your pre-Camino life?
Thanks everyone,
Katrina View attachment 10378
Oh Simeon....I love what you wrote and wish I could be that succinct yet eloquent.
I especially love your request to have your strengths and weaknesses revealed depending on your needs. That gem is going into my notebook. Thanks
This time in two weeks I will be in SJPP hopefully gearing up to commence my pilgrimage. Soooooo nervous and excited.
Unfortunately my Camino is coming to a clothes due to both injury and unpreparedness.
I do think if you are a newby like me, don't gloss over the negative posts and think that is not me... Within some of those threads, there are things you may learn from those who have experienced some part, and give some information to be aware of.
I am not DONE with the Camino, but for now I am done with the walking. I am going to go for a little bit to the coast before heading back. I plan to prepare better and take it in phases so I can eventually get to Santiago on my own two feet.
Kris
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Unfortunately my Camino is coming to a clothes due to both injury and unpreparedness.
While I enjoyed and went by what I heard about others experiences, I should have been more in tune with myself. One can't expect to go from a couch potato/living on blogs/spending more time on this forum to being fully prepared to walk.
The other issue I had was that after Zubiri (where my injuries started to accumulate), I only was able to walk about 10 km before I had to stop. This meant I got to my rest stops earlier in the day. When you find yourself in an Albergue with no one to talk to in your own language...that is tough emotionally. While walking I had no issue in that area, I wish I had someone waiting at the other end. Maybe in better shape, I would be able to push a couple of more km.
So my advice is that if you really want to do this...prepare body first. If you want to start in SJPDP and do the Napoleon Route, get your leg muscles strong, especially quads as you will be climbing A LOT that first day. Make a reservation at Orrisson, it was my best night...
The forum is good, I did get a lot of good information... I do think if you are a newby like me, don't gloss over the negative posts and think that is not me... Within some of those threads, there are things you may learn from those who have experienced some part, and give some information to be aware of.
I am not DONE with the Camino, but for now I am done with the walking. I am going to go for a little bit to the coast before heading back. I plan to prepare better and take it in phases so I can eventually get to Santiago on my own two feet.
Kris
Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum
I really did not know what to expect before I started on the Camino. It ended up being a deeper experience for me than I had thought I would experience. I eventually viewed my journey as a metaphor for my life, with a beginning, middle, and end, and as such, I became convinced that I do not want to rush through my life, but rather to take my time and savor the moment, especially the unexpected delights of the everyday, devoid of the anxiety I have often attached to new experiences. I came to think of the bones of St. James in the church in Santiago as the bones of Everyman and symbolically representing my own end of life. I know this is my own personal symbolism for that, and many others attach different meanings that are equally valid and meaningful for them. Thinking of those bones as the end of life made me think more clearly about what I want for myself for the time I have left. It has been an impetus to engage more fully with myself and the world around me. I don't always succeed in that, but that's the direction I want to go. So I went into the Camino with relatively few expectations and came out feeling touched and enriched by the experience. I don't think I would give myself any specific advice in hindsight. I think the Camino has potential to profoundly affect a person in many positive ways, if they are open to that possibility.
I just read your comments about your Camino experience. Good for you and good for your wife. My wife will be with me as we walk our first Camino this Sept. May we find what we are looking for, "it" is out there.Pre-Camino I knew I needed to do something. Something was missing but it felt just beyond my grasp, slightly beyond my grasp. I was compelled to do the Camino. I started and completed during June/July of 2013. My one year anniversary of leaving June 2 is quickly approaching. I had no assurance I would find what I was seeking yet I was confident I would. Shortly into my journey I realized I had found "it". Don't ask me to define "it" though. I just knew my life would be different from that point on. I would be different. Rarely, if ever, does an event exceeded our expectations. The Camino exceeded mine.
Post-Camino I am so glad I went. I am a more genuinely spiritual person. My wife has remarked that I am a better husband. I have stopped searching for happiness. Everything I need...I already have. I could talk or write about my Camino all day. People who have not gone cannot begin to fathom its effect.
Go and experience it for yourself.
Trent Shupperd
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