W
Wanderer64
Guest
Long time forum listener, first time caller...
The Camino (and its many tributaries leading to Santiago) is steeped in Catholic tradition, mysticism and religious lore, which may intimidate, even dissuade non-believers thinking about undertaking a Camino pilgrimage. This religious aspect almost dissuaded me, and I'm glad it didn't. Having recently completed the trek from SJPP to Santiago, I'd like to offer a secular pilgrim's brief perspective and some encouragement to non-believers, or less-believers, grappling with question of whether the Camino is for them.
For me, I kept my expectations and pre-judgments to a minimum, both in the decision making stage (whether or not to undertake the long walk) and during my walk. Keeping an open mind really helped me get the most out of it.
I never considered myself a true pilgrim, in the spiritual sense of the term, yet I also didn't consider myself a Camino tourist during my walk. In fact I resent that label. Most people who undertake a long hike like this seem to be in it for more than the sightseeing, food or other tourist trappings. For this secular "pilgrim" the Camino was an existential odyssey of self-reflection and meditation, not to mention the fantastic health benefits to be gained by walking 800km with a full pack in 33 days. The happiest person in all of this will likely be my doctor.
For me the Camino, in addition to the aforementioned, provided a great opportunity to see northern Spain. And not just see it, but experience it in all its subtle detail and nuances. This kind of long distance walking experience transcends the tourist experience. It's a rare opportunity to be able to literally walk the span of country the size of Spain. You will experience culture, regions, traditions in ways no regular bus or train tourist will ever come close to.
In Spain, Franco's long reign of fascist dictatorship would have been impossible without the support of the Catholic Church; I have a hard time respecting an institution with so much blood and corruption on its hands. But as in politics, it's important to distinguish the institution power brokers from the many good people within. On the Camino I tried never to lose sight of this distinction. Religion may run thick and heavy along the Camino at times, but you needn't allow this to dictate your personal, secular pilgrimage.
I took the full audio tour of the Burgos cathedral, marveling at the artistic and architectural genius that went into its construction. Admittedly, this awe wore increasingly thin as I visited more and more cathedrals and churches along the Camino... "Oh look, another church, in Spain, what are the odds?" But I found that churches also served as great places of silence and sanctuary, a necessity for any pilgrim of any persuasion when the noise level at the albergue becomes a bit much.
By the time I arrived in Santiago, I was not overcome by joyous revelation or any feelings of the metaphysical sort, but I was filled with an enormous feeling of accomplishment and achievement. I had just completed something very unique that would likely impact my life for years to follow. There were many, myself included, who doubted my ability to walk the entire 800km.
I did attend the evening mass in Santiago the day of my arrival, but not out of any sense of religious feeling. Catholic rituals are pure theatre for me, theatre of the absurd, and to witness these theatrics (the big swinging incense burner was in play when I was there ) in one of the most important cathedrals in the Catholic world is a bit like a chance to see a Broadway play.
In the end the Camino walk was very personal and much more meaningful than the sum of religious symbols commonly associated with this historic pilgrimage. And that's why secular would-be pilgrims should not let the heavy religious undercurrents prevent them from getting just as much out of the experience as their religious cohorts.
Buen Camino!
The Camino (and its many tributaries leading to Santiago) is steeped in Catholic tradition, mysticism and religious lore, which may intimidate, even dissuade non-believers thinking about undertaking a Camino pilgrimage. This religious aspect almost dissuaded me, and I'm glad it didn't. Having recently completed the trek from SJPP to Santiago, I'd like to offer a secular pilgrim's brief perspective and some encouragement to non-believers, or less-believers, grappling with question of whether the Camino is for them.
For me, I kept my expectations and pre-judgments to a minimum, both in the decision making stage (whether or not to undertake the long walk) and during my walk. Keeping an open mind really helped me get the most out of it.
I never considered myself a true pilgrim, in the spiritual sense of the term, yet I also didn't consider myself a Camino tourist during my walk. In fact I resent that label. Most people who undertake a long hike like this seem to be in it for more than the sightseeing, food or other tourist trappings. For this secular "pilgrim" the Camino was an existential odyssey of self-reflection and meditation, not to mention the fantastic health benefits to be gained by walking 800km with a full pack in 33 days. The happiest person in all of this will likely be my doctor.
For me the Camino, in addition to the aforementioned, provided a great opportunity to see northern Spain. And not just see it, but experience it in all its subtle detail and nuances. This kind of long distance walking experience transcends the tourist experience. It's a rare opportunity to be able to literally walk the span of country the size of Spain. You will experience culture, regions, traditions in ways no regular bus or train tourist will ever come close to.
In Spain, Franco's long reign of fascist dictatorship would have been impossible without the support of the Catholic Church; I have a hard time respecting an institution with so much blood and corruption on its hands. But as in politics, it's important to distinguish the institution power brokers from the many good people within. On the Camino I tried never to lose sight of this distinction. Religion may run thick and heavy along the Camino at times, but you needn't allow this to dictate your personal, secular pilgrimage.
I took the full audio tour of the Burgos cathedral, marveling at the artistic and architectural genius that went into its construction. Admittedly, this awe wore increasingly thin as I visited more and more cathedrals and churches along the Camino... "Oh look, another church, in Spain, what are the odds?" But I found that churches also served as great places of silence and sanctuary, a necessity for any pilgrim of any persuasion when the noise level at the albergue becomes a bit much.
By the time I arrived in Santiago, I was not overcome by joyous revelation or any feelings of the metaphysical sort, but I was filled with an enormous feeling of accomplishment and achievement. I had just completed something very unique that would likely impact my life for years to follow. There were many, myself included, who doubted my ability to walk the entire 800km.
I did attend the evening mass in Santiago the day of my arrival, but not out of any sense of religious feeling. Catholic rituals are pure theatre for me, theatre of the absurd, and to witness these theatrics (the big swinging incense burner was in play when I was there ) in one of the most important cathedrals in the Catholic world is a bit like a chance to see a Broadway play.
In the end the Camino walk was very personal and much more meaningful than the sum of religious symbols commonly associated with this historic pilgrimage. And that's why secular would-be pilgrims should not let the heavy religious undercurrents prevent them from getting just as much out of the experience as their religious cohorts.
Buen Camino!
