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I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
You got it! It is the essential loneliness of life. All there is to life is others, but you only get glimpses of them. Without the glimpses, you are REALLY alone. It is a hard realization, but a good one to reach.yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not.
Thank you and my apologies if my post sounded self indulgent. You are so right, however, one of my reasons for walking was to take time for myself and put on hold the "people pleasing" and dominant side of my nature just for a few weeks. The first day was so stressful because I felt a neglectful Mother, irresponsible Wife and unfit Business Owner. I walked because people made sure I could, from the parents at school, my amazing work colleagues and wonderful Husband. One of my problems is that I have too much empathy and do not look after my own well being. I think this is why I have felt so bereft having finished, because I have, of course, slipped back into my old ways after having taken a breath of my own. I need to, and will look for a way of giving which does not take it's toll. Thank you
Hy Mary , the feeling you have begun for me during the Camino Frances of my wife in 2013. We walked together in 2014 and this year I walked alone! to Santiago where I arrived on May 24th.I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
Decided to go on a VERY long drive these days, 3 500km in 3 days, so public radio has been a blessing. This evening the CBC aired a piece on 36 questions to ask so you may fall in love. A lot of it reminded me of the Camino: why it is we feel such a quick bond to total strangers. (OK, on the social Frances where you will have time to ask 36 questions).
Ivey leaguer profs have developped a questionnaire which will allow you to "fall in love". Thing is that these are the sa,e questions I think we easily come to ask on the Camino. The scientist explain that these are questions which make you vulneralbe, who make the person asking them..... Why ...? Look it up @ www.ttbooks.org amd on the page look for the 36 questions. Also google NPR and Arthur Aaron and you may fing the interview in which he explains why these questions are powerful, and why I see the links to the Camino "magic". For instance he talks about love and doing thigns that push you out of your comfort zone, etc.
@Damien Reynolds , I thought about you while listening. Perhaps ypu can apply this at home to find the perfect girl?
Hi Mary, so many others understand that dazed look from friends and family when they hear the word 'Camino'. But in my case, not everyone! I had put together a slide show of my journey this year 'A Walk In Gratitude', made DVD copies and mailed them to my family for their Christmas stockings. My son, who from the start, was my biggest booster, called me immediately after watching it and said "Mom, are you ready for this?". " Depends on what 'this' is said I. "I'm going to do the Camino". An hour's conversation ensued, with me totally giddy with excitement. So it's possible that in your sharing, you might just spark someone else to do what you did. Keep the faith.I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
Where on earth did you get the idea it is over? Sounds like you are just getting started
One of my problems is that I have too much empathy and do not look after my own well being. I think this is why I have felt so bereft having finished, because I have, of course, slipped back into my old ways after having taken a breath of my own.
I love this....So it's possible that in your sharing, you might just spark someone else to do what you did. Keep the faith
Maybe I'm missing something here but this is one of the saddest posts I have ever read on this form. I get the scene that you were looking for something on your camino, as many are, but it stayed just beyond your grasp. If this is so all I can say is, keep looking, never loose hope, never give up. You may feel alone on the camino but you're never alone on the camino. Buen CaminoI walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
Decided to go on a VERY long drive these days, 3 500km in 3 days, so public radio has been a blessing. This evening the CBC aired a piece on 36 questions to ask so you may fall in love. A lot of it reminded me of the Camino: why it is we feel such a quick bond to total strangers. (OK, on the social Frances where you will have time to ask 36 questions).
Ivey leaguer profs have developped a questionnaire which will allow you to "fall in love". Thing is that these are the sa,e questions I think we easily come to ask on the Camino. The scientist explain that these are questions which make you vulneralbe, who make the person asking them..... Why ...? Look it up @ www.ttbooks.org amd on the page look for the 36 questions. Also google NPR and Arthur Aaron and you may fing the interview in which he explains why these questions are powerful, and why I see the links to the Camino "magic". For instance he talks about love and doing thigns that push you out of your comfort zone, etc.
@Damien Reynolds , I thought about you while listening. Perhaps ypu can apply this at home to find the perfect girl?
I do not want to feel this sense of loss now that it is over, nor do I want to continually search - does that not mean, surely that I am not at ease? Live is hard enough!!!
Thank you Aiden, I feel you have touched a spot. I will spend time reflecting on what you have said. So few can understand what it is like to walk so far.Sometimes Mary, life goes out of its way to make us feel uneasy. Sometimes life becomes so hard that we are forced to review where we are on our life's journey. Perhaps this sense of unease is a gift to you from the Camino. I guess it will be only you, when you have reflected on your life and circumstances, who will be able to see or feel your way to a place that feels better, more fulfilled or 'easy'. It is no accident that you walked the Camino and no accident that these feelings have been generated within you. I suggest that you plan another Camino and in the meantime consciously continue with your own personal journey. I do wish you so very well on your journey through self discovery and growth.
Aidan
Hi SY,The Camino is never over, once you have taken the first step, but be aware, it comes at a cost to your so-called normal life. You are not the same anymore, embrace the change. Buen Camino, SY
I am in a privileged situation as I don't have any dependent kids or relatives and my work is free lancing so I am lucky to be able to be able to walk when and where I want (within reason) and I am deeply grateful for this. Buen Camino, SY
PS As for "I may need to wait for another ten years before I can expect the same support again" Why??? If you don't have any underage kids nor relatives that need your care. Why do you have to wait? Sometimes we are the ones that impose our own restrictions on ourselves.[/QUOT
Hi MaryThank you for reminding me of the people I met who told me that it was their second, third and fourth Camino, at the time, I could not even think beyond walking another day and here were others who had come back again and again. I suppose I felt I would have a sense of conclusion at Santiago and I have confused that feeling with that of achievement maybe. I do not want to feel this sense of loss now that it is over, nor do I want to continually search - does that not mean, surely that I am not at ease? Live is hard enough!!!
Hi MaryHi SY,
Thank you for your words, did you keep up long distance walking?
If you did, how did you fit it into your regular life? It took me until my Daughter was fourteen to feel that I could take six weeks out of my family and work life. How did you keep finding the time? It was such a big ask that I may need to wait for another ten years before I can expect the same support again!
I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
Yes I agree with everything you have said. I first walked from Pamplona to Finisterre in 2002. I wanted to share with my daughters but they lasted two days.I went in 2014 but became ill after eight days. I have since walked with my son from Le Puy in France to Pamplona and beyond.It took me a couple of goes to achieve this. Very very special. One day when I am gone my son can say that he walked the Camino with his dad.I think I am now finished with that Camino and now looking for others. There is hardly a day goes by that I don't think about the experience and it has taken me a long time to know that there is only a handful of people I can share with.I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
@MaryWest, On my first Camino, I met a lady on the 4th day who was doing her 12th Camino. I didn't decide to do The Way .... a dear friend had suggested it. I thought "I had gone mad"... finding myself doing what I was doing. "If Santiago is the destination, then why not fly there". My normal way of thinking. And I decided the lady had definitely lost it. I asked her WHY she walked this much and she said "Here, I meet Jesus". Then I had confirmed her insane. A few days later, something happened... I don't know what it was. And I just continued. When in Santiago eventually, I WEPT for 2 days.... in complete gratitude. Thank you Holy Spirit. You guide our steps. Buen CaminoThank you for reminding me of the people I met who told me that it was their second, third and fourth Camino, at the time, I could not even think beyond walking another day and here were others who had come back again and again. I suppose I felt I would have a sense of conclusion at Santiago and I have confused that feeling with that of achievement maybe. I do not want to feel this sense of loss now that it is over, nor do I want to continually search - does that not mean, surely that I am not at ease? Live is hard enough!!!
i totally agree..i started setember1st in st jean and finished october 7th 2015.....really took me out of orbit, but am now finding its hidden treasures as i did while walking it...ultrea!!I walked into Santiago at the end of May 2015 and am still not able to reconcile my experience. I will not wax lyrical about this amazing experience as so many people on this fantastic forum already understand what it is like. I think that this could be the problem for me, that no one else can begin to understand and when the subject is brought up, eyes smile and comments of " amazing' are sounded and conversation moves on. I don't mind that, I wanted to walk alone, to find some time for me to reflect on my life, yet I am coming to understand that we are all just alone ultimately, no matter whether we are surrounded by people and the chaos of family and work life or not. Why am I still searching this forum for comments from pilgrims on The Way - even on Christmas Day, just to touch that place again? I cannot help feeling that whilst my life has been so enriched by the experience it has also left me bereft.
Thanks - just realised that it is not - took me three years though!!Where on earth did you get the idea it is over? Sounds like you are just getting started
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