Smallest_Sparrow
Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2012: most of some, all of a few, a bit of others
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Very well said!!!!Several threads have recently contained spirited debate on whether one must suffer to be on a pilgrimage. No one asked if reading my forum posts count as suffering, and I thank you all for that. I’ve been digging holes all morning, thinking about this question. I personally think that sacrifice, not suffering, is the proper approach to pilgrimage, and prefer to believe language differences account for some of the debate. Or not, I’m often and dramatically wrong, but here is my take for what little it’s worth. I fully expect debate, and welcome correction and addition .
I personally do not believe in a Creator/Source who takes pleasure in suffering; sacrifice, on the other hand, can be a powerful tool for growth. I can envision a God who takes pleasure in our growth (full disclosure, my relationship with Him is, shall we say, complicated). Sacrifice is a giving up of something of worth, freely. I think all of us can think of many ways to sacrifice, but I am writing this so will go first, if you all don’t mind, in starting a list (which, disclaimer, is lifted and assembled from the postings of many):
Carry your pack with good humor and cheer, and without comment on those who don’t. Give up something you like (tobacco, alcohol, ice cream—before or during the Camino) to pay for your pack shuttle service, or the latest hi-tech gear, or whatever--even if you can pay for it without sacrifice. Give up treats and donate that money to the poor of the towns where you stop. Bear with good grace those who snore, or stay up late, or rise early. Share your food. Make the effort to speak in another’s language, even if you’re tired. Invite lone pilgrims to join your meal or your walk. Share your water. If another asks, let them open or close the window in the albergue. Share the electrical outlet. Offer to help carry the belongings of a struggling pilgrim. Buy a roll of toilet paper and leave it in a restroom. If you are an extrovert, find the joy in being alone. If you are an introvert, rejoice in the company around you. Keep your mileage and your pack weight to yourself. Thank God that each has a mode of travel that fits their needs, be it walking, bike, bus, horse, donkey, or wheelchair—even when it’s not your choice. Pick up trash. Be generous with donitivos. Offer to help cook, clean, or do something positive at the albergue. Say thank-you, even if someone can’t give you what you want. Support the local economy a little more than you have to. Share knowledge humbly. Take a moment to write a thank-you note to the hotel staff, or albergue hospitaleros. Post reviews after positives experiences, not just negative, even if WiFi is a pain. Walk a little further if you have to, without assigning blame. Let another pilgrim vent. Focus on the joy of those partying along the walk, and not the noise. Let the other person have their say, even if you disagree. Offer to take the least desirable bed. Share your foot care supplies. Let someone else have the last glass of wine. Allow quiet and solitude to those who seek it, even if you feel like shouting. Thank the Creator for the sun, rain, snow, wind, mud, tarmac, and hills. But not the bedbugs, even God would not expect that.
I’ll be the first to admit that I had a lot of trouble with some of the things on this list—I am still very much a work in progress. But I hope it’s the effort that counts.
I so totally agree with the windows. It was a very hot day when I was at Terradillos de Templarios, and I stayed out in the garden of the albergue fairly late until it cooled down. Imagine my distress to enter a sleeping room that us hot and stuffy because someone decided to close the window. I opened it, even though I had to step over a backpack to do it.What a lovely postI must say, this has been mostly my experience of walking the Camino... or what I remember of it anyway
Edited as I re-read: Nooooo, I draw the line at closing the windows!
Sorry @domigee and @trecile...I remember snow (snow!!) blowing through open windows. I wished for closed ones even as I smiled when they were opened.in puente la reina a French pilgrim and German pilgrim got into a shouting match, each in his own tongue (though one could guess by gestures) louder and louder, with repeated opening and closing, with other French and German pilgrims joining in...alas, the German won. Or err, the French pilgrim sacrificed.
That's why my dream albergue separates pilgrims into windows open, windows closed.
Well, yesAt the same time, they should separate the snoring pilgrims from the non-snoring pilgrims. You know who you are
Marty does. He exiled himself to sleep outside the albergue. The cold and suffering and sacrifice was too much for him though and he moved back inside (but to the kitchen floor.) Thanks @Marty Seville.At the same time, they should separate the snoring pilgrims from the non-snoring pilgrims. You know who you are
Suffering is an inevitable part of life. You can "just say no" all you want, but the blister on your toe won't hear you. Your granny will die, your lover will break your heart, the sky will rain on you, someone will steal your socks off the clothesline. Nobody gets a free pass.
Nobody likes to suffer. A few odd people go out looking for it, but there is a balance between masochism and deluding yourself.
Anyone who's studied Buddhism, or Christianity, knows that resisting suffering, pretending like it doesn't happen, or avoiding it at all costs is a fruitless delusion. Suffering is not all bad. If we don't do some, we remain children. We never learn to tolerate open or closed windows or shouting French people or smelly toilets or overwhelming loss. Irritation, suffering, pain -- they're gonna happen to you, and they abound on the Camino.
Dealing with them -- experiencing suffering -- is part of the whole scene. Overcoming, with help from our friends or our God, is what grace is about. Suffering brings endurance, and endurance, victory.
This is not simply a question about the Camino. It goes to the question of whether "unearned suffering is redemptive" and thus has value.
I wouldn't say that I am sacrificing anything when I walk the Camino, nor do I suffer in any significant way!
I've always tried to teach my children that whilst they cannot be in control of how others act, they can be in control of how they react to the actions of others (I also try to follow this myself - not always easy!)....how we react to the suffering shows how we are growing. You can't control open or closed windows, who snores, or who uses a taxi, but you can control how you react to it...
Wow. As someone who tends to brag about his achievements and lacks tolerance of others this comes as a big wake-up call. Merci Petit Piaf.
Exactly.What a lovely postI must say, this has been mostly my experience of walking the Camino... or what I remember of it anyway
Edited as I re-read: Nooooo, I draw the line at closing the windows!
You are right, @Rebekah Scott...
the Creator does not ask me to suffer on the Camino, He asks for sacrifice. at any rate, I think it is sacrifice, not suffering, requested by the Church. Otherwise, we should stop advising on the best boots or packs, and instead carry our belongings in front of us and walk barefoot. ...I only question it as a goal or requirement for pilgrims (as some threads implied or stated)...
God does not insist upon nor even desire our suffering on the way to Santiago, just our sacrifice.
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I actually had a conversation with a pilgrim about what he called suffering on the camino, and I disagreed with his definition of suffering. This post is more about the definition of the word, and, like Mark Lee, I think many of the examples used do not fit my understanding of the word "suffering" --- I would call them examples of discomfort, irritation, inconvenience, hardship, and minor pain, etc. Suffering, to me, is the what pilgrims who walk with chronic illness or disabilities or mental and emotional anguish endure. It is what people who sleep unsheltered from rain, snow, cold endure; it is what those who are starving daily endure; it is what those who watch helplessly, as their loved ones around them are injured, killed, or dying from illness endure; and it is what those loved ones endure themselves.Honestly, unless you are walking the Camino with some type of serious physical limitation(s), or medical condition you are not going to suffer or sacrifice very much, if any at all. Sure, you get sore muscles, joints, sunburn, or the occasional insect bite etc, but that's hardly suffering or sacrifice. More like just a byproduct of doing any type of continuous physical activity/exertion outdoors for several hours a day. I never truly suffered or sacrificed on any of the Caminos I walked. I always had a place to get a meal and a bed, and even on the hot or rainy days I knew that within a few hours I would be cleaned up, and sitting down for dinner or lunch. No way would I have created some type of artificial suffering. That would make no sense. That whole hair-shirt and self flagellation concept is bizarre and is best left in the middle-ages where it belongs.
As far as helping out fellow pilgrims or sharing with them, well that's not sacrifice. That's just something we should all do no matter what our beliefs, or lack thereof are and something we should do in everyday life, not just on the Camino.
Never saw my backpack as a burden, and that burden being part of walking the Camino. I just saw it as a thing to carry my stuff in while I walk. Saw no symbolism in it, and carried it instead of having it transported ahead simply because it's my pack. I brought, so I carry it. If someone likes to ship their's ahead, that's cool. Nothing wrong with that. I just prefer to carry mine because my stuff is in it.
Given a choice I'd walk the Camino every time without sore muscles and joints. In clear, cool weather with no rainy days (Rain at night is cool though. Love to hear the sound of it. Even its smell.). With a pack that weighs less than 5 kg's.
Carpe diem, Tommy, I hope you had a nice startIts not the suffering, but the sacrific you make; it your Camino, your time, your steps. You need not suffer to do the Camino, just say no! This is my third Camino coming up Sept 26th, 2016 True to say another adventure. Everyone I have met, had conversation with and party. I have not met again. So the people you meet along the way. Carpe diem. And just remember that everyday you wake up to live another day, is a gift from God. Seize the day
cheers tommy xView attachment 29265View attachment 29265View attachment 29265View attachment 29265View attachment 29265View attachment 29265
That's tomorrowI too am starting my 4 camino on the 28th sep.
I am so excited i am wishing the hours away till i get on the plane ,for all the reasons you have stated and more I am a camino addict .
those were not pilgrims, IMHO.So I walked with only Ibuprofen. I give you all of this background because I was repeatedly called a cheater by a few pilgrims.
I'm proud of myself for making the decision to ask them to move on. I guess what I'm trying to say is caution of judgments made. Everyone has their own baggage they carry. And if you run into negativity...move on. Don't let others ruin your dream.
I pray that I will have the opportunity and strength to return again.
Buen Camino
those were not pilgrims, IMHO.
I was repeatedly called a cheater by a few pilgrims.
I'm so glad to see this update!When that pilgrim stood there in the shadows of the cathedral...I knew that miracles do happen. He said he'd arrived two days before and waited to see if I'd arrive. No apologies were needed ...we embraced and cried...I knew then he'd changed and healed as well.
Always show a kind heart and kindness will return
... I give you all of this background because I was repeatedly called a cheater by a few pilgrims. I walked every step carrying my pack. I planned to stay in Albergues the entire time, but sleep just eluded me. Pain at night is a constant even at home. Spasms and nerve pain. I finally started staying in private rooms. ...
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