Hi! I usually started not chatting at all, as there were no one walking where I began my Ways.
Then, basic everyday and Camino-related chat. Also classic topics as politics and others cultural fine anecdotes. But mostly, spiritual chats and laughs.
I'm not surprised anymore to be asked why I do the Camino pretty quickly, or to talk about deep/high/very personal topics after a basic "hi" without even knowing the other's person's name. Not about being rude, the chat just goes that way.
I also go the "age" question a lot and I usually have a good laugh with it. I don't mind spilling the beans, because I truly believe age doesn't matter. Some are old and have a young mind/spirit, some are young and have and old mind/spirit. As for me, I sincerely have trouble remembering mine. It changes every year, did you know??
@Anemone del Camino , you seem to have had a tough Camino...
I hear that but can't agree to the statement Camino=pain or even being a pilgrim=suffering (which made an (imo) infamous TShirt). I had pain too, but it was not the Way, it was
me. To me, our body and its health is the material reflection of what's happening to us at another level. The Camino is only a place where we can't cheat with what is going on in our mind/emotions/spirit/life and it's reflected in our bodies. I'm not saying it's our
fault if there's pain, only that our troubles are only a way we have to chat... with ourselves.
Which leads to meditation
I believe it has 2 meanings: a state of being and a technique to use to get there. I agree, the Camino itself can't be a state of mind. However, it can be a mean to get to a certain state of mind. The technique starts to calm down the surface, but it really starts to be efficient when on hits his-her shadows... The idea then is to accept, embrace and love them to the point they disappear and let you in this peaceful state of mind we all long for.
So, the Camino is exactly a meditation, a very easy one to get into. It's only that, like Richard simply puts it: "if you want to get to the castle, you've got to swim the moat". Funny enough (?), we tend to remember "the universe will rush in and fill you with more love you ever dreamed". We'll get there... after we've done our work. Let's hang in there, it's worth it!
The Camino is a living meditation room, teaching us to truly meditate "in the real world"... Hard, but amazing!
Buen Camino!