- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2009-2022: CFx6, CP, VdlPx2, Mozarabe, more later.
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I notice many viewpoints on this issue in here, from people coming from different walks of life: religious, spirituals, sports walkers, bicyclists, ignorants, atheists etc. They all share some common experiences learned, it seems to me.
I am just reflecting on my calling to the Camino, since my very first walk: How strange isn't it? I need to return. And so it seems that many do: I am not alone.
During 4 walks I have experienced many strange things: It seems that the Camino is a force (only within?) that is calling to people. A dirt road cannot do that by itself, so what is it? Is it the knowledge that we are walking in the footsteps of millions before us? Or is it that we are up-rooted from our hectic lives to experience something bigger/greater? I do not know. But I know the calling.
I have seen very devoted people on the Way. But I think I have seen more people like me; spiritual, in my meaning of the word: Reflecting upon this life.
And I have seen sporting people, tourists, and solely km-addicted walkers, not really caring. But I have most often seen a common denomitation: The tears in front of the Cathedral, and a deeper understanding when at the end of the Way. Maybe because they reached their goal, or because they suddenly understood that the Way was the goal, and it was now over. Or rather: To be continued from thereafter.
I have therefore come to the conclusion that everyone seen on the Way should have respect. So many start out with certain (or no) anticipations, but, during the walk, the Camino provides important lesssons for all to learn from.
The speed walking strong captain who wasn't so strong and had to abort, the non-believer who turned into an agnostic, the believer who wasn't anymore so sure and educational towards others, and so on.
From what I have seen and experienced, the vast majority of walkers come out in the other end with many new lessons, and as better humans.
Each to his own, and:
Buen Camino!
Perhaps it is about love?
All you need is....
Aqua potable?
Bocadillo de Tortilla?
Someone to carry your Mochilla?
Vino Tinto?
????
I know - but I love a bit of fun on a dark wintry day.
Yes, I wrote this. In a moment of inspiration. The Camino does that you know.Ann,
Did you write this? I would like to repost it and want to make sure to give author credit.
TricieSue,Ann, did you write this?
Six pilgrims on Camino ... One night under the stars
Me too... I can promise you. Your words show thr hearty of the Camino, I think: That's how we end up, luckily: Better people.I'm grateful.
You are in very good company. Just look at David's response, filled with love. He is correct, IMHO, and I fullheartedly stand by him and his beautiful post.This thread is wonderful and I've felt a tear or two slide. I remembered myself walking, and felt my heart, deep and wide. Today I struggled and walked out of my front door. I walked through the problem; the camino remains with me in my journey through the story of my life now. I'm grateful.
Perhaps it is about love? I don't mean romantic love or what the music industry thinks love is but .... that being self-contained yet interdependent ... that sharing with strangers who are not strangers .. that helping others or being helped, without even thinking about it .. those random acts of kindness ... that undefinable sense of belonging .. of being there .. of being ... that being away from a world that has nothing to do with being a real human, nothing to do with love that allows us - some of us, many of us - to reveal who and what we really are ... allows us to finally flower ... so, perhaps it is about love, in its most genuine sense .... or are we too embarrassed to mention that word, Love?
something like this??? is this not what we step away from when we go on Camino? and is this not what flowers from deep withing us - Love? - and, incidentally, is why I feel that connecting technology has no place on the Camino!because it keeps us hooked to "back there".
( I really like this rapper poet - no funny religious clothes, no meditation, no sitting cross-legged, no doctrine or dogma .. just a modern take on an eternal wisdom)
AnnArn? Does TricieSue know something we don't? (You will never live her typo down you know, it will rear it's head again sometime).
No title...that said, I believe:I typo'd as well. Sorry. Any chance your musing had a title?
I think an introduction is in order so, with your permission, I will add to the above these additional lines:Seems appropriate A_n
Al, just took the Schizoid test, here are the results:Love the additions schizophrenics. Thanks.
First "The Force of the Camino" and now you post such a personal history with such a wonderful outcome. You express your life and in this particular part me as well. Bless you for sharing Arn.I came to realize that while involved with planning for another walk along the Way and sharing my experience, excitement and enthusiasm with others, I was in a good place. I was happy, I was vital, I was home.
I also bump into people. But maybe that's because I'm blind on one side?Personally, i must confess that I like to walk alone, but sometimes, I bump into people, and I want to walk with them, I guess intuition is at work...
I salute you Arn !Al,
Keeping with the topic of this thread (H/T Alex) and with the most sincere regard for Ivar and the many members of the Forum; here is my heartfelt commentary on what I have learnt while both on and off the Camino.
I joined the Forum back in 2007 and after lurking for several months...began the "Class of 2008" thread. This was my first attempt to get inside the heads of those who have or would walk the Way.
Without retelling the up and down story of my first Camino...I'll just say that my disappointment of not being capable of twisting the Camino to my way, led me to soul search for some time. I opened my heart to several Forum members. No, actually I bled freely (Sil, Deirdre, Sabine, etc) returning to my former “lurking” past.
Through the efforts of, and in my absence, William and Falcon269 kept the “Class of…” thread going as I struggled to get my head back on straight.
I was not use to failure.
And, yes, I did complete that first CF, but not on my terms.
Now fully vested in the Forum by my completing a Camino, I offered to assist Ivar should he need any additional mods. This turned out to be a mixed bag for all concerned.
As is my want, I threw myself into moderating full Monty by attempting to be all things, to all members mixing carefully researched responses/information with pithy rejoinders. Not all of which were well received.
In early 2009, while at my semi-annual physical, it became clear that I needed a major check-up from the neck up. The results conclusive: I had PTSD (although we prefer PTSSurvivor).
Part of my therapy was intense one-on-one counseling where it became quite evident that, because of incidents throughout my life, both inside and outside the military, I was highly functional on many levels. There were two areas where I was lacking: 1. An inability to recognize when to accept a less than stellar performance from myself and others, and 2. a tendency to avoid any outward display of empathy.
Somewhat broken in spirit, I sat down and drew up a contract with myself that did it’s best to right what wrongs I had done to others (family and friends), return to the Church in a more active role and do more positive things that supported those goals. The one constant thread throughout is the Camino.
I came to realize that while involved with planning for another walk along the Way and sharing my experience, excitement and enthusiasm with others, I was in a good place. I was happy, I was vital, I was home.
This change in attitude was obvious to others and my strengths in the counseling arena went from participant to lay practitioner. My strongest credential being my training on the battlefield and not the classroom. Add to that important point of entry with fellow veterans my experiences on Camino and we now had a bridge between military and civilian life.
To be successful in any endeavor you need to have a clear objective, the resources and quality people to carry it out. The Camino, in general and the Forum in particular provides that in spades.
Witness this specific thread, it has it all: members from every walk of life, the Camino savvy and the neophyte, each contributing in their own unique way with an interactive, expertly run, social platform that provides near real time contact.
So, yes Al, it is VERY normal to allow our creative juices to flow in whatever direction it may lead with the goal to help every member grow with the experience. Exposing ourselves (Joey out of the gutter please) to others you have never met, but hope to along the Way.
All who have walked the Way; we know: We have had our lessons. Do not fear death: It is merely a transition. I have come to this conclusion as a mathematician and physics engineer for half a century: There are laws that take us over, without me laborating on this issue. But here my belief is very strong. We simply cannot leave. We will continue to exist, but maybe in another form. So relax. You are not wasted. Ever. But as for the Camino: We all know its power, strange as it is, we who have experienced it, amidst our struggles, blisters, and everyday issues. But they do not matter in the big picture. We all know they have meaning. But you have to be there (on your Way) in your mindset in order to learn your lessons. And lessons you will learn, if you can receive them.Gosh, this thread has taken on a life of it's own. First, the continued enthusiasm of Alexwalker and then the heartfelt and sanguine additions to the thread...mirroring on one hand, then personalizing on the other...exactly what differentiates the Camino from all other experiences.
We come to the Camino from different motivations: religious, spiritual and curiosity. Are we looking for validation of our beliefs, support that there is more in how we live our life...or an open book where all or none is possible?
I strongly believe, the Camino is the mortar that binds the structure in our lives, both religious and secular, thus making us stronger and open to the possibility that there IS a supreme creator who loves and leads us toward the light and away from darkness.
Knowing and believing there is more than just the here and now...trumps the finality of death and fairly guarantees a life everlasting in the communion of saints.
I have a strong suspicion that nobody leaves the Camino without something at least spiritual in their hearts, Arn. It would call for a heart of stone not to...We come to the Camino from different motivations: religious, spiritual and curiosity
You are spot on, as always, David...Perhaps it is about love?
You are a good man, my friend. And yes: The Camino is a strong teacher.The Camino has changed my life too. I am very grateful to now know what it means to walk on the Camino.
Alexwalker, my next Camino France's has two goals: walk what I missed the first time: meseta, Cruz de Ferro and visit with Reb.If there was one person I would like to walk the whole Way with, it would be Arn. Thank you, sir. I would be honoured to walk beside you. Honesty is an own language. When spoken, we share deep truths and insights. I salute you, sir. I shall quote a Norw. songwriter: " I cannot walk the Way for you: You will have to do it by yourself. But I can walk with you".
In this context, "the Way" means "life", not only the Camino. But you all understood that, yes ?
Appears there may be a meet up in the making.I have just made my plans the last weekend: April 6th (!) to Barcelona. 7th, train to Astorga, to walk to SdC. A couple of rest days, and then on to Finisterre, or: Walk the Portuguese.
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