True Spirit.

[wayfarer]

When I met my wife in Santiago she asked me if I was a changed man after the Camino, I told her no, I was still the same cranky old sod that left five weeks earlier. I did not believe the Camino had changed me, I loved doing it, I loved meeting all the different people, some of whom I am still friends with, I hated the journey coming to an end. It was only much later that I saw the subtle changes the Camino had made on me, the Camino and indeed this forum and the people on it with whom I interact on a regular basis. It made me want to be a better person.

A while ago I met my doctor while out walking, he walks the same route as me, and he asked me the same question, did the Camino change you, this time I said yes, I realised that if I lost all my possessions, except for my walking gear and pack, I knew I would survive and that the possessions did not mean as much to me any more. He said that he thought that the Camino routine had started to reveal my “true spirit” and that this often happens when people strip everything back to the bare basics.

I have thought long and hard about this conversation in the last few weeks and I think he is right. Our true spirit begins to be covered or tarnished by consumerism and all the “must haves” we encounter in our lives and with what life throws at us sometimes. I think it starts even much earlier now, especially with children, sweets at the checkout counter that they must have, Christmas toys that are advertised as early as August/September that they must have, mobile phones, tablets and x boxes are burying their true spirits.

I came to the simplistic conclusion that our true spirits are like the headlights of a car, if you take care of the car the lights will shine brightly but if you take it off road and abuse it the lights will get coated in mud and grime and the lights will dim and will eventually be concealed.

Reb made a remark in a post a while back about the OP, saying " After all that trail-time, I bet you are scrubbed clean and pressed sharp on the inside!" and this remark hit the nail on the head for me, I think I had to strip away a lifetime of grime and try and let my true spirit shine again. I’m not there yet by any stretch of the imagination, but I will continue to try.

Thank you all for helping to clean my car.

Edit: Rebs actual remark.

 

[LiesbethSA]

Thanks Wayfarer! Working hard to strip the layers ... once you've reached the "Tipping Point" (like walking the Camino) it is so much easier!

 

[tyrrek]

Great post, and one I'm sure many of us relate to. I was never in doubt that the Camino changed me, and some of it I'm still getting my head around. My Caminos have coincided with other changes in my life that have also made me see things differently, so it's difficult to isolate what is specifically the result of any single one. One example is like the cliché about 'waking up and smelling the coffee', except I do it literally. Where before I would just shove some instant in a cup and consume, now I make proper coffee and savour it. It might seem like the opposite of simplicity to shift to more expensive and time consuming coffee habits, but it feels like a simple thing done to the full. Does that make any sense? Maybe it's just living more in the moment.

There are other things in my life apart from coffee, but I can't think of any just now.

 

[StuartM]

I really get the coffee analogy. It makes sense to me. What good is there in saving 5 minutes if the coffee is bad? Pretty much sums up Western life.

 

[pilgrim b]

Wow thank you all for expressing in words some wonderful thoughts! If I were to try and express my agreement with you all,it would be inferior to your most able efforts. There is a real harmony in our opened spirits after camino to learn new things here on the forum as well as in our daily lives.

 

[William Garza]

"A while ago I met my doctor while out walking, he walks the same route as me, and he asked me the same question, did the Camino change you, this time I said yes, I realised that if I lost all my possessions, except for my walking gear and pack, I knew I would survive and that the possessions did not mean as much to me any more. He said that he thought that the Camino routine had started to reveal my “true spirit” and that this often happens when people strip everything back to the bare basics."

I still live with all the grime stripped and burnt away by the trial, and the trail...
it is the gift of travel i received

Older slower and definitely comfortably worn, i can fit life in almost any situation
its easier to travel lightly
Like a tree,having learnt to bend in the wind
so i wouldn't break, the wind swept trees are most beautiful no?
or like the stones on the beach, you can fight day and night, against the storm and wrack of life, or just let the waters flow around you, over, under and around you, and enjoy the waters.

I am still learning to shed away the dross, so that my ultimate life can shine through.
Its a beautiful observation you've made!

 

[wayfarer]

I am very sad to say that my friend and doctor that gave me this great insight to how the Camino changed me, sadly passed away yesterday. He was six months younger than me. He will be greatly missed.
RIP Eamon.

 

[SYates]

My thoughts are with him, his family and friends and you. He has truly now stripped away the last layer ...

 

[wayfarer]

Thank you SY.

 

[Susan hopes]

He sounds like a wise man who left you a wonderful gift. May his soul shine brightly to light his way to heaven. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[bystander]

So sorry for your and his family's loss.

 

[Tincatinker]

Another stone on the cairn. Offered in gratitude for a good man's life. So many are passing, I guess its our age.

 

[Icacos]

So sorry to hear this, @wayfarer. It seems your friend was very insightful, and you are blessed to have known him. What a wonderful legacy he has left you, and you in turn have shared this legacy with us. Thank you.

 

[NualaOC]

Sorry to hear that Pat.
Your original post in this thread is very moving - thank you for sharing it.

 

[VNwalking]

I am very sad to say that my friend and doctor that gave me this great insight to how the Camino changed me, sadly passed away yesterday. He was six months younger than me. He will be greatly missed.
RIP Eamon.

I'm sorry Wayfarer...it is hard to lose a wise and beloved friend. Thinking of you and of his family today.

 

[pilgrim b]

“The greatest privilege of a human life is to become midwife to the birth of the soul” Your Doctor friend lived such a life wayfarer and you recognised his wisdom. I pray may he rest in peace, thinking of you and your friend's family this evening.

 

[William Garza]

Wayfarer
My condolences for the great loss.
But i think every now and then,youll here his gentle whisper,blow like a gentle breeze..crossing heart and soul and filling sail once again for the journeys as yet unfinished .