186/499 … a Goal without End (10/02/08)

“Lesson from the Camino: Conventional “wisdom” would have us believe that we are supposed to set a goal & strive then to “get there”, and yet the Camino teaches us that we are all already Right where we are “supposed to be”; that there is nothing more important than the good we can already do […]

187/499 … Faith is Care-full (10/02/08)

“Lesson from the Camino: Conventional “wisdom” would have us believe that we need to “save up” our sustenance for possible times of lack in the future, and yet the Camino teaches us to relax into the moment and have Faith in the providence that is always showered gently upon those who choose to live in […]

188/499 … of Importance far greater (10/02/08)

“Lesson from the Camino: Conventional “wisdom” would have us believe that “letting go” allows others to love US more purely, and yet the Camino teaches that having compassion for others (while detaching from the results of that Kindness) allows our Love FOR THEM to remain pure — something that is of far greater importance.” ~ […]

189/499 … on course, after All (10/02/08)

We arrive at the hostel in Tosantos … “Every step in the dark turns out in the end to have been on course after all.” ~ John Tarrant

190/499 … Saints alive! (10/02/08)

This hostel is one of the many “donativos” one can find along the Camino de Santiago. Donativos are hostels that run purely on donations, where the pilgrims are cared for without any obligation to pay for those services — leaving only what they can or what they feel is just. Many of these hostels have […]

191/499 … there are no Others (10/02/08)

Jose Luis Anton, the “manager” (for lack of any better term, though he is far more than that) of the hostel is the first true, “real live” Saint I have ever met. His entire being smoothly emits a warm Kindness to everyone he meets, as he totters about his day singing Latin arias to God […]

192/499 … to Save a Life (10/02/08)

It turns out that the “hospitalero” (a word for the volunteers who reside at the hostels and help care for pilgrims) here had acquired the flu just that day, and that Jose Luis could use some assistance until Detlef (the hospitalero) recovered.  It was here in this room that I received the epiphany that I […]

193/499 … signs of the Divine (10/02/08)

… again, the hostel of Jose Luis Anton in Tosantos. “Lesson from the Camino: Conventional “wisdom” would have us believe that it is a good thing to “manifest your own desires”, and yet the Camino teaches us that Life loves us so much that every self-centered desire we have is inevitably taken from us.” ~ […]

194/499 … a Healthy health (10/02/08)

… preparing dinner together with Jose Luis (center of picture). “Lesson from the Camino: Conventional “wisdom” would have us believe that our own health is our primary asset, and yet the Camino teaches us that health is meaningless unless it is used to further the Peace of others.” ~ from my Camino journal

195/499 … the shortest Route (10/02/08)

With the exception of my brother, Jose Luis does more with “little” in the kitchen than anyone I know. “Lesson from the Camino: Conventional “wisdom” would have us believe that “there are no shortcuts”, and yet the Camino teaches us that the Highest Good in any moment always flows the smoothest route; its Love always […]

196/499 … Freedom from freedom (10/02/08)

Pilgrims from over a dozen different countries sharing the same table for the evening meal. We are indeed all ONE! “Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means being free from thinking about yourself at all.” ~ […]