241/499 … walking the Big Talk (10/10/08)
“The talk was small, but each word had weight; there seemed to be a profundity of interest concentrated in his steady gaze — a wealth of deliberation in his slow speech.” ~ Eric Brende
242/499 … keeping ON (10/10/08)
Even as I continually reminded myself to remain in the moment and simply flow with whatever the Way gave me, I did have “catching up to Mom” in the back of my mind. This led to some verrrrry long days of walking — today being my longest, where I ambled along the Path for over […]
243/499 … the end of means & ends (10/10/08)
… heading into Villalcazar … “Wield means precisely fitted to their ends.” ~ Eric Brende
244/499 … waiting to wait (10/10/08)
My hostel for the night, were I met a German fellow who had walked from Jerusalem — regularly treading over 50km (30 miles) a day while doing so! “We need not wait for chance or disaster.” ~ Eric Brende [translation: Don’t wait until someone “needs help” to be Kind]
245/499 … accessing the Silence within (10/10/08)
The manager here was less than kind at first (I think he thought I was a “mooch pilgrim” when I asked if his place was a donativo), and yet he warmed to me under a steady shower of unconditional Kindness. “Words are worthwhile when they lead to silence.” ~ Nanja Naisah
246/499 … allowing the Blossoming (10/11/08)
“Love seeks not to change whatever is. Love cares for the flower that already exists in the other; often doing so by letting her go to blossom beautifully elsewhere.” ~ from my Camino journal
247/499 … the Everything happening (10/11/08)
This German fellow has been caring for pilgrims with his healing hands for years — massaging their feet, tending their blisters, soothing their stress. I didn’t stay here, yet I did get news from him about Mom, as she had stayed in this hostel only a few nights prior (and had made quite the positive […]
248/499 … the truest Love (10/11/08)
“Our truest Love is known whenever we gently tend the wounded; remembering, of course, that not all others’ “blisters” are physical.” ~ from my Camino journal
249/499 … breathing the Freedom (10/11/08)
At this point, part of the Walk traverses an ancient road originally built by the Romans. “No need to tell a fearless one to breathe freely. He does it without thought or effort. As a consequence, his energy is large & strong.” ~ Elizabeth Towne
250/499 … Acceptance persists (10/11/08)
After another verrrry long day of walking, one in which I had been turned away by several hostels after they heard that I was a mendicant (a pilgrim walking The Way without money), I came to the town of Moratinos. The first thing I noticed on its outskirts were these Spanish wine-cellars, known as “bodegas”. […]
251/499 … every moment, Arriving (10/11/08)
… Moratinos … “Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” ~ Matsuo Basho
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