One of the most important rituals for many pilgrims over the years has been to enter the Santiago Cathedral and touch foreheads with this carving of Saint James. For some reason that was never lucidly explained, the statue was off limits even to everyone — even pilgrims, some of whom had walked over 1000 miles […]
Once again, the tenth Station of the Cross beckons me towards a sincere and pure preparation for what I am to do. Even though it is still not clear exactly what that Service is to be, I am clearly to prepare diligently by purifying my thoughts, my emotions & my behaviors. “There is an electric […]
Into the “Pilgrim’s Bureau” (I have no idea what the Camino’s administrative body is actually called) to receive our “Compostela” — the certificate (in Latin, no less) that certifies that I completed the pilgrimage to Santiago. To obtain such an “honor”*, one must simply obtain a Pilgrim’s Passport and have it regularly stamped at hostels […]
Probably the weirdest combination of foods I have ever eaten. We stayed in a hotel tonight, as Mom has decided to walk with me to the coast (as opposed to taking a bus) ad she wanted a good night’s rest before setting out. Of course, no hostel means no prepared dinner, which meant a shopping […]
(What was I saying about the wine?) “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” ~ Charles Chaplin
A look back upon Beauty-full Santiago as we set out for the coast. The Walk to Finisterre was an additional 50 miles. There were far fewer hostels along the way — primarily because there were far fewer pilgrims making the Journey. This meant longer distance to walk between hostels, and yet we felt ready for […]
“Detachment doesn’t mean you don’t let the experience penetrate you … On the contrary, you let it penetrate you fully … By allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience [it] fully and completely … [In this way], you know what love is.” ~ Morrie Schwartz (via Mitch Albom)
“Pause in a sunbeam to revel in [my own “Universalist” version of] the Lord’s Prayer* and end the same with a feeling of immense admiration for the ability of our interactive Universe to constantly, powerfully, and yet gently guide us all — both to release our self-centered behaviors, and to replace them with others that […]
The beautiful town of Puenta de Maceira … “Pause again on a bridge in ‘Camelot’ (Puente de Maceira), within sight & sound of a large horseshoe waterfall, sitting in a sunbeam, eating apples with Galicia cheese — YES!” ~ excerpt from my Camino journal
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Avoid resisting them … Let reality be reality. Allow things to flow naturally forward in whatever way they wish.” ~ Lao Tsu
“Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.” ~ A. A. Milne
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