Crosses regularly graced the sides of (and often adorned the stopovers along) The Way, and sometimes these Christ-referenced shrines were large enough to inspire decades of pilgrims to leave their tributes there. And while it is easy to think that these marked memorials evidence an almost overbearing popularity of the Christian religion, I think we […]
I proceeded along The Path and came across this odd wayside sight – a pile of uprooted (and apparently discarded) Camino waymarkers. And how fitting the same was, especially here along a section of The Way that was so large & wide & clear & obvious that no signposts were needed at all. Metaphors abounded […]
I then suddenly found myself walking next to Terri from Texas (pictured in white on the right) and talking amicably about our mutual disconcert related to over the current over-arching state of humanity – the crystallized fixation with material comforts being gathered and personal needs being met, the increase in individual security purchased at the […]
This roadside mural (which I remember being present here as well back in 2008) makes a common challenge all too clear – how are we to ensconce ourselves in the wonders of life’s more difficult (and more common) moments, when ever tempted to long for times past that were more cozy (and therefore innately less […]
I then arrived on the outskirts of the larger city of Burgos, and entered the first wayside church I came to there – a church being humbly cleaned by a cast of humble women; a church shimmering in a glow of warmth & wonderment; a church apparently dedicated to – and also gently emanating – […]
“Christians, refuse to compare yourself to other Christians. Compare yourself instead only to the life & teachings of Jesus Christ, for his Way is the one to follow. And non-Christians, refuse to be judged by Christianity. Judge yourself instead only in comparison to the life & teachings of Jesus Christ, for his Way – for […]
After a brief stopover in the city’s central library, I made my way smoothly across the accompanying courtyard into yet another open cathedral; wondering as I did so about the enormous amount of material wealth that has been invested the world over into building such spiritual citadels – wealth that could have easily erased most […]
Sometimes the Path proved to be poorly marked and difficult to find or follow, no doubt, and yet by and large the vast majority of its length is signposted rather well* – via symbols or stickers or signs, markers or memorials or murals; allowing the pilgrim to spend less time wondering whether or not he […]
Once again, eleven years later, I came to the objectively beautiful Burgos Cathedral. And once again the same was closed to me (and any other pilgrims who didn’t have the ability to pay its entrance fee). What is this “holiness” that denies those who are seeking more sincerely to follow the Way of the Soul? […]
I made it smoothly through the entirety of the city, flowing much of the way through various parks and gardens and tree-lined promenades, until I found myself passing the entrance to a local hermitage-turned-chapel (Ermita de San Amaro) on the near outskirts of town, and peacefully entered the same … “We must at times all […]
After my short hermitage-chapel stopover I had continued on my way out of town, and at the very outskirts of the same I had encountered Marie (From Quebec – pictured herein) sitting on a wayside bench. I think she could tell that I was ready for a break as well (it was extremely hot out […]
;
