Pilgrimage: An Inner and Outer Journey

In this excerpt from A Camino Pilgrim’s Guide: Sarria – Santiago- Finisterre, A Practical and Mystical Manual for the Modern Day Pilgrim the author describes the beauty of the inner and outer journey the pilgrim is about to undertake. In the second section we have excerpted a small piece from the guide to demonstrate how John Brierley has formatted the guide to be a source of wisdom and insight to the traveler on their pilgrimage.

by John Brierley

Pilgrimage and the Camino

All of us travel two paths simultaneously; the outer path along which we haul our body and the inner pathway of soul. We need to be mindful of both and take time to prepare ourselves accordingly. The traditional way of the pilgrim is to travel alone, by foot, carrying all the material possessions we might need for the journey ahead.

This provides the first lesson for the pilgrim – to leave behind all that is superfluous and to travel with only the barest necessities. Preparation for the inner path is similar – we start by letting go of psychic waste accumulated over the years such as resentments, prejudices and outmoded belief systems. Walking with an open mind and open heart allows us to assimilate the lessons to be found along this ancient Path of Enquiry.

We have been asleep a long time. Despite the chaotic world around us, or perhaps because of it, something is stirring us to awaken from our collective amnesia. A sign of this awakening is the number of people drawn to walk the caminos. The hectic pace of modern life, experienced not only in our work but also our family and social lives, spins us ever outwards away from our center. We have allowed ourselves to be thrown onto the surface of our lives – mistaking busy-ness for aliveness, but this superficial existence is inherently unsatisfying.

Pilgrimage offers us an opportunity to slow down and allow some spaciousness into our lives. In this quieter space we can reflect on the deeper significance of our lives and the reasons why we came here. The camino encourages us to ask the perennial question – Who am I? And, crucially, it provides time for answers to be understood and integrated. So don’t rush the camino – take the time it takes because it may well prove a pivotal turning point in your life.