What I’ve found is that the Camino has a way of offering parallels to many parts of life. Fellow pilgrims may hear echoes of their story in the physical struggle, the friendships, the stillness, the uncertainty or the sense of being reshaped.
Looking Back – “It’s been a year, the Camino stills walks with me.” Ralph began by reminding us that each person owns their own story. He imagined when he set out that his Camino would be a once in a life time experience. That he would walk, return home, reflect and put it aside. This however was not the case! What the Body Taught Me – “Endurance and Fragility.” While making his way down to Zubiri on the Camino Frances he fell and cracked two ribs. Later he broke his foot without realising it and continued to walk. Once home he faced a series of health and career issues. It was then the power of the Camino came into play. He learnt that endurance on the Camino and endurance in recovery are the same thing.
The Camino as a Teacher – “simple, not easy!” The Camino teaches through simplicity. One wakes up, walks, eats rests. In this way handling fewer things leads to greater clarity. Now when life feels heavy, I can almost hear the road say. “You’re carrying too much. Put something down. ’‘He became aware of The Quiet Gifts – “connection and presence.” Some of the greatest moments on the Camino are not landscapes but from people. Connections which were simple, honest and brief. Now I cultivate that presence. Being where my feet are, listening more than fixing, noticing rather than planning.
The Hard Return. – “Home as the new pilgrimage.” No yellow arrows now, trusting in the next step. Not every ending is a failure, some are just a turn in the road. He learnt to trust the next step, to travel light, And to keep walking, even through uncertainty.
A Year’s Perspective – “What’s Changed and What Hasn’t.” He sees that Camino is about trust, not endurance. That slowing down won’t make you fall behind, uncertainty is not failure. He said the Camino doesn’t stop teaching, it just changes classroom .
Closing – “Still walking.”
We are all pilgrims, Camino or not. We all walk our own road through change, loss, recovery and renewal. The question isn’t how far we go, but how we travel.
‘A year on: What the Camino still teaches me.’ ~ Ralph
Leave a Reply