Today has been an opportunity to begin to gather our thoughts and reflect on our pilgrimage so far.
We farewelled Geoff and Annemarie this morning, and since then we've been slowly walking the streets of the old city which we absolutely love.
We had a tapas lunch in one of the typical local bars, and loved the energy and vibrancy of the occasion.
And we've spent some time in the Cathedral, visiting the tomb of St James, lighting candles for some of those we are carrying in our hearts, and meditating in one of the chapels.
As we've reflected on the journey so far, we both have a sense that in some ways it has felt much more 'low key' than our last pilgrimage. Partly that's to do with the surrounding 'infrastructure'. In Lisbon, our starting place, the Caminho is only a small part of the life and consciousness of the city, signs were there but were muted, the numbers leaving from here are small and the way itself is relatively unglamorous (unlike the stunning scenery and climb out of St Jean). Similarly, we ourselves were in a different place when we began - less bruised and with less seeming to hang on getting 'there'. And finally, we haven't struggled physically to the same extent so again, it's felt less dramatic.
Yet walking this Portuguese way has been a rich and meaningful journey for us. We both awoke in Padron, the day we were walking in, having had dreams that felt significant. And today, as we approached the Cathedral and witnessed a little group of pilgrims taking their final steps we both found ourselves deeply moved. We connected with the import of the journey - ours as well as theirs.
Last time we entered the Cathedral here, we were feeling pretty ambivalent about the institution of the church. It was hard to feel connected to our own tradition, particularly given some of the 'overheated' expressions of piety we could see around us and the betrayals we had experienced. This time, we felt more held and healed - there was a sense of connection that had been missing before, a sense that there's something bigger here despite the failings of the institution and we can stand with and be in that. This feels like a grace and we are grateful.
Blessings,
Neil and Sarah
Good to hear that you found a sense of connectedness and grace this time around. Do you think the more low-key nature of the Portugues had anything to do with that reaction?
ReplyDeleteWhere are you off to next? Back home, or do you have more walking to do? Your public is interested in these things, you know.
Ken
Congratulations. I am overloaded by many practical troubles now but I still feel the spirit of the Caminho and I am always quietly planning next chapters of this endless book.
ReplyDeleteIlja
I have been recalling some conversations I used to have with my wise elder frIend about how we know something in our head, need time (and sometimes healing) for it to be felt in our heart, and then time (and perhaps renewed energy) to walk it with our feet, to live the truth of the original knowing. I have been wondering if walking a pilgrimage offers something about this but in the opposite direction... You walk the way with your feet, living the day to day of trust and hope and openness, your hearts begin to experience and feel new things and then gradually you begin to language this, have thoughts that can be shaped and given voice, new wisdom comes.
ReplyDeletePerhaps there are other life circumstances where we 'walk' something, feeling in our hearts that it matters, before the real depth of its wisdom is apparent to us (feet to heart to head), whereas other times we are aware of the slow shift from head, to heart, to feet. (Sometimes frustratingly slow of course!!)
Happy continued wandering and wondering during this interlude before the next walk...
I'm glad you both feel grace and are feeling at peace. So much of life seems to be off our path, then we are on it again. Always a bit of a mystery finding our way. Sounds like a wonderful Camino journey for you both. Much lovexxx.
ReplyDeleteWell done on getting there - in more ways than one - you seem to have had a holiday as well as a pilgrimage. Well earned.
ReplyDelete