The demands on the physical body cannot be underestimated, we have been constantly reminded to listen and take heed of the messages it sends to us, to slow down, to rest, tend, take care and give it what it needs to heal itself.
Emotionally, the natural highs from being in nature and connecting with others was enough but last night, at the end of our journey some of the life lessons became clear to me (it gets a bit heavy from now on - be prepared)! So here goes:
My Camino was learning to leave the past behind. There is no past - only the present, so let it go!
It was about forgiving me for carting the past with me, making it shape my present and future and clinging onto pain and certain self limiting beliefs.
It is about forgiving others - how could I never really fully understand their pain/journey?
It was about living completely in the now - with truth, trust and the knowledge that the universe/sacred source will supply all that I need.
It was about treating yourself and others like the innocent, pure child we were all born to be.
It is about not judging others on how you find them! Treat them first with love and let that love reflect back like a mirror.
For me the holy grail is not a challis but the sacred space within it. The same is true of the churchs we have visited - it's not the mind blowing, sky soaring cathedrals with the obscene riches and gold ornateness that inspires, but the simple plain stone structures that house the sacred space that makes it easier to contemplate and get in touch with one's own source that we were moved by.
Our bodies are not perfect but they are awesome, mine just walked across all of Spain and I still have cellulite? Go figure!
They hold our sacred space, our soul, so we need to stop judging and comparing them with some unobtainable ideal of perfection and just love them like we would a child. Our job today is to supply our bodies with the best we can - to love, nourish, care and protect them.
And lastly, remember love is a verb. When we practise it, then the feeling of love or emotional love follows, not the other way around!
Buen Camino!
Some vital statistics:
Started walking from St Jean Pied de Port, France on 18 May 2015.
Arrived Santiago de Compostela, Spain today, 27 June 2015.
We walked approximately 830km in 34 walking days with 7 rest days.
Over the 6 weeks, 4 pilgrims died - 2 heart attacks, one run over while walking, and one found dead in her sleep.
Our special Camino family was drawn together from Australia, USA, England, Netherlands, France, Canada, Ireland and our wonderful Spanish hosts. Gracias to you all. XXS Adiós.
No comments:
Post a Comment