2020 - The Ultimate Pilgrimage
“To take one step is courageous;
to stay on the path day after day,
choosing the unknown, and facing
yet another fear, that is nothing
short of grace.”
Here I am, back at the blog after a two month hiatus. It certainly has been a crazy summer in a crazy year for our family. I have several blog ideas, and will simply start with this one. As with any pilgrimage, you have to start with the first step, and, when you get lost, you have to have faith and start on the path again and again, as Danna Faulds says in the above poem, Sangha.
I start every Camino pilgrimage reading the above poem. Getting ready for the walk, everyone starts to confront and face one fear or another. The idea of walking so far is daunting for everyone, and it is always interesting to see what pops up in the weeks in advance of the walk. Then, we set off with one agenda and are greeted with many surprises and mysteries. Some of them are pure joy and others are less so. Last time we walked, we had a morning without water and a cold raw walk into Santiago, for example. We also met with many delights - beautiful gifts of insight, connection and camaraderie. Some of the lessons we learn are expected and many are unexpected.
Isn’t this exactly what many of us are experiencing now in 2020? This is a crazy pilgrimage that none of us even knew we were starting, but start we did. We have all been forced out of our comfort zones and forced to confront what we value and how we want to be in the world. Life has given us ups and downs, twists and turns, and we continue to walk like the ancient pilgrims, uncertain of what the end of this journey might be like. Every morning, waking up, maybe weary, off we go. What else can we do?
This idea came to me a few weeks ago as I was starting to lead the daily meditation class, it struck me how this class, started mid March as a temporary daily respite from the outer chaos, has been like a pilgrimage group for all of us. Some of us have been in the group consistently from the beginning, some come and go, and new people weave in and out - just as encounters are on the path. It has been an honor and privilege to guide this group as we all continue to step into the unknown.
I hope that your 2020 pilgrimage has been filled with blessing and insight. If you want support, feel free to reach out to me! I will help if I can.
Copyright 2020 Nancy C Murray
If you would like to participate in my daily healing meditations at 12:15 to 12:45 every day, please email me and I will send you the link.
Nancy C Murray is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, Reiki master and spiritual leader. She leads public and private yoga classes and healing sessions, transformational courses, and also retreats and spiritual journeys.
We plan on walking the Camino again in 2021! Click here for more information.
