A Beloved Camino
“It’s not a physical battle but a mental one, because there’s no rush as you can go at your own pace”, this comment was shared with me by my roommate on our third night on the Camino. Sarah was right; the physical challenge could easily be remedied with talc powder, minor pain killers and a cold drink. But that was the simple part of the Camino. The hardest aspect was having the right attitude that was required to complete the walk.
El Camino de Santiago is also known as ‘The Way of St. James’ and just as the name indicates, it is a pilgrimage dedicated to the historic route St. James embarked on. It can also be used as an analogy for the emotional, mental and spiritual journey that can be experienced during the occasion:
Getting up from the bed in good form
This is a basic action that can determine the outcome of the rest of your day. Waking up with tight muscles, weak limbs and being physically exhausted is not an easy feat to experience. Especially when it involves anticipating walking 15-20 km each day but this quick action was a journey that I had to make every single morning while in bed, no matter how tempting my bed was. Making a decision to not remain weak in the flesh but to be strong in spirit can be possible considering the impact it can have on the group; meaning sacrificing comfort for solidarity with my group.
Solidarity with group
Enjoying the scenery and making frequent stops to capture memories in photos occurred frequently given the beauty of the Spanish countryside. This meant trailing behind and almost always being the last member of the group at the back. Which emphasizes the importance of group solidarity and camaraderie. This can involve giving up the instinct to walk at a regular pace in order to support a group member struggling to maintain the group’s speed or who is simply soaking in their environment and nature. This is a subtle act of service that can be cultivated during the journey on the Camino.
Traveling with a group while trudging on challenging hiking trails through the scorching Mediterranean heat, occasionally on an empty stomach, parched mouth while being sleep-deprived can lead to an undesirable personality trait revealing itself which could threaten the group dynamics. Taking a pause before responding (or not responding at all) to unflattering comments, unwelcomed attitudes in order to keep peace and harmony in the group is another journey that has to be taken. This is probably the most challenging one and can be achieved by focusing on the positives such as the beauty of the cathedral in Santiago, the warm Spanish hospitality rendered and the amazing food and drink shared amongst the pilgrims. Retaining a positive atmosphere starts from within before it can permeate into the external environment; by constantly adjusting our reactions and responses we can have some control over our surroundings and this can determine how we respond.
Focus on the Goal
Henry Ford once said, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal”. This idea can be applied to completing the Camino; when completing the final leg on the Eve of Easter I kept an image of the Cathedral in my head. Each step in the last 5 km felt like walking on a treadmill and unsuccessfully trying to walk to the top of the treadmill belt. The heat intensified, I ran out of water that my parched mouth desperately desired. Still, I kept my eye on the goal; to reach the Cathedral and to attend the Easter Vigil Mass. The pace got easier and steadier as I focused on the goal and even led me to a newsagent where I bought a bottle of cold water and ended the evening with a splendid dinner.
Walking the Camino de Santiago involves perseverance, focus and solidarity and to remember to “walk slow, don’t rush. That place you have to reach is yourself”