Where are you on your Path?
Preparing your spiritual Self for the Camino.
We are all seekers; whether we know it or not and the Camino is a wonderful place to go seeking; to go within to your inner way.
Insights come from many sources. The pilgrim receives “messages” or inspirations from discussions with people who you meet on your Camino, from your physical effort and from the sights and spiritual places that you pass through. Your experience will be rich in new discoveries.
Make your Camino not only a physical journey but also a journey within to your Self.
Please read Pilgrim experiences and Testimonials to find out what others discovered.
Thoughts from celebrated spiritual masters
The following are some references of well-known spiritual masters; its not comprehensive. Simply some paths of reflection that may assist you before you begin your Camino.
Thich Nath Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh; a Zen Buddhist monk known for his work to bring peace to the World; especially his practice of mindfulness. He wrote many books though for the pilgrim a relevant book is his “Guide to walking meditation”. His spiritual lineage is from Buddha; an incarnation of God. For further references https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh
Yogananda
Pramahamsa Yogananda
Pramahamsa Yogananda is renowned as the first person to bring yoga to the western world. In fact he arrived in the USA on 25th July 1920; just one hundred years ago. The meaning of yoga for Yogananda is; A Sacred Science of Self-realization. Yoga is that science by which the soul gains mastery over the instruments of body and mind and uses them to attain self-realization – the reawakened consciousness of its transcendent, immortal nature, one with Spirit. His spiritual lineage is from Krishna; an incarnation of God. For further references https://yogananda.org/paramahansa-yogananda
Rumi
A well-know Islamic philosopher and poet from Persia of the 13th century. Some notable relevant quotes below.
“As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears.”
“When you go through a hard period, when everything seems to oppose you, … When you feel you cannot even bear one more minute, NEVER GIVE UP! Because it is the time and place that the course will divert!”
“Half-heartedness doesn’t reach into majesty. You set out to find God, but then you keep stopping for long periods at mean-spirited roadhouses.”
“Don’t turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place. That’s where the light enters you.”
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
“All religions, all this singing, one song. The differences are just illusion and vanity. The sun’s light looks a little different on this wall than it does on that wall, and a lot different on this other one, but it’s still one light.”
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi said “Your God is of your flesh. He lives in your nearest neighbour, in every man.” He set out to imitate Jesus and to carry on his work. Having started life as the son of a rich merchant, he renounced his high living and espoused a life of giving all that he possessed: a minimalist. Pope John Paul II declared him the Patron Saint of Ecology for his love of the environment and nature and as such his teachings are particularly relevant to the pilgrim as you walk. His spiritual lineage is from Jesus; the Son of God. For further reference Canticle of the Creatures : Francis of Assisi - Praised be You my Lord, with all Your Creatures (franciscanseculars.com)
The Lady
The Lady is a modern-day spiritual master with a world-wide following. She carries the power, energy, love, knowledge and truth to guide you all the way out of the darkness of the illusion into the light and love of God. The Lady is the living master behind the GMP meditation practice; a mediation practice for our modern times. Her spiritual lineage is from Gourasana, a modern day incarnation of God. For further reference https://centerofthegoldenone.com/meditation-practice/