Do you set an “intention” for your Camino?

[CTLawGal]

Walking a Camino in 2025? I am starting my second in April 2025 and thinking about what intention to set. And also wondering if others set intentions for their Camino? Do you change your intention from Camino to Camino, or stick with the same one?

I discovered this Forum shortly before I began my first Camino, with the plan to walk the Norte to Oviedo, then the Primitivo and finishing with Finisterre and Muxia over the course of 42 days. I came across a post with an excerpt from Father Richard’s 1983 talks on pilgrimage, which I found incredibly meaningful because, while I’m not Catholic or particularly religious, it caused me to start thinking about walking my Camino with an “intent”. The thread was later shut down as it inspired a lot of angry responses on the now taboo topic of "pilgrim or tourist". However, this post is not intended as a violation of the new rule, but rather to ask, do you walk with intention?

I know people walk the Camino for many reasons, or for no reason, to just walk and see what happens along the way, so perhaps setting an intention isn’t necessarily helpful or applicable to everyone.

I hadn’t really given it much thought before I started, I was more caught up in packing (and repacking, and repacking again), and all the other pre-departure details. However, that post inspired me to examine why I was walking and what I hoped to accomplish. Before I read that post, I think I was mostly just hoping I would be able to finish! I was also hoping in some vague way for it to be a “spiritual” journey, not just a long trekking vacation. But I hadn’t really gone much further than in my thoughts than that, I wasn’t really thinking about how make a spiritual journey, it was just something I felt compelled to do.

My response to that post included this description of my intention:

“I feel that if I can wake every morning with gratitude in my heart, experience the beauty of where I am in each moment, let go of judging others, no matter how tired I feel or my feet ache, I will have accomplished what I set out to do, I will have approached the internal from the external.”

I kept thinking about this as my departure came closer, and once I started walking, I found myself articulating it slightly differently: that by waking each day with this kind of positive energy, I hoped it would create a kind of internal emotional “vibration” that I hoped I would be able to carry through to my day-to-day life off the Camino. Bringing that “best version of myself” that I often see others describe how they feel on Camino, back with me to my life at home. Looking back, I feel that setting that intention really made a difference in my pilgrimage; it became my polestar, and I did start to feel a kind of internal vibration.

I think I’ve been somewhat successful at maintaining that vibration, but I still see it as a practice, not something that you accomplish, rather something to keep working at. Somehow it seemed so much easier on the Camino where life is simplified into the basic components of walk, find food, be kind, find your destination, repeat. The Camino can be so powerful and a source of inspiration to keep improving our “best versions” – it’s definitely something to keep working on and going back to.

So, as I prepare for my next Camino in Spring 2025, I am thinking again about my intention, how should I walk? Do I need a new intention (and what would that be?), or continue with the one that worked so well for me on my first Camino? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I’ve modified it somewhat, encapsulating into fewer words so it can be a little like a mantra, but still with the hope of creating (or maybe deepening) that internal “vibration” and work towards that “better version”.

Wake in gratitude.
Be good, do good.
Open your heart to beauty.
Remember to smile.

So for now, that is my intention for my Camino.

I’m also hoping that by sharing mine, as the New Year approaches it will inspire you to think about it (as that post inspired me) to enhance your own Camino. And maybe give me other things to think about as I set mine.

 

[dbier]

Gracias a Dios
Señor, ten piedad.
Let go, let God.

 

[MamaBear]

Walking a Camino in 2025? I am starting my second in April 2025 and thinking about what intention to set. And also wondering if others set intentions for their Camino? Do you change your intention from Camino to Camino, or stick with the same one?

I discovered this Forum shortly before I began my first Camino, with the plan to walk the Norte to Oviedo, then the Primitivo and finishing with Finisterre and Muxia over the course of 42 days. I came across a post with an excerpt from Father Richard’s 1983 talks on pilgrimage, which I found incredibly meaningful because, while I’m not Catholic or particularly religious, it caused me to start thinking about walking my Camino with an “intent”. The thread was later shut down as it inspired a lot of angry responses on the now taboo topic of "pilgrim or tourist". However, this post is not intended as a violation of the new rule, but rather to ask, do you walk with intention?

I know people walk the Camino for many reasons, or for no reason, to just walk and see what happens along the way, so perhaps setting an intention isn’t necessarily helpful or applicable to everyone.

I hadn’t really given it much thought before I started, I was more caught up in packing (and repacking, and repacking again), and all the other pre-departure details. However, that post inspired me to examine why I was walking and what I hoped to accomplish. Before I read that post, I think I was mostly just hoping I would be able to finish! I was also hoping in some vague way for it to be a “spiritual” journey, not just a long trekking vacation. But I hadn’t really gone much further than in my thoughts than that, I wasn’t really thinking about how make a spiritual journey, it was just something I felt compelled to do.

My response to that post included this description of my intention:

“I feel that if I can wake every morning with gratitude in my heart, experience the beauty of where I am in each moment, let go of judging others, no matter how tired I feel or my feet ache, I will have accomplished what I set out to do, I will have approached the internal from the external.”

I kept thinking about this as my departure came closer, and once I started walking, I found myself articulating it slightly differently: that by waking each day with this kind of positive energy, I hoped it would create a kind of internal emotional “vibration” that I hoped I would be able to carry through to my day-to-day life off the Camino. Bringing that “best version of myself” that I often see others describe how they feel on Camino, back with me to my life at home. Looking back, I feel that setting that intention really made a difference in my pilgrimage; it became my polestar, and I did start to feel a kind of internal vibration.

I think I’ve been somewhat successful at maintaining that vibration, but I still see it as a practice, not something that you accomplish, rather something to keep working at. Somehow it seemed so much easier on the Camino where life is simplified into the basic components of walk, find food, be kind, find your destination, repeat. The Camino can be so powerful and a source of inspiration to keep improving our “best versions” – it’s definitely something to keep working on and going back to.

So, as I prepare for my next Camino in Spring 2025, I am thinking again about my intention, how should I walk? Do I need a new intention (and what would that be?), or continue with the one that worked so well for me on my first Camino? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I’ve modified it somewhat, encapsulating into fewer words so it can be a little like a mantra, but still with the hope of creating (or maybe deepening) that internal “vibration” and work towards that “better version”.

Wake in gratitude.
Be good, do good.
Open your heart to beauty.
Remember to smile.

So for now, that is my intention for my Camino.

I’m also hoping that by sharing mine, as the New Year approaches it will inspire you to think about it (as that post inspired me) to enhance your own Camino. And maybe give me other things to think about as I set mine.

My intent will simply be to walk alongside with my Savior Jesus Christ, see and experience our journey together.

 

[C clearly]

I have my reasons for walking Caminos, and those reasons are enough for me. I do not "set" an intention upon starting one.

 

[Robo]

I have my reasons for walking Caminos, and those reasons are enough for me. I do not "set" an intention upon starting one.

100%.
I think there is a real danger in over thinking this Camino thing

I just go and walk, with no specific intention or goal.
But I know that cool things will happen if I am open to it.......

 

[Damien Reynolds]

On my next camino, my intention will be to lose the weight I have gained since my last one (oh the Holidays), and get back into hiking shape for a thru-hike in the USA.

Now it would be nice to do something to help someone or something along the way. But I don't set an intention for that, most often that is a "game time" decision and I never know when something like that is going to happen.

This one time.. I was told I "restored [a fellow walker's] faith in humanity".

I try not to set the bar so high as to expect that again.

 

[OZAJ]

100%.
I think there is a real danger in over thinking this Camino thing

I just go and walk, with no specific intention or goal.
But I know that cool things will happen if I am open to it.......

I agree.

Being open to what happens. Seeing things and opportunities you might not normally notice. Being aware of assistance from Mushkil Gusha, the remover of difficulties.

The universe is large and you are small, but you ARE an integral part of it all.

 

[SabsP]

I have my reasons for walking Caminos, and those reasons are enough for me. I do not "set" an intention upon starting one.

Idem for me.
Aside from that : all the things I would like to be/ do at home.
Being a decent person and be nice to others and myself.
If taking up as much culture and architecture on a Camino is an intention then yes that is something I would do. But I do the same when not on Camino.

 

[markie6]

I started with the intention of completing it when I first headed out. I had a guidebook and little knowledge other than that of the movie. I came here to the forum later once I realised there were a lot of us

One thing I have learned while walking is the need for tolerance. Something I have taken back to the real world with me

 

[MikeJS]

My only intent is to get to the end.

 

[J Willhaus]

On my first Camino, my intention was to try to become a more patient person. As with most things I wish for, God gave me multiple opportunities to practice! I do think it helped although I am still generally not a very patient person.

Now my intention is just to live every day to the fullest either on or off the Camino. Who knows how many Caminos any of us has left in us, so I walk each one with the wonder and welcoming spirit as if it might be my last.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

On my next camino, my intention will be to lose the weight

You beat me to it! Same.

I recommend the Camino Vadiniense for that intent: for the first time I got comments when I got back, some rather worried, saying I lost too much weight... (Vadiniense was part of a longer Camino but I heavily suspect that stretch took a toll on me)

Then again, after a few months one is back to being the old roly poly pudding as always...

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

100%.
I think there is a real danger in over thinking this Camino thing

I just go and walk, with no specific intention or goal.
But I know that cool things will happen if I am open to it.......

Perhaps, yes… which is to say: totally agree that people overthink the pilgrimage on the caminos de Santiago… because it starts to tread into “wellness” aspirational culture stuff (self-improvement, some vague notion of enlightenment, things of that order…).
But “intention” has a very particular meaning in Catholic practice and is not about overthinking. Rather it is about paring down to clarity what the purpose is in anything that one does. Entirely possible that the choice of word in the OP speaks to this idea… in which case, it is not a hand-wringing angst at all.
At its simplest, it is to do everything you do in a way that honours our creation as children of God.
I will stop there knowing that I have wildly reduced a fairly nuanced tenet, but the forum rules make it difficult to do any better without treading into “discussion of religion”.
I think that one might say quite reasonably, though, that having the goal of reaching the cathedral and praying at the tomb of the saint would be intention enough…. Thought it would not carry the meaning contained within “intention” as it is used to mean something close to “prayer”.
That said, if one attends any of the pilgrim masses, if one attends any of the ACC sessions, if one receives the pilgrim blessing from a church or cathedral at the point of departure, then the idea of carrying your intentions to Santiago will be central to the purpose of the blessing.
So… yeah, I think we can overthink “intention”, but the concept can be quite sacred for some who are making their way… and for those who might follow an Ignatian practice, for example, then staying faithful to the intention will be a key part of the work of making the journey.
thing about all this is… I would never ask someone their intention and would only share mine in a setting designed for that purpose (i.e., at a pilgrim’s mass, or at one of the ACC sessions).

 

[60LifeChange]

No expectations. Life happens, enjoy it! Hoping for much, but will take whatever comes my way.

 

[lt56ny]

Idem for me.
Aside from that : all the things I would like to be/ do at home.
Being a decent person and be nice to others and myself.
If taking up as much culture and architecture on a Camino is an intention then yes that is something I would do. But I do the same when not on Camino.

I just wanted to tell you that I had never seen or heard the word idem before. Had to google it. After I found the meaning I thought it was a really, really COOL word. I doubt I would ever use it as my friends (they are boys from The Bronx would give me a ton of s*#t for it. You probably don't know this as you are not a New Yorker from a working class neighborhood, This would be the the expected response from anybody on our street.
But regardless I love the word and thanks for using it!!! Happy New Year to you @SabsP!

 

[Hermitanyo]

My intentions for my Camino will be to offer my Joys and Sufferings to the Immaculate Heart of Our Blessed Mother to use as she will.

 

[lt56ny]

Walking a Camino in 2025? I am starting my second in April 2025 and thinking about what intention to set. And also wondering if others set intentions for their Camino? Do you change your intention from Camino to Camino, or stick with the same one?

I discovered this Forum shortly before I began my first Camino, with the plan to walk the Norte to Oviedo, then the Primitivo and finishing with Finisterre and Muxia over the course of 42 days. I came across a post with an excerpt from Father Richard’s 1983 talks on pilgrimage, which I found incredibly meaningful because, while I’m not Catholic or particularly religious, it caused me to start thinking about walking my Camino with an “intent”. The thread was later shut down as it inspired a lot of angry responses on the now taboo topic of "pilgrim or tourist". However, this post is not intended as a violation of the new rule, but rather to ask, do you walk with intention?

I know people walk the Camino for many reasons, or for no reason, to just walk and see what happens along the way, so perhaps setting an intention isn’t necessarily helpful or applicable to everyone.

I hadn’t really given it much thought before I started, I was more caught up in packing (and repacking, and repacking again), and all the other pre-departure details. However, that post inspired me to examine why I was walking and what I hoped to accomplish. Before I read that post, I think I was mostly just hoping I would be able to finish! I was also hoping in some vague way for it to be a “spiritual” journey, not just a long trekking vacation. But I hadn’t really gone much further than in my thoughts than that, I wasn’t really thinking about how make a spiritual journey, it was just something I felt compelled to do.

My response to that post included this description of my intention:

“I feel that if I can wake every morning with gratitude in my heart, experience the beauty of where I am in each moment, let go of judging others, no matter how tired I feel or my feet ache, I will have accomplished what I set out to do, I will have approached the internal from the external.”

I kept thinking about this as my departure came closer, and once I started walking, I found myself articulating it slightly differently: that by waking each day with this kind of positive energy, I hoped it would create a kind of internal emotional “vibration” that I hoped I would be able to carry through to my day-to-day life off the Camino. Bringing that “best version of myself” that I often see others describe how they feel on Camino, back with me to my life at home. Looking back, I feel that setting that intention really made a difference in my pilgrimage; it became my polestar, and I did start to feel a kind of internal vibration.

I think I’ve been somewhat successful at maintaining that vibration, but I still see it as a practice, not something that you accomplish, rather something to keep working at. Somehow it seemed so much easier on the Camino where life is simplified into the basic components of walk, find food, be kind, find your destination, repeat. The Camino can be so powerful and a source of inspiration to keep improving our “best versions” – it’s definitely something to keep working on and going back to.

So, as I prepare for my next Camino in Spring 2025, I am thinking again about my intention, how should I walk? Do I need a new intention (and what would that be?), or continue with the one that worked so well for me on my first Camino? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I’ve modified it somewhat, encapsulating into fewer words so it can be a little like a mantra, but still with the hope of creating (or maybe deepening) that internal “vibration” and work towards that “better version”.

Wake in gratitude.
Be good, do good.
Open your heart to beauty.
Remember to smile.

So for now, that is my intention for my Camino.

I’m also hoping that by sharing mine, as the New Year approaches it will inspire you to think about it (as that post inspired me) to enhance your own Camino. And maybe give me other things to think about as I set mine.

I am about as New Age (don't know a better word to use) or enlightened as hole in the wall and as woke as a hibernating bear. But at the same time I think how someone expresses themselves or what they believe is fine with me. It is like all the pronouns used today that people want to attach themselves with. As an example my daughter was renting a room in New York with three other people. One of the "women" I was told by my daughter wanted her gender to be referred as (if I remember correctly) as they. I also had to be schooled by both my girls about this as I had no idea. They were also exasperated as I received a lecture on the differences between gender and sexual preference. I told her to tell her roommate that when I meet her and don't refer to her as they it is not that I am being rude, it is because I am from a far different generation and have never knowingly been around someone who used a new gender identification. I tell you all this to explain and not to sound rude with my response. Wow can I ever shut up?

I have my reasons for walking Caminos, and those reasons are enough for me. I do not "set" an intention upon starting one.

100%.
I think there is a real danger in over thinking this Camino thing

I just go and walk, with no specific intention or goal.
But I know that cool things will happen if I am open to it.......

If taking up as much culture and architecture on a Camino is an intention then yes that is something I would do. But I do the same when not on Camino.

The three quotes above are all I agree with. Coming from 3 people I am sure I would really like if I ever have the good fortune to meet.
I say just walk "UNintentionally". Just be the good person who tries as I am sure you are.
Feel your body and hear the sounds around you and the earth under your feet and walk mindlessly.
We are who we are. I have never gotten over my dad's passing. He was my rock who watched over me and guided me and crawled up my butt when I screwed up, which I did alot, but at the same time loved me and gave me the best guidance every single day no matter how many mistakes I made. Since his passing I have often been so mad at him for not living forever to keep me on the straight and narrow and being their for me when I was confused or had screwed up.
But you know my mindlessness sometimes allows me to have conversations with him when I walk and I can hear his voice and his love for me so clearly.
Walk with no intention and no thought and let the camino come to you when your brain is clear of all your (as we all have) your lifetime of BS. I am 70 and I figure if I haven't figured something out by now I never will so I don't worry about it. Like how my wife gets mad at me because I am oblivious to how the boss wants her house run. I have learned that wives are really the owners of the house us men live in no matter whose money paid for the roof over our heads. Our wives just let us, by their good graces to live there.
So just walk and as the old saying goes the camino gives us what we need not what we want.
I am sure you are a good person now and will be the same when you finish.
Like @C clearly says she walks for her own reasons and they are good enough for her. I agree.
I will say I have my reasons but I will divulge this much. The camino feels like home for me.
Buen Camino and if you read this I hope you didn't fall asleep, unless of course you needed a nap so in that case your welcome.

 

[Silvermomma]

CTLawGal, I absolutely love your post, and the thoughts you are sharing. I have walked four caminos and always articulate (in writing) a few things I want to hold in my mind and heart. Have you read the book "Returning from Camino" by John Shaia? I like it, although I haven't done most of the things, like have a specific mentor, etc. But I like the framework.

And to answer further, yes my intentions change, as I realize various challenges. Suspending judgement is always on the list, because I am terrible at this, LOL. Being kind to myself, not fretting if I take a bus or taxi once in a while. Now that you have walked once, and you are so articulate and thoughtful, I'm sure you can formulate new intentions, or reframe earlier ones.

One thing I enjoy doing: before I leave, I write random quotes and encouragement in the blank journal I'm going to use. It's fun to come upon them weeks later.

I also live in CT.

 

[JeffP]

Walking a Camino in 2025? I am starting my second in April 2025 and thinking about what intention to set. And also wondering if others set intentions for their Camino? Do you change your intention from Camino to Camino, or stick with the same one?

I discovered this Forum shortly before I began my first Camino, with the plan to walk the Norte to Oviedo, then the Primitivo and finishing with Finisterre and Muxia over the course of 42 days. I came across a post with an excerpt from Father Richard’s 1983 talks on pilgrimage, which I found incredibly meaningful because, while I’m not Catholic or particularly religious, it caused me to start thinking about walking my Camino with an “intent”. The thread was later shut down as it inspired a lot of angry responses on the now taboo topic of "pilgrim or tourist". However, this post is not intended as a violation of the new rule, but rather to ask, do you walk with intention?

I know people walk the Camino for many reasons, or for no reason, to just walk and see what happens along the way, so perhaps setting an intention isn’t necessarily helpful or applicable to everyone.

I hadn’t really given it much thought before I started, I was more caught up in packing (and repacking, and repacking again), and all the other pre-departure details. However, that post inspired me to examine why I was walking and what I hoped to accomplish. Before I read that post, I think I was mostly just hoping I would be able to finish! I was also hoping in some vague way for it to be a “spiritual” journey, not just a long trekking vacation. But I hadn’t really gone much further than in my thoughts than that, I wasn’t really thinking about how make a spiritual journey, it was just something I felt compelled to do.

My response to that post included this description of my intention:

“I feel that if I can wake every morning with gratitude in my heart, experience the beauty of where I am in each moment, let go of judging others, no matter how tired I feel or my feet ache, I will have accomplished what I set out to do, I will have approached the internal from the external.”

I kept thinking about this as my departure came closer, and once I started walking, I found myself articulating it slightly differently: that by waking each day with this kind of positive energy, I hoped it would create a kind of internal emotional “vibration” that I hoped I would be able to carry through to my day-to-day life off the Camino. Bringing that “best version of myself” that I often see others describe how they feel on Camino, back with me to my life at home. Looking back, I feel that setting that intention really made a difference in my pilgrimage; it became my polestar, and I did start to feel a kind of internal vibration.

I think I’ve been somewhat successful at maintaining that vibration, but I still see it as a practice, not something that you accomplish, rather something to keep working at. Somehow it seemed so much easier on the Camino where life is simplified into the basic components of walk, find food, be kind, find your destination, repeat. The Camino can be so powerful and a source of inspiration to keep improving our “best versions” – it’s definitely something to keep working on and going back to.

So, as I prepare for my next Camino in Spring 2025, I am thinking again about my intention, how should I walk? Do I need a new intention (and what would that be?), or continue with the one that worked so well for me on my first Camino? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I’ve modified it somewhat, encapsulating into fewer words so it can be a little like a mantra, but still with the hope of creating (or maybe deepening) that internal “vibration” and work towards that “better version”.

Wake in gratitude.
Be good, do good.
Open your heart to beauty.
Remember to smile.

So for now, that is my intention for my Camino.

I’m also hoping that by sharing mine, as the New Year approaches it will inspire you to think about it (as that post inspired me) to enhance your own Camino. And maybe give me other things to think about as I set mine.

Good Morning,

I invite my friends and family to share their intentions and prayers with me so I can carry them close to my heart as I journey along the Way. I’ll remember them with each step, lifting their hopes and needs in my thoughts. In the sacred stillness of the churches I visit, I will light candles, offering a quiet flame of prayer and love for each intention entrusted to me.

 

[francesbe]

When I walked last summer, I had been thinking about how soft my life is, and I wanted to challenge myself. A lot of the language I heard people use along the way (I mostly met people in their 20s/30s) used pretty aggressive language to discuss their caminos. They wanted to "destroy [their] bodies} and compared the camino to "getting in the ring for nine rounds with yourself." I spent alot of time thinking about my past and my family. When I got to Melide, I met some nuns on the way out of town. One of the nuns asked me why I was walking, and I replied that I was getting to know myself. I didn't realize that was my reason for walking until the words were out of my mouth.

 

[Adelina]

Some interesting posts here - intentions are all well and good and so very different for every individual. As hospitalera in Grado last year, I began to send off the pilgrims in the morning by saying "walk for peace." Then we wrote many intentions on a small piece of paper for pilgrims to take with them. Then we invited pilgrims to write an "intention" on a small piece of paper (like a fortune cookie strip) and place it in a bowl for the next day's pilgrims. The intentions ranged from "keep your socks dry" (this was a very wet Camino Primitivo October), to very deep and personal wishes for the pilgrims. We got them in many languages and used DEEPL to translate for each other. Every pilgrim took one with them as they left the albergue, and they left one for the next day's pilgrims. What amazed me is how often the pilgrims said they got exactly the intention they needed for that day!

 

[TravellingMan22]

Just look to 1) enjoy it and be happy that I dedicated 4 weeks to something that I really enjoyed and 2) get to the finish line. I don’t tend to dwell on it afterwards preferring to move on to the next thing, but like it to be a good memory a few years down the road.

 

[SabsP]

I just wanted to tell you that I had never seen or heard the word idem before. Had to google it. After I found the meaning I thought it was a really, really COOL word. I doubt I would ever use it as my friends (they are boys from The Bronx would give me a ton of s*#t for it. You probably don't know this as you are not a New Yorker from a working class neighborhood, This would be the the expected response from anybody on our street.
But regardless I love the word and thanks for using it!!! Happy New Year to you @SabsP!

Not from NY working class neighbourhood but always in for a visit. Pretty sure I have quite something in common with you and your friends .
Working class background too here and just a product of a decent democratic and free schoolingsystem.

 

[Thomas Yingst]

Walking a Camino in 2025? I am starting my second in April 2025 and thinking about what intention to set. And also wondering if others set intentions for their Camino? Do you change your intention from Camino to Camino, or stick with the same one?

I discovered this Forum shortly before I began my first Camino, with the plan to walk the Norte to Oviedo, then the Primitivo and finishing with Finisterre and Muxia over the course of 42 days. I came across a post with an excerpt from Father Richard’s 1983 talks on pilgrimage, which I found incredibly meaningful because, while I’m not Catholic or particularly religious, it caused me to start thinking about walking my Camino with an “intent”. The thread was later shut down as it inspired a lot of angry responses on the now taboo topic of "pilgrim or tourist". However, this post is not intended as a violation of the new rule, but rather to ask, do you walk with intention?

I know people walk the Camino for many reasons, or for no reason, to just walk and see what happens along the way, so perhaps setting an intention isn’t necessarily helpful or applicable to everyone.

I hadn’t really given it much thought before I started, I was more caught up in packing (and repacking, and repacking again), and all the other pre-departure details. However, that post inspired me to examine why I was walking and what I hoped to accomplish. Before I read that post, I think I was mostly just hoping I would be able to finish! I was also hoping in some vague way for it to be a “spiritual” journey, not just a long trekking vacation. But I hadn’t really gone much further than in my thoughts than that, I wasn’t really thinking about how make a spiritual journey, it was just something I felt compelled to do.

My response to that post included this description of my intention:

“I feel that if I can wake every morning with gratitude in my heart, experience the beauty of where I am in each moment, let go of judging others, no matter how tired I feel or my feet ache, I will have accomplished what I set out to do, I will have approached the internal from the external.”

I kept thinking about this as my departure came closer, and once I started walking, I found myself articulating it slightly differently: that by waking each day with this kind of positive energy, I hoped it would create a kind of internal emotional “vibration” that I hoped I would be able to carry through to my day-to-day life off the Camino. Bringing that “best version of myself” that I often see others describe how they feel on Camino, back with me to my life at home. Looking back, I feel that setting that intention really made a difference in my pilgrimage; it became my polestar, and I did start to feel a kind of internal vibration.

I think I’ve been somewhat successful at maintaining that vibration, but I still see it as a practice, not something that you accomplish, rather something to keep working at. Somehow it seemed so much easier on the Camino where life is simplified into the basic components of walk, find food, be kind, find your destination, repeat. The Camino can be so powerful and a source of inspiration to keep improving our “best versions” – it’s definitely something to keep working on and going back to.

So, as I prepare for my next Camino in Spring 2025, I am thinking again about my intention, how should I walk? Do I need a new intention (and what would that be?), or continue with the one that worked so well for me on my first Camino? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I’ve modified it somewhat, encapsulating into fewer words so it can be a little like a mantra, but still with the hope of creating (or maybe deepening) that internal “vibration” and work towards that “better version”.

Wake in gratitude.
Be good, do good.
Open your heart to beauty.
Remember to smile.

So for now, that is my intention for my Camino.

I’m also hoping that by sharing mine, as the New Year approaches it will inspire you to think about it (as that post inspired me) to enhance your own Camino. And maybe give me other things to think about as I set mine.

Walk, eat, shower, sleep ( look at stuff ) … repeat …

 

[Paladina]

In Quince’s classic mangled statement, ‘Our true intent is / All for your delight / We are not here…’ On the road far too much travelled, especially the Compostela-qualifying section, I try neither to incite nor entertain these ‘wish you weren’t here’ responses. I don’t always succeed.

 

[Silvermomma]

In Quince’s classic mangled statement, ‘Our true intent is / All for your delight / We are not here…’ On the road far too much travelled, especially the Compostela-qualifying section, I try neither to incite nor entertain these ‘wish you weren’t here’ responses. I don’t always succeed.

Mechanicals on camino - I'd walk with them!

 

[Camineiro]

My general intention to do a camino is health.
Pilgrimage hiking is fitness training, purification and balm for body, mind and soul.

A side effect is weight loss.

Ultreya

 

[Elle Bieling]

The theme that I believe I am hearing here is; how we approach life, so we approach pilgrimage. It is different for everyone. Life as a a pilgrimage really can't be ignored. Pilgrimage is an archetype according to many experts on the subject. Which I suppose is why we are drawn to it. It is in our blood and our bones since the beginning of time. Always seeking, always improving, always experiencing it in a new way, hopefully in an open way, with new eyes each time.

For me, personally, pilgrimage is way to tap into a metaphysical terrestial map for self-awareness and self-discovery.