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Setting Intentions

Char Wolf

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances from SJPP (Spring 2018), Portuguese from Porto (Fall 2018)
My topic of discussion is INTENTION as I am in the process of fine tuning mine even though the original intention to commit to walking this year arose quite spontaneously. I awoke from a deep sleep on January 4th, 2018 as an inner voice boldly announced. "I'm walking the Camino!" I gathered gear, listened to audios and entertained logistics. I arrived in Jerusalem for two weeks on March 28th with family and another week in Barcelona with friends. I am beginning the formal Camino Francais the week of April 16.

Over lunch in Barcelona, my wise and worldly friend conveyed the surrendered importance of setting a bold and clear intention. I welcome your feedback on the role of setting intentions and surrendering to outcomes. And the magic in walking with a sense of wonder and an open heart.
 
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There needs to be something that makes you put one foot in front of the other. Intentions may work. I have found that expectations do not. Bill Bryson became my inspiration when he pointed out that walking the
Appalachian Trail is completely optional. Knowing that I can quit any time leaves me free to take one more step. Some seem to find a religious or spiritual inspiration drives them to take that step, but I don't think I could do it if I though I had to do it. :)
 
I have 'the plan', but have left myself free to play about with 'the plan' all the way to Cacabelos (must get there on 25th June). After that I must stick to 'the plan'. Got all albergues from Sarria to Santiago booked, and then must complete Camino Finisterra in 3 days if I want to make my flight home.
 
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Guess you can say I have the intention to be somewhere at a certain time/date, but also have the intention of leaving a little room to take it as it comes. Of course I have the full intention of completing 'the plan'.
 
I think the less you think the clearer you are.
The less you plan the freer you are.
The less you speak the more you learn. The more you learn the more you learn what to listen for and to.
That’s just what I think haha. Just take one step at a time And walk your own Camino. You don’t need families.
The Camino is your family because as the sign says somewhere at that Cowboy Cafe wherever that is, together we walk alone.
 
Intend for everything to work out as it should, then let go and allow opportunities and openings to come your way.
 
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My topic of discussion is INTENTION as I am in the process of fine tuning mine even though the original intention to commit to walking this year arose quite spontaneously. I awoke from a deep sleep on January 4th, 2018 as an inner voice boldly announced. "I'm walking the Camino!" I gathered gear, listened to audios and entertained logistics. I arrived in Jerusalem for two weeks on March 28th with family and another week in Barcelona with friends. I am beginning the formal Camino Francais the week of April 16.

Over lunch in Barcelona, my wise and worldly friend conveyed the surrendered importance of setting a bold and clear intention. I welcome your feedback on the role of setting intentions and surrendering to outcomes. And the magic in walking with a sense of wonder and an open heart.

Walking with a sense of wonder and an open heart,,,,, you have a fellow spirit here.

As for intention on a Camino, well, I'm happy for my intent to always be to walk in the moment and enjoy where I am, who I am with, why I am there and for me, most importantly, what is that I can see, hear, smell, touch and feel at that moment.

Buen (well-intentioned) Camino
 
Is there an issue, or an ongoing problem, or health challenge that burdens you? That´s your intention. Each time you see a waymark, a chapel, or a symbol that means something to you, return to your intention, and offer it up to the light.
Your intention will probably evolve or change throughout the camino as your burden shifts and lifts.
And at the end, you can give thanks and leave that weight behind, having done all you could to help relieve it.
 
My topic of discussion is INTENTION as I am in the process of fine tuning mine even though the original intention to commit to walking this year arose quite spontaneously. I awoke from a deep sleep on January 4th, 2018 as an inner voice boldly announced. "I'm walking the Camino!" I gathered gear, listened to audios and entertained logistics. I arrived in Jerusalem for two weeks on March 28th with family and another week in Barcelona with friends. I am beginning the formal Camino Francais the week of April 16.

Over lunch in Barcelona, my wise and worldly friend conveyed the surrendered importance of setting a bold and clear intention. I welcome your feedback on the role of setting intentions and surrendering to outcomes. And the magic in walking with a sense of wonder and an open heart.
Ah, it's the last sentence that's the secret...walking with a sense of wonder and an open heart. I'm a firm believer in listening to those first waking thoughts of the morning. They mean something. Buen Camino.
 
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Beautiful thread Char Wolf - thank you.

My intention is very simple - to take joy in every step on those ancient, sacred and magical paths.

Buen Camino from Oz - Jenny
 
My “intentions” were only to get up each day and to walk with open eyes, heart and mind. To “see” what came along the way (within and without), to “listen” to my feelings, my thoughts, my intuitions and to respect those of others, to choose my reactions, to “be” in my Camino and to receive its gifts, pleasant and unpleasant alike. Before I started, I knew that it would be best to walk without the burden of expectations. May you have Beauty and Joy and Wonder in your World and along your Way, and may your eyes and your heart be open to see and to receive them. Buen Camino.
 

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