The Camino and maybe not quite 'getting it'?

[Robo]

There was a recent thread about EST (Erhard Seminars Training) which I have to say I have never hear of, but it got me thinking.

I undertook some rather 'left field' training about 10 years ago, that may have some lessons for those grappling with their first Camino. It turned out to be the weirdest and most wonderful experience ever........

It's a bit of a story...........sorry. Stay with me......it's relevant, I promise.

A good friend of mine, a business mentor, persuaded me to take part in a 5 day residential singing course!
Can I sing? No. He's a bit of a salesman though!

I recall him saying that this 'wonder coach' would have me singing like Celine Dion and that it would do wonders for my confidence when public speaking. My persuasive friend (David) was also taking part. And there were just 12 places.

Somehow, a few weeks later I found myself with 11 other budding singers, at a retreat in Victoria Australia, next to an Alpaca farm. We were all staying at the retreat, and our 'lessons' took place in a large barn like building. I'll just refer to our coach as Jim.

By the time we got to the 'barn' on day 1, Jim had rearranged everything.

Arm chairs and sofas were arranged in a semi circle facing his piano. And there were blankets draped over all the sofas.

That whole first morning we just listed to Jim, snuggled up on our sofas, as he explained that we all had the ability to sing. It was human nature. But it got stifled out of us as children. After about 2 hours, he had us lying on our back making gurgling baby sounds! Babies are not self conscious he explained! Make baby noises, play with the sounds.........and so we did........

We also learned how singing in most cultures, is how people learn about their culture and history. And in many civilisations, it was how history was passed down. It was a somewhat integral and essential part of human communication it seems......

By the end of the first day, the 'pattern' of each day emerged.

1. Start on the sofas listening to Jim's wisdom.
2. Move to the floor to take part in various exercises such as 'toning' and 'chanting'.
3. Learn about the Four main Archetypes. Sovereign, Warrior, Magician, Lover.
4. Work on a different Archetype each day as a group. Feel its energy, where is lies in our body.
5. Then by lunch time, take the afternoon to write a song about that archetype!
6. By late afternoon, gather back in the barn, and each perform our song for the rest of the group.
7. Whilst identifying the source of the energy within us.......

I would practice my songs, singing to the Alpacas!

OK. Picture this.
I was about 55 years old.
Cannot sing a note to save myself.
An ex soldier of 22 years.
And have the artistic talent and imagination of a Goldfish!

By mid morning on Day 2 I'm calling my business partner..........
"This is the weirdest most BS thing I have come across in my life"!
I'm also feeling stupid because I paid a lot for this retreat!

And, everyone else seems to be right into it!
How gullible are they?

There was an interesting mix of ages and genders on the training.
And during the morning break, I sensed that 'Jane' who was in her late 20s wasn't really getting it either!
We wondered if it was just us, as everyone else was really into it. The chanting, the toning, the 'energy work'
But like me, Jane thought it was total BS.

So we made a 'pact'.

Let's fake it, and see what happens.

Let's just take it all on board.
Let's not try to fathom out exactly what is happening.
Let's just go with the flow.
Let's imagine this stuff works in some way.
Let's give it 100%.............

And so we did.

The next exercise was toning with a partner. So Jane and I teamed up.
We were to sit cross legged facing each other.
Eyes closed.
Very gently holding hands.
And one of us would start 'toning' and the other would just join in when they liked.

One would start, the other follow.
It was rather like whale noises.
A rising and falling tone, drifting back and forth.
We were in perfect harmony.
And somehow we toned in unison, following each others lead.
It was rather like those huge flocks of birds,that all change direction at once.
Just sensing somehow the change in the waves of tones.
Higher, lower, swirling sounds.
It was an incredible experience.

Once over, we were to discuss with our partners what we felt.

We opened our eyes and Jane had tears streaming down her face.
What had she felt?
(Jane sadly had a tough childhood that I won't go into)
But as she sobbed, she explained that she felt like a small child, safe and secure and in the embrace of a loving Father.

That opened the floodgates for me...........and she asked what I had felt.

I said that I felt I had been embracing a small frightened girl to comfort her.

And all the while, we had merely been sitting crossed legged, with our fingers just touching.

We had no idea what had just happened.
But both agreed on the spot, that whatever this was, it was not BS!

The rest of the retreat followed in a similar way.
Changing partners for different exercises.
Writing and singing songs for each other.
Bringing each other to tears with the raw emotion of our songs.
And not being afraid anymore to share our stories with honesty and see how they 'moved' others.

It was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
And I have done some really left field stuff!

Did I learn to sing?
No not really.
That wasn't the point.
It was all about being able to communicate with a rare and raw openness to an audience, and move them emotionally.
Whether singing, public speaking or whatever.

So how on earth is this relevant to walking a Camino for the first time?

I think that first day at the retreat, might be a bit like some of us feel in the first days of our first Camino.
Not quite sure what to expect.
Not quite sure how we should feel.
Maybe a bit wary of others around us and how they seem to be undertaking their Camino.

And if that happens, maybe we just need to give ourselves to the process?
Trust the process?
Jump right in.
Yes, maybe even fake it till we make it?
Or at least 'actively engage' with our surroundings, or the 'process', whatever that is.......

On my first Camino, I was close to going home a couple of times.
But I gave myself a stern talking to.
Convinced myself to 'stick with the program'.
And within a day or two I was right back in the 'zone'

I sometimes wonder what have have happened, had Jane and I not made that 'pact' on Day 2 of the retreat.
Not only would we have missed an amazing 5 day learning experience.
But one that has certainly changed our lives for the better......

This is the first time I have publicly shared that story.
Being so out of my comfort zone.
But I thought it might have parallels with those struggling to 'get' what the Camino is all about.

 

[Anhalter]

Thanks Robo, once again a wonderful experience you share with us!

While i don't have a similar story to share, i very much remember me in Pamplona, Day 3 of my first Camino thinking something along the lines:

"OK, now everyone made such a fuss about how hard and eye opening this will be. It is not. Why am i doing this. Am i wasting my time here..." and then.. i just went for the "well, while I'm here... lets do this".
Best decision ever.

 

[OSUbuckeye85]

There was a recent thread about EST (Erhard Seminars Training) which I have to say I have never hear of, but it got me thinking.

I undertook some rather 'left field' training about 10 years ago, that may have some lessons for those grappling with their first Camino. It turned out to be the weirdest and most wonderful experience ever........

It's a bit of a story...........sorry. Stay with me......it's relevant, I promise.

A good friend of mine, a business mentor, persuaded me to take part in a 5 day residential singing course!
Can I sing? No. He's a bit of a salesman though!

I recall him saying that this 'wonder coach' would have me singing like Celine Dion and that it would do wonders for my confidence when public speaking. My persuasive friend (David) was also taking part. And there were just 12 places.

Somehow, a few weeks later I found myself with 11 other budding singers, at a retreat in Victoria Australia, next to an Alpaca farm. We were all staying at the retreat, and our 'lessons' took place in a large barn like building. I'll just refer to our coach as Jim.

By the time we got to the 'barn' on day 1, Jim had rearranged everything.

Arm chairs and sofas were arranged in a semi circle facing his piano. And there were blankets draped over all the sofas.

That whole first morning we just listed to Jim, snuggled up on our sofas, as he explained that we all had the ability to sing. It was human nature. But it got stifled out of us as children. After about 2 hours, he had us lying on our back making gurgling baby sounds! Babies are not self conscious he explained! Make baby noises, play with the sounds.........and so we did........

We also learned how singing in most cultures, is how people learn about their culture and history. And in many civilisations, it was how history was passed down. It was a somewhat integral and essential part of human communication it seems......

By the end of the first day, the 'pattern' of each day emerged.

1. Start on the sofas listening to Jim's wisdom.
2. Move to the floor to take part in various exercises such as 'toning' and 'chanting'.
3. Learn about the Four main Archetypes. Sovereign, Warrior, Magician, Lover.
4. Work on a different Archetype each day as a group. Feel its energy, where is lies in our body.
5. Then by lunch time, take the afternoon to write a song about that archetype!
6. By late afternoon, gather back in the barn, and each perform our song for the rest of the group.
7. Whilst identifying the source of the energy within us.......

I would practice my songs, singing to the Alpacas!

OK. Picture this.
I was about 55 years old.
Cannot sing a note to save myself.
An ex soldier of 22 years.
And have the artistic talent and imagination of a Goldfish!

By mid morning on Day 2 I'm calling my business partner..........
"This is the weirdest most BS thing I have come across in my life"!
I'm also feeling stupid because I paid a lot for this retreat!

And, everyone else seems to be right into it!
How gullible are they?

There was an interesting mix of ages and genders on the training.
And during the morning break, I sensed that 'Jane' who was in her late 20s wasn't really getting it either!
We wondered if it was just us, as everyone else was really into it. The chanting, the toning, the 'energy work'
But like me, Jane thought it was total BS.

So we made a 'pact'.

Let's fake it, and see what happens.

Let's just take it all on board.
Let's not try to fathom out exactly what is happening.
Let's just go with the flow.
Let's imagine this stuff works in some way.
Let's give it 100%.............

And so we did.

The next exercise was toning with a partner. So Jane and I teamed up.
We were to sit cross legged facing each other.
Eyes closed.
Very gently holding hands.
And one of us would start 'toning' and the other would just join in when they liked.

One would start, the other follow.
It was rather like whale noises.
A rising and falling tone, drifting back and forth.
We were in perfect harmony.
And somehow we toned in unison, following each others lead.
It was rather like those huge flocks of birds,that all change direction at once.
Just sensing somehow the change in the waves of tones.
Higher, lower, swirling sounds.
It was an incredible experience.

Once over, we were to discuss with our partners what we felt.

We opened our eyes and Jane had tears streaming down her face.
What had she felt?
(Jane sadly had a tough childhood that I won't go into)
But as she sobbed, she explained that she felt like a small child, safe and secure and in the embrace of a loving Father.

That opened the floodgates for me...........and she asked what I had felt.

I said that I felt I had been embracing a small frightened girl to comfort her.

And all the while, we had merely been sitting crossed legged, with our fingers just touching.

We had no idea what had just happened.
But both agreed on the spot, that whatever this was, it was not BS!

The rest of the retreat followed in a similar way.
Changing partners for different exercises.
Writing and singing songs for each other.
Bringing each other to tears with the raw emotion of our songs.
And not being afraid anymore to share our stories with honesty and see how they 'moved' others.

It was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
And I have done some really left field stuff!

Did I learn to sing?
No not really.
That wasn't the point.
It was all about being able to communicate with a rare and raw openness to an audience, and move them emotionally.
Whether singing, public speaking or whatever.

So how on earth is this relevant to walking a Camino for the first time?

I think that first day at the retreat, might be a bit like some of us feel in the first days of our first Camino.
Not quite sure what to expect.
Not quite sure how we should feel.
Maybe a bit wary of others around us and how they seem to be undertaking their Camino.

And if that happens, maybe we just need to give ourselves to the process?
Trust the process?
Jump right in.
Yes, maybe even fake it till we make it?
Or at least 'actively engage' with our surroundings, or the 'process', whatever that is.......

On my first Camino, I was close to going home a couple of times.
But I gave myself a stern talking to.
Convinced myself to 'stick with the program'.
And within a day or two I was right back in the 'zone'

I sometimes wonder what have have happened, had Jane and I not made that 'pact' on Day 2 of the retreat.
Not only would we have missed an amazing 5 day learning experience.
But one that has certainly changed our lives for the better......

This is the first time I have publicly shared that story.
Being so out of my comfort zone.
But I thought it might have parallels with those struggling to 'get' what the Camino is all about.

Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to my first Camino in April 2025, and these would be helpful.

 

[IngridF]

Wow, you are such a gifted story teller. Loved it, thank you for sharing.

 

[RRat]

There was a recent thread about EST (Erhard Seminars Training) which I have to say I have never hear of, but it got me thinking.

I undertook some rather 'left field' training about 10 years ago, that may have some lessons for those grappling with their first Camino. It turned out to be the weirdest and most wonderful experience ever........

It's a bit of a story...........sorry. Stay with me......it's relevant, I promise.

A good friend of mine, a business mentor, persuaded me to take part in a 5 day residential singing course!
Can I sing? No. He's a bit of a salesman though!

I recall him saying that this 'wonder coach' would have me singing like Celine Dion and that it would do wonders for my confidence when public speaking. My persuasive friend (David) was also taking part. And there were just 12 places.

Somehow, a few weeks later I found myself with 11 other budding singers, at a retreat in Victoria Australia, next to an Alpaca farm. We were all staying at the retreat, and our 'lessons' took place in a large barn like building. I'll just refer to our coach as Jim.

By the time we got to the 'barn' on day 1, Jim had rearranged everything.

Arm chairs and sofas were arranged in a semi circle facing his piano. And there were blankets draped over all the sofas.

That whole first morning we just listed to Jim, snuggled up on our sofas, as he explained that we all had the ability to sing. It was human nature. But it got stifled out of us as children. After about 2 hours, he had us lying on our back making gurgling baby sounds! Babies are not self conscious he explained! Make baby noises, play with the sounds.........and so we did........

We also learned how singing in most cultures, is how people learn about their culture and history. And in many civilisations, it was how history was passed down. It was a somewhat integral and essential part of human communication it seems......

By the end of the first day, the 'pattern' of each day emerged.

1. Start on the sofas listening to Jim's wisdom.
2. Move to the floor to take part in various exercises such as 'toning' and 'chanting'.
3. Learn about the Four main Archetypes. Sovereign, Warrior, Magician, Lover.
4. Work on a different Archetype each day as a group. Feel its energy, where is lies in our body.
5. Then by lunch time, take the afternoon to write a song about that archetype!
6. By late afternoon, gather back in the barn, and each perform our song for the rest of the group.
7. Whilst identifying the source of the energy within us.......

I would practice my songs, singing to the Alpacas!

OK. Picture this.
I was about 55 years old.
Cannot sing a note to save myself.
An ex soldier of 22 years.
And have the artistic talent and imagination of a Goldfish!

By mid morning on Day 2 I'm calling my business partner..........
"This is the weirdest most BS thing I have come across in my life"!
I'm also feeling stupid because I paid a lot for this retreat!

And, everyone else seems to be right into it!
How gullible are they?

There was an interesting mix of ages and genders on the training.
And during the morning break, I sensed that 'Jane' who was in her late 20s wasn't really getting it either!
We wondered if it was just us, as everyone else was really into it. The chanting, the toning, the 'energy work'
But like me, Jane thought it was total BS.

So we made a 'pact'.

Let's fake it, and see what happens.

Let's just take it all on board.
Let's not try to fathom out exactly what is happening.
Let's just go with the flow.
Let's imagine this stuff works in some way.
Let's give it 100%.............

And so we did.

The next exercise was toning with a partner. So Jane and I teamed up.
We were to sit cross legged facing each other.
Eyes closed.
Very gently holding hands.
And one of us would start 'toning' and the other would just join in when they liked.

One would start, the other follow.
It was rather like whale noises.
A rising and falling tone, drifting back and forth.
We were in perfect harmony.
And somehow we toned in unison, following each others lead.
It was rather like those huge flocks of birds,that all change direction at once.
Just sensing somehow the change in the waves of tones.
Higher, lower, swirling sounds.
It was an incredible experience.

Once over, we were to discuss with our partners what we felt.

We opened our eyes and Jane had tears streaming down her face.
What had she felt?
(Jane sadly had a tough childhood that I won't go into)
But as she sobbed, she explained that she felt like a small child, safe and secure and in the embrace of a loving Father.

That opened the floodgates for me...........and she asked what I had felt.

I said that I felt I had been embracing a small frightened girl to comfort her.

And all the while, we had merely been sitting crossed legged, with our fingers just touching.

We had no idea what had just happened.
But both agreed on the spot, that whatever this was, it was not BS!

The rest of the retreat followed in a similar way.
Changing partners for different exercises.
Writing and singing songs for each other.
Bringing each other to tears with the raw emotion of our songs.
And not being afraid anymore to share our stories with honesty and see how they 'moved' others.

It was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
And I have done some really left field stuff!

Did I learn to sing?
No not really.
That wasn't the point.
It was all about being able to communicate with a rare and raw openness to an audience, and move them emotionally.
Whether singing, public speaking or whatever.

So how on earth is this relevant to walking a Camino for the first time?

I think that first day at the retreat, might be a bit like some of us feel in the first days of our first Camino.
Not quite sure what to expect.
Not quite sure how we should feel.
Maybe a bit wary of others around us and how they seem to be undertaking their Camino.

And if that happens, maybe we just need to give ourselves to the process?
Trust the process?
Jump right in.
Yes, maybe even fake it till we make it?
Or at least 'actively engage' with our surroundings, or the 'process', whatever that is.......

On my first Camino, I was close to going home a couple of times.
But I gave myself a stern talking to.
Convinced myself to 'stick with the program'.
And within a day or two I was right back in the 'zone'

I sometimes wonder what have have happened, had Jane and I not made that 'pact' on Day 2 of the retreat.
Not only would we have missed an amazing 5 day learning experience.
But one that has certainly changed our lives for the better......

This is the first time I have publicly shared that story.
Being so out of my comfort zone.
But I thought it might have parallels with those struggling to 'get' what the Camino is all about.

I scrolled and didn't read a thing.

 

[Kirkie]

I scrolled and didn't read a thing.

I read it all, and enjoyed it. I didn't have time to comment. @Robo, please note that I too appreciate your contributions to the forum.
Now, @RRat, I am curious. Why did you write your comment? Or was it a misspelling?

 

[Wicked]

Well, that brought me to tears!

 

[GaryRobArms]

Yes, I agree that your singing retreat experience is similar to the experience of being on a Camino. At least, it is for me; Maybe not for others.

Specifically for me. I don't naturally buy into much of the Camino mythology that is so well represented in this forum. For example, I don't much enjoy the alberque experience, compared to having a quiet room to myself and my own bathroom. And I think a pilgrimage is an internal process that doesn't necessarily need to terminate at a particular cathedral. But when I do a Camino it definitely helps to choose to believe those things are important; To buy into "the program", as you say. Fake it until you can make it.

More generally, there is a lot of discussion around these days about meaning: how do we choose what has meaning for us; how dismal a life without meaning can be; what happens when people ascribe meaning to things that actually are detrimental to themselves. I believe you are touching on the importance of realizing that each of us has the ability to ascribe meaning to something, and the act of ascribing meaning to something not only makes the thing interesting, but can also be the key to making it effective.

 

[Charles Ross]

I think the closest tie-in between EST, Robo's singing course and the Camino is the oft heard admonition for pilgrims to 'Expect nothing, take what comes and be grateful for it'.
An extended walk is much more than '15 Minute Chair Yoga for beginners with a busy schedule' (The advertising banner at the top of my page. (I really have to re-subscribe!)) the Camino is more of a 'Multi Week Wandering for beginners who have no particular place to be'.
My getting 'IT' would blink on and off on my two French Caminos, never experienced on the Portuguese (broken bones, etc.) One 'on' occurred when we reached Granon after a wet, muddy day, could not find any place to sleep and stumbled across this church; grab a mat, sleep on the linoleum tiled floor. No F-ing way! We were just about to walk out when someone suggested we take a look at something. He led us through a portal to the choir loft of the church. It was really something to see and I was overcome by this feeling of 'this is exactly where I want to be'.
I still think the magic doesn't really come out of some mystical revelation but out of simple physical, emotional exhaustion.
San Francisco Palace Hotel, 1976: monies gone, weekend wasted, I give up.
Granon, Spain, 2022. I'm tired, frustrated, I give up.
I don't really remember the day before or the day after but I remember that church.

 

[AllisonMarie]

Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to my first Camino in April 2025, and these would be helpful.

Hey buckeye! I’m walking in April too, my second Camino, maybe I’ll see you there.

 

[Juspassinthru]

I was told before my first Camino that the Camino will make you laugh for no (known) reason and it will make you cry for the same. It did and I did. Only later did I realize that I knew the reasons.

To me, my experience is in line with @Robo and his experiences. A story well told and a lesson to be learned, if we choose to.

 

[Robo]

I was told before my first Camino that the Camino will make you laugh for no (known) reason and it will make you cry for the same. It did and I did. Only later did I realize that I knew the reasons.

Nicely put.
The Camino can touch us so deeply........if we allow it to.

 

[Camo]

It's the other way around for me ie the world is a huge place full of wonderful places to go but one's resources and time need to be balanced against "earning a living" etc - ie I don't need any motivation to get out there and experience all that.

So the Camino thing has been a mystery to me ie why would a person need to be "talked in" to doing something so strenuous and time sapping, especially when nobody seems to be able to explain the "end product" - like in The Way where the ending left me up in the air.

BUT I really got into Hectors daily reports of his trials and tribulations and HOPES that this "thing" would happen to him. All went great for 5 weeks and I really was expecting to find the answer to my quandary but alas Hector ended up as a "depressed mess" and cut off all communication

 

[Robo]

(1) It's the other way around for me ie the world is a huge place full of wonderful places to go but one's resources and time need to be balanced against "earning a living" etc - ie I don't need any motivation to get out there and experience all that.

(2) So the Camino thing has been a mystery to me ie why would a person need to be "talked in" to doing something so strenuous and time sapping, especially when nobody seems to be able to explain the "end product" - like in The Way where the ending left me up in the air.

(3) BUT I really got into XXX's daily reports of his trials and tribulations and HOPES that this "thing" would happen to him. All went great for 5 weeks and I really was expecting to find the answer to my quandary but alas Hector ended up as a "depressed mess" and cut off all communication

(1) Indeed, some of us don't need any motivation at all.
I launched into my first one 'full on'.
And then struggled at times to make any meaning out of it.

I think many of us share the balancing act of time off, travel expense, and trying to earn a living.
If I'm lucky, I get to walk a Camino every 3 years or so because of that balancing act.
I'd love to be retired and walking a Camino every year.
But that's unlikely to ever happen for me.
I can live with that.

(2) I think the Camino remains a mystery to many of us. How does it work it's magic? How do we tap into it? Will it happen at all? I suppose my story was aimed at those who might struggle to find 'it' on Camino. Whatever 'it' might be for them. Sometimes when we are far out of our comfort zone, and have nothing to cling to, we might look for what seems the easiest way out.

(3) I'm sure we all hope that XXX is well and remains so. He endured a lot.

I hope one day that you get to take that first step on your first Camino.
As a smile breaks out and you start to get an inkling of just what this might all be about.
Have faith. Have no expectations. Take that step.

 

[MARSKA]

Many minutes, hours, days I did not "get it". Yet I want to walk again.

 

[Camo]

(3) I'm sure we all hope that Hector is well and remains so. He endured a lot.

But that is the point, he had already endured a lot and gave us some inklings about the details but remained silent when I asked him about his decision to try a Camino (eg instead of a Cruise etc) and what he was expecting (if anything) or simply having faith that "it" would happen??

So he endured a lot MORE, I am none the wiser and he is now (in his words) trying to recover from his Camino disappointment as well as the original demons.

But he DID add to that magic figure of 500,000 compostelas and at the end of the day it seems that is main consideration.

 

[Robo]

But that is the point, he had already endured a lot and gave us some inklings about the details but remained silent when I asked him about his decision to try a Camino (eg instead of a Cruise etc) and what he was expecting (if anything) or simply having faith that "it" would happen??

So he endured a lot MORE, I am none the wiser and he is now (in his words) trying to recover from his Camino disappointment as well as the original demons.

But he DID add to that magic figure of 500,000 compostelas and at the end of the day it seems that is main consideration.

I'm not sure I really understand your point, sorry.
XXX had a tough time, for many reasons it seems.
And we wish him well.
I certainly don't expect him to 'explain' any further or what he is going through now.
It's obviously a deeply personal matter.
As for him 'making up the numbers' I think that is rather flippant.
Who cares about the stats?

People walk Caminos for many reasons.
Sometimes those we meet share very personal stories.
Sometimes they don't.
But regardless, we need to appreciate that we are all different, dealing with different issues, demons, challenges......
Sometimes people share those here. And we can try to help them and learn from their experiences.
But those are the experiences of others.
And they may not turn out to be our own experiences.

Tragically someone drowned fishing near my home on Saturday.
We may never know the full circumstances.
But there were still plenty of people fishing on Sunday.

I'm sorry if I'm missing your point.
I'm genuinely trying to understand it.
I confess I'm not the sharpest tool in the set.

 

[C clearly]

But he DID add to that magic figure of 500,000 compostelas and at the end of the day it seems that is main consideration.

This statement makes no sense. There is no reason at all to suppose that is the main consideration.

I am none the wiser

Apparently not. See my comment above.

It is none of our business to know more about a forum member who has chosen to take time away from the forum, so let's respect his decision and not drag him into the conversation.

 

[Flog]

BUT I really got into xxxx daily reports of his trials and tribulations and HOPES that this "thing" would happen to him. All went great for 5 weeks and I really was expecting to find the answer to my quandary but alas xxxx ended up as a "depressed mess" and cut off all communication

A bit harsh, especially coming from one who, if I understand correctly, has never set foot on a camino. And who are you to pass judgement on someone who has bared their soul to everyone on here?

People choose to come and go on the forum, it's absolutely their right and it's absolutely their own business.

 

[Flog]

But he DID add to that magic figure of 500,000 compostelas and at the end of the day it seems that is main consideration.

What???

 

[Camo]

has never set foot on a camino.

see Rule 3 buddy

3) No arguments about who is a tourist and who is a “real" pilgrim. The forum is intended for all who are interested in the Camino. Please do not challenge the sincerity, intentions, or authenticity of another person’s Camino.

 

[Camo]

I'm sorry if I'm missing your point.
I'm genuinely trying to understand it.
I confess I'm not the sharpest tool in the set.

And I am genuinely interested in your chosen topic

I will explain shortly once the commotion dies down

 

[Kathor1]

@Camo: The only decent thing that you can do: edit your comments and delete any reference to the forum member who does not participate in this thread and in other recent threads and who has not logged into the forum since October. You cannot walk on a Camino in Spain and you never have. You try to experience it through what others write and reveal about their own and very personal and individual experience. Read it. Don't interpret it, especially when it is about their feelings. You have no right to publicly describe another person who you have never met in real life as a "depressed mess".

 

[Juspassinthru]

(1) Indeed, some of us don't need any motivation at all.
I launched into my first one 'full on'.
And then struggled at times to make any meaning out of it.

I think many of us share the balancing act of time off, travel expense, and trying to earn a living.
If I'm lucky, I get to walk a Camino every 3 years or so because of that balancing act.
I'd love to be retired and walking a Camino every year.
But that's unlikely to ever happen for me.
I can live with that.

(2) I think the Camino remains a mystery to many of us. How does it work it's magic? How do we tap into it? Will it happen at all? I suppose my story was aimed at those who might struggle to find 'it' on Camino. Whatever 'it' might be for them. Sometimes when we are far out of our comfort zone, and have nothing to cling to, we might look for what seems the easiest way out.

(3) I'm sure we all hope that XXX is well and remains so. He endured a lot.

I hope one day that you get to take that first step on your first Camino.
As a smile breaks out and you start to get an inkling of just what this might all be about.
Have faith. Have no expectations. Take that step.

@Robo, I did not go looking for “it”, in my very specific case, I didn’t know there was an “it”. Yet, I found it anyway. Unexpected gifts at unexpected times. If you go searching you may be disappointed. If you go with no expectations and with an open heart and mind, you may be wonderfully surprised, or not. There are no guarantees in life.

Interesting conversation you’ve started @Robo.