Pilgrimage is a creative act, like a work of art, with you as both the artist and the canvas… Think carefully about your intention. Be your best you. Go slowly. Improve along the way. Be natural. Give gifts and be grateful.
Will Parsons, British Pilgrimage Trust
Welcome to Day One of Live Your Life As a Sacred Pilgrimage
A sacred pilgrimage is made with intention and preparation. It emerges from some kind of yearning — for meaning-making or healing, soul-searching or adventure. It includes an openness to change, perhaps even a longing for it. Even though we know that the road will shift beneath our feet, a pilgrimage is most often begun with a specific destination in mind.
We each have hopes and goals for ourselves that evolve throughout the decades of our lives — relationships we want to build, work we want to contribute, ways we want to be. When you pause to envision your life as a sacred pilgrimage, you allow the necessary space to reset your compass to your own true north — to reconnect with or define anew where you’re headed. Once oriented, you can gather the necessary guides: maps or treasured touchstones, companions or the worn book of poetry that always returns you to yourself.
On this first day of our practice, we invite you to ask the same questions of your life that a pilgrim might ask when planning a sacred journey:
- What are my intentions, and what am I seeking?
- What will I bring with me to guide my way?
Become Present
To begin, watch and listen to Blessings, a 4-minute film featuring the words of poet David Whyte and music by Owen Ó Súilleabháin. As the poet walks out across the highlands, he blesses and gives thanks for the sound and light, for the way they help him “look at the face of the world.”
Allow the imagery, words, and music to bring you to the threshold of this five-day pilgrimage of the heart. “A journey can become a sacred thing: / Make sure, before you go, / To take the time To bless your going forth,” writes John O’Donohue. As you become present for this practice, to what do you offer your blessing and gratefulness?
Practice and Reflect
Once you’ve had a chance to enjoy the film and get centered, use this printable compass (or simply sketch one on a piece of paper) to map your pilgrimage.
- At the top of the page, your north, name your hopes and intentions for the next phase of your life’s journey. What are you traveling toward? This could include anything from healing to professional aspiration to a quality of being that you want to bring forth.
- At the bottom of the page, list those things you are leaving behind, whether out of loss or because they are no longer your destination. Pause here to give thanks for what you’ve experienced so far on your journey, even if the direction of your life has changed. Take a moment to acknowledge the ways that the orientation of your compass may have shifted over time.
- Imagine that what lies to the east and west are the touchstones that will guide your way and help maintain the path. List five to seven things that are essential for your journey — a practice or friend, sacred text or music, even a personal treasure you will carry in your pocket that will remind you where you’re headed. If the road ahead is a sacred pilgrimage, we must gather our guides with care. What are yours?
Share
After you’ve completed today’s exploration, we invite you to share how you’ve set your compass and gathered your guides. What intentions and touchstones did you name? Please share your insights below, and enjoy the reflections of your fellow travelers.
Deepening Resource
Enjoy For the Traveler by John O’Donohue, a beautiful poem and blessing for anyone on a journey.
Photo by Jordan Madrid
It’s been four months since my husband died of brain cancer and four years since our son was killed by a drunk driver. The pain of losing them both has been unbearable at times. I have a strong faith and trust in God, which makes it possible to get through each day and to function, but when I allow myself to stop and think too deeply, the sadness takes over. The feelings of aloneness is what troubles me the most. Thinking of what my purpose is and what the future has in store also troubles me if I allow myself to dwell on them. The compass activity was helpful because it caused me to think about what I’d like to do and what I’d like to become when I’m able to move forward. Some days I feel bits and pieces of “pilgrimage” and I take a few steps toward the light, but many times it feels too heavy to do anything. At the top of the compass I wrote painting, music, trusting, feeling confident. At the bottom, despair, depression, feeling overwhelmed, fear. Others tell me I’m doing great on my journey, but inside I still feel uncertain. I find that keeping busy and distracted from too much deep thinking is what helps me get through the day. I enjoyed the “Blessings” recording. It was very soothing.
Dear Cindi,
I’m deeply sorry for your profound losses, and I’m holding what you’ve shared here with great compassion. I’m just pausing to sit quietly here at my desk, taking in your story and your ongoing grief and heartache. I’m glad you were able to name a few things to include at the top of your compass; may there be a bit of reassurance simply in the naming. I wish you every blessing as you find ways to get through each hour so that you’re able to continue taking even small, intermittent steps toward the light.
With a tender heart,
Sheryl
It seems, upon approaching 80 years, that one can settle into the favorite recliner, with shows to watch and food delivery phone numbers at hand, accepting the gripes and painful limitations of this old body ~ or, hitch up the Big Girl knickers, gather the necessary tools, receive the blessing of further instruction, and set forth on the journey of reconciling this wild life and emerging fit and ready on the other side… so that I may “return with honor”
This is so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you!
This comes at a good time with Lent upon us, I love this time of going inside. I’m in a good place right but this practice helps me to think about things I’d not thought of and focus on them. I love the compass printable paper to help me hone in on what’s important. Blessings to all on a pilgrimage, May it be one of change and curiosity!
One of my goals is to find time to do this practice on the days that they are published so I feel more a part of the “class.”
My north would be to take time for myself instead of putting everyone and their needs first and having no time left for what I wanted to do for me, like exercise, art, reading, being in touch with friends.
I leave behind the need for praise as the reason for doing for everyone else first.
PS I couldn’t figure out how to post except as a comment.
Dear fellow travelers/seekers,
Thank you for the gift of your reflections here. Reading through them again this morning, I’m so touched and moved by all that you’ve shared. I often found myself thinking, “Oh yes, me too!” …So much resonance and inspiration in your words. Thank you for the gift of your presence on this journey and for your willingness to share a bit in this community space. It’s a blessing to me and to all gathered here.
First I am grateful for the timing of this pilgrimage and my fellow travelers who’ve inspired me to share my thoughts along this journey.
This pilgrimage opportunity is so welcomed after the past year to provide structured focus on defining the next chapter of my life.
My essential hopes/intentions are to live intentionally with gratitude, joy, and positivity in the present, to embrace curiosity and creativity to discover, explore, experience new things, to communicate honestly, transparently and assertively with no apologies my thoughts, opinions, needs, ideas, to be physically fit, to proactively nurture existing and seek new friendships, connections, relationships (especially my soulmate), and to seek meaningful involvement (“feet on the ground”) in neighborhood and community.
My touchstones include: my soulmate/my husband, my reality check/therapist, my morning routine of check in, planner, journal, physical exercise, listening to Native American flute music, and creative physical mementoes/inspirations from past year.
I am leaving behind professional careers as definition of my identity/self-worth, familial designations whose relevance now exists only in my memories, compartmentalization of my life into separate boxes, my seemingly innate passivity, my distancing defense mechanism, and the continuous internal rumination loop of regrets vis-à-vis the past.
I am thankful for the myriad of experiences particularly in the last year as I now prepare to explore, discover, and truly live this next chapter in my life.
This pilgrimage comes at a great time. I have had quite a lot of life events. Some brought deep sorrow, some chaos, others have brought me to place of doubt. The roller-coaster of emotions has been relentless. So look to my North for a sense of calm faith, filled with patience and contentment, regardless of my circumstances. I’m hoping for some green pastures beside some still waters for a bit. I’m setting my intention for a new calling in service to others as I leave my hospital work, as I have known it, in my South. Along with doubt and sorrow. I no longer must care for my mother. I wish to leave behind a constant state of living the focus of cancer. My need to carry the burdens of others, which may be shadowing their lessons, must also stay South. And very importantly, I leave behind the practice of reacting so quickly.
My touchstones include: meditation, prayer, a community of like minded people, my loving tribe, art as a tool of discovery, my energy medicine work, time in nature, and especially time to “be still and know”.
I’m exceedingly grateful for this experience.
Greetings fellow pilgrims!
My essential hopes and intentions for the next phase of my life’s journey are to seek new experiences and establish new friends, to spend more time in nature, to consistently practice kindness and gratefulness, to be relaxed and content with being alone, and to experience vibrant health as a result of self-care. I also hope to find a specific sense of purpose that involves helping others.
There is much I am leaving behind that has triggered this change in life path. Within the past 2 years, my spouse of 45 years passed away and I retired from my job of 21 years. I am also leaving behind always being in a hurry and clinging to material things.
My touchstones for the pilgrimage are books, music, daily gratitude, appreciation for the past, meditation, exercise, time in nature, silence and self-care.
May we each have a blessed journey.
Ah the journey to the next phase of my life actually began a year and a half ago. I continue on the journey toward my grateful compassionate life as a guide for others to finding their most desired and best life. In this work of coaching, teaching, and leading others toward a mindful present life I find my greatest joy. In this work I find ease, flow and a well spring of creativity. I have learned and continue to learn ways to leave behind self-doubt, fear, self-deprecation, and carrying the burden of others as they need to learn to carry their load themselves. My touchstones and pieces I bring with me are Rumi, Whyte, O’Donohue, and others who speak what I feel. I also bring with me my writing, dance, storytelling, and my mentors, accountability partners, my partner for life, and the world around me that has the breathe of the spirit in the wind, the scent of the earth, rain, trees, and ocean, the sound of the birds, children, laughter of family and friends, and the ocean. The taste of food that I prepare from the soil I grew it from. Finally I bring along the sights of what is in front of me and in my vision of a world that is becoming whole and healthy.
My true North is Joy. Tomorrow I will have a pleural tube removed because my cancer is in remission. I travel towards Joy with my unmitigated full breath and renewed feet as I dedicate the next part of my life to the service of the planet.
Greetings fellow travelers!
For this next phase of my life’s journey, I am traveling toward embodying a heart as wide as the world. I am searching for an arc that will inform this direction. I am leaving behind my professional career and all of the work communities/connections/and contributions. This is a great loss and, at the same time, I aim to be grateful for my experiences and to allow them to shape the next phase. Having poetry, the relationships of my Mom and Dad/dear friends/and my spiritual director, the aliveness and warmth of my children and cat, and the awareness that all life is gift.
How may I be present to the gift(s) that is being offered?
I turn 80 in May so I’m preparing my heart for maybe my last journey. I am grateful for excellent health, an a marriage that has lasted 60 years, and the adventure of what yet awaits me.
My essential hope is to spend more time in stillness, silence, solitude, to be present to life and to God’s voice. My touchstones are my journal, scripture before phone, spiritual reading, music, developing a rule of life I can be faithful to, deep conversations with my husband and friends, and lingering at the table over great meals.
I want to leave behind my need to be productive, busyness, desire for Things, the need to be right and all the things that separate me from those I love and from God.
Thank you for designing a beautiful way for me to make this journey with joy. I am grateful for you.
Thank you Cathee. Well said. Much of this fits me too.
I’m preparing to transition to a new professional sector so these practices are veyr helpfu. After almost two deacdes in the sector I’ve been working in, I’m heeding an interior call to pivot. My new work will be with animals! I have a wonderful new role at a not for profit but the transition itself is difficult and I have many doubts and practical challenges.
I’m receiving inspiration from a host of holy people, both recognised saints and activists, many of whom have been revealed to me recently – I feel like they’re inviting me into this new world and work. I’m asking them for their help and encouragement and they lie to my West.
I am also hoping to ‘Go slowly. And improve along the way’. So to my East are the practices of prayer – whih I’m rediscovering after a very long break – yoga and meditation. And also pilrgimage. I walked the Camino last year which intensified my desire to mix things up and I’m committed to being more of a pilgrim, including making some pilgrimages to the sites associated with my caompanions of inspiration.
Thank you for the opportunity to make this pilgrimage and for this exercise which has come at exactly the right time.
On this the next phase of my journey, I commit to awaken every morning with the intention to maintain my perch on a high-flying disc.
I release the attention I have paid to loss or shortage.
My thanks go out to all my mentors and teachers who have facilitated my spiritual unfoldment.
To the east and west are my commitments to: meditation, Unity, mysticism, letting go and letting God, and happiness.
I give blessing for the path I walk on, the sacred stones.
I am grateful for the many wise teachers I am encountering and am inspired by on my desert journey through Lent.
My intention and hopes are peace, joy, purpose/my way to be and serve, “to be a woman who…” and fully alive.
I leave behind desires to please and live up to expectations of others rather than my own, to leave behind the people, places and things that don’t serve me.
My touchstones to the East are the community of saints (esp Benedict, Hildegard and Teresa of Avila) and fellow pilgrims.
My touchstones to the West are my prayer beads, daily contemplation and reading, music/Benedictine Sisters at Ephesus, a polished stone of amethyst for healing.