Camino Gratitude

Camino lesson II is to avoid early morning stair walking with a full backpack. I left the Hostel at 6:20 am, hoping to reach the next albergue by 2 pm. I fell down stairs in the dark, landing on my ankle, with pain shooting up my leg. I decided to walk quickly before the ankle swelled, to make progress. I walked about 10% slower all day, but I made the albergue in time to claim the bottom bunk!

Camino walking demands full attention to the present, explaining why days are exhausting. Choosing to walk through pain is common on the Camino, pain is the price of wisdom. Towards the end of my walk today, I came across a woman in tears. When I stopped to ask if she was okay, she said “fine, I’ll be okay, I will start again soon.” It’s impossible to predict, plan, or fully explain such times – they defy logic.

Walking repetition is a friend, as the Camino encourages simplicity. Every pilgrim’s path is unique and different, an individual process of many decisions each day. Most important is to show up and walk your path, and accept the path others follow. Pilgrims don’t worry about the future, tomorrow will bring its own problems and solutions. Quieting of the mind reduces pain and loneliness.

“When you walk, arrive with every step. That is walking meditation. There’s nothing else to it.” Thich Nhat Hanh