Spiritual aspects of the Walk

[Denise West]

Hello Adrienne:  Please add to your book list "The Alchemist" by Pablo
Coelho (and if you can get it unabridged and read by Jeremy Irons you
will have a special, special treat!  I think it will help you to take a
modern look at this land and another's opinion that "we are all writen
by the same hand."  In any case - enjoy!!

Thanks,
Denise

Adrienne Patton wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I would love to know if there are any other Buddhist
> pilgrims hereabouts and what your experience on the
> Camino was - or what your expectations and motivations
> are if you have not yet gone.
>
> I met very few pilgrims walking for devout Catholic
> reasons.  Most I met were there for spiritual,
> "mid-life", community/experience type reasons.  I am
> just starting to read William Melczer's wonderful
> book(translation and discussion of Book V of the
> famous Liber Sancti Jacobi) and am very interested in
> the motivations/experiences of pigrims throughout
> history and into our modern times as the Camino has
> reemerged in popularity.
>
> I am also very interested in the feminine aspects of
> Catholicism - particularly the dark virgin.  There is
> a dark virgin who is the "patroness" of Los Arcos on
> the Camino Frances.  And there is one I intend to
> visit in Irun, at the beginning of my coastal route
> pilgrimage in May.  Does anyone here have experience,
> interest or knowledge on this topic?
>
> I have to admit, I became quite uncomfortable with St.
> James as I walked.  I was disturbed by his title of
> Santiago Matamoros and his depictions as such slicing
> off Moorish heads. I mean no offense in bringing this
> up as a topic - it just became an issue to me as I
> explored my faith and spiritual motivations as I
> walked.  I found more comfort and strength in the
> peaceful, compassionate feminine figures (Mary - and
> Tara for those who are more easternly inclined).
>
> These are just some random thoughts - I would love to
> discuss further if there are others interested in
> these topics.
>
> Thanks,
> Adrienne
>
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