Motives

[Preston Pittman]

Dr. Romero, et al. I keep thinking that any big experience in one's life,
such as a pilgrimage, must have some profound influence even if the initial
motive was only one of entertainment, exercising or curiosity.  So, I would
hope and pray that even those whose motives are perhaps seemingly a little
shallow in the eyes of others might have life changing and profoundly
spiritual experiences along the Camino - even though it might take many
years of much maturation for them to realize it.

pax tecum,
Preston


>From: "Teruel, Dr. Jose Romero (WDC)" <terueljraPAHO.ORG>
>Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
>To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
>Subject: Re: Motives
>Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 12:17:36 -0500
>
>Sorry for them...
>It is not only a question of "sensibilities of the faithful" that I also
>respect.
>I believe many  of the "walkers" (not pilgrims) are only exercising and
>satisfying an eye and mind curiosity.
>That is also good! No complaints on that!
>But think about a sort of philosophical/theological kind of reflection that
>you can do while walking. If just putting a new dimension on the walk in
>terms of realizing the meaning of life and the human being in earth. Even
>if
>you don't want to put any spirituality in it still I believe the
>"caminantes" are a special group  (maybe privileged person) that can afford
>to doit and to understand what is going on...
>Why to keep it only in the restricted dimension of self satisfaction and
>retirement totally from the present world?
>I feel sorry to be so long but these are part of my personal thoughts
>regarding the pilgrimage and my reaction when someone accepts the simple
>adventure as justifiable.
>I agree it might be but also feel responsible to try to convince for
>more...
>Jose
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Felipe Sanchez
>Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 3:45 PM
>To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
>Subject: Motives
>
>
>Saludos:  I traversed the Camino Frances last May and June.  While in the
>initial portion I communicated with a Director of Friends of the Camino.  I
>believe the site might have been the Refugio at Pamplona.  With some
>authority the Director affirmed that only about 5% to 10% of the pilgrims
>are motivated by religion or spirituality.  The vast majority, according to
>him, consider the event an adventure, an outing, a challenge, an
>inexpensive, safe, healthy way to spend a month or so.  His categorization
>reflects the experience I had during 40 days or so during which I conversed
>with 50 or so pilgrims and observed many more.  I don't mean to offend the
>finer sensibilities of the faithful but the reality of a modern,
>materialistic, self-centered age often clashes with idealism inherited from
>times past.  Felipe Sanchez
>


_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com