Motives

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

Hi Jane & other escapees,
I have been quiet on the Camino list.  By way of introduction, I'm doing
the entire Camino to Finisterre this September. I currently live in San
Jose, California, having recently relocated from Salt Lake City, Utah.

I have often (when I'm really honest with myself) thought my dream of
traveling the world for a year or two was mostly escapism too; I have an
adventurous but restless spirit that is constantly seeking the "newest"
experience.

However the deep recurring desire to do the Camino feels different. "I
think back on the years I kept busy to run away from myself." (A quote that
condenses much of my life - I came across while browsing at the airport
bookstore a week or so ago; book is "Surrendering to Yourself" by Iris
Krasnow.)

I think that the Camino is an experience, especially if part of the walk is
done solo every day, that even if you intend for it to be pure escapism,
you cannot help but run toward your authentic self without any effort.

Evelyn

Quoting Jane Shoemaker <elizjsaSHAW.CA>:

> Hello -
> My date of departure is coming very soon and my thoughts are full of the
> Camino.
> One question in my mind has been about my motives in going.  Up until now
> I
> have been able to identify a lot of different reasons why I want to walk
> the
> Camino.
> But now I am suddenly surprised with the possibility that -- perhaps my
> real
> motive is just ESCAPISM -- it is just too difficult for me to deal with
> the
> "real world"  and I am just wanting to fly over the rainbow to this
> marvellous place where all of my problems go away, and life is simple
> and
> beautiful.
> The idea that my main goal is simply escapism depresses me a lot.
> How about the nature of escapism?
> Maybe we sometimes need escapism?
> I'd be interested in hearing some other people's points of view about
> this.
> Jane
>