Camino OIKOTEN

[Sally Haden]

I agree with Elizabeth, that the discussion about 'offenders' and the value
of the Camino for them, and the comparisons between enforced military
service and volunteered pilgrimage, IS relevant to these messages.  I am not
a criminal but I don't mind admitting that my thoughts and life in general
seem to me sometimes to be about as confused as I imagine could be the minds
of those who put such confusion into negative action.  We should not draw
any lines which make hard distinctions between things like national service,
prison and pilgrimage. And you can include hospital stays and monastic life
too!
If you think about it carefully, these kinds of things have a lot in
common... people 'herded' or 'herding' together in close proximity for a
purpose, people far from home and loved ones, people experiencing something
very different to their ordinary or previous lives, people doing things
within a set time frame for a set purpose which is limited... it seems to me
the major differences only arise over the degree of choice versus
requirement.
And ... even then I wonder how much choice some pilgrims feel, once they
have felt called by pilgrimage!  Though of course I appreciate that that
last thought might make someone who is forced into hospital, prison or
military service feel quite angry - I just mean it in a spiritual sense,
that inner compulsion which can sometimes drive a person.
Indeed, isn't it compulsions and all strong inner urges - whether 'good' or
'bad' - that take a person down strange roads, whether into illness,
insanity or holiness?  Many a saint has been insane!  And many a criminal
has turned out quite to be a shining example of humanity at its best.  I try
not to judge.  So let's please welcome these comparisons and discussions! I
think it is a very interesting topic.

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