Camino Daze May 2017 – Day 11

Day 11 – TRUST Let Go and Let Grace Take Care of the Details.

On my Camino Journey in Spain (almost 6 long years ago now – yet still intimately present in my Heart and Soul today), I had the daily opportunity to practice the art of trusting in the Holiness of Life to guide me through any challenges and to bless me with many delightful and even miraculous experiences. Now, in today’s crazy, chaotic, and unpredictable world (very much intensified in the last 5 years!), there seems to be no sure fire way for my human mind and ego to figure out or navigate through the apparent messiness that life is handing me in each moment. So, too, each day on The Camino was full of uncertainties, as I found myself walking through strange landscapes, meeting new people, encountering unknown challenges (external and/or internal), not knowing where and what my food, water, and rest stops would be, and not knowing for sure where I would be sleeping at the end of the day! Even though now, in my present circumstances, I have a comfortable and warm home to shelter me, food on the table to nourish me, and a loving family (my husband and two cats in my household) to keep me in good company every day, my outer world reality is still very uncertain and chaotic… and pretty scary if I let myself get pulled into the drama too much. An excellent reminder for me to stay Present in each moment and day as much as possible, and feel the deep gratitude for the lessons and experiences I received (and integrated into the Wholeness of my Being) during (and since) my 21-day Camino Pilgrimmage in 2017…

Day 11, May 16, 2017, of our Camino walk began like most of our days. A 6:45 a.m. start with a beautiful, though brief, sunrise rose glow. The clouds were fabulous, and I saw two more snakes today, as we were now entering the rolling hill vineyard country. We passed many homes with backyard gardens and small farms growing various vegetables watered via irrigation ditches – reminded me a lot of northern New Mexico (with it’s small mountain and valley villages connected by a wide network of acequias along the Rio Grande).

We were always grateful for any indoor rest-stops along the Camino, but the sparse modern bathrooms were a particular delight… and some with a great sense of humor too!

Excerpt from my Journal:

Tuesday May 16, 2017 – Molinaseca to Pieros (~16 mi)
… First big city we came to was Ponferrada, where the last huge castle-church was built and occupied by the Templar Knights for only ~20 years before they were “shut down” (many believe the Catholic Church was wrongfully blamed for this termination of Templar Order, as it was actually the King of Spain who coveted the riches of the Templars). This amazing classic castle fortress complex was built in the early 1200’s.

Later, we arrived at our accommodations, El Serbol Y La Luna, a vegetarian donativo – and a very rustic old stone, multilevel home. We showered, and washed and hung our laundry outside to dry in the late afternoon sun. We were all very sore and tired, but managed to get ourselves to the 5:30 yoga class taught by Sophia, one of the donativo’s young hostesses. She did a wonderful layout to begin – using imagery of the “Inner Camino” to help us get in touch with our bodies through the breath and let go of any tension or pain. As we moved into gentle stretches and postures, we all noticed it was suddenly turning very dark outside, which was soon punctuated with bright flashes of lightning and crashing thunder. Several of us became concerned about our laundry hanging outside, but Sophia kept telling us “not to worry, someone will be taking care of that.” Then it started to downpour in bucket-loads, and several of us started to jump up and run downstairs – again Sophia sternly yet kindly reminded us to stay present, feel how deeply we could just enjoy the gift of the rain, and simply notice how this was affecting our Inner Camino Journey. Another huge Shift for me! Letting go of needing to be anywhere else, to be “taking care of business,” or to be “doing” anything other than Being Present Here and Now!!! I was in a state of deep appreciation for the profoundly cleansing, fluid energy of the rainstorm (thunder, lightning, fragrance, coolness). Our experience was perfectly completed with another layout, followed by a blessing from Sophia as she dabbed essential oil on our foreheads. We each were invited to say a silent gratitude for whatever we wished, and I thanked the rain for reminding of my Divine Fluidity and for this Inner and Outer Camino Journey! [It did turn out that the other volunteers at the donativo had brought all our laundry in and hung them on wooden racks to dry inside overnight]. And we had a wonderful vegetarian pilgrim meal before heading off to our cozy bunk beds.

More Critters and Flowers – Signs of Transformation and Renewal Abound!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

As I Set My Intentions to Expect the Highest and Best, Regardless of Any External Appearances to the Contrary, I Allow MySelf to Open to and TRUST in All that the Holiness of Life Has to Offer!

What gifts did your Camino bring you TODAY? (Please share your thoughts below in the “Leave a Reply” Box)