The Camino scallop shell symbolizes rebirth, leaving your old life behind and embarking on a new spiritual journey.
Author’s Note: Over the course of 40 days (and circa 1.3 million steps) my wife Ali and I completed our long-planned pilgrimage across the Camino de Santiago (also known as the “Way of St. James”) in June of 2024. We’ve done our best to capture the essence of our life-changing experience within the essay below.
As we embarked on the 500-mile Camino de Santiago starting from the small town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, and culminating in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, we endured a pivotal journey that touched our very cores. Each step along this ancient pilgrimage route challenged us physically, mentally, and spiritually, pushing us to limits we never knew we had. Our feet ached and blistered, our muscles screamed in protest, yet our spirits soared with a newfound sense of purpose.
We experienced a tumultuous rollercoaster of emotions: frustration when faced with unexpected hurdles, pure joy in the friendships forged along the way, and awe at the breathtaking landscapes that unfolded before us. But there was also trepidation as we pushed our bodies beyond their comfort zones, overwhelming gratitude for the kindness of strangers, moments of unbridled wonder at the centuries of history beneath our feet, and unexpected waves of grief. This grief emerged not only as we confronted and released old burdens, but also as we learned of fellow pilgrims who departed this life on the trail, their journeys abruptly ending before reaching Santiago. Each loss was a stark reminder of life’s fragility and added a bittersweet note to our pilgrimage.
We felt exhilaration as we conquered steep climbs, and discovered deep inner peace in quiet contemplation. In moments of solitude, we were enveloped by a symphony of silence, where nature’s subtle sounds became a melodious backdrop to our introspection. Through often scorching heat and treacherous conditions, we pressed on, slowly shedding the weight of our everyday lives and embracing the beautiful simplicity of the Camino.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – Maya Angelou.
With each milestone, a sense of accomplishment washed over us, and we found ourselves changing in ways we couldn’t have imagined when we first shouldered our backpacks. As our journey came to an end, it became clear that we had left behind our doubts, fears, and the constraints of our old selves. In their place, we gained extraordinary gifts of wisdom: the power of perseverance, the beauty of human connection, the peace found in simplicity, and the profound understanding that life’s true journey is not about the destination, but the transformation that occurs along the way.
The Camino is a path that leads you back to yourself. – Unknown
Wisdom Gained
- The power of simplicity and minimalism: Living with bare essentials for hundreds of miles proved liberating. Happiness was found in basic comforts like a comfortable bed, warm meal, or beautiful sunset. This simplicity allowed for mental decluttering, providing clarity on priorities and values, and inspiring a simpler lifestyle focused on what truly matters.
- Transformative community and connection: The Camino created a unique social environment where strangers quickly became friends and supporters. Diverse individuals from around the world united by a common goal experienced kindness from fellow pilgrims and locals alike. This restored faith in humanity and inspired more open, trusting, and meaningful relationships in everyday life.
- Growth through discomfort: The journey challenged us physically and mentally with a daily routine of long walks, difficult conditions, and unfamiliar situations. Overcoming these obstacles built resilience, self-confidence, and adaptability. Stripped of familiar comforts, we were forced to confront avoided aspects of ourselves, leading to personal breakthroughs.
- The power of presence: The repetitive nature of walking for hours each day naturally led to a meditative state, shifting relationships with time and thought. We became intensely aware of our surroundings, finding deep peace in the present moment. This practice of staying present surfaced as an invaluable skill to be carried forward into our post-Camino life.
- Life’s cycles and perseverance: The Camino’s day-to-day rhythm mirrored life’s cyclical nature. We experienced highs and lows, learning to keep moving forward one step at a time while experiencing every conceivable emotion over time. This taught endurance through difficult times and the importance of balancing perseverance with rest and self-care.
- Purpose and intention: The clear goal of reaching Santiago de Compostela provided profound motivation and fulfillment. This experience inspired reflection on the role of purpose in everyday life, encouraging the pursuit of meaningful goals aligned with personal values. Over time, the journey itself became increasingly more rewarding than reaching our destination.
- Letting go of control: We learned to surrender our need for control and embrace uncertainty. Adapting to changing plans due to weather, physical limitations, or unexpected opportunities opened them up to serendipity and unexpected joys. This lesson extended to rethinking and discarding entrenched perspectives, lingering animosities, and accumulated psychological weights, while opening the door to releasing the burden of hollow relationships, allowing more room for genuine bonds to flourish going forward.
- Spiritual and philosophical deepening: Our journey irrespective of its original purpose, organically evolved into a profound exploration of existential matters. Along the way, we forged unexpected bonds with the natural world, other wayfarers, historical narratives, and a sense of the transcendent. This process broadened our perspectives and led to a more nuanced grasp of our individual convictions and principles.
- Rediscovering authenticity: Freed from daily routines and social pressures, we rediscovered our core identities. Long-neglected interests and aspirations resurfaced, bringing a new perspective on life’s priorities. This deeper self-awareness motivated us to reshape our futures and value genuine connections more deeply.
Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place. – Unknown
Our “Way” Forward
40-days, 500-miles, 1.3 Million Steps. We walked. We talked. We laughed. We cried. We prayed. We witnessed nature at its very best while enjoying a rare and remarkable “symphony of silence” day after day. We are blessed and grateful for the opportunity to have followed so many on such a storied path. The Camino stripped us bare, revealing life’s essence. In its simplicity, we discovered profound connections and inner strength. Each step, a meditation; each challenge, a catalyst for growth. We emerged transformed, our spirits awakened to life’s true purpose. The path became a mirror, reflecting our authentic selves and our place in the vast tapestry of existence. In the end, we realized that the Camino wasn’t just a journey across Spain, but a pilgrimage through the landscapes of our souls.
GRAB YOUR COPY OF OUR NEW BOOK “RITES OF PASSAGE” HERE
This is our story, but it could be yours. The path awaits.
Author’s note: All proceeds from Book sales (net of actual publishing costs) will be donated to American Pilgrims on the Camino, a Charity Navigator 4-star-rated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster the enduring tradition of the Camino by supporting its infrastructure, by gathering pilgrims together, and by providing information and encouragement to past and future pilgrims.
What a beautifully written and inspiring account of your journey on the Camino de Santiago! Your vivid descriptions and heartfelt reflections truly capture the essence of this transformative experience. It’s incredible to read about the physical, mental, and spiritual challenges you and Ali faced and how each step brought new insights and growth. Your narrative is a powerful reminder of the beauty in simplicity, the strength of perseverance, and the deep connections formed along the way. Thank you for sharing this profound and moving story with us.
Wishing you both many more enriching adventures!
Dennis, sharing your wisdom with readers is like offering us nuggets of gold FOR FREE. What a wonderful trip weaved into a story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Such a transformational experience, my friend – a real challenge to put into finite words…. thank you!
Dear Dennis,
It seems you and Ali had a great time. But what is greatest for readers is the derived lessons that you shared with us.
Honestly, each lesson you shared and explained is a life lesson.
Leading a simple life, creating ideas from discomfort, having growth mentality, blending with foreigners easily when all share a common goal and other lessons are treasures.
Welcome back from your thrilling vacation.
Thank you for your warm welcome back, my friend. The life lessons you’ve highlighted are indeed valuable treasures that can profoundly shape our approach to life and personal growth. Recognizing the beauty in simplicity, finding inspiration in challenges, embracing a growth mindset, and connecting with diverse people through shared goals are all powerful concepts. It’s wonderful to see you appreciating these lessons and their potential impact. Embracing such wisdom can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life experience.
Brook here is my email address.
Lynnsuelynn@yahoo .com.
Dennis and Ali,
Congratulations on completing the profound 500-mile journey of the Camino de Santiago, the “Way of St. James”! This pilgrimage is not just a physical accomplishment but a deeply spiritual one. Your journey represents a commitment to faith, a quest for deeper understanding, and a testament to your endurance and devotion.
Walking the Camino is a time-honored tradition of reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth. Each step you took was not only a movement towards your destination but a step towards a closer connection with God and with yourselves. The challenges you faced and overcame on this path are symbolic of the spiritual trials we all encounter in life, and your perseverance is a beautiful testament to your faith and strength.
In your journey, you have embodied the words of Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” You have walked by faith, allowing God’s Word to guide you through every step, every challenge, and every moment of joy.
As you reflect on your pilgrimage, remember the words of Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Your hope and faith in the Lord have renewed your strength and carried you through this remarkable journey.
May the lessons and insights you gained during this sacred journey continue to inspire and guide you. As you return to your daily lives, may you carry with you the peace, clarity, and spiritual renewal that God provides.
Blessings to you both on this remarkable achievement. Well done!
Thank you, Mike, for your heartfelt and inspiring words. Your reflection on the spiritual significance of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is deeply moving and insightful. The connection you draw between the physical journey and the inner spiritual path resonates profoundly. Your references to Scripture beautifully illuminate the deeper meaning of this pilgrimage. The analogy of God’s word as a guiding light and the promise of renewed strength for those who hope in the Lord are particularly poignant. Your words serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact this journey can have on one’s faith and daily life. We are blessed for the opportunity and determined to carry the wisdom gained forward into our daily lives.
Great reflections, learnings, and sharing Dennis! Thank you. It made me have many questions: how do you adapt to daily life after this long journey? What other experiences in life can lead us to this inner journey? It made me think of my husband’s Ironman challenges since the teachings and struggle sounds similar. For those who say they cannot take 1 Million steps, is that a mental block or a choice? Does the history of this particular path play a role in how you feel? Would the same distance somewhere else mean the same?
Of course you do not need to answer any one of them, yet it made me want to explore these with you one day and I will be there on Thursday too of course!!! Congratulations to you both. Cannot even imagine how it feels 💙
All insightful questions, Brooke, with the first one at the top of our list, as the transition back to “business as usual” is one that we are intentionally resisting as we embrace the wisdom gained as a renewed life roadmap going forward. With this experience came a heightened sense of responsibility to truly walk the talk, doing our best to add it all to our search independently and with others to rediscover humanity, my friend. And yes, the history of the path we took has come into play, hundreds of thousands of “pilgrims” from around the world have taken the same steps, many of whom have no doubt carried forward their learnings. We feel blessed to have been given the opportunity.
Hello Brooke, I hope you don’t mind, I read your comment to Dennis and Ali regarding their recent walk through the El Camino. I am happy to answer your questions from my perspective if that’s okay: First, how have I adapted to daily life after my long journey several years earlier when I was 65? my answer is this:
1. Because of this journey when I returned many things stayed with me both spiritually and heartfelt. I have a very strong belief in God and how He works in my life, and that journey only added to the courage I would need to face things once I was back home, due to the people I met along the way that struggled with issues and inner chaos more so than me. I stopped saying I could’t do something that seemed difficult after what I had already accomplished and so it was reminder to persevere. I do think it is a mental block when someone says they cannot do something, at least until they try, or they know their limitations.
2. I knew of the history before taking this journey and wanted deeply to immerse myself more into it. 3. Each journey is different but there is another one I hope to take as a result of this one, and it starts in San Juan Capistrano. It would mean something different for me, something to build on what I experienced walking the El Camino.
I hope you will enjoy whatever endeavors you might take on, but this is one I will never forget.
God Bless
Hi Lynn thank you. I don’t know how I can reply to you but love your answers!
It was nice to read about your experience.
I didn’t do the Camino de Santiago but the Way of St. Francis.
These experiences are no longer just a religious pilgrimage, the journey is a good reason to question yourself, renouncing yourself, leaving aside the superfluous and embarking on the journey towards a new possible self.
During the journey the only rule is to question what is taken for granted in daily life. Not only to prove to yourself that you can do it, but also and above all to discover how wonderful it is to change the rules. The initial reason for the pilgrimage does not matter, because there are moments of profound introspection and transformation. The journey teaches us that life is a journey full of learning: during the journey and during our life we must learn to let go of what no longer serves us and to value what is really important. Each step on the journey is an invitation to live fully, appreciating each moment as an opportunity to grow and learn. The experience of the journey is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and meaning of life and to rethink our priorities and values. Then sharing your experiences and listening to those of others enriches the journey and offers new perspectives.
Welcome back!
Your reflection on pilgrimage and journeying is indeed profound and insightful. You beautifully capture the transformative power of stepping outside our everyday routines and comfort zones. The idea that these experiences go beyond religious motivations and become opportunities for deep self-examination is particularly compelling. You highlight how the journey itself becomes a catalyst for questioning our assumptions, shedding unnecessary burdens, and opening ourselves to new possibilities of personal growth. Your emphasis on challenging what we take for granted in daily life resonates strongly. It speaks to the value of disrupting our usual patterns of thought and behavior to gain fresh perspectives. The notion that changing the rules can be “wonderful” suggests a liberating aspect to this process of self-discovery. You wisely note that the initial reason for undertaking such a journey may become less important than the profound introspection and transformation that occur along the way. This speaks to the unpredictable nature of personal growth and how our motivations can evolve as we open ourselves to new experiences. The parallel you draw between the physical journey and life’s journey is particularly enlightening. The idea that we must learn to let go of what no longer serves us while cherishing what truly matters is a powerful life lesson. It encourages a mindful approach to living, where we continually reassess and refine our priorities. We really appreciate your thoughtful perspectives, Aldo and thank you for the warm welcome back, my friend!
Just like the picture of the two shadows of you and Ali that reflected upon the trail ahead; both of you faced the sun and put your troubles behind you dear brother.
Yes, the shell is symbolic of a rebirth in that St. James used such a shell to baptize folks into God’s kingdom as heirs; putting on their new selves and leaving their old selves behind.
Your wonderfully written descriptive missive seems to me that good old St. James has baptized both you and Ali in spirit as you guys sojourned through God’s creation.
I congratulate you and Ali as I celebrate the “Renaissance” (re-birth) that both of you have underwent. Coram Deo!
Thank you so much, Danny, for your deeply thoughtful and insightful comment. Your interpretation adds a beautiful layer of meaning to our experience on the trail. We’re touched by how you connected the imagery of our shadows and the sun to the idea of leaving troubles behind and moving forward. The parallel you drew with St. James and the symbolism of the shell is particularly profound, linking our journey to spiritual rebirth and renewal. Your words about being “baptized in spirit” as we traversed through nature resonate deeply. It truly did feel like a transformative experience, one that allowed us to connect with something greater than ourselves. We’re grateful for your congratulations and your celebration of our “Renaissance.” Your use of “Coram Deo” – living in the presence of God – is a powerful reminder of the spiritual dimension of our trek.
There is no doubt that this journey changes many who walk the El Camino. Congratulations Dennis and Ali, on the 500 miles! All that God brings to those who take the challenge, such as scenery, other souls who can turn into friendships, (which are gifts from God) and the history of the Saint himself, (St. James) cannot help but be affected in powerful ways. I will always remember my own experience in just the 250 miles I walked. Each day brought what you both experienced, tears, laughter, gratitude, sorrow for those who died trying to complete their journey, and thankfulness at the end for your own completion. A soul who chooses to walk the El Camino cannot help but be transformed for the good.
Thank you Lynn for sharing that heartfelt message of congratulations and reflection. It beautifully captures the meaningful experiences that can arise from taking the Camino. Your words emphasize how undertaking such a pilgrimage can be transformative, touching on physical, social, spiritual, and historical dimensions. It’s a lovely reminder of how stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing challenges can lead to rich, multifaceted experiences that have lasting impacts on our lives.
Congratulations on a task well done. Perhaps, as you noted the journey isn’t about reaching the end, or even the journey itself. Perhaps, it is about relieving oneself of all that weighty baggage that is collected over a lifetime. Baggage that clings to our inner self like a host of leaches dragging us down, feeding on our blood, and tainting who we really are. It is about the cleansing and rebirth if the inner you, your soul if you will.
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment on our article, Ken. We’re touched by your deep reflection on the nature of life’s journey. Your perspective on shedding the accumulated baggage of a lifetime is profound and resonates strongly with us. We appreciate how you’ve expanded on the idea of the journey, suggesting that its true purpose may be a process of inner cleansing and rebirth. Your vivid metaphor of baggage clinging “like a host of leeches” paints a powerful picture of how past experiences and burdens can weigh us down and obscure our true selves. Your words about rediscovering and cleansing the inner self, or soul, are beautiful and inspiring.
Your comments have certainly given us new angles to consider, and we’re grateful for your contribution.
Thank you for capturing and sharing your journey and insights with us. I particularly resonated with the concept of “un-becoming.” Detaching from either the expectations of others or the expectations we impose on ourselves offers true joy.
Your reflection on “un-becoming” is quite insightful Mary. The idea of shedding external and self-imposed expectations to find genuine happiness is powerful. It’s wonderful that this concept resonated with you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts – they offer an intriguing perspective on finding contentment and authenticity in life.
Excellent reflections and insights DenAli, we’re grateful to you for sharing them. It sounds like the true journey is within, the external part enhancing it. We can’t wait to hear the in-person version of this amazing journey. Thanks again for sharing.
MEBE
Thank you so much for your warm words and encouragement Byron and Mariah. We’re touched that our reflections resonated with you. You’re absolutely right – while the external journey was incredible, the inner transformation was truly the heart of the experience. We’re looking forward to sharing more details and stories in person. Your support means a lot to us, and we’re grateful to have such thoughtful friends to share our journey with.
It was an inspiration to follow your journey through your blog week by week. Welcome home! It’s interesting that the things you discovered (connection, relationships, authenticity…..) are what I have always seen in you. May your life be even better for having experienced 500 miles of reflective and contemplative transformation.
Thank you for your kind words, Jane. We’re touched that you found inspiration in our journey and blog posts. It’s heartwarming to hear that the insights we gained resonate with qualities you’ve always seen in us. Your observation about connection, relationships, and authenticity is perceptive – sometimes we rediscover core truths about ourselves through new experiences. We’re grateful for the transformative nature of this 500-mile adventure and look forward to integrating these reflections into daily life. Your support and encouragement mean a lot as we transition back home.