6 Days on the Camino – May 2016 Camino de Santiago de Compostela

The Rainbow Lighthouse retreat of 129 km along the Way of Saint James began in Sarria, journeying westwards through the Galician region of Spain to arrive at the traditional resting place of the remains of St James, Santiago de Compostela – St James of the field of stars.

This retreat started with a deep meditation on birthing our child, growing beyond what no longer serves us on a number of levels. A sense of ‘growing up’ as we integrate our unique spiritual purpose into our physical journey. A rescue to retrieve the child enabled healing at a deep level. We were guided to let go of what we are holding on to so that we can stand on our own feet and walk our own path. We walked The Way to find Our Way.

The journey itself was a lesson in what is necessary for us to carry in life. What baggage are we carrying for ourselves, or for others? What are we burdening ourselves with that we can let go of? Along the way we meditated in the spirit of remembering, calling back all the parts of our being that have stepped out and been left behind due to the lessons that we have picked. As pilgrims we carry our baggage physically, but in walking the parts of our being surface to show us what we are holding on to and what part of us is in our way. In retreating back into the darkness of old emotions we allowed the light to shine on the shadow, to see more clearly. Through the rhythmic meditation of walking it supported us to process these emotions, realigning with the light and truth of ourselves.

The Camino helps us to breathe deeper into the letting go so that we are open to receive without outcomes. As in life we can plan, pack and prepare, but the miracle is to accept what unfolds and trust in thy will. As the dandelion seeds are supported by the wind, like the seed we must also learn to be supported by unseen vibrations.

How many steps has one taken in their lifetime? As the energy of St James supported each of the 6 pilgrims as they stepped into their journey, an opening of the heart unfolded, old wounds were healed and friendships were made. A Camino family was birthed. Over the 129 km each pilgrim took 161,250 steps towards Santiago. As we add the numbers together we come down to 15, as we add the 1 and 5 we arrive at the 6 – completion.

St Francis’ presence was truly felt in the song of the blackbird and the essence of the robin; the sacred cord watched over us all.

The journey of the Camino is individual to each person. We are each on our own path, but never separate, finding our way through life. On the Way we are one as pilgrims in the Camino family energy, supporting each other physically, emotionally and mentally, rising above human separations and conditioning. Following the symbolic yellow arrows along the route of the Camino we ask ourselves, ‘am I going in the right direction?’

As the heart develops within the shadow and the light of the shell, illuminating light, a precious gift is birthed. The Camino healed so many parts. Death on the destination – the old of ourselves. The beam-like rays of light we followed towards symbolise what we have awakened and to share with others. The yellow arrows that we followed all the way remind us of letting go to be balanced and trust in ourselves.