Pilgrimage: A Medieval Cure for Modern Ills

by Dave Whitson

For two decades, pilgrimage has been a central part of Dave Whitson's life. Since starting out on the Camino de Santiago in 2002, he has subsequently trod thousands upon thousands of kilometers on sacred roads, from Spain and Italy, to Israel and India, to China and Japan. Even when home, pilgrimage is on his mind, leading to his authoring of three guidebooks on different branches of the Camino, and his production of The Camino Podcast. Across all those years, kilometers, pages, and conversations, he has always struggled to pin down his underlying motivations. He's not alone.

As pilgrimage has experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity in recent decades, it has drawn a diverse and eclectic mix of believers, seekers, and wanderers together, often inspired for reasons that remain elusive. Why do we choose to leave the comforts of home, endure personal hardship, and immerse ourselves in sometimes challenging contexts, in defiance of an increasingly secular world?

This study, synthesizing insights from pilgrim memoirs, academic research, and podcast conversations, finds that this venerable human tradition remains uniquely equipped to tend to our most persistent and vexing needs.

Genres: Nonfiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2023

Reviews

[Jose Legaspi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrimages paragons of change in a changing world

Mr. Whitson has presented an excellently written accounts of various pilgrimages in the world. The results of the walks show the benefits which are social, individualistic, and encompass lessons to be learned. The ills of the world or the individual are put in the right perspective. The material is well researched and presents various case studies which exemplify the rediscovery of the potentiality of pilgrimages as pathways for betterment for the pilgrims and those who are encountered. It brought me back to discover anew some of the lessons I learned during my own Camino de Santiago.

[Tim Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and written. An interesting topic that could use more attention. I read it at the same time I was reading "The Power of Ritual" by Casper Ter Kuile and they had a similar ethos - both written by non-religious people who've come to appreciate and integrate experiences and concepts that are traditionally seen as religious. Definitely worth a read.

[David Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever we head out on a walk of considerable length we wonder, why? Dave looks at the process, the motivation, and the benefits of Pilgrimage. He does so with thoroughness and thoughtfulness.