Why a Pilgrimage?

[Nicole]

It's fascinating that Cheryl knows that she's taking off on this long hike (without training) in order to overcome her heroin use and promiscuity in order to become the woman she was supposed to come? Is that why all of us really take pilgrimages? Or is there another, even deeper spiritual reason for the trip?

[Darrin]

well she says that she doesn't get what she expected out of the trip. She expected times of peace and bliss and perhaps to come to some higher "awakening" but so far in her journey she has just been worrying about getting through it and surviving her blisters and sores.

When I have gone on a "pilgrimage" it was to get some peace and quiet and I got it. I didn't have some exalted goal of trying to become something better. I think there is different reasons for taking pilgrimages, all of them are taken in order to find what we need at that time. This is what Cheryl needed to do. I am interested to read on and see where she ends up emotionally.

[Maria]

I've taken walks or days of contemplation : but not a pilgrimage : labyrinths yes.. short but somewhat like one I suppose ... I'd LOVE to take one in the west.. where it's open, free, and possibly a little dangerous.. so i could be more in tune and could listen better .. it seems as tho I long for that these days.. 2 weeks would be awesome : 6 weeks I might come back changed!

[Nicole]

Maria, I like that you've highlighted that you would tune in more and listen better. Perhaps that's part of what happens -- that you rid yourself of the distractions of real life and then tune in. What would you tune into?