Why focus on pilgrimages and why the Camino de Santiago?
The transformational journeys to self, to be facilitated and harnessed by AYA are most powerfully undertaken on established pilgrimage routes such as El Camino De Santiago (The Road to Santiago/The Way of St. James) in Northern Spain. There are extensions to this route and variations which stretch throughout Europe. The word 'camino' means 'road' in Spanish. There are also many camino-esque walking routes that are not associated with a spiritual pilgrimage as such. I was actually the first person to complete the longest circular hiking/cycling path in Spain: the GR 247 Southern Woodlands Trail, which winds its way through the breathtakingly beautiful natural park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas in Jaen, Andalucia. Along the way I met several people who had helped construct this route and each of them told me that they felt they had built a 'Camino de Santiago Natural'. I can say that, without doubt, they were right. It is certainly not necessary for there to be a cathedral at the end of such a life-enhancing and transformative adventure. I also have a particular interest in the pilgrimages of the Canary Islands, one of which is El Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria. and the strong culture of pilgrimages found on the islands, since I will be spending a lot of time in these parts.
There are opportunities to develop AYA on routes such as the Wye Valley Walk in Wales and many others in the West of England, which is where I am from, and all manner of routes around the world, such as the Lycian Way in Turkey, the Mount Kailash circuit in Tibet, Kumano Kodo in Japan, Señor de Huanca and the Machu Picchu Inca trail, both of which are in Peru. I'm guessing that you are getting the picture that this could be happening in many fabulous and powerful locations, but for now, and on this page we'll look at how the Camino can become the focus of much of our operations.
The Camino provides the perfect symbolic and practical home for AYA as the organisation can easily build on the growing international enthusiasm for walking this ancient route. Far from being a Catholic or Christian pilgrimage, it is thought of as a more broadly spiritual undertaking in Spain and has its roots in a Celtic journey towards the setting sun at one of the Westernmost points of the European mainland. In fact, when one arrives in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, the similarities between the people of this region and their culture and that of the Celtic nations is unmistakable. AYA chooses to focus on the communication of the route's Celtic origins, its natural power, its remarkable 'journey to self' effect and its wonderfully inclusive present.
By undertaking this 5-6 week walk, individuals commit to a journey of profound personal transformation. With an existing infrastructure already in place, a choice of routes and the ability to stay overnight in dorms known as albergues, walkers (& cyclists too!) are encouraged to carry only the bare essentials and experience the magic of a simple pilgrim, freed from everyday tasks and able to fully internalise the effects of this great and famous path. The well developed infrastructure allows for adventures on restricted budgets, and with the extremely varied terrain, cosmopolitan and international cross section of people, there is something for everyone.
People begin the Camino for many reasons. In fact, at times on the way, you are asked to fill out a form at some of the albergues and monasteries stating why you are attempting the pilgrimage; for religious or spiritual reasons, for sporting or recreational reasons, as a tourist, and so on. No matter what reason pilgrims have for walking the way, it becomes, unmistakably, a journey to self. Those who have walked it many times will tell you, "what you will find at the end of the Camino is yourself". Beautiful!
From AYA's point of view, the opportunity provided by the Camino to establish an organisation with a far reaching impact is undeniable. It is truly superb ground to plant the seed for an international body such as All You Are. The existing market is enormous, people already on the Camino, people planning to do it, companies looking for ways to revitalise and re-focus their workforce, and people who've already done it and are looking for a reason to do it again. The inner work done on this pilgrimage, together with the intense experience provided (each Camino is like a lifetime condensed into just a few weeks), helps to trigger or consolidate each individual's unique vision. The power of the various Caminos is there to be harnessed. AYA will show how going deeper inward aligns us with our birth vision and brings into our consciousness our inner callings, there to be realised in action. This, in turn, awakens our social potential, positioning us in the right context to bring these visions into reality. Our inner work can, with a supporting infrastucture in place, outwardly manifest. We trust your journey you will begin! Enjoy...
And so it begins...
