UNPACKING PILGRIMAGE

The Calling Stage 

1. The initial idea presents itself
2. The idea to do it begins to be processed in your mind
3. “This is attractive to me” “I think I want to do this”

The Dreaming Stage

1. The initial calling begins to coalesce into a definitive desire.
2. You start playing with the attendant realities of how it might or might not happen.
3. You justify and equivocate. “Oh, I could never do this.” “I don’t have time.” “I am too busy.” “But maybe I could do it if…” 
4. You start reading about it.
5. You start talking about it with other people.

>> INFLECTION POINT #1 

1. Your heart decides you want to do it and you have a rough plan for how to accomplish it.
2. You ask the people in your life for permission and blessing.
3. You book passage.

Planning Stage (Preparing for the Journey)

1. You make your itinerary 
2. You start packing and planning details
3. You book rooms
4. You prepare for being away from home
5. You overthink everything
6. You wrestle with your fears

>> INFLECTION POINT #2 

• You embark; you leave
• You walk out the door and begin your pilgrimage

Active Stage (Life as a Pilgrim)

• You travel: all modes (cars, shuttles, taxis, planes, subways, trains, walking)
• You deal with it all
• You work it out
• You play it out
• You experience
• You endure
• You enjoy
• You manage
• You navigate
• You listen
• You pray
• You talk to people
• You make decisions 
• You make mistakes
• You do your pilgrimage

>> INFLECTION POINT #3 

• You reach your sacred place
• You deal with all the emotions
• You rest
• You pray

Transition Stage (Going Home)

• You begin your journey home
• You process, process, process all that you've done and seen
• You manage the emotions
• You reflect

Integration Stage (Life After Your Pilgrimage)

• You process all that you've done and seen.
• You imagine how you might be different going forward.
• You express gratitude to God for His many mercies.
• You pray more.
• You live into life differently because the Holy Spirit has presented in a new way.
• Think of pilgrimage as "a deep form of prayer" with the power to transform your soul.
• Think of pilgrimage as the longest, most intense time with God that you've ever spent.
• Imagine which parts of the experience He would want you to keep forever.
• Be patient while others struggle to understand the new space you are in.
• Keep connecting with people
• Journal
• Keep Walking
• Simplify and organize
• Eat less and more simply

• Repentance (refocus on Jesus)
• Prayer (connecting with Holy Spirit)
• Discomfort
• Simplicity
• Solitude
• Silence
• Fasting (from regular life, from control, from regular food, from cleanliness, etc.)
• Change In Routine
• Outdoors
• Slowing 
• Connecting with People
• Adventure
• Faith
• Recalibration (of "normal")

There is a daily rhythm to life on pilgrimage. Here a common experience the rhythm on St. Cuthbert’s Way: 

1. wake up 
2. get dressed 
3. pack up your gear 
4. eat breakfast 
5. << morning prayer >>
6. >> walk <<
7. << midday prayer >>
8. lunch/snack
9. >> walk <<
10. arrive at your next destination 
11. unpack your gear 
12. take a shower 
13. get dinner 
14. << evening prayer >>
15. go to bed 

• On St. Cuthbert’s way, this rhythm lasts for 6 days. 
• For me, on the Camino, it was 15 days. 
• For others on the Camino it is for 50 days or longer!