Pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago spend a great deal of time thinking about their backpacks. Along the journey we contemplate and feel its weight, how it is hurts our backs and shoulders and how it is probably contributing to our blisters. As many walk they think about everything in the pack and how the contents weigh us down, making us slower, hotter, angrier and in greater pain. Pilgrims think about what we might be able to discard in the pack, what we want to keep, what we NEED to keep. As the walking and the journey unfold, pilgrims consider what is absolutely essential to survive on the Camino and what might be picked up somewhere else along the way, or what other people might offer. There are struggles over getting rid of some items in order have a lighter, easier walk, ie, offering a less burdensome Camino. By getting rid of things, the peregrinos make the physical journey easier and lighter, but also make the emotional and spiritual journey lighter I invite you to think about the pilgrims’ backpack and insert the idea of your own backpack, school bag, purse…whatever you carry with you every day. What do you carry in your bag? What do you really need in that bag? What can you get rid of in your bag? What do you struggle with getting rid of? Now think about all of that but in terms of the emotional and spiritual baggage and burdens that you carry.
Do you carry anger? Resentment? Jealousy? Prejudice? Joy? Love? Compassion? Gratitude? Hatred? Uncertainty? Doubt? Sadness? Ignorance? Confidence? Lack of Confidence? Hurt? Fear? Faith? Belief? Anything not listed here?
