Sonia’s article in the March Diary

Wellbeing, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Pilgrimage

Over the last two years of COVID disruption, many of us have had time to re-assess our priorities, our work-life balance and, perhaps, how we might live differently in the time that we have left to us here on earth. Over the centuries some people have found it beneficial to take time out of their regulated lives, creating space for contemplation of nature, of relationships and a sense of their place in the world. Some have embarked on pilgrimages to holy sites, where many seeking God and meaning have travelled ahead of them.

I am about to undertake a Pilgrimage across Spain to Santiago, the traditional last resting place of St James, an apostle of Jesus. James was executed in c.44AD by King Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem and his body was transported by friends to a ‘field of stars’, Compostela, on the west coast of Spain.

Most people walk the Camino, some 700km, depending upon the route. Having previously ruptured an Achilles tendon I can’t do that, so I shall proceed sitting down. On a horse. I’ve been practising and our luggage is transported ahead of us, to small hotels (with stabling) so I won’t be roughing it quite as much as many pilgrims do. Stories abound of very cheap but lumpy bunk-beds in communal dormitories with cold showers and few phone-charging points, plus huge blisters.

Why am I going? I’m not entirely sure, but I expect that its purpose will reveal itself along the Camino. It will take me the whole of April, which encompasses much of the Church’s preparation time of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Christians around the world take time out during this period to pray and to focus on their relationship with God. Others may find periods of mindfulness and meditation enhance their wellbeing.  

I do hope that you will have found some positives arising from COVID, along with all the restrictions, and can, perhaps, use the run-up to Easter to re-balance your life.

Many blessings Sonia 07747 844265