Let's Walk Home

Pilgrimage can be a path to healing; in fact, it was one of the best things I ever did for myself.  It was an intuitive attempt to help myself when I got to the end of how traditional therapy could heal a protracted grief. And it turns out it was worth the investment, being very efficient and turns out the results do stick. 

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Fairly early in my first journey, I recognized the natural therapeutic nature of walking in community, especially for issues of estrangement, alienation and exile in all its forms. When I returned, and did a little reading and talking to researchers (and some historians) and learned more of the long tradition of pilgrimage, of exiles historically and more recently the groups who take veterans with PTSD. While walking, it reminded me of EMDR (bi-lateral stimulation to process traumatic memory), but with a big helping of something more. 

 

On the road, three-quarters through that first journey, I began to think of what might have helped me begin in a better way. Truth be told, I was very nervous to begin, especially to walk into the mountains alone, yet I could see that some challenge was necessary. I was glad I didn't take a tour because I would have cheated myself of seeing what I could accomplish, and sometimes needing to rely on others. Turns out that is part of the gift. You don't get that without some hard days. And that is how the idea for Let's Walk Home began.

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There are many companies who offer various styles of organized experiences of the Camino de Santiago, as well as other pilgrimages.  Many will organize all your travel, book your accommodations and transport your bags, taking out as much of the guesswork as possible. This will not be that.

 

This is not a vacation. This is work. 

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Drawing on my foundations of contemplative practices, counselling and occupational therapy I have created offerings to suit individual needs on various stages of this journey.

 

It would be my great pleasure to help you get started. See the options below.