Buen Camino

In July, I had the incredible opportunity to journey along the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago. After a year of planning and months of physical preparation, I found myself stepping into an experience that was so much more than just a walk. These kinds of trips—the ones that take me away from my everyday life and into a place where time feels different, like entering into Kairos (time outside of time)—give me the space I need to hear my own thoughts and reconnect with my true self.

There’s something transformative about leaving behind the chaos and routines of daily life. It’s essential for remembering who I really am and who I strive to be in this world. When I carve out time to re-center, I come back as a better mom, wife, friend, and human.

Have you ever thought about taking a pilgrimage? It doesn’t have to be the Camino, but these purposeful journeys can change your life—sometimes in the smallest, yet most profound ways. 

The Spiritual Significance of Pilgrimage and the Camino de Santiago: A Journey of the Soul

There’s something profound about the idea of a journey—a journey that’s more than just moving from one place to another, but a journey that moves you from the inside out.

Most people I know are currently in a time of transition. Whether it’s navigating a career shift, children growing up, relationship changes, or simply the natural introspection that comes with having lived through life’s ups and downs, the Camino offers a unique opportunity for reflection, healing, and transformation.

What is a Pilgrimage?

When we think of the word "pilgrimage," it’s easy to imagine a religious trek to some faraway, sacred place. But really, a pilgrimage is more than that. It’s a purposeful journey—a walk with intention. It’s about seeking something, whether that’s clarity, healing, or just a deeper connection to something greater than yourself.

For centuries, people from all walks of life have undertaken pilgrimages, not just for religious reasons but for personal transformation. It’s a time to pause, step outside the routines of daily life, and embrace a space where you can listen to your inner voice more clearly. And in our busy, often chaotic lives, isn’t that what we crave? A moment to breathe, to reflect, and to simply be?

Why Take a Spiritual Pilgrimage?

There are as many reasons to take a spiritual pilgrimage as there are people. For some, it's about healing—perhaps from the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or a significant life change. For others, it’s about reconnecting with a sense of purpose or finding clarity during a midlife transition.

But what’s so powerful about a pilgrimage is that it’s not really about reaching a specific destination. The destination, though significant, is often secondary to the journey itself. Step by step, mile by mile, something happens internally. You begin to reconnect with yourself, to release what no longer serves you, and to embrace the present moment.

There’s also something deeply comforting in embracing the uncertainty of the path ahead. Much like life, a pilgrimage teaches us to trust the process, to be open to whatever comes our way, and to find meaning in both the challenges and the blessings we encounter along the way.

The Camino de Santiago: More Than a Walk Across Spain

The Camino de Santiago is one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in the world. For over a thousand years, pilgrims have been walking the Camino, with their final destination being Santiago de Compostela, where it’s believed the remains of St. James are buried. But what draws people to this ancient path is far more than the promise of reaching a cathedral.

The Camino offers a unique opportunity to step back from the busyness of life and immerse yourself in simplicity. The rhythm of walking, the beauty of the landscapes, and the quiet spaces for contemplation create a perfect environment for spiritual contemplation.

And while there are many different routes you can take—some that wind through mountains, others that hug the coastline—what unites them all is the profound sense of connection you feel. You are not only walking in the footsteps of countless pilgrims before you, but also walking towards a deeper connection with yourself.

The Spiritual Significance of the Camino

Walking the Camino is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a meditative practice. Each step becomes an opportunity to reflect, to breathe, and to let go. You begin to realize that it’s not about how far you walk or how fast you get there. It’s about being fully present, both in body and in spirit.

For many, especially those navigating the transitions that come with life, the Camino offers a space to reconnect with themselves. The simplicity of the journey—walking, resting, and repeating—creates an inner stillness that’s hard to find in the rush of everyday life. And in that stillness, answers often come, not always in the form of words but in the form of peace, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Why People Walk the Camino

The reasons people are drawn to the Camino are as varied as the paths themselves. Some walk to heal—from the pain of loss, the stress of burnout, or the transitions that life brings. Others walk to reflect on life’s big questions or to simply slow down and be in the moment.

The Camino is a metaphor for life’s journey. Its physical challenges—long stretches of road, aching feet, unpredictable weather—mirror the emotional and spiritual challenges we face in life. And just like in life, it teaches us about resilience, perseverance, and the beauty of taking things one step at a time.

But the Camino is not a lonely walk. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, each on their own personal journey. There’s an unspoken bond among pilgrims, a camaraderie that comes from sharing the same path, even though each person’s reasons for walking may be different.

The Gift of the Camino: Finding Yourself

One of the greatest gifts the Camino offers is the space to simply be. To strip away the distractions, the obligations, and the expectations, and to rediscover yourself. Those who have walked the Camino often speak of the transformation they experienced—whether it was finding strength they didn’t know they had, gaining clarity about their life’s purpose, or simply rediscovering joy.

The stories of those who have walked the Camino are varied but united by a common thread: the Camino has a way of bringing us closer to who we really are. Whether it’s someone processing the end of a long relationship, someone searching for meaning after retirement, or a mother rediscovering her own identity after years of caregiving, the Camino meets you where you are and walks with you towards a deeper understanding of yourself.

Embracing the Pilgrimage Within

While the Camino de Santiago is a physical journey across Spain, the real pilgrimage is the one that happens inside. And the beautiful thing about pilgrimage is that it doesn’t require a plane ticket or a backpack. We can embark on our own spiritual journeys anytime, wherever we are.

Life is full of opportunities to take small pilgrimages—moments where we pause, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves. So, whether or not you ever find yourself on the Camino, remember that every step you take can be a step toward something deeper. Toward healing. Toward clarity. Toward yourself.

The Camino invites us all to walk our own path, to find our own answers, and to reconnect with what truly matters.

Perhaps the greatest journey we can take is the one that leads us back to ourselves.