Pilgrimage as the next big thing?

Pilgrimage has in history been a source for seeking redemption, healing or status. There was even a children pilgrimage to Jerusalem which never reached its goal, everyone died ... One can just wonder why they went on the journey. It was clearly not the children who had decided that they should embark on the trip.

Today many Moslem's go to Makkah, Christians to Santiago de Compostela and elsewhere. It has gained some attention and status having went on such a pilgrimage.

Why would anyone go on a pilgrimage today with our access to information, knowledge, and shortage of time? What can we learn from doing a pilgrimage? Knowledge, experience, insight, and most importantly of all freedom being in the step, here and now, are some of the things that could potentially be gained through a pilgrimage.

Yesterday I tried it out on a one day pilgrimage to S:t Ibbs Church on Ven. A beautifully situated church on a high cliff with a magnificent view on the northern Öresund strait between Denmark and Sweden. I volunteered partly because I wanted to get closer to myself, God and the nature. Did I get what I expected?

First of all we walked in silence, quite a different experience for a a guy that can speak words like a waterfall throws water across the cliff. Secondly the priest who walked first set the pace, also a challenge for a man used to control his own steps. Most importantly was the change in mental state that came after a short while. By focusing on here and now and on each step all thoughts just disappeared into the mental /dev/null. I could enjoy the undisturbed scent of roses, details of houses I've never seen before, and I could focus on what is most important to me. In a calm and relaxed mental environment I made decisions for days to come.

Finally I noted during the walk a fantastic garden, very much like paradise, with a beautiful gate. The next gate was very worn down by weather, rust and non-existent maintenance. The third gate was equally fantastic as the first one, but with signs everywhere saying: "Private".

I noticed all these gates, but did not make the connection that our Priest did. She said as a summary: Do you want to be an open and available garden like the first one, or worn down, empty non-refilled spirit like the second garden, or a beautiful but closed person? I still have some way to go ...

So why did I write this entry? I believe that people including myself are looking for ways to develop themselves. Pilgrimage is therefore the next big thing for people who have everything!