Pilgrimage
September 8 - 19, 2024
Camino Mindfulness Pilgrimage
Join us on an ancient pilgrimage, el Camino de Santiago, through Spain and France, hiking and practicing mindfulness within community.
Only 1 spot remaining!
Journey Inward, Walk with Purpose
Pilgrimage, the Ancient Art of Mindful Travel
Pilgrimage in its most basic definition is a journey to a sacred place. Diving deeper, pilgrimage is an opportunity to slow down, making way for the inner alchemy of introspection to rekindle your love of life. Similarly, a meaningful life is supported by presence, and the path to presence is paved by daily meditation and mindfulness practice.
The Inner Journey
Each day, as you walk through the quiet Spanish countryside, you'll have the opportunity to engage in daily guided meditation and mindfulness practices. These ancient yet always relevant techniques will guide you towards deeper self-discovery and profound insights. To support the deepening of the pilgrimage, we'll intersperse moments of silent walking and opportunities for shared, relational interactions.
The Outer Journey
Your pilgrimage begins in the charming village of St. Jean-pied-de-port, the official starting point for the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. Your first day on the ancient trail will be fully immersed in the breathtaking vistas of the French Pyrenees. Then, walking amidst rolling hills of northern Spain, vineyards, and quaint villages, you'll follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims who have walked these paths for centuries.
We’ll journey through Pamplona, a vibrant town known for the Running of the Bulls festival and continue on, crossing the iconic 11th century Puente de la Reina, marking the midway point of our trip. From there, we’ll take a rest day, soaking in the slow pace of the Spanish countryside and participating in a half day meditation and yoga workshop. Yes, please!
After a few more days of walking, you will end your Camino in Logroño, La Rioja region’s wine capital. Logroño also has an amazing rich history and local cuisine. Tapas, anyone? From Logroño, you’ll have the option of continuing your Camino to Santiago de Compostela (approx 21 additional days) , travel elsewhere in Europe, or return home.
The Sangha
Sangha, a Pāli word used in Buddhist community, is a group of people who choose to be together, even live together, connected by a certain purpose. We learn and evolve from each other and with each other. During this pilgrimage, you will be a co-creator of our sangha. Together, we will practice meditation daily, reflect on tools to bring us more deeply into our present experiences, and support each other through the challenges and beauty of pilgrimage.
What’s Included
Accommodations: Bed in shared accommodation in private albergues (pilgrim's hostels) - typically bunk bed-style dorm rooms of 4-6 pilgrims. 2-3 nights of accommodation in shared double rooms.
Meals: Most breakfasts, all dinners
All Group Sessions: Meditation, mindfulness, and relational practices
Pre-Camino Resources: Free access to the Ultimate Camino de Santiago Preparation online course, packing lists, recommended reading, and 1 live orientation session
What’s Not Included
All International Flights
Travel Insurance - required!
Personal booking for arrival/departure to start and end points
2-3 breakfasts, all lunches
Hiking gear, souvenirs, any additional expenses not listed above
Price
$2,250 per person ($500 non-refundable deposit due upon acceptance)
Please note: We have limited scholarship support reserved for those who may be experiencing acute financial hardship.
Itinerary
Day 1 - September 8: Arrival & Orientation in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France
Day 2 - September 9 : Saint Jean Pied de Port to Albergue in the Pyrenees (Stage 1) 8.7 km (5.4 miles)
Day 3 - September 10: Albergue in Pyrenees to Roncesvalles (Stage 2) 15.5 km (9.6 miles)
Day 4 - September 11: Roncesvalles to Larransoaña (Stage 3) 27.2 km (16.9 miles)
Day 5 - September 12: Larransoaña to Pamplona (Stage 4) 14 km (8.7 miles)
Day 6 - September 13: Pamplona to Puente la Reina (Stage 5) 23.9 km (14.8 miles)
Day 7 - September 14: Puente la Reina to Villatuerta (Stage 6) 18 km (~11 miles)
Day 8 - September 15: Rest Day or Half Day Retreat in Villatuerta
Day 9 - September 16: Villatuerta to Villamayor de Monjardin (Stage 7) 12.9 km (8 miles)
Day 10 - September 17: Villamayor de Monjardin to Sansol (Stage 8) 19 km (11.8 miles)
Day 11 - September 18: Sansol to Logroño (Stage 9) - Final Day (accommodation is included Sept 18) 20 km (12.4)
Day 12 - September 19: Option to Continue or Depart
Your Guides
Gavrila, Meditation Facilitator
Gavrila is a daughter and sister, a devoted dhamma practitioner, a singer and contemplative dreamer. Getting to know grief and the complexity of being human led her to study suffering and its end, bringing her to teach mindfulness over the last decade and step into the role of somatic psychotherapist. Having the great benefit of working with folks of all ages, identities, and ancestry, Gavrila knows that embodiment and mindfulness can be accessible to all and is devoted to finding the entry point for each unique person. Guided by the cultivation of awareness, the unfolding of ancestral wisdom, and the honoring of innate wholeness, Gavrila collaborates with those seeking transformation.
As a trained somatic psychotherapist, she is part of the growing Relational Somatic Healing community, bringing touch into psychotherapy as means to healing developmental trauma, as well as offering Somatic Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. As co-founder of the Trauma Aware Mindfulness Collective and mentee of David Treleaven, Gavrila trains and facilitates mindfulness with the global trauma-sensitive mindfulness community. She teaches the Middle School Meditation Series at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and participates in long meditation retreats regularly to inform her teachings. Based in California, Gavrila identifies as a queer, Ashkenazi Jewess. For more on Gavrila's therapeutic work visit connectedrootstherapy.com. For more on her available trainings and writing, visit wholecompleteperfect.com.
Jamie, Pilgrimage Guide
Jamie has been a longtime researcher and advocate of the power of pilgrimage. She guides travelers on the inner and outer journeys that are evoked through this ancient devotional ritual. As a Certified Travel Expert, Jamie integrates pilgrimages with Buddhist values and meditation practices. She has traveled to and lived in more than 30 countries around the world, using travel as a vehicle for personal inquiry. Her approach to travel brings a unique combination of personal transformation, meaningful connections, and nature-based exploration. Additionally, Jamie has worked for various meditation retreat centers and attends annual silent meditation retreats to inform and inspire her work and life.
Jamie currently calls the Central Coast of California home, where she lives with her partner Sam and their dog, Bodhi. Beyond her love for walking pilgrimages, she finds joy in various creative pursuits such as writing, photography, filmmaking, and exploring the art of natural building. Additionally, Jamie is passionate about expanding her knowledge of permaculture practices.