What is a Mindfulness Pilgrimage?
Introducing Mindfulness Pilgrimage
Going on a mindfulness pilgrimage is more than just a hike or a vacation to a faraway land; it’s a practice in reconnecting with both yourself and the natural world. It’s a journey of self-discovery, and it’s the perfect way to explore a new place while diving deeper into your own inner world.
I like to refer to this type of pilgrimage as a “pilgrimage retreat” because it is akin to going on a meditation retreat, only you’re walking while retreating into your heart and mind.
The History of Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is one of the oldest rituals known to humankind. As long as people have looked to the heavens and sought connection with something beyond themselves, they have gone on pilgrimage. Traditionally, pilgrimages were religious acts of devotion or for salvation. Today, modern pilgrims often set out not only to honor the sacred but also to embark on an inner journey of self-discovery and reconnection with themselves on a deeper level.
Personally, pilgrimage is one of my primary spiritual practices and has been deeply transformative. I remember walking the Camino de Santiago for the first time when I was fairly new to meditation. I set the intention to practice mindfulness every step of the way. Every step, I’d bring myself back again and again (and again!) to the present moment. Mindfulness shifted the journey’s focus from “getting somewhere” to truly “being here.” Eventually, I began to see that pilgrimage was as much about reconnecting with myself in each moment as it was about arriving at the end point of the journey.
Wild horses along the Camino del Norte in Spain
Walking in nature naturally opens up space for introspection and insights. Every pilgrimage I’ve taken, whether in Spain, the forests of Japan, or meditative hikes closer to home, I’ve been able to observe my thoughts, face doubts, and simply be with whatever arises. This mindfulness transforms the pilgrimage into a journey of self-discovery.
Reconnecting with Nature Through Pilgrimage
Those who are on pilgrimage are essentially at the mercy of nature. Raining? Put on a poncho and keep walking. Blazing hot? Big hat, lots of sunscreen. You’re outside nearly all day, which is a stark difference from being inside most of the day in our usual lives back home. It’s a rare and beautiful opportunity to reconnect with nature. Walking through forests, along coastlines, or through the quiet countryside, you begin to get in a groove with the natural world in a way that is akin to returning to childhood, when “awe” was a common emotion. Reconnecting with nature becomes a treasured aspect of the journey. The rhythms of nature guide the pilgrimage, inviting a pace that allows for stillness, wonder, and reverence.
As you witness the beauty of natural landscapes, you may find that this reconnection with nature mirrors a deeper reconnection with yourself. The calmness of a forest path or the ease of a river’s currents are all reminders of that quality within you that can sometimes feel distant. You’re not in nature; you are nature. We just happen to forget that most of the time. By walking along the ancient paths, you re-gain access to a clearer sense of who you truly are.
What makes the journey ‘mindful’?
Intentional Presence: Pilgrimage requires travelers to engage with their experiences with intention. Practice staying present by keeping your attention tied to an “anchor” like the feeling of your footsteps touching the earth, or the sound of the world around you. The senses are a great doorway to presence because your body is always living in the here and now.
Reverence for the Journey: Allow yourself to be moved by your journey. When you bring reverence to your pilgrimage, you’re opening to the possibility that you can be transformed. Suspend your disbelief that change is not possible! Pray to the deities or saints or whomever is important to that specific pilgrimage route and ask for guidance. Journal about your dreams and insights along the way. Trust the process.
How to Prepare for a Mindfulness Pilgrimage
You’re already doing it! Once you feel the call to pilgrimage, your inner journey has begun. The best way to prepare is first to do some research: read blog posts, research different routes, talk to others who have walked the routes you’re interested in. Here are a few additional steps to prepare for your journey:
Choosing a Destination: Start researching different routes and what is needed to complete that specific pilgrimage route. Buy the guidebook, find blog posts and specific websites with resources. Sometimes the choice of which route to walk is logical (i.e. I want to walk a Japanese pilgrimage route to get in touch with my ancestral roots.) or it could be a feeling (i.e. I’ve had 2 dreams now about walking the Camino in Spain). Listen to what’s present and follow it.
Training plan, logistics, and packing list: As you get situated with a training plan, you’ll get a better idea of how much time you need to train. From there, you can start making the logistical plans like planning how you will get to the starting point and how much money you’ll need. As your departure date gets closer, you’ll need to finalize your packing list. Only pack the essentials. Less is more when it comes to pilgrimage.
Setting Intentions or Aspirations: Reflect on why you want to undertake this journey, whether for healing, clarity, or personal growth. Journal about your aspiration and give yourself time to reflect on this while you’re training.
Camino de Santiago
Practices to Deepen Your Pilgrimage
Mindful Walking Practice: Focus on breathing and footsteps as you walk to stay grounded and connected with each moment.
Nature Meditation: Pause to meditate in nature, tuning into sounds, scents, and sights around you.
Daily Reflection or Journaling: Capture thoughts, feelings, or insights gained each day as part of the journey.
Perspectives to Support Your Journey
Everything and everyone is your teacher. See your journey as sacred, and approach each situation as if it were there to teach you something.
The path is the goal: Really focus on the journey itself rather than an end goal.
It’s a metaphor: “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Notice how your pilgrimage is a metaphor for your life, and use this time to work with those parts of yourself that are no longer benefitting you so that you can return to your life back home changed for the better. This is your chance to bring in more compassion, love, and equanimity. Life is short, so this is a valuable moment of reflection and introspection.
“If you’re not here now, you will not be there then. So take a breath! Look around, don’t miss this, don’t miss this!”
Get Started
What would it feel like to pause, step out of the ordinary, and reconnect with your own true nature? Maybe you’d like to embark on pilgrimage to heal from unresolved grief, to take time in a moment of transition, or to rediscover who you are after separating from a long-time partner. Whatever is calling you to step into this adventure, the best thing you can do for yourself is listen. Start your mindfulness pilgrimage by first researching which pilgrimage to walk. Check out some of our resources to get started:
The Ultimate Camino de Santiago Preparation Course
Journey Within: The Inner Alchemy of Pilgrimage
The Camino + Solo Female Travelers
If you prefer to go on a pilgrimage with an expert guide and meditation facilitator, join us on a Lotus Compass small group pilgrimage retreat.
Most of all, remember that you are so much more capable than you could ever imagine! Oh, and have fun!
