Journey Inward, Walk with Purpose

The Outer Journey

Pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place, and while many Camino de Santiago routes end in Santiago de Compostela at the final resting place of Saint James, our journey will begin here. From Santiago de Compostela, we will walk one of Europe’s oldest paths, the Camino Finisterre, which pre-dates the more well-known Caminos. 

As we leave the bustling streets of Santiago de Compostela, we’ll make our way toward the Atlantic coast. Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in the heart of Galician culture. You’ll hear the sounds of cowbells and shepherds tending to their sheep, and enjoy peaceful, introspective moments—our first two hours will be hiked in silence, allowing each of us to move at our own pace. Our journey ends at the iconic Finisterre lighthouse, where the dramatic cliffs and vast ocean views offer the perfect space to pause and reflect on the pilgrimage you've just completed.

The Inner Journey

A beloved word used in Theravada Buddhism is bhāvanā, a Pāli word translated as cultivation. Like nurturing a seed in a garden, the path of meditation shows us how to create the best conditions to support the prospering of wholesome qualities, leading us to freedom and ease. The Buddha’s teachings reveal four liberative seeds already rooted in the human heart - known as the brahmavihāras, divine abodes of the heart. By cultivating these transformative qualities, they can grow and blossom, creating a bridge between an inner sanctuary of peace and outer care and responsiveness to the world. Together on this pilgrimage, we will explore the teachings and practices that develop these four qualities: unconditional kindness (mettā), compassion (karuṇā), altruistic joy (muditā), and equanimity (upekkhā).

Pilgrimage has long been a journey not just across landscapes but into the depths of one's heart and mind—a journey of introspection and self discovery. Meditation and mindfulness are natural companions to pilgrimage, blending together in this ancient devotional ritual of sacred travel. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, healing from loss, or opening to a new chapter, pilgrimage offers space to pause and reconnect.

As we hike to Finisterre, a place once considered the "end of the world," we will engage in daily meditation and mindfulness practices, inhabiting intimacy with the present moment, each step becoming an invitation to listen deeply and fully.

The Sangha

Sangha, a Pāli word from Buddhist tradition, refers to a community that comes together with a shared purpose. During this pilgrimage, you will be a co-creator of our sangha, a supportive community bound by the shared journey. Together, we will practice daily meditation, reflect on tools to deepen our presence, and support each other through the challenges and beauty of pilgrimage.  To further enrich your inner journey, there will be two hours of silent walking each morning, allowing for personal reflection, as well as opportunities for relational interaction and community sharing in the afternoons.