The tourist season might be winding down, but the time for pilgrimage never ceases.
An ancient spiritual practice, pilgrimage invites seekers to travel away from home on journeys of intention in search of Sacred Encounter. It’s not simply about traveling to a Sacred site, however. Pilgrimage is an outer journey that contributes to an inner one. When we journey beyond our borders, exploring new cultures and landscapes, our entire lives can be transformed.
That longing you have to set out and find meaning? It’s divinely implanted, and when you follow its invitation it will take you down a path you’ve never walked before as you’re led by the Sacred Guide. Are you on the path of the pilgrim abroad?
YOU’RE ON THE PATH OF THE PILGRIM ABROAD IF…
- you have a case of wanderlust and you want to know what’s on the other side
- you love to seek out Sacred sites and encounter new cultures when you travel
- you’ve been transformed by travel in the past and look forward to more life-changing journeys to come
- you’re on the threshold of great change and want to engage this season with intention
- you know that journeying beyond your borders can bring you closer to your True Self and the Divine
Is this you? Are you ready to turn your next trip into a Sacred Journey? If so, the path of the pilgrim abroad begins right here:
1. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION
While there are plenty of well-known pilgrimage sites, including the Isle of Iona, Santiago de Compostela, the Holy Land, and Rome, you don’t have to travel to a conventional Sacred site for your trip to be considered a pilgrimage. The destination of your journey can be traditional or unique to you—what makes it Sacred is that you approach it with an attentive mind and an open heart.
Which destination is calling you? Click here to read about destinations covered by A Sacred Journey so far.
2. DETERMINE YOUR JOURNEY
Once you’ve chosen the destination for your outer journey it’s time to tend to your inner journey. Listen closely for the longings, questions, and desires stirring beneath the surface and pay attention to any invitations that rise. How will you keep vigil with these stirrings as you set out on your pilgrimage? How will you honor your longing as you seek insight from the Sacred Guide?
As you listen for the invitation of your inner journey, consider what’s prompting your pilgrimage as well as what themes take shape. Click here to learn more about the practice of pilgrimage beyond the destination.
3. TRAVEL WITH INTENTION
The pilgrim’s journey isn’t simply about visiting Sacred sites and tending to the inner world, however. Much of the pilgrim’s growth comes from cultural immersion, encountering difference, and being stretched by the trials and challenges that come with the journey. (Yes—even getting lost can be an invitation to practice curiosity and listen for deeper meaning.) How will you seek to travel with intention while on pilgrimage and be fully present to the world that surrounds you?
Whether you’re going on pilgrimage or simply a vacation, approaching a journey with intention can transform you from a tourist into a traveler. Click here to discover my best tips on traveling with intention, including packing essentials for the intentional traveler, why you should learn the language, and how you can turn your next trip into a pilgrimage.
GO FURTHER…
Want more tips on practicing pilgrimage? Download the Pilgrim Principles Rule of Life for free here, use my Journey Guide as a resource for next pilgrimage, and don’t forget to tune in to my new podcast!