Planning Your Camino, Part 8 - The Inner Camino

The Inner Camino

Sure, you could walk the entire Camino de Santiago focusing on the Outer Camino - the planning, the route, the food, drink, and accommodation choices. You might even meet a lot of nice people and have a really great time.

Walking in nature is my connection to the Inner Camino

You can choose to only experience the Camino in a physical way or you can be open to a more personal, introspective, spiritual Camino - the Inner Camino. The Camino is a Sacred space, treat it accordingly.

Some say that the Inner Camino is the most important aspect of the Camino! Indeed, this may be the aspect that first-timers neglect, because they don't realize the power of the Inner Camino. Self-reflection, intuition, and insight can lead to transformation!

My advice is to be open to the experience, whether that is the experience of walking, or that of the Inner Camino. You can set an intention, but let go of expectations.

What is the Inner Camino?

The Camino is as much about the inner journey as it is the outer journey. As you walk the ancient pilgrimage path, your body may become stronger, your thoughts may gain clarity, and your spirit and soul may open up to insights and inspiration.

You may call in 'soul work' and it thrives in the Camino environment, away from the distractions of the everyday world. It is easier to meet your inner self when all of those demands and expectations fall away.

Click HERE to read about the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the Camino de Santiago.

I believe that the inner journey of pilgrimage starts when you first decide to walk, when you are called to become a pilgrim. Many pilgrims describe it as a calling. Once they hear about the Camino, they become obsessed with it, and the only solution is to walk.

Even then, they may acquire the "Camino virus" that seems to infect many of us with a desire to return to the Camino over and over again. I have heard that it is a longing to go back to who you really are - your true self on the Camino!

When you are open to the experience and hold no expectations of what is going to happen, then you can enjoy the walk and listen to your intuition. You may be astounded by the beauty around you and the beauty within!

Camino Magic

You may hear about the 'Camino Magic' and 'The Camino Provides' - those serendipitous experiences. It could be as simple as an open restaurant when you are extra thirsty and hungry. It could be meeting the same person 3 days in a row, and that person becomes your best friend on the Camino!

El Oso - One of the Camino angels, offering food and drinks to pilgrims - donativo

You may meet real live Camino angels - people who help others in small or large ways. People who give freely and help others with no expectation of reward.

Sometimes Camino Magic is a bit more mysterious. Listen to a few Camino podcasts and you will hear many stories that could give you goosebumps!

The Camino Begins When You Finish Walking

This is another expression I have heard. You may not find the key to the Inner Camino while you are in Spain. You might experience Post Camino Syndrome, as Danny Vermeeren describes.

Sometimes, after walking a Camino, pilgrims find themselves in a funk, having difficulty adjusting to life back home. The Camino is still doing it's work, like a pearl forming in an oyster shell.

Some pilgrims are inspired to become creative; they create art, music, books, poems, and more. They might start YouTube channels, podcasts, or Camino gear companies. If you have been following this website, you know that I was inspired to write a novel and a journal!

Inner Camino House

Danny Vermeeren was inspired to start the Inner Camino House. His story is an example of the Camino having other ideas. Originally he was planning to open an albergue (pilgrim hostel). When that didn't work out, he found a home on the Camino and opened it up as a donativo rest stop.

His home is open during the day for pilgrims to stop, rest, eat, drink, and even use the toilet! It is a place of community and service, and is kept going by the donations of the pilgrims who visit.

I believe that Danny is one of those Camino Angels. Not only is he providing a service on the Camino route, he has started a podcast, composed a song, and set up a website to support pilgrims even after they return home.

You can find more about about Danny and the Inner Camino House here: https://www.dannyvermeeren.nl/inner-camino-house-en-us

One of the things I have heard Danny say repeatedly on his podcast is that the Camino is a place where there is no room for judgement. And when there is no judgement, there only remains unconditional love. The Camino is a place where that love can flourish.

Use a journal to help you explore the Inner Camino

Resources

A great way to tune in to the Inner Camino voice is to write in a journal. You could use the notes in your phone, but I believe that putting pen to paper in a real book is powerful. That's why I created a Trip Journal (mainly for myself, but other pilgrims seem to like it, too).

While writing this blog post, I came across a Pocket Guide to the Inner Camino.* This small book, claims to help you develop that Inner Camino. Here's how it is described:

Your Inner Camino serves as a compass for the inner journey. In it, you’ll discover how to:

• Let go of the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that limit your growth and happiness

• Identify what is really important to you

• Upgrade your beliefs about what is possible

• Get to know yourself at a deeper level

• Turn a long-distance walk into an inner transformation

*I do not benefit in any way from this book, and I have not read it, but it looks intriguing, and fits in with the theme.

The Camino Gives Us What We Need

You may head to Spain thinking about what you want to get out of your Camino pilgrimage (or not). But the Camino may have other plans for us. The Camino gives us what we need, not what we want, sometimes.

Maybe instead of thinking of what we want to receive, we should think about what we can give. Instead of walking plugged in to technology, put away your phone and listen to nature. Or have a conversation.

Tune in. carry faith and trust, not fear. Bring an open heart and an open mind.

My suggestion is to set an intention for your Camino, but to be open to what comes along. Be present. Be grateful. Listen to your Inner Camino voice.