More Mamma

[mammalama]

My partner and I are just a month away from beginning our Camino journey. As two gay women and mystics, we are seeking a more non traditional spiritual experience than that of Christian pilgrims. Our rail tickets arrived this week and we are getting more and more excited by the day despite the volcanic issues that continue to plague travelers....perhaps Saint James could do me a favor and talk to whomever is in charge of erruptions and volcanic ash....worth a shot.
Anyway, we are sharing our preparation with friends, family and followers at we invite fellow Camino enthusiasts to drop by, share their thoughts and leave a comment. Feedback has been that the RSS feed is difficult so the easiest way to subscribe, if you are not an RSS master is to click the BLOG button in top bar and select "Follow this Blog"
Thanks to many of you who have left comments, encouragement and inspiration.
Enjoy the Journey!

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Mammalama ~

Thanks for sharing your posts about your blog and preparations. Now you've made me curious, especially with one of the comments you made above: "...we're seeking a more non-traditional spiritual experience than that of Christian pilgrims..." Can you say more about that? It has seemed to me that since most pilgrims are from secular, Western backgrounds the non-traditional pilgrim nowadays is actually the Christian. In other words, the traditional Camino today is a secular hike across Northern Spain, following the Camino, but basically ignoring the "traditional" Christian aspects.

So . . . could you say more about what is "non-traditional" about your Camino plans? Are there particular books you've read or spiritual practices you're planning or sites you'll be certain to see that are different? Or by "non-traditional" do you mean you plan to avoid the signs and symbols of Spanish Catholicism and/or historic aspects of the medieval Christian pilgrimage? Not sure just what you're thinking, but as someone very into the spiritual (and religious) I'll be very interested to hear your plans.

In my slideshow at YouTube - Camino de Santiago 2008 I've tried to evoke some of the spiritual aspects of the camino from my own perspective. It tries to describe my musings about the camino via photos and music. It's what I found there and what keeps me going back (again this year and again in 2011, plus vicariously via my son in 2009).

Good luck in your preparations and buen camino!

Sandy Brown
Seattle WA USA

[mammalama]

Hi Mammalama ~

Thanks for sharing your posts about your blog and preparations. Now you've made me curious, especially with one of the comments you made above: "...we're seeking a more non-traditional spiritual experience than that of Christian pilgrims..." Can you say more about that? It has seemed to me that since most pilgrims are from secular, Western backgrounds the non-traditional pilgrim nowadays is actually the Christian. In other words, the traditional Camino today is a secular hike across Northern Spain, following the Camino, but basically ignoring the "traditional" Christian aspects.

So . . . could you say more about what is "non-traditional" about your Camino plans? Are there particular books you've read or spiritual practices you're planning or sites you'll be certain to see that are different? Or by "non-traditional" do you mean you plan to avoid the signs and symbols of Spanish Catholicism and/or historic aspects of the medieval Christian pilgrimage? Not sure just what you're thinking, but as someone very into the spiritual (and religious) I'll be very interested to hear your plans.

In my slideshow at YouTube - Camino de Santiago 2008 I've tried to evoke some of the spiritual aspects of the camino from my own perspective. It tries to describe my musings about the camino via photos and music. It's what I found there and what keeps me going back (again this year and again in 2011, plus vicariously via my son in 2009).

Good luck in your preparations and buen camino!

Sandy Brown
Seattle WA USA

Hi Sandy-
By non traditional, I simply mean without prejudice, expectation or as a Christian. While I am deeply spiritual, I do not subscribe to any specific religion or belief system though I respect that religion has been a doorway for many to discover a relationship with God...for me, I just never found a need for a doorway. I've always appreciated devotion in all its' forms and my journey along the Camino will be one in which I set out to gain specific insights and guidance while being open to what ever else I have been called to experience. My partner and I meditate daily and I am sure that will be one of our 'rituals' along the Camino. We plan on developing greater prescence while walking, a greater love for one another and to experience the Camino in our own personal way....Thank you for reading and sharing- I loved your You-Tube link...beautiful indeed. May you be blessed with many more Camino journeys!
Kia Kaha-
Mamma