How many times in our lives do we willingly get an opportunity to let go of all our outer roles and feel the grace of being invisible?
I was able to embark on a journey that started back in 2010 as a seed thought. I had watched a film, The Way, that was all about walking the El Camino. I set an intention that one day I would walk that path. And thus started a deep desire to create an opportunity to experience a journey for reflection. I wanted to travel and be able to walk each day in a meditation, which had also been inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh—walking with the awareness of Presence.
Two years ago, I was all set to embark on the journey, and life had a different plan. I broke my kneecap five weeks before I was to leave for my yoga retreat in Portugal and the extended time to walk the Camino. Sometimes we have a plan, and the Universe has another plan B. I was able to enjoy teaching on the retreat and surprised myself at how gracefully I had let go of my agenda and accepted the obstacle—not as a burden of disappointment, but as an opportunity to heal. I could actually enjoy—with laughter—observing myself limping through the streets of Lisbon and Porto with a brace!
The dream was still brewing deeper in my soul, and this past April, I did walk the Camino, starting from Sarria and ending in Santiago. I received a certification of completion, and yet, I can honestly say, the journey was more wonderful than the destination.
As my friend and I arrived in Santiago, we each felt a slight bittersweet acceptance that our magical journey was coming to its completion, and each of us wanted one more step... Just a reminder that in life, when that final time comes to take the last breath—no matter the age—we will always want one more day, one more breath. A brilliant understanding of embracing each moment.
We would hold the intention of being more mindful as we return to our daily roles. To remember the “walk” is to hold the beauty of each day, regardless of the struggle to slow down. Getting there is not the reward—it’s being here that nourishes the soul.
My new mantra is simply, “here.”
On the path, I walked each day without the burden of those daily tasks that keep our existence functioning. No longer identified as yoga teacher, studio owner, yoga student, mother, wife, dog walker, Annie’s Aunt Lolly… all the outer roles that keep my identity and feed a vital purpose. Roles keep us in community and belonging.
And yet, my soul needed to be alive to the wonder and mystery of what really is nourishing now. So many people are losing the false safety of their outer world, and we have forgotten the incredible need for coming inward. We don’t have to travel the Camino to come inward, yet for me, I needed to unplug and absorb the grace of being without a role.
Walking is my daily practice, even here in Illinois. I walk each day in a circle around my neighborhood. I walk without a podcast or music, but talk to myself. Yes, I talk out loud and at times catch myself—and laugh at myself—for I am eccentric. I enjoy that I have also been unique in choosing a lifestyle of living my yoga and embracing all of my habits, good or bad.
I avoid competition and the constant striving to be more. I chose to live a smaller footprint years ago when I opened YAF, and the teachings were always spiritual to me. I love nature, and the trees speak to me.
I wanted to walk the Camino to ask the questions:
How do I continue to live a simple life within the complex changes being presented?
How can I maintain my integrity as I become even more passionate about humanity’s need to embrace the inner life of the soul?
I am moving into a chapter of my life and accepting I do not have the answers. I am only trusting in the desire to love more.
It’s been a rough five years of holding space and letting go and witnessing the deep exhaustion of so many in a world spinning and not being able to find any stillness in the presence of just being enough. We have too much information being thrown at us daily. The noise and the distractions are taking over the peacefulness of a still and quiet mind.
I needed to reflect and digest and absorb the incredible blessings that life has given me by following the deeper calling of my soul. I thought I would be retired at 70, but somehow that’s not the plan. Instead, I am being called to serve more and hold what I call a “Safe Zone.” In a lonely world isolated by social media and lives too busy, we are forgetting the value of shared belonging.
I thought of releasing the studio, but somehow the Universe is saying my work is just beginning. I can let life present the next step.
When I walked the Camino, I was reminded of my love of playing in the woods behind my house as a child. How I loved just exploring and getting lost, and yet feeling so safe with the trees! My greatest joy is time spent with nature and being removed from having to “do” life, and instead just “be” life.
The expression of greeting on the walk is shared with a special phrase, “Buen Camino.” I also accepted getting lost is part of the plan. Honoring the inner trust that as a child was always with me—and through life’s disappointments and betrayals, we lose that inner voice.
Nothing else is needed on the Camino—the yellow arrows point the way. Yes, I still got lost at times and had to inspire my friend: we will find our way back. As I write this blog, I’m laughing remembering how we had to add extra miles onto our day as we had to retrace our steps. Yet, the path offered entirely new perspectives in the opposite direction!
Everyone is sharing the joy of the journey. No competition to get there when we all are in appreciation for being here. To feel the community of shared gratitude and the smile of acceptance. All ages, all nationalities—all walking in appreciation for a lineage of lifetimes of pilgrims who have walked before. The path is given, and the grace is being able to share the experience.
I saw and greeted people from all over the world, and even when not able to share a language, we shared a smile, a nod, and an understanding that united us all on the way.
My friend and I would keep reminding each other:
“We are sooooo lucky.”
And we would laugh and pause and just feel the words.
The community at YAF needs your presence. We need to be reminded of the strength in shared laughter. In the world, there is so much struggle, and yet, suffering can be healed with a smile. A reminder: we are all on the path.
I can’t change today with anger, for there is too much of that inner rage. Let’s find a way to inspire the courage to continue through the heart.
Remember: The path—or the “Way Out”—is In. (Thich Nhat Hanh)
With light and love
—Laura Jane
Have you ever taken a journey—physical or spiritual—that helped you reconnect with yourself? We'd love to hear about it —Please share in the comments.
