The Pilgrimage of Community

My pilgrimage in Ireland this summer has been a “more than” experience for me. There have been many things I anticipated, which turned out pretty much like I thought. It was the third time to travel with a Vox Peregrini group on the Wicklow Way and to facilitate our Sacred Cauldron Retreat in Glendalough. There was a comfort in having those previous experiences, which gave me an opportunity to relax and enjoy the re-visiting.  
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And, there have been many more things which I had no clue were going to happen. Mostly those unseen things who were seeking me out when I least expected it… like delving deeper into my shadow places of resistance and judgment as well as opening up more to the “being” moments, which are never planned. I was learning in my alone time to be present to the Divine in me which took real focus to slow my busy, ego-driven mind down and deeply listen to my heart and soul.

Then, in the community of the Sacred Cauldron retreat, my alone work became “more than” as I opened my mind, heart and soul to holding sacred space with all the others who came to engage in their own pilgrimages in Ireland. When you sit in a circle with others and hold true to the practices of The Circle Way, the Divine is vivid and real in each of us and all around us.
 
Part of our work together was an invitation to explore and create rituals for our journeys. We were all in different places on our walks so the work became very personal and unique. Some were ready to engage in the design of a specific ritual and some needed more time and space to see what was meaningful for them. Those who created a ritual invited our community to participate and be a holy presence with them.
 
The rituals I was invited to be a part of moved me in ways I could not have imagined. I brought my own intention of being fully present in body, mind, soul and spirit. I felt pain for the past hurts, merciful compassion, hope for future possibilities, forgiveness, gratitude, and deep peace. I experienced openings in my soul that were hidden, bringing light and wholeness for my journey.
 
The pilgrimage of community opened my eyes to see the Divine in new ways and to know that I was seen by the Divine. I know that I am loved unconditionally. I am deeply grateful and will continue walking my pilgrimage… to see and be seen.