Being folks who are typically more comfortable talking about things than actually doing the things, it was important to us to both take time this season to go on pilgrimages both big and small. In this episode Jenny reflects on her favorite place to pilgrimage, Galveston, TX. Jenny shares about what makes the Gulf Coast a sacred space for her and we invite folks into reflecting on their own sacred spaces.
Going on your own pilgrimage soon and unsure of where to start? Here’s some gentle suggestions based on what helps Jenny get in the flow:
- Fresh journal & poetry books (Mary Oliver, Ada Limon, Ross Gay, John O’Donohue, Andrea Gibson, James Baldwin, Padraig O’Tuama are good places to start poetry wise).
- The purpose of pilgrimage is to return to yourself. Your truest you. Questions that typically help me do that are
- Am I betraying myself in any way?
- How can I better honor who I am at my core?
- What is bringing me joy?
- What people, places, things, am I being invited to learn from right now?
- How am I playing a role in the liberation of all people, including myself?
- While spending time outside, create some nature related rituals for yourself.
- Feeling like you need a cleansing? Go for a moonlight swim.
- Needing to be reborn? Bury yourself in the leaves or sand and emerge.
- Needing to feel grounded? Go for a barefoot beach walk.
- No judgment, in creating a nature based ritual. Just do what feels right and invitational to you.
There’s no wrong way to pilgrimage! Follow the spaces and places that call to your heart.Sacred places, spaces and tunes we mentioned this episode (or meant to anyways):
Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pilgrimage and Personal Journey
03:18 Nature as a Pilgrimage
05:42 The Discomfort of Pilgrimage
10:14 Finding Beauty in the Journey
12:15 Listening to Our Wants and Needs
14:47 The Importance of Disruption
16:54 Reflection and Integration
18:36 Preparing for a Pilgrimage
22:32 Surprises and Lessons Learned
24:34 Defining Personal Perfection
27:40 The Healing Power of Place
29:50 Reconnecting with Our Draw
31:57 Practical Tips for Reflection
35:12 Closing Thoughts and Poetry
