Walking as a Pilgrim or a Tourist?
I walked three different labyrinths in the past two days, all in very different places. One was out side an historic Catholic Cathedral in Santa Fe. (It’s actually a Basilica, the Pope has visited it). One in the middle of the desert at a retreat center. One at an organic lavender farm.
So much to reflect over, I can’t possibly share it in one post. While walking the labyrinth in Santa Fe, at a place I’ve visited a few times but never to walk the labyrinth and praying in the garden of the stations of the cross, I saw a tour buse pass by. I realized I don’t just want to live like a tourist that moves quickly through. I long to linger, listen, learn and even be transformed. I will share more of the ‘transformation’ I feel taking place already on this journey. I experience and saw so much more as I slowed down to see and listen. A pregnant woman who will soon give new birth. A foreign couple in awe of southwest culture. The expressions on the many faces of Jesus of the sculptures on the stations of the cross. The sound of the wings of a bird flapping as it soared over my head. The pure silence in the desert. The colors of the mountains. The deer that gracefully and quietly walked past the labyrinth while I walked it. The beating of my heart as I hiked in altitude of 6500-7000. So. So. Much. It’s late. For now I invite you to see a glimpse into the ‘Walking the Sacred Paths’ I’ve walked this past few days. I truly have felt the Spirit on the path with me. What ever paths you’ve walked this day, I pray you too have felt the Spirit with you.
My walk in Santa Fe. I encourage you to look more closely at the sculptures. Look at the expressions.
My labyrinth walk and hikes at Ghost Ranch.
I ended my 2 day retreat with a peaceful, yet hot, walk and prayer time on a labyrinth in the middle of a lavender farm.
love all the pictures, what a cool southwest journey love you
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