The Camino Cafe Leigh Brennan

Ever wonder about the transformative power of pilgrimage? Discover the awakening process of the Camino as John shares his inspiring thoughts on how the Camino can be a path of transformation. This walk stirs both physical and mental shifts and invites Camino Pilgrims to embrace transformation and shedding identities.

John emphasizes the importance of listening, a skill he admits was a personal struggle but one he honed during his many Camino journeys. This isn't just about hearing— it's deep, judgment-free listening that allows others to feel truly heard. More importantly, it's about tuning into our own inner wisdom and higher consciousness. Join us for this episode and you might just find yourself embarking on your own inner pilgrimage, listening more attentively to the world around you, and to your own profound depths as you recall a past Camino Walk or prepare to walk your first or next one.

Watch the video versions of Chapters 1-4 of this docuseries, filmed on location in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on our YouTube page.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw 

Have you ever yearned for a journey that goes beyond physical travel, delving instead into the realm of self-discovery and existential exploration?  In this short message, John Brierley,  paints a vivid picture of such a journey – the Camino and its transformative potential. Known for the profound impact it's had on countless individuals, the Camino serves as a unique space to step back from the noise of everyday life, encouraging us to pose existential questions that often get overshadowed by our daily routines. John highlights the power of self inquiry, and how the very act of questioning our identity can have a cathartic effect.

As the conversation with John unfolds, we touch upon the fears and challenges that come with embarking on this path of self-discovery. We discuss the courage it takes to question our identities and beliefs, and the beauty of embracing a state of being 'lost.' This transformative journey is not without its hardships, but it is within the supportive environment of the Camino community that we find the strength to let go of our prejudices and preferences. We conclude with a thought-provoking quote from the third patriarch of Zen emphasizing the importance of freeing ourselves from our biases. Join us for this enlightening discussion with John Brieley about seeking and finding our true selves through the Camino journey.

Watch the video version filmed on location in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw

Join me and Rebekah Scott as we play 20 Camino Questions. Rebekah is an American journalist who has been living in Spain for the last 17 years. She's the author of several books including,  "A Furnace Full of God" a memoir about her life in Spain and living on the Camino Frances route.  This book is a featured selection of the Santiago de Compostela Book Club. Her contributions to the path and the Camino community have been numerous.  During this interview, we chatted briefly about her books and her foundation, Peaceable Projects.

Imagine living on the silent stretch of the meseta section on the Camino, where the hustle of everyday life fades into the background. Rebekah enriches our understanding of this solitude, revealing how walking through it throws into sharp relief those truths that are often obscured by life's chaos. She dives into her love for solitary walks but also highlights the unique bond shared with fellow pilgrims on the trail. We discuss her recent visit to Machu Picchu, exploring her experience on the mystical Inca trail and how it contrasts with the Camino.

She shares her thoughts on preserving the heritage of the Camino while navigating its evolution—how do we protect the path for everyone, regardless of their economic status, and honor its spirit of inclusivity? Lastly, we revel in her insights on the Camino’s magical power to bond people, encourage resilience, and inspire a purpose-driven life.

Link to Rebekah's books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rebekah-Scott/author/B082T3TKC8?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw

Join the Sanitago de Compostela Book Club:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/273761715169505

Visit our YouTube page to watch this interview filmed in Santiago de Compostela.
https://www.youtube.com/@TheCaminoCafePodcast

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey within yourself? Tune in as we share a profound chat with John Brierly on our docuseries at Camino Cafe. This insightful discussion, "The Path of Self-Discovery," explores how the Camino journey can stimulate profound personal growth and self-realization. John's profound insights emphasize the significance of stepping into unfamiliar territories, which can lead us to unveil a profound version of ourselves, buried under layers of ego and life dramas.

In this intriguing discourse, John beautifully narrates the tussle between the egoic self and the higher self, underlining the need to diminish the egoic self to truly understand and accept our higher self. He quotes Thomas Merton, asserting that the journey within ourselves is the most vital of all explorations. We aspire to navigate the deeper essence of our beings through this conversation and discuss the role of the Camino in this life-altering process. So come along as we venture on this all-important journey of self-discovery. Remember, the journey is a continuous one, extending way beyond the Camino.

Book Club Teaser! Meet our first featured author for the Santiago de Compostela Book Club in this short interview and then come to our meeting this Saturday, August 5th (registration links below).

We're thrilled to introduce you to Kari Gillespie, a UK-based pilgrim who shares the profound effect of her journey on the Camino de Santiago. This episode dives into her experiences, from the fears she grappled with before her first Camino to the emotional shifts and evolving relationship with pain she navigated during her journey. We also probe the key question of safety for women on the Camino and discuss John Brierley's influential book, which beautifully blends the practical and spiritual aspects of this journey.

In an enlightening exchange, Carrie presents invaluable tips for anyone considering walking the Camino for the first time. She discusses the subtle differences between walking solo or with a friend and how these choices can impact decisions like lodging.  Lastly, we extend a warm invitation to our upcoming Santiago de Compostela book club meeting, where we'll continue unearthing the life-changing impact of the Camino de Santiago.

Meeting #1— 11am Central European Time:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdeirpzMjGtUoPgpY_RAihtdT_nzHE8pJ#/registration

Meeting #2—8pm Central European Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce6orjwjGtLx3fACJWs05mZv4JSnu-Cl#/registration

Sign up for the bookclub newsletter:
https://subscribepage.io/santiagodecompostelabookclub

Join Santiago de Compostela Book Club Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/273761715169505


Follow Santiago de Compostela Book Club Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092678497699

Ricky and Erica from CaminoTellers are back to play 20 Camino Questions. We met up on Rua Nova in Casco histórico in Santiago de Compostela. 

CaminoTellers:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCBv1u5CGOtBuxtjhxBcg98A 
The Journey Within Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Within-Journal-Camino-Santiago/dp/8409519488?ref_=ast_author_mpb


The Camino Cafe Podcast  - Connect with Leigh:


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