A Long, Loving Look at the Real
Discover how embracing stillness and contemplation during your pilgrimage can help you analyse tough moments and approach your life with kindness and clarity.
Dear Pilgrims,
The theologian Walter Burghardt’s words about silence and contemplation – "a long, loving look at the Real" – hold profound wisdom. They describe an attitude often absent in our daily lives: pausing, looking mindfully, withholding judgment, and contemplating truth in its depth. But what does this mean for us as pilgrims? And how can we cultivate this attitude on the journey?
Looking, Not Solving
In our hectic world, we are often conditioned to quickly solve problems. But when it comes to ourselves, our relationships, or our life path, this approach is rarely helpful. Instead, we need the patience to pause and observe. What has happened? What is the current situation? Who is involved? Pilgrimage offers us the opportunity to practice this mindful observation – whether in silent walking meditation, observing nature, or mindfully noticing our thoughts.
This gaze takes time. Sometimes painfully long, as we often think we’ve seen everything. But like a hunter patiently waiting in ambush, we often discover hidden aspects of a situation only after some time. Pilgrimage invites us to develop patience and fully embrace this process.
A Loving Gaze Beyond Judgement
A long gaze at the Real is only truly healing when it is loving. This sounds simple but is often the greatest challenge. Especially in difficult situations, we are quick to judge – others, but also ourselves. How can we let go of these judgments? How can we look lovingly at ourselves and others?
There is no secret recipe. But the first step is always self-awareness. Recognising that we are judging is already progress. Then meditation, prayer, or simply walking, can help quiet the inner critic. During pilgrimages, I often see how people become calmer and more serene after an extended period of silence. It’s as if something within them begins to unravel, simply through walking and taking the time they need.
The Real and Our Search for It
"The look at the Real" – what does that mean? Everyone brings their own perspective. For us Christians, it is God, the source and goal of our search. But even those who do not believe often sense that there is something greater than themselves – whether it is a connection to nature, a higher principle, or their own inner truth. Pilgrimage is a wonderful opportunity to come closer to this "Real" and to accept it as such.
A Practice for the Journey
Those who set out on a journey should avoid excessive expectations, yet remain open to whatever comes. A simple tip to begin: Breathe in and out consciously. With each breath, you can say a short prayer, for example: "You in me" when inhaling and "I in you" when exhaling. This practice helps to calm the mind and open oneself to the journey. It reminds us that we are not alone – that God accompanies us, is with us, and we are with Him.
On the Right Path
A long, loving look at the Real is not a one-time act. It is a path we must embark on again and again. And sometimes, we will move backwards, sometimes we will stagnate. But that is part of it. Setbacks show us that we are on the right path. Those who dare to look will, over time, find greater clarity and serenity. And that is perhaps one of the greatest gifts of pilgrimage: It teaches us to open our gaze – to ourselves, to others, and to God.
Buen Camino,
Alexander