My Pilgrimage For faith to be relevant, it needs to be alive. It needs to include feelings!
My faith began with a feeling. As a child, I looked up at a star-studded summer sky and felt something moving in the heavens touching the inside of me. I was filled with the emotion of awe. I remember the shivers, I remember the presence of God. I remember the filling. I remember the feeling of elation and truth. I was forever changed. I wanted more of that - and I have been on a pilgrimage ever since. Later, I found that there is research that confirms my experience. Dacher Keltner, one of the foremost theorists and scholars of awe, defines it as “the sensation of being in the presence of something vast and simultaneously transcendent!" This emotion comes in response to beauty, virtue and supernatural events. And then he goes on to say, "Experiences that arouse awe can help us to re-conceptualize our sense of self, our role in society and from a more cosmic perspective, our place in the universe." There are even benefits - improved health, a greater capacity for kindness and sharing. "Awe is one of the few emotions that can reconfigure our sense of time and immerse us in the present moment." Awe moments are God moments. The scriptures are full of awe moments. ***** So that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. Psalms 65:8 ***** 
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I am a Spiritual Pilgrim. Definition of a pilgrim: someone who is currently traveling to a holy place. Except as a spiritual pilgrim "holy place" is not a destination here on earth. There are beautiful sanctuaries, impressive religious institutions and meaningful historically significant places, but these are not endowed with the wonderful power of the divine holiness, I seek. ***** Pilgrimage is about process, the process of journey and change; of an acceptance of whatever may come our way while also holding to a focused determination and desire to pursue holiness. Pilgrimage takes time; it is not instant; it is not site seeing, visiting or holidaying. A pilgrimage is a planned inner journey, time set aside with a purpose, a knowledge of the destination and the hope of complete healing. It is a process of restoration, a letting go of personal comforts and securities and an opening up of oneself to vulnerability and the visitation of strangers. It cuts against self reliance and independence, for although it can be experienced at times alone, it requires the support and encouragement of others, the welcoming embrace of community and the insight of messengers. “She was completely whole and yet never fully complete” - Irvin |
Head PathHead Path involves experiencing God through intellect, reason and beliefs.
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Heart PathThe Heart Path involves experiencing God through emotion, warmth and personal relationship.
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Spirit PathThe Spirit Path involves experiencing God through faith, awe, silence, worship, beauty and mystery
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Servant PathThe Service Path involves experiencing God through a passion for service, missions caring and giving back to society
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