The Country Of Beulah

Luminous scene from the Camino... (Thanks, Rita)

Now I saw in my dream, that by this time the pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah, whose air was very sweet and pleasant, the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear on the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle in the land. In this country the sun shineth night and day; wherefore this was beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and also out of reach of Giant Despair, neither could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they were within sight of the city they were going to, also here met some of the inhabitants thereof; for in this land the Shining Ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of Heaven. In this land also, the contract between the bride and the bridegroom was renewed; yea, here, 'As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did their God rejoice over them.' Here they had no want of corn and wine; for in this place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimage. John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress

Exile; Darkness; Rejection; Separation; Guilt; Lost and Confused; Flight; On the Road; Camino; Seeking and Searching; Wishing, Hoping, Dreaming; Longing and Yearning; Acceptance; Healing; Grace; Wonder and Revelation; Light and Illumination; Union and Transformation; Agape and Universal Love; Redemption and Rebirth.

Traditionally and mystically there are 3 stages of the Camino: from Roncesvalles to Burgos lies the Way of Reflection; from Burgos to Leon the Way of Penitence; from Leon to Santiago the Way of Glory. I had begun the Way of Reflection. Would I ever attain the Way of Glory? The Solitary Walker Death In The Afternoon

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. The Buddha