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The why and wherefore of pilgrimage Going on
pilgrimage, that is to say, attempting to become whole, healthy, indeed,
fully functional (in religious-speak, holy, or good, to wit, a
saint or righteous person), is the basic human function. Like
all other human functions, such as putting on make-up, cooking, playing golf,
driving a car or getting rich or famous, or infamous, the function of
self-transformation to wholeness (and to authenticity, speak truth) can be
improved by clearly understanding the basic principles of
self-transformation, then creating a set of personal practices (to wit, one’s
Path) that match those
principles. In short, understanding the theory and practice of pilgrimage
helps an individual develop her skill at self-transformation and which
increases the likelihood of success. If
in early life self-transformation (i.e. pilgrimage) happens easily, because almost
fully automatic and guided by ‘elders’, it gets harder and harder after 30,
even harder after 40, and when the mid-life crisis sets in. That’s because
self-transformation in mid-life must be intentional. It’s then that serious
thought must be given to the end and means of self-transformation (i.e. to
creating a new True Self), be that self a religious or secular identity. Going on
pilgrimage, that is to say, leaving home to create a path that leads to a
chosen (or given) goal (a new home), real or imagined, has always been and
will always be a dangerous business. The naïve pilgrim who sets off
unprepared, that is to say, without a clear goal and the well-designed and
practiced skills needed to achieve it, will surely fail and come to grief. The true
pilgrim who achieves her goal enters a truly wonderful and joyful reality. The
true pilgrim does not come back. Advance to Zooming in on pilgrimage
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