From student gap year to retirement, pilgrimage is an idea whose time has come around again. In 1990 the number of pilgrims receiving a compostela at Santiago was 5,000. within 10 years this number had increased to 55,000. And during the Holy Year of St. James in 2004 the number had reached 180.000!

What is even more extraordinary is that this phenomenal increase is witnessed at a time of unprecedented decline in religious observance in many church communities. The Anglican church has seen numbers plummet by 30% in the past 20 years. Even within Spain recent surveys indicate that practising Catholics now form less than 20% of the population.

How can we explain this paradox? It seems there is a hunger for personal spiritual experience and this is no longer being met from religious ritual that can appear empty. Traditional dogma can also be divisive and create separation within communities and schism in society. On the other hand, pilgrimage creates a community of souls fashioned from the eclectic band of pilgrims drawn together from many different faiths and cultures. Prejudice begins to break down and even skeptics find themselves falling into the mystery of the Path of Enquiry. The very act of walking engenders direct experience of journeying towards some higher, common goal. An invisible alchemy takes place that burns away the dross we have accumulated over the course of our lives, allowing new vision to formulate within a mind now purified of bigotry and bias. A mind freed of its limited past conditioning is open to spiritual sight and knowledge of Higher Worlds.

Since first stepping out on the pilgrim paths known collectively the as The Ways of Saint James Caminos de Santiago author John Brierley (“J.B.”) has notched up thousands of miles of physical and soul stretching pilgrimage all around the world. While not walking his talk he is found talking his walks. The idea of business sabbaticals as an antidote to burn out, and pilgrimage as a way to reappraise life’s purpose, is an abiding passion with him. Pilgrimage provides a wonderful salve for the soul and his books and talks administer it beautifully

An inspirational and lively speaker, “J.B.” is driven by a passion to encourage others to embark upon their own inner quests, to take ‘life checks’ and to discover the limitless potential and beauty that resides at the heart of each one of us. His books contain all that is necessary when embarking upon such a journey, balancing practical information for the physical route with pointers to the path of soul. They are the perfect companion for the inner and outer journey ahead.

For further information or to arrange talks, please contact:
Carol Shaw,
Camino Guides, Findhorn Press, 305a The Park, Forres, Moray IV36 3TE.
Telephone: 0845 4589592
Fax: 01309 690036
(from outside UK, tel +44-1309-690582, fax +44-1309-690036)

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