You Have Packed Your Suitcase, Prepare Your Soul

Dear World Pilgrims,

‘Adventure is a path… your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way, you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind- and perhaps realise that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black and white’ – Mark Jenkins.

As we prepare for this magnificent journey, I wanted to offer all of us the reminder that more than mere travel we are embarking on a beautiful spiritual adventure together.  I have discovered that not only do I return with a greater appreciation for the countries and the peoples we encounter, but my pilgrimage is also a journey within my own soul.

As important as it is to pack our suitcases with our necessities, I would like to suggest that we also be attentive to our own spiritual and growth needs. To that end, I wanted to make a few suggestions to support your experience.

1.  Reflect

Consider taking even a few minutes of silence to reflect on this amazing opportunity.  What does being on a pilgrimage do to you?  What feelings arise? Is there anything you need to do or complete before you to leave to be the most available you can for the experience?

2. Set an Intention (or two)

Ponder what a successful pilgrimage  would feel like?   Is there an intention you might set to help you achieve your personal goals and hopes? For some writing it down and bringing it with you may be resourceful. You also may notice that it serves as your compass or it way transform.

3. Write

Writing can often help us connect to our feelings beneath the surface or serve as a reminder to follow up on an area of interest.  You may like to use a small journal to jot down some thoughts, ideas, prayers or ideas.

4. Bring Your Authentic Full Self

While we are grouped by faith traditions, we are more complex or varied than just our faith tradition. No one is expected to be a paragon of their faith; the only expectation is for you to be you.

5. Pray

If it makes sense in your personal practice, offer a prayer for a meaningful and secure adventure.

May you find the next few days filled with ease and grace as you prepare to leave.  Remember that while there are limits on the size of our luggage, there is unlimited space to bring our fullest sense of kindness, patience and compassion.

See you soon,

Joshua

Pursuing Wisdom: An Interfaith Pilgrimage to Morocco and Spain

Who Are World Pilgrims?

Judaism, Christianity, Islam as well as other world religions hold many values and traditions in common but rarely do members of these faiths have meaningful contact with one another.  At times their interactions are often marked by distrust and hostility, rather than respect for differences and awareness of common values. World Pilgrims are committed to making a difference.

The ICI World Pilgrims program is based on the principle that before people of different religions can constructively discuss their differences they need to develop meaningful personal relationships with one another.  When friendship and trust must is established, honest and productive dialogue can take places even about areas of difference and disagreement.  Our goals are are to increase empathy and understanding, build trust, reduce conflict, and ultimately create opportunities for collaborative action.

The hope is that each  Pilgrim will:

• Deepen their personal faith by visiting some of the most sacred sites of their religious tradition.

• Gain an appreciation of the shared elements of all three Abrahamic religious traditions, as well as an understanding and respect for the differences

• Establish personal friendships with fellow pilgrims from Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions even in the midst of the complexities of relationships between these three faiths around the world.

A pilgrimage is a sacred journey, not a travel seminar or a tourist venture. This means taking time for personal and group reflection, devotional time and  personal sharing.  Participants are asked to see these times as essential elements of the pilgrimage. Each location is of sacred importance, a place where spiritual enrichment can take place.

Each journey has a formal and very intentional structure designed to ensure that all the participants achieve the goals of the pilgrimage.  The theme of this pilgrimage to Morocco and Spain is Pursuing Wisdom.  Each participant is asked to commit to this structure so that the shared goals of the journey can be obtained. 

We focus on understanding and acceptance of each other’s faith traditions; discussion rather than debate, respect rather than judgment, empathy rather than criticism.   As pilgrims traveling on a common and sacred journey, the participants are expected to share their personal experiences and faith journeys with one another, and to make a commitment to continue their common experience after returning home.  Traveling makes us vulnerable in the best ways and creates opportunities for empathy, relatability and support.

As a result, we are building a stronger faith community in Atlanta. With close to 400 pilgrims, we support one another’s communities and keep connected once we return. It is such a meaningful experience that many people seek to join another pilgrimage.  We are transforming the faith landscape to better our city and ourselves.

Follow this blog for an inside view of our 20th pilgrimage to Morocco and Spain as we are Pursuing Wisdom.

*This post was taken from the Interfaith Community Institute's webpage and edited by me.  All edits reflect my perspective and not of the ICI at a whole.  

World Pilgrim in the Dead Sea: 2010  Pilgrimage to Egypt, Jordan and Israel