Le livre sur amazon en France!

Pour tous mes amis francais --mon Livre The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage est bien disponible sur -- amazon.fr a un prix fou! Rappelez-vous que tout le produit de la vente de ce livre sera pour la recherche contre le cancer!

Do not follow in the footsteps of the old masters, but seek what they sought. Achieve enlightenment, then return to this world of ordinary humanity. - Basho

page 187, The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage

Two reviews on amazon.com

Kimberley Lovato (Brussels, Belgium)
Unlike the zillions of 'how to' books about walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, this book is a personal journey about a woman who chose to do something challenging when her best friend was stricken with cancer. Along the way , she gets to know others, and herself, on a compelling journey. She does a great job weaving characters in and out through her tales, all the while, never letting the reader forget what is at the heart of this tremendous journey. It was a humbling pleasure to walk with her.

Morton B. Walley "book fan", Roberta Walley (USA)
Ms. Wikinson's book opened a new world for me. I enjoyed reading about her journey , both internal and external, walking over the Pyrenees mountains in winter. She was seeking to understand her friend's fight with cancer and feel some of the challenges of the ordeal through her 850 km. walk to Santiago de Compostela. The author travels a difficult path. This a a journey of discovery for all who read this wonderful book.


Have you read the book yet? Why not go to amazon yourself and contribute a review of the book? Remember, every book sold is a contribution to the Stars and Stones Fund at the Australian Cancer Foundation!

More readers' reviews

Thank you so much for letting us take a look into your experiences on the Camino. I have just finished your book and handed it to my husband. And my recommendation is: read your book at least twice. I do so appreciate the fact that you are so open in sharing your thoughts, experiences and feelings you had and those of your fellow pilgrims.
You are a great writer and story teller.-- SM, The Netherlands



I have just finished reading your book - I cried, laughed, wondered and agonized with you over the whole 800 kms. It was not only a gift to Terrie, it was also a gift to me. The whole time I was reading it I felt like I was sitting in your little upstairs sitting room at La Linde and you were telling me your stories over a glass of rioja. I could hear your voice, and your laugh, and your exasperation and your joy. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.-- LS, Canada



I really enjoyed the book presentation, and I am also very enthusiastic about it as I read on and on. I understand so much of your thoughts, your solitude, as I live them myself. My "Camino" is certainly not as physically tough as yours, but I feel there is a similarity. -- MS, Film producer



Ek skryf in Afrikaans, want ek lei af dit is jou moedertaal. Sien jy was de Villiers. Ek is 'n Stellenbosch-er (so effe jonger as jy) en ons bly hier in ons eie stukkie paradys onder die skadu van die Pieke.
Verlede week sommer so onbeplan in 'n klein boekwinkel, weggesteek in Dorpstraat ingeglip en vra vir die vrou of sy iets het oor die Camino. "Hier het sopas 'n pragtige boek verskyn" sê sy. Ek is vrolik met jou boek onder my arm weg. Watter absolute vreugde was jou boek om te lees. Ek het vanmiddag, na die gaste hier weg is, gou die laaste hoofstukke gelees. Veels geluk met pragtige skryfwerk. Jou boek lees so lekker, maklik en die inhoud wissel en bly boeiend interessant. Dit was 'n vreugde om saam met jou en die ander pelgrims te kon stap. Ek het so op 'n manier swaar van jou boek (en die karakters) afskeid geneem en het net die behoefte om vir jou te sê "well done!" Ek het van jou fotos op die internet verder gekyk en dit is PRAGTIG. Jammer dit kon nie meer tot reg in die boek gekom het nie, maar die swart en wit hou ook sy eie mistiek in.
Ek gaan dit volgende jaar in Junie Julie stap. Dit was so lekker om 'n resente boek te kry en ek dink dat dit 'n groot voordeel is om dit in die winter te stap- naas die koue!! Ek weet ons gaan oorval word met getalle volgende jaar in die heilige jaar, maar sal dit as 'n pelgrimstog van 'n ander toonaard hanteer.
Nogmaals dank vir 'n pragtige boek. -- DH, SA



I finished reading your book on the weekend. I enjoyed it very much and found it very inspirational. My only gripe: the fact that you didn’t tell us how you finally managed to get back on your seriously messed up feet after the treatment by the osteopath; how long it took; and what the ‘gunpowder’ was! -- LH, SA



I have just this very minute finished reading your book from cover to cover. I have enjoyed it immensely could not put it down! Let me tell you, I am not a reader, can’t remember when last I actually completely read a book. I am sooooooooooo in awe of what you accomplished!
I FEEL AS THOUGH I TOO HAVE WALKED THE CAMINO – THROUGH YOUR EYES AND THANK GOODNESS ON YOUR FEET AND NOT MINE!
I am useless with words, but in my own way I want to tell you I have learnt and realised so much through your experiences, lots of food for thought. How you did it, under all those harrowing circumstances, I do not know. I didn’t know you could actually walk it the ‘rich & lazy’ way I thought you COULD only do it the Pilgrim’s way, so you have enlightened me about that too.
I’m, as I said not great with words, but I think I’ve got to know you, learnt more about you, just through reading your book.
I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU!!!!! -- JD, SA

Excerpt from The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage

I definitely wasn’t looking for a religious experience. My spiritual quest was to experience a level of commitment to something so great, so important, that any fear, inhibition or shame faded in significance. I wanted to pledge myself to something that would take me out of myself and place me on a level far beyond my ken. I wanted to be transported to a spiritual plane where the pettiness and detail of a mundane life had no import and where the true sense of life, love, friendship and courage would become clear.

In my frequent travels across the globe, I have always envied the faithful their blind resolve in the face of a staring world – be it the believers who, in airports, stop off in a side room to kneel down towards Mecca; or the orthodox Jew, with his prayer shawl draped over his shoulders, standing by the porthole of the plane door, rocking his silent prayer to his God; or the New Ager standing naked in the field, arms outstretched, greeting the ever-reliable sun at dawn. In Japan I’ve looked with longing at the white-clad funny-hatted men and women who walk the route of the 88
Buddhist temples of Shikoku. Even in Memphis, in the United States, it was not with scorn or ridicule that I watched the long lines of people who patiently and silently inched their way forward to the open doors of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland; I watched with something approaching awe and admiration. And then, of course, I have been deeply moved by the thousands of pilgrims who cycle, walk or ride on horseback on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Now, subconsciously, I sensed that this altered state of being I was yearning for was exactly what I’d seen in the faces of pilgrims at the airport, in the lines at Graceland – and on the Way of St James.

I did not need drugs, or alcohol, or an evangelist preacher to take me to that level. What I did need was total commitment – something I realised even before I started to research the requirements and demands of such a pilgrimage. This was not something I could do on a whim. It wouldn’t count that I had often taken on exciting challenges and demanding adventures on no more than a sudden impulse, nor that I’d always achieved what I set out to do, sometimes courtesy of pure good fortune. But, without total commitment even I could quite possibly fail. This time, this challenge was to demand more than ever before.
-Page 4-5

More Comments about the book

J'ai apprécié grandement la parole naturelle et sincère de Wilna vendredi dernier. Nous étions sur le chemin en sa compagnie. Que de rencontres insolites!.
-Jeanne Vigouroux



Wilna's descriptions of her experiences and finding the resources she needed on her journey, could have been the writing of someone, like myself, who is fighting the fight against cancer. Without spelling it out each time there is a distinct parallel between the Camino and cancer, anyone who has been on that journey themselves or anyone who is near someone who has or had this dreaded disease, will be heartened and inspired by The Way of Stars and Stones. There is so much in the book to reflect upon that you know you will always keep it close to refer back to time and time again. -Caroline T.



The Way of Stars and Stones by Wilna Wilkinson is a book I like tohave near me.
Wilna's story of her pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela touched a deep chord within me and had a profound effect upon me. Her courage, philosophy and basic common sense gave me an insight into myself.
I am recuperating from cancer and now see my recovery as 'my Camino'. It has helped me come to terms with myself and to accept things as they are and to count my blessings.
To sum up, all I can say is Thank you Wilna, you have given my life a new purpose.
-Avril H.

The passing days and months are eternal travellers in time...

The years that come and go are travellers too. Life itself is a journey.

--Matsuo Basho (from: The Way of Stars and Stones, page 120)

One step at a time is good walking -- Chinese proverb.

Page 92 -- The Way of stars and stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage

“Pilgrimage into the Heart: The Inner Teachings of El Camino de las Estrellas”

A member of the Confraternity of St James sent me this link. For anyone who has read the book, or anyone who has ever wanted to go on a pilgrimage, or has a need to find the lost spirituality in their lives, but may not have the courage to embark on such a journey alone, this seems to be a wonderful opportunity. Have a look!
An exceptional Pilgrimage in 2010

15 day practical exploration of the Spiritual Master Builders’ meditation and energetic practices,
along Saint James’ Way, the Cosmic River on Earth

With Ferran Blasco Aguasca (Enzo)

May 21st – June 4th, 2010

(Only 12 spaces)



PRESENTATION

El Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way) is one of the oldest spiritual pilgrimages existing in the world today. The trail, about 850 miles of spectacular beauty across northern Spain, from the Pyrenees, on the Mediterranean coast, to Saint James tomb in Galicia and further on to the Atlantic Coast, was recognized by our ancestors as a path of profound spiritual significance.

They understood this path as a Cosmic River on Earth, having a double dimension: the path on the Earth, later known as El Camino de Santiago, and the path in the Heavens, the Milky Way. That union of the Earthly and Cosmic energies offered to them the space for entering in communion with the spiritual realms.

Since ancient times, pilgrims from all over the world have come to El Camino to experience its hundreds of magical and powerful sites. Its history is linked to the legends of the megalithic builders, the Celtic druids, the Holy Grail, Noah’s journey and especially to the worship of the Great Goddess – Mother Earth.


PURPOSE OF THE JOURNEY

The purpose of this exceptional 15-day journey is to connect with that millennial tradition of spiritual masters that achieved a deep understanding of life and its universal laws along El Camino. This will be done through an in-depth practical study of the personal significance of El Camino from the point of view of the pilgrim, the master builder and, especially, the spiritual seeker. Our approach will blend nature, temple visits, meditation and energetic practices, with sacred geometry and geomancy.

STEPPING OFF THE BEATEN PATH

While still visiting quite a few of the more commonly know sites of the modern pilgrimage, our journey will step off the beaten path to explore areas nowadays omitted or unknown to most pilgrims and most guidebooks.

The journey will takes us about 2300 kilometers (1400 miles) along the whole length of one of the most ancient routes of the original pilgrimage: from the Mediterranean coast, just south of Barcelona, to Finisterre, on the Atlantic Coast.

The “stepping off the beaten path” will be both in terms of physical external landscape and personal internal landscape. Through the practice of meditation we will aim at looking for new references of what pilgrimage means as a practice for personal evolution.


DAILY ACTIVITIES AND TEACHINGS

Our days will open with early morning star meditation and qi gong (gentle exercise) practices just before sunrise. After practice, breakfast will follow, usually at the hotel or Bed and Breakfast where we slept.

The rest of the day will depend on where we are, but will include:
- Daily hikes chosen for their beauty and significance. Average length 2 hours, some up to 6 hours. Different degrees of difficulty.
- Practical study of the foundations of pilgrimage as a spiritual practice.
- Lectures and presentations about the Camino´s history, sacred geometry, art and symbolism.
- Study of key stars and constellations for El Camino de las Estrellas (the Trail of the Stars) along with meditation practices related to them.
- Visits to the key sites along the trail for study and practices.
- Qi Gong (gentle exercise) and meditation practices.
- Medieval mandala and temple floor plans study.
- Free time for reflection and personal sightseeing.
All activities are optional. If you are tired or need time by yourself, you may of course stay at the hotel.

ITINERARY
This is a brief summary of the pilgrimage itinerary and some of the key sites we will visit. It´s subject to changes but it will give you a general idea:
May 21: Sitges – Montserrat (visits to Our Lady del Vinyet Sanctuary, Montserrat Holy Cave and Benedictine Monastery to meet the Black Madonna).
May 22: Montserrat – Siresa (5 hour drive with stops for sightseeing).
May 23: Siresa (Hike to Roman Trail and Puerto del Palo, most ancient way to cross the Pyrenees for pilgrims).
May 24: Siresa (Hike to Agüas Tuertas Valley – megalithic sites. Visit to San Pedro de Siresa church).
May 25: Siresa – Leyre (Visit to La Virgen de la Peña’s hermitage, Santa Cilia, San Juan de la Peña, Santa Cruz de la Serós. Gregorian Chants in Leyre).
May 26: Leyre – San Millán de la Cogolla (Visits to Santa Maria de Eunate and Puente la Reina).
May 27: San Millán de la Cogolla (3 hour hike to San Millan´s holy hermitage and Suso´s monastery).
May 28: San Millán de la Cogolla (Teachings at hotel and relaxed day).
May 29: San Millán de la Cogolla – León (Visit to Sierra de la Demanda área. 3 hour hike).
May 30: León – Barbadelo (Visit to Leon´s cathedral, Villafranca del Bierzo and O´Cebreiro).
May 31: Barbadelo (Teachings at hotel).
June 1: Barbadelo – Santiago (Visit to Santiago´s cathedral).
June 2: Santiago – Fisterra (Visit to Santiago´s cathedral).
June 3: Fisterra (Lires – Muxia walk. Visit to Santuario de la Virgen de la Barca).
June 4: Fisterra – Santiago (End pilgrimage).

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR FROM OTHER YEARS?

The purpose of the 2010 pilgrimage is to dedicate more time to explore and practice Inner Teachings of El Camino through the energetic and meditation practices.
Pilgrimage is a retreat in motion, so the focus will be on utilizing our time to deepen into ourselves through practice. For this reason there will be more periods of formal meditation. A sequence of practices will be presented to undertake the “Pilgrimage into the Heart”. We will explore the seven gates of Consciousness that are present in El Camino and see how they connect our personal life to the “One Life”.

We will also spend more time walking. This year´s pilgrimage will incorporate some more and longer walks.
For these two purposes, instead of spending mostly each night at a different hotel, as we did before, we will stay 2-3 nights average per site, allowing for a more settled rhythm.
TRANSPORTATION AND LANDSCAPE

The journey will offer an in-depth view of the Spanish landscape. Along our trip we will cross several main areas: the Mediterranean coast, the powerful Pyrenees, the Castilian plains, the magical forests of Galicia and the Atlantic coast.
We will visit some major cities but mostly little villages and areas where the ancient flavor of the pilgrimage is still very present.
We will drive two comfortable minivans. This will offer us the opportunity to visit some truly exceptional sites that are off the regular Camino and that most walking pilgrims can’t visit because of obvious time and distance concerns.

The daily drive from site to site will be only between 1 to 2 hours with stops to visit sites and do practices along the way.

GROUP

Due to the structure of the class and the nature of the teachings, only 12 spaces are available.
The objective of having such a compact group is to allow more personal attention to each individual and to be able to move with more ease and fun.
The intention is to have a small, easygoing group that wants to focus on spending time doing practices and learning about the areas’ rich spiritual heritage in a fun and relaxed way but focused on the task ahead.
MINIMUM SIZE FOR THE GROUP
The minimum number of people for the pilgrimage to take place is 6 persons.
In the unlikely event that the number is not reached 12 weeks before departure, we will contact you to consider different possibilities.
PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY

The practice of pilgrimage, and therefore the intention of this class, is not simply traveling from place to place to look around and take some pictures. It is a most important step in personal development in which one brings to completion situations unfinished from the past, closing cycles and recovering energetic integrity.

Pilgrimage starts long before one arrives at the “place of departure”. For this reason, some preparatory practices will be suggested to participants in the months prior to arriving to Spain for the actual trip.

After making your reservation you will receive instructions on the practice and a list with suggested reading to help you to prepare for the journey.

STARTING AND FINISHING DATES AND PLACES
Class starts: Friday May 21st @ 7 am in Sitges (Barcelona) (Airport code: BCN)
Class ends: Friday June 4th @ 5 pm in Santiago de Compostela

HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

All accommodations will be very comfortable, nice and clean, mostly in really beautiful rural settings. The price is for double rooms with a private bathroom.

Some single rooms are available for most nights if previously arranged (extra fee of 320 euros), but due to the nature of the places we will stay the number is limited.

HOW SOME PARTICIPANTS FELT ABOUT PREVIOUS
PILGRIMAGES

“It’s been a life changing experience.” Karin Sorvik, NY, USA
“An amazing journey… Some of the most beautiful and inspiring landscapes I have ever seen. Thank you Ferran!” David Powell, CO USA
“A journey of a lifetime.” Caryn Boyd-Diel, NM, USA
“The trip provided more than I could have imagined. I would go again without hesitation.” Onja, NC, USA
“My fellow peregrinos were incredible and contributed wholeheartedly to the overall experience.” Thom Herbst, MI, USA

COST: 2430 EUROS.

Included:

- 14 hotel nights in double occupancy bedrooms with private bathroom.
- Tuition for 15 days of classes and practices.
- Transportation in 2 minivans from Barcelona to Santiago Compostela.
- Breakfasts and one meal per day for 14 days (either lunch or dinner).
- Entrances to sites that require a fee for group visits.
- Basic insurance provided by the car rental company on van passengers.
Not included:
- Airfare to Spain and back to your destination.
- Transportation back from Santiago to your destination within Spain after the class.
- Hotels for the night of May 20th in Sitges and June 4th in Santiago. Recommendations will be provided).
- Medical insurance.
- Tips at hotels and restaurants.
- Everything else that is not included in the “Includes” section.



PAYMENTS

Due to the constantly changing exchange-rate for the dollar – euro, it is suggested to pay in full as soon as possible.
By credit card: Visa or Mastercard accepted.
By wire transfer: bank account in Spain information upon request. Bank fees are to be payed by the sender.
Payment plan option is available: (1% added to each payment made by credit card when using paying plan)
- Reservation fee: 820 euros (non-refundable).
- Then 2 payments of 805 euros due by January 15th and march 31st.
For payment plan option, payment will be scheduled and charged on the due date to the credit card number provided.

REFUND POLICY
If after you reserve your space you need to cancel your participation in the class, this is the policy:
Reservation fee is Non-Refundable.
Before March 1st: we will refund credit card or wire money back to you for the amount you have paid until then, minus bank fees for transaction and non-refundable reservation fee.
After March 1st: No refunds. There´s the possibility though that another person you know might come in your place, if they are fit for the journey.

In the very unlike case that we have to cancel the journey from our reasons in our end or because there were not enough participants, never happened yet, you would receive a full refund for any amount you have pain, including the reservation fee.

REGISTER

There are only 12 spaces. Contact us to by email or phone us if you have any questions or to arrange payment. Lots of happy references from previous “pilgrims” upon request.
A minimum of 6 reservations has to be received by January 15th or we will contact you to consider other retreat possibilities.
We´ll be very happy to talk with you about any question you might have.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Shen Dao Institute of Acupuncture and Natural Health
Ferran Blasco Aguasca (Enzo)
Tel. 00 34 93 292 01 06 – Cel. 00 34 650 576 107
Fax. 00 34 93 691 98 57
Mailing Address: Calle Balmes, 151 Ent 1 – BCN 08008
Email: ferran@acupunturabarcelona.com
Web: www.zahoriart.com – www.acupunturabarcelona.com

More comments!

from Silvia Nilsen, Confraternity of St James : I've spoken to two people who heard your interview on SAFM. One is a pilgrim recently returned from the camino Frances who said that she felt so nostalgic listening to you talk that she just wanted to go back to Spain.
Then last night I gave a talk on the camino to the Rotary Club at Mt Edgecombe and a woman in the audience was particularly animated. Afterwards she told me that she had heard an interview with a woman on SAFM and was so inspired that she decided there and then that she had to walk the camino. And then, she came along to the Rotary meeting to find me giving a talk about el camino. "Its a sign!" she said. "I'd never heard of it before and now twice in one week I hear two different women talking about it." So, she is planning to walk in 2011

Lancement du livre de Wilna Wilkinson at Aquitaine Langues, hosted by Albert Croce

Lancement du livre de Wilna Wilkinson

Vendredi 20 novembre 2009 à 19h00, Centre Aquitaine Langues
« The Way of Stars and Stones »
Conférence dialoguée


Le Centre Aquitaine Langues et Albert CROCE sont heureux de vous recevoir
Au Centre Aquitaine Langues, à Bergerac, pour une conférence dialoguée sur le lancement du livre de Wilna Wilkinson « The Ways of Stars and Stones » qui retrace ses rencontres et ses réflexions sur le chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle.

La conférence sera suivie d’un buffet « Wine and Cheese »
Vin offert pour l’occasion par Gerrita Thiart-Martin de ViniSource

« Cuvée Compostelle » du Château Côte Monpezat, Côtes de Castillon 2005

Prière de réserver à l’avance Entrée 6€