“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