Go On A Pilgrim Walk To Gain Clarity

What is a Pilgrim Walk? No, it doesn't involve walking on your knees to the nearest shrine! But, similar to the notion of going on a pilgrimage, it can be a deeply satisfying tool for your soul and provide you with information about yourself.

Simply put, a Pilgrim Walk is a method that can help you gain clarity about a dilemma or a big decision, or even that feeling of being "stuck" or out of whack with life without quite knowing why.

Here is how you do it:

Start by formulating a clear question. Take some time to get to the heart of the matter as best you can. Don't be afraid to ask a BIG question. Some sample questions—just to give you the idea—are:

Should I take the job offer I just received? Should I move in with my boyfriend? What should I be focusing on in my life right now? Why do I feel "stuck?" What matters most right now? What is my purpose in life? Am I deeply honoring myself in my current work?

No question is "wrong," as long as it really matters to YOU.

After having honed your question, you need a chunk of time. An hour is the minimum amount of time to work with, and if you can take a bit more, that is even better.

Now it is time to take the Pilgrim Walk. The idea is that you will simply walk for your designated period of time, with an open mind that assumes you will receive some answers to your question. You can walk anywhere, the streets of your town or city, the woods, a beach. The location doesn't matter too much, although it is best to avoid choosing an area where people that you know could distract you—such as the downtown area of a small town.

Prior to stepping out the door, simply ask your question, and then (here is the hardest part)—let it go. Just assume that the insights will come. You do not need to look for them while you are walking, and you don't need to force anything. Look around and stay in the moment. For this one hour you do not need to solve anything, work anything out or make to-do lists in your mind. You are allowing the universe to lead you to information.

Almost everyone who tries this exercise gets some type of information that leads them to answers and sometimes amazing epiphanies and weird coincidences occur. Is this the Universe or God actually providing you with answers? Or is it the process of having an open mind that allows you to see things you hadn't seen before or to see things in new ways? My experience is that it doesn't matter. Whatever you believe, the important part is that you do get new information.

During your walk, you can slow down and linger in certain spots that draw you—but try not to get too attached to any one place or thing. Just observe your surroundings and keep moving. Take in colors and shapes. Notice how you feel in different spots—but avoid telling yourself stories about your feelings. Notice smells and sounds.

When you are done with your walk, give yourself some time to write down or voice record what happened on your journey. Re-visit the question that you started with and see what comes up. For many people this will be a process that unfolds over several hours or days.

You've taken a journey into your own being!


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Wendy Ponte is a Certified Professional and Strategic Coach who writes on the topics of potential, life balance, and meeting big goals. You can find out more about her work on her website.