Four Phases of the Camino
Everyone’s journey and story is their own; however millions of Pilgrims have come before you on this path. Their experiences inform these questions. We hope the prompts can guide you on your personal pilgrimage and perhaps spark conversation either internally or amongst the friends you’ll meet along the way. Please copy the questions below into your own journal or notepad to help guide daily reflection. Alternatively, download and print a copy at home before going on the journey. ¡Buen Camino!
Phase 1 - Going Inward
What brought me here? Am I going TO something or FROM something?
What are my fears and concerns about walking the Camino?
What are my intentions, purpose and expectations?
What would be the 3 things I hope to gain from my Camino?
What are the burdens I would like to leave or lay down at The Cruz de Ferro?
What did I leave behind and why?
Now, after walking several days, is the Camino what I thought it would be or different? Why?
Am I still walking the Camino or am I ready for the Camino to walk me?
What are my recurring thoughts and/or challenges that keep surfacing?
If there was one thing I could change that would make a significant impact on my life, what would it be?
What am I most grateful and thankful for?
Phase 2 - Searching
12. What are my unique talents/who am I?
13. What attachments—if I left go of—would change my relationships to myself and/or others?
14. What questions am I afraid to ask or be asked?
15. What are my values? What is not negotiable?
16. What five traits do I admire in others? What do I most admire in myself?
17. What do I most dislike about myself?
18. What do I need to forgive in myself and others, and can, will, or should I let go?
19. What gives me joy, peace of mind and fills my heart?
20. Where and when am I most authentic to myself?
21. What kind of life mask are you wearing?
Phase 3 - Discovering
22. Have you found your true self? Are you now being your true self? What is my true self asking of me?
23. What have other pilgrims and the Camino shown me so far?
24. What have I learned?
25. What has changed in me?
26. What has the pain, time and awareness taught me?
27. What has given me the most sense of meaning and purpose?
28. Have my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts been satisfied and awakened? How and why?
29. Has this been a spiritual experience for you? If so, why?
30. Did I find a new or renewed spiritual direction for my life? If so, what is it?
31. How do I now view the world and what can I do to make it better?
Phase 4 - Coming Home
32. What was the most unexpected event? How did it touch me?
33. What are the 3 things that I received that I needed or desired on my Camino?
34. Will the principles of the Camino be taken home and acted on?
What are they?
35. What are my resolutions to take home?
36. What is my definition of a pilgrim now?
37. What are my best and worst memories of the Camino?
38. How can I express my gratitude?
39. What could I, would I and should I have done differently?
40. What are 3 life lessons I have learned on my Camino?
41. What have I faced and overcome?
42. What insights about myself has the Camino taught me that has forever changed me?
“It is not the end, it is a new beginning. Welcome home, Pilgrim!”